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John I. Burton High School
Hall of Fame
Class of 2023
(Back to Inductees)
Charles A. "Bud" Absher
John I. Burton High School Class of 1939
VPI Class of 1943
U.S. Army Captain, WWII 1943-1946
Teaching Career
Wise County Vocational School - Taught Agriculture to WWII Veterans
John I. Burton High - Taught Science, Chemistry and Physics
A dedicated teacher whose primary goal was to provide his students with knowledge and confidence required to achieve success in their future endeavors. He had the innate ability to instill modesty, leadership, self-worth, a desire to learn and the value of hard work.
Ronald Dickenson
John I. Burton High School Class of 1967
Varsity Baseball
Defensive Player of the Year 1967
Burton High School Record - 19 Strikeouts 1967
Varsity Basketball
Offensive Player of the Year 1967
Lonesome Pine District Scoring Leader - 19.1 Average 1967
Virginia All-State Honorable Mention 1967
Lonesome Pine District Athlete of the Year
Father/Son - Ron and Matthew 1967 & 2001
Clinch Valley College
Four-Year Basketball Starter
Steed College Tournament MVP 1968-1969
Career Points Total at CVC - 1341
Civic Leader and Regional History Ambassador
Clifford G. "Chig" Mainous
John I. Burton High School Teacher & Coach
Hiwassee College - Associate Degree 1952
Emory & Henry College - Bachelor's Degree 1954
University of Illinois - Master's Degree 1970
Hiwassee College Football Hall of Fame
Assistant Coach - J.I. Burton Football VA State Championship 1972
Assistant Football Coach - J.I. Burton 1980
Head Track Coach - J.I. Burton
Jacquelyn "Jackie" Mainous
Hiwassee College - Associate Degree 1952
Emory & Henry College - Bachelor's Degree 1954
University of Illinois - Master's Degree 1970
John I. Burton High Teacher
Beloved teacher who made learning fun by using innovative teaching techniques such as using contemporary music for poetry lessons.
Junior Class Sponsor - Chaperoned many memorable student trips, including to Hawaii and a cruise to the Caribbean.
Avid Birder
Famous Quote: "Now Be Nice"
Malik Israel Miles
John I. Burton High School Class of 2013
Varsity Football 2009-2012
VHSCA All-Star Football Game 2013
Virginia All-State Football 2011 & 2012
All-Region 'D' Football 2010-2012
All-Lonesome Pine District 2010-2012
LPD Offensive Back of the Year 2011
LPD Defensive Back of the Year 2012
LPD Defensive Player of the Year 2012
WCYB Player of the Week 2011
Varsity Baseball 2010-2013
Virginia All-State Baseball 2nd Team, Second Base
All-Region 'D' Baseball, Second Base
All-Lonesome Pine District 2010, 2012 & 2013
Lonesome Pine District Player of the Year 2013
Three Home Runs vs. Twin Valley 2013
Reggie Sensabaugh
John I. Burton High School Class of 1999
Varsity Football, Basketball and Track 1995-1998
All-Lonesome Pine District Football 1996-1998
All-Southwest Virginia Football 1998
Virginia State All-Star Football Game 1998
All-Region 'D' Football 1996-1998
Virginia All-State Football 1998
JIB School Record - 2nd Place Touchdowns in a Season (30)
2041 Yards Rushing in a Season 1998
All-Lonesome Pine District Basketball 1997-1998
All-Region 'D' Basketball 1997-1998
Basketball Career Scoring - 999 Points
Potomac State Junior College
Football - Freshman Tackle Leader (83) 1999
Dr. Ronald Allen Wells
John I. Burton High School Class of 1960
High School Band 1954-1960, VA All-County Band 1960, VA All-State Band 1960, High School Science Fair 1st Prizes: Newton's Telescope 1959, Particle Accelerator 1960. Southwest VA Science Fair 1st Prizes: Newton's Telescope 1959 and Particle Accelerator 1960
Virginia Tech 1960-1962, University of California - Berkeley 1962-1964
A.B., Astronomy
University of London, United Kingdom
Ph.D., Astronomy 1967
Ph.D. Graduate Fellowship European Space Res. Org. 1965-1967
NASA Grant NGR 05-003-431 1971-1972
NEH Grant RO-20538-83 1983-1984 Fulbright Prof. Archaeology
University of Cairo, Egypt 1983-1984 Fulbright Prof. Archaeology
University of Hamburg, Germany 1987-1988
Michela Schiff Giorgini Foundation Egypt Expedition Grant 1987-1988
NASA Lunar Surface Studies 10 year Grant NNX09AM43G 2010-2019
Ed./Contributor, Apollo Lunar Surface Journal 2002-2018
Editor-in-Chief, americasuncommonsense.com 2005 - continuing the personal website of Apollo 17 Lunar Astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt
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