2021 Virginia Interscholastic Association Annual Hall of Fame Awards Banquet — Story of the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA)

On June 25, 2021, the Virginia Interscholastic Association hosted their annual Hall of Fame Awards Banquet to virtually celebrate the 2020 and 2021 inductees. Close to 100 people attended, including VIA alumni, friends, and family members of Hall of Fame inductees.

Even before the formal program began, people signed on and shouted out greetings to former classmates whom they had not seen in many years. A silver lining of the virtual format was that people attended from across the country.

Andrea Copeland, the Mistress of Ceremonies, introduced the speakers and theme: “The Glory Years.”

Words of Welcome

After a heartfelt invocation by Reverend John Boyd, Knox Tull shared words of welcome.

Keynote Speech

Next, Marty Miller delivered the keynote speech, discussing how a support network of parents, teachers, and community members enabled the success that he and his peers experienced during the glory days. Mr. Miller explained that “all of that hard work, dedication, believing in ourselves, and all of the experiences that we endured, it propelled us to a high level, putting us in positions that led us to do better than what our parents did.”

Breakout Room Stories

To mirror as closely as possible the experience of an in-person banquet, the program included time for guests to converse in small breakout groups, sharing memories from high school and finding fellowship across screens. (This included what some VIA alumnis refer to as “snowball stories” about sports achievements and more.)

Children of the inductees shared memories of their legacy, and when we returned to the main group, some shared their stories with everyone. Further expanding on the theme of the glory years, Allen Dance, son of a 2021 inductee, discussed that with community, times of hardship can emerge to become periods of great achievement and pride.

Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech

Next up in the program was the Hall of Fame acceptance speaker. Ms. Copeland introduced Afemo Omilami, who shared words of inspiration and strength for his fellow honorees, calling participants to invest in youth and let this moment be the beginning of a movement.

Next, Ms. Copeland announced the 2021 and 2020 inductees and the group celebrated the incredible accomplishments of the members of the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Roll Call

Andrea Copeland celebrates the 2021 and 2020 Hall of Fame inductees.

Membership Speech

Following the Hall of Fame, Ms. Thelma Jefferson shared her membership speech to encourage participants to continue to maintain the rich historical archive provided by the VIA.

Closing Remarks

Jefferson’s speech was followed by the closing remarks given by Mr. Jimmy Hollins, chairman of the VIA.

As the formal program concluded, participants were given a chance to join a final round of breakout rooms. These rooms extended the meeting by an hour, finishing up a wonderful celebration of community and history.