Boys Home of Virginia is excited to announce their annual spring open house on Thursday, April 25. The event is open to the public. Guests are invited to meet staff and students, enjoy a wonderful lunch, and learn about the Boys Home program.
Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the new Hileman Leadership Center, located next to the Costan gymnasium. This event will kick off with the long-awaited ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony at 10:15 a.m. to unveil the newest addition to the Boys Home campus.
To attend the open house, please RSVP to Melinda at mnichols@boyshomeofva.org or call 540-965-7707 by Friday, April 19.
On Friday, March 22, family, friends, alumni and more gathered to celebrate inductee Donnie E. Wheatley into the 2024 Boys Home of Virginia Hall of Fame.
(Pictured above/left to right – Board President, John Williams, Former Executive Director Donnie E. Wheatley and Executive Director Chris Doyle)
Middle row: Nazayah Harmond, Tyrese Jacques and Kemon Lewis
Back row: Head Coach Marie Mason, Kenneth Bailey, Sedekee Koroma, DeLeon Lee, Paul Voigts, Josiah Culp and Assistant Coach Chris Doyle (left/right)
Not pictured – Sage Custalow and Jeff Otieno
On March 21, Boys Home will kick off the spring soccer season. The team is led by Head Coach Marie Mason and Assistant Coaches Jason Bush and Chris Doyle. Student Bryson Rhoades will play the role of team manager. Head Coach Mason states, “I am looking forward to the spring soccer season. We have a young team with a lot of talent. I think it will be an exciting season.” In addition, Assistant Coach Doyle states, “I want our players to understand that there is nothing better than being on a team and a part of something bigger than yourself. I am looking forward to seeing our players grow together, work hard, overcome obstacles and celebrate our successes.”
In addition to the coaches and team manager, game captains will vary throughout the season. The opportunity will allow multiple players to serve in a leadership role.
Athletics at Boys Home serve as an excellent way for our students to develop physically, mentally and socially. Please join us to cheer on the team at the first home game on Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. against Craig County High School.
Boys Home students posed with Paul’s Daughter and Grandson – Ephy Morris, Josh Eng, Beverley Siple Ellis, Billy Siple, Sage Custalow and Justus Dostal (left/right)
On February 4, 2024, the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its 2024 class. One of the four recipients was former Boys Home assistant director, coach and mentor Paul Siple. The event featured a great guest speaker, fellow Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball pitcher Billy Wagner. Billy offered an emotional speech to the crowd about his humble beginnings and the journey that landed him among the elites. He stated, “Size has nothing to do with heart. I was told so many times that I wouldn’t make it because I was too small. No matter what, go win the game.”
Mark Pifer, Paul Siple’s stepson, accepted the award on his behalf. Paul passed away in 2015 at age 93. Also in attendance was Paul’s daughter Beverely Ellis and grandson Billy Siple. Mark stated, “Paul was very competitive. When he was watching baseball, it was better to be silent and let him think. He had a true love for Boys Home. I am happy to see a table here tonight of Boys Home students and staff. I know that would have made Paul happy.”
Paul was a 1938 graduate of Clifton Forge High School. Additionally, he graduated from Bridgewater College in 1942, where he was a four-year letter winner in baseball as the shortstop and team captain. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1957.
His career at Boys Home began in 1960 and would continue through 1992. He was initially hired as a coach and recreation director and led the 1962-1963 baseball team to a near-perfect season with a record of 17-1. Perhaps out of all the titles Paul Siple held at Boys Home, mentor is the most fitting for his impact on and off the field. He embodied the Boys Home mission of developing each young man we serve physically, mentally, socially and emotionally to become successful men who positively impact their communities.
Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, Mike Nunnally came to Boys Home in 1956 and stayed through 1963. In December of 2022, he was at Boys Home for an alumni meeting. During the visit, he asked to view his personal file from when he was a resident. Mike was inspired by a telegram from his former priest at a church in Norfolk. The telegram, which became a local news story, depicted the reason why Mike needed a new home and a fresh start.
Mike said, “After that experience in December of last year, I knew it was time to tell my story. My book, Unchained, is a book of hope. The cover reads, ‘a journey from abuse to inspiration.’ My story began as one of pain but became one of resilience and triumph. I am blessed to have had angels watching over me throughout my life. I also clung to my Christian faith during the difficulties I faced. Boys Home played a huge role in that story.”
Mike is now retired and living in Loudoun County. He stated, “I love to write. My writing career began at Boys Home. I wrote the cottage reports for Greene Cottage.” On Saturday, December 9 at 1:30 p.m., Mike will hold a book signing at Boys Home in the Dining Hall (414 Boys Home Road, Covington, VA, 24426). The book will be available for purchase ($16 paperback and $20 hardcover). It is also available on Amazon. The event is open to the public. Prior to the signing, Mike will offer a brief testimony of his inspirational journey. Join us to see firsthand the transformation that happened to Mike and is still happening today as Boys Home continues its crucial mission.
