T. Clay Wood Elementary Flies Flag from Virginia State Capitol

T. Clay Wood students and Del. Rich Anderson present the flag outside of the elementary school in Nokesville.

From a release sent by the Office of Del. Richard Anderson. 

When T. Clay Wood Elementary School’s Virginia flag started to look a little rough around the edges, Principal Andrew Buchheit wanted something special to replace it. That’s when he contacted Virginia State Delegate Richard L. Anderson (R-51), who at the time was living in Richmond for two months during the 2015 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly.

Anderson and his staff were happy to oblige and swung into action to obtain a replacement flag to bring back to Prince William County at the end of the 2015 legislative session. But this flag was special and in honor of the school, its students, and the namesake of the school, Mr. T. Clay Wood of Nokesville.

At Anderson’s request, the school’s new flag was flown over the Virginia state capitol in late February and brought home to Prince William County by Anderson at the end of the legislative session.

TCW Elem School Flagraising. (Photo credit: Principal Andrew Buchheit)

On Monday, March 16, Anderson presented the flag and a certificate of authentication signed by Virginia House of Delegates Clerk G. Paul Nardo to Principal Buchheit and members of the T. Clay Wood Timberwolves Flag Patrol. The presentation was made during morning announcements broadcast throughout the school by close-circuit television. Afterwards, Del. Anderson, Principal Buchheit, and the Flag Patrol went to the front of the building and participated in a flag raising ceremony for the United States and Virginia flags.

The students were excited about the occasion and showed respect for their state and country, raising the flags with their hands over their hearts.

After the ceremony, Anderson stated that “feelings of state and national patriotism are alive and well in the hearts of the T. Clay Wood Timberwolves. Every time I visit the school, I see their enthusiasm for public education and for doing great things for Prince William County. In the hallways of the school, one often hears the refrain ‘Timberwolves Rock’—and I’ve truly learned over the last three years that the T. Clay Wood Timberwolves really do ‘Rock’!”

Located in Nokesville, Va., T. Clay Wood Elementary School opened in 2011 and has been recognized annually with the Prince William County School of Excellence Award.

*Corrected to say T.Clay Wood opened in 2011 rather than 2012.