Eastern Montgomery and Radford High Schools, both members of the Three Rivers District, were just two of the 20 high schools that have been awarded the 2010 Claudia Dodson VHSL Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award presented by Wachovia, which recognizes member schools that have established policies and procedures that make sportsmanship a priority and an expectation within the school and school community.

“I consider this to be the Virginia High School League’s most prestigious award,” said VHSL Deputy Director Tom Zimorski. “It’s the only award that the entire school is graded on.”

There is no limit on the number of schools that might be recognized in a given year; selection is based on whether or not the school meets the criteria which utilizes a self-assessment checklist of 50 points relating to administration, coaches, student-athletes, cheerleaders, performance groups, student support, parents and spectators. The total score is then adjusted by deducting points for student-athlete ejections, coach ejections and inappropriate behavior at state championship events. Using the adjusted score, a school must score 90 percent or better to qualify.

Previously known as the Wachovia Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award, the award was renamed in 2007 to honor the memory of Claudia Dodson, a VHSL Assistant Director from 1971-2002, who passed away in 2007.

This year's award winners were:

Annandale High School, Annadale (6th recognition)
Frank W. Cox High School, Virginia Beach (11th recognition)
Deep Creek High School, Chesapeake (3rd recognition)
First Colonial High School, Virginia Beach (9th recognition)
Eastern Montgomery High School, Elliston (1st recognition)
George Mason High School, Falls Church (2nd recognition)
Grassfield High School, Chesapeake (3rd recognition)
Heritage High School, Leesburg (2nd recognition)
Layfayette High School, Williamsburg (2nd recognition)
Manassas Park High School, Manassas Park (1st recognition)
Middlesex High School, Saluda (4th recognition)
Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach (14th recognition)
Oscar Smith High School, Chesapeake (7th recognition)
Park View High School, Sterling (9th recognition)
Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach (9th recognition)
Radford High School, Radford (2nd recognition)
Salem High School, Virginia Beach (5th recognition)
Tallwood High School, Virginia Beach (8th recognition)
West Point High School, West Point (10th recognition)
Western Branch High School, Chesapeake (4th recognition)