News

Boys Home Celebrates 1st Nine Weeks Honor Roll for Fall 2022 Semester

Boys Home of Virginia is excited to announce the students who achieved A and A/B honor roll for the first nine weeks of the fall semester. Skylar Pruitt, an A honor roll student, was asked what contributed to his high achievement. He stated, “I worked hard and focused. I knew what I wanted to achieve. I worked diligently to make it happen.” Accelerated Reader is a program that will be introduced in the second nine weeks of the semester. The goal of the program is to assist all students in achieving a higher reading level. Boys Home is proud of all the honor roll students. Congratulations! 

Front row (left to right) | Rylee Callis and Skylar Pruitt (A honor roll)

Second row (left to right) | Christofer Silvas-Holguin, Ephy Morris, Jareem Reid, Tim Kengni, Sedekee Koroma, Nicholas Rodgers, Kemon Lewis, Noe Tenke and Mason Peterson (A/B honor roll)

Third row (left to right) | Sage Custalow, Akon Deng, Isaiah Giday, Cody Payne, Deleon Lee and Mulu Slawta (A/B honor roll)

Indoor and Outdoor Christmas Decorations Requested for Boys Home of Virginia

A time-honored tradition at Boys Home is the annual Christmas cottage decorating contest. The tradition started in 1966 and is anticipated by all on the hill. Darling Cottage was the winning cottage for 2021 and is pictured above. As you and your families are sorting through and putting away your Christmas decorations this year, please keep us in mind. If there are any decorations you no longer use, they would make a wonderful addition to the Boys Home community. The noble mission of Boys Home currently serves over forty young men. We appreciate your assistance in making their homes shine brightly this holiday season!

Boys Home Student Mulu Slawta Completes College Orientation Workshop

Boys Home is proud of recent College Orientation Workshop (COW) graduate Mulu Slawta. COW is a four-week educational enrichment program at Virginia Military Institute. The goal is to successfully prepare rising upperclassmen for life after high school graduation. Mulu describes himself as an introvert and was initially hesitant about participating. The four weeks challenged him physically, mentally and emotionally. At the conclusion, he was pleased with his decision to participate and graduate.

In the program, each day begins with a wake-up call at 5:00 a.m. The students spend part of the day in the classroom learning about SAT preparation, financial literacy, public speaking, the paths available after graduation and more. Their public speaking skills are tested weekly during the program. After the educational portion was complete, students were tasked with a variety of physical challenges. The program had the theme of a growth mindset. Mulu initially struggled with endurance while completing a maximum number of push-ups in 1.5 minutes. The program had a motto, “I can’t yet. Keep pushing and you can do anything you put your mind to.” At the beginning of the program, Mulu could complete ten push-ups in the allotted time. By the end, he completed thirty. 

After returning to Boys Home, Mulu has been challenged to use his new leadership skills on campus. Mulu spoke about COW at the opening school convocation to all current students and staff. In the upcoming school year, he will participate in student council and Key Club. Mulu stated, “The program changed me for the better. I have a ‘you- versus-you’ mentality now. I can do what any man can do. I am more confident, open-minded, physically stronger and know myself better. I want to lead by example on campus.”