The Lord Botetourt High School library was popular Saturday afternoon. That’s where alumni, friends and family got a chance to browse through the school’s 50 years of history recorded in the 50 yearbooks that were on display.
The school held its 50th Anniversary Open House Saturday with displays, yearbooks, technology demonstrations, 50th anniversary items for sale and a brief ceremony in the school auditorium.
Among those on hand for the ceremony were three teachers who moved to LBHS with their students in the fall of 1959. Martha Murray, Phyllis Simmons and Edna Sifford were in the auditorium audience when Benton Bolton talked about the 50 years of excellence that started that same year—his senior year in high school.
Bolton, who now serves as Botetourt County Treasurer, told the audience all of those in the school’s first commencement, including the entire Class of 1960, sat on the auditorium stage.
School Board Chairman Michael Beahm, who graduated from LBHS in 1969, spoke briefly about the school that opened with 583 students in grades 8-12 and how residents of the county overwhelmingly supported the bond issue necessary to build LBHS and its sister schools, James River High School and Central Academy.
School Superintendent Dr. Tony Brads noted LBHS opened in the fall of 1959, and the next year added four classrooms. Since then, it had renovations and additions in 1972, 1982 and 1999. The school has had seven principals. The current principal, Tim Bane, took the post this school year.
