Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Superintendent Kim Halterman, left, and School Board Chair Jonathan Arritt accept a first-place award from the Virginia School Boards Association for the division’s AHA: Law program. The Excellence in Workforce Readiness recognition, presented to school divisions with fewer than 5,000 students, honors AHPS for giving high school students hands-on exposure to careers in law, government, and public service. (VSBA Photo)

AHPS Wins First Place for Law & Government Career Program   Low Moor, VA (July 30, 2025) - Alleghany Highlands Public Schools (AHPS) has earned first place in the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Excellence in Workforce Readiness recognition program. The award, presented in the category for Virginia school divisions with fewer than 5,000 students, honors the division’s Alleghany Highlands Advancement: Law and Political Science Program, also known as AHA: Law. AHA: Law gives high school students hands-on experience with careers in law, government, and public service. Participants meet regularly with professionals, including attorneys, elected officials, and policy experts, to learn how the legal system operates and how government functions in the real world. Jonathan Arritt, chair of the Alleghany Highlands School Board, was part of the AHPS delegation that accepted the award on July 25 during a statewide education conference near Richmond. “Whether it be for an aspiring attorney or a student who simply wants to be a more knowledgeable citizen after graduation, we’re delighted our AHA: Law program has had such a positive impact in just its first year of existence. That’s a credit to both the students and our staff for allowing us to add this valuable program,” said Arritt, chair of the Alleghany Highlands School Board. Students in the program agree. “Being a member of this program has helped to show students, whether seeking a future in this field or just interested in it, all of the different aspects of the government that heads us,” said Gracie Stull, who will be a junior at Alleghany this year. “Many do not understand that there is more to politics than just what we see on television. Law and politics come down to the ‘nitty gritty’ of what keeps America running steadily. With this program, we have been able to meet and understand the ‘smaller’ roles that truly run our country. Without the local roles, district roles, and state roles that work hard in our own communities, it would be difficult for the national roles to be able to operate so smoothly. This program has helped to truly highlight those roles for our youth to understand to the fullest.” This is not the first time AHPS has been honored for its career-readiness programs. In 2023, the division’s AHA: Healthcare program earned third place in the same VSBA competition. The AHA programs began with support from a state grant and have continued to grow thanks to the strong backing of the Alleghany Highlands School Board. Student involvement in the programs continues each year, often expanding as more discover the opportunities available “We’re proud to keep offering and expanding our AHA programs,” said AHPS leaders Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson. “These opportunities help students understand how to reach their career goals. We’re especially thankful for Ginni Phillips, who leads the programs and works closely with our students.” AHA: Law is not a traditional classroom course. There are no academic prerequisites, just a strong interest in law, government, or public service. Students interested in learning more or joining AHA: Law should contact Ginni Phillips at virginia.phillips@ahps.k12.va.us. The AHA programs are part of AHPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. CTE programs combine academic instruction with hands-on learning to help students explore career paths and build the skills needed for college, work, or other opportunities after high school. Alleghany Highlands Public Schools was established in July 2023 through the merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. As a joint school division funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington, AHPS serves approximately 2,700 students across the Highlands and was created to make more efficient use of public resources. To learn more about Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, visit www.ahps.k12.va.us. You can also follow AHPS on Facebook at @AHPublicSchools and on Instagram at @ahpublicschools. Clifton Forge resident Joan Vannorsdall was among the featured speakers at AHA: Law during the past school year. An author and retired schoolteacher, Vannorsdall served on the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors from 2017 to 2021, representing the Clifton Forge East District. She originally intended to become a lawyer but chose education after falling in love with literature. From left: Peyton Broughman, Vannorsdall, and Kaitlyn Petrero. Broughman is a rising senior at Alleghany High School; Petrero graduated this year. (AHPS Photo)

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