🎺 John S. Battle Senior Selected for National FFA Band
Congratulations to Maggie Graham, a senior at John S. Battle High School and member of the John S. Battle Band Program and FFA chapter, on being selected to perform with the 2026 National FFA Band!
Maggie auditioned for the national band and earned a spot playing trumpet as second chair. She is currently in Indianapolis, Indiana, with fellow musicians for rehearsals and performances at the National FFA Convention & Expo, which runs Oct. 21–24.
Maggie is making John S. Battle High School and Washington County Public Schools proud!
11th grader Easton Compton took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, showcasing his guitar skills at one of country music’s most iconic venues!
Help us congratulate Easton on this exciting opportunity! We’re proud to see our students sharing their talents on such a special stage!
The John S. Battle School Nutrition crew had some fun celebrating National School Lunch Week last week with this year’s “Cafeteria Circus” theme!
Thanks to this crew for bringing the fun to the cafeteria and keeping our students fed!
🌟 2026 Jr. Miss Washington County Fair - Queen
👑 Rhytts Hackney - Sophomore
🌟 2025 Jr. Miss Washington County Fair - Crowning Queen
👑 Gracie Dickinson - Sophomore
🌟 2026 Miss Washington County Fair - 2nd Runner-Up
👑 Abagail McCroskey - Senior
🌟 2026 Miss Washington County Fair - 4th Runner-Up
👑 Elliot Williams - Junior
🌟Cora Stockner - Freshman - Won the Alberta Copenhaver Character Award
We are incredibly proud of these young ladies and all the hard work, dedication, confidence, and grace they displayed!! What a wonderful accomplishment for each of you!
We had the pleasure of welcoming our new Student School Board Representatives this afternoon with a luncheon as they prepare to serve as student voices on the Washington County School Board during the 2026-2027 school year!
Please join us in welcoming:
*Abingdon High School: Caden Singleton
*John S. Battle High School: T.J. Bishop
*Patrick Henry High School: Zen Moser
*Holston High School: Payton Long
*Washington County Career & Technical Education Center: Zayne Bolen
We are excited to have these five students representing their schools and fellow students throughout the coming school year. We look forward to hearing their perspectives, ideas, and experiences as we continue working together to make WCPS the best it can be for all students.
🏆 Washington County Educators Named State Champions in Presidential AI Challenge
Two educators from John S. Battle High School have been recognized as state champions in the Presidential AI Challenge, an initiative designed to encourage innovative uses of artificial intelligence in education.
Susan Davenport, an English teacher, and Teresa Austin, a math teacher, were named Virginia winners in the Educator Track after developing MasteryLens, an AI-powered tool designed to support both teachers and students in the classroom.
Their project, created with mentorship from industry partners at CGI, one of the world’s largest independent technology and professional services firms, functions as an AI chatbot and grading assistant. The tool provides immediate, meaningful feedback to students while also offering teachers valuable insights into student understanding and mastery of content – helping to streamline grading and enhance instruction.
“Having the mentors from CGI in our corner gave us confidence that what we wanted to create was possible,” said Davenport. “They were there every step of the way, offering encouragement and solutions as we developed a final product that we are proud of.”
The Presidential AI Challenge invited educators and students from across the nation and U.S. territories to design innovative AI-based solutions or instructional models. Davenport and Austin submitted their project in January and were notified in March that they had been selected as Virginia winners, advancing to the Southeast Regional Competition.
Through their work on MasteryLens, both educators gained valuable experience in understanding the capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence in education. They plan to continue refining the tool with the goal of implementing it in classrooms in the future.
Washington County Public Schools congratulates Ms. Austin and Ms. Davenport on this outstanding achievement and their commitment to innovation in education.
To learn more about MasteryLens, click here.
We are thrilled to highlight Emma King, a proud John S. Battle High School graduate!
Are you a graduate of Washington County Public Schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! We're excited to learn about your accomplishments and share your story and advice with our current students, families, and community.
Please click here, to fill out a submission form: https://forms.gle/7qzqxJCpCjryVsfW8 OR Do you know a graduate from Washington County Public Schools who has made a positive impact in their community?
Nominate them to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight Series! Click here, to nominate a WCPS graduate: https://forms.gle/LFV1PwdpHnLfYRhn8
Ready to get a taste of college life this summer -- for just $50?!
Campus Connections at Appalachian State University has a few spots still available, and this is an experience you don’t want to miss!
📍 Where: Appalachian State University
📅 When: June 22–26
🎒 Who: Rising 9th–12th graders in Washington County
From exploring the outdoors to staying on a beautiful college campus, this is your chance to build new friendships, gain independence, and experience what college life is all about!
🚨 Spots are limited -- don’t wait!
👉 Apply now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFsUWW-KmNFpZa4bL4XkDMEtfSVHHs90xvYM-ZQ5KGZNePoQ/viewform
We are thrilled to highlight Audra Meadows, a proud John S. Battle High School graduate!
Are you a graduate of Washington County Public Schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! We're excited to learn about your accomplishments and share your story and advice with our current students, families, and community.
Please click here, to fill out a submission form: https://forms.gle/7qzqxJCpCjryVsfW8 OR Do you know a graduate from Washington County Public Schools who has made a positive impact in their community?
Nominate them to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight Series! Click here, to nominate a WCPS graduate: https://forms.gle/LFV1PwdpHnLfYRhn8
Today we celebrate the incredible school nutrition professionals who keep our students fueled and ready to learn each day. From early mornings to lunchtime smiles, they work hard behind the scenes to prepare meals, ensure food safety, and create welcoming cafeteria environments for all.
Thank you for your dedication, care, and the important role you play in supporting student success. You truly are heroes in our schools -- we appreciate you!
Ready to get a taste of college life this summer -- for just $50?!
Campus Connections at Appalachian State University is now accepting applications, and this is an experience you don’t want to miss!
📍 Where: Appalachian State University
📅 When: June 22–26
🎒 Who: Rising 9th–12th graders in Washington County
From exploring the outdoors to staying on a beautiful college campus, this is your chance to build new friendships, gain independence, and experience what college life is all about!
🚨 Spots are limited -- don’t wait!
👉 Apply now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFsUWW-KmNFpZa4bL4XkDMEtfSVHHs90xvYM-ZQ5KGZNePoQ/viewform
We are thrilled to highlight Sydney Bailey Arnold, a proud John S. Battle High School graduate!
Are you a graduate of Washington County Public Schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! We're excited to learn about your accomplishments and share your story and advice with our current students, families, and community.
Please click here, to fill out a submission form: https://forms.gle/7qzqxJCpCjryVsfW8 OR Do you know a graduate from Washington County Public Schools who has made a positive impact in their community?
Nominate them to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight Series! Click here, to nominate a WCPS graduate: https://forms.gle/LFV1PwdpHnLfYRhn8
Wednesday, May 20
6:00 p.m. – Washington County Career & Technical Education Center (at the Higher Education Center)
Thursday, May 21
6:00 p.m. – Holston High School
8:00 p.m. – Patrick Henry High School
Friday, May 22
6:00 p.m. – John S. Battle High School
8:00 p.m. – Abingdon High School
More details will be shared by each school as graduation approaches. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
The 19th Annual PAWS Campaign (Providing Animals With Support) is back! From March 1–March 31, 2026, Washington County Public Schools is proud to support the Washington County Animal Shelter through this annual community drive.
We’re collecting much-needed items to help care for animals in our community, including:
🐶🐱 Cat & dog food
🧹 Cleaning supplies (bleach & dish detergent)
🐾 Kitty litter
Donations can be dropped off at ANY Washington County school.
