North Cross School
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Vision & Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Building Character
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our Head of School: Armistead Lemon '95
    • Leadership Team
    • Key Contacts
    • Campus Map
    • In the News
    • NOW@NORTHCROSS
    • Employment Opportunities
  • ACADEMICS/STUDENT LIFE
    • Lower School >
      • Early Childhood Program
      • First through Third Grades
      • Fourth and Fifth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Middle School >
      • Sixth through Eighth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Upper School >
      • Ninth through Twelfth Grades >
        • Global Studies Distinction
        • STEM Distinction
        • Fine Arts Distinction
        • Internship Program
      • Course Catalog
      • College Counseling
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • The Talfourd H. Kemper Library
    • CrossWalk for Learning Differences >
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • STUDENT LIFE >
      • Dress Code
      • Extracurriculars
      • International Students
      • Boarding at North Cross
      • After-School Opportunities
      • Summer Programs
  • ATHLETICS/ARTS
    • Athletics Calendar
    • Teams & Schedules
    • Championships & Awards
    • Forms
    • Facilities
    • Meet Our Athletics Staff
    • Athletic Boosters
    • In the News
    • ARTS >
      • Band
      • Chorus
      • Studio Art & Graphic Design
      • Theater
      • Friends of the Arts
  • PARENT/Alumni RESOURCES
    • Log in to FACTS
    • School Calendar
    • Back-to-School
    • Student & Parent Handbook
    • Parent Opportunities
    • Key Contacts
    • Covid Protocols
    • Spirit Store >
      • Athletic Apparel
    • ALUMNI >
      • Alumni Reunion Weekend
      • Awards
      • Athletic Hall of Fame
      • In the News
      • Class Notes
      • In Memoriam
  • ADMISSIONS
    • What is an independent school?
    • Inquire & Tour
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition and Fees
    • International Student FAQs
    • Meet Our Team
  • GIVING
    • Make a Gift to North Cross
    • Annual Fund
    • Foundation Tax Credits Program
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock Gifts
    • The Legacy Campaign
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Meet Our Team

A Conversation with Andy Kegley '77

2/21/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
Andy Kegley '77 never thought he would stay in Wytheville, VA after working a summer job on his family's farm; but one summer grew into a permanent stay and a passion for his local community.

Andy started at North Cross in 6th grade with his siblings Mary Louise "Sissy" '78, Robert '81, and Richard '83. It was at North Cross that Andy learned how to become a better reader, writer, and critical thinker, thanks to teachers like Richard Cook, Bob Robertson, and Hugh Meagher. "I also enjoyed the Outdoors Program, which was led by Middle and Upper School Biology teacher, Max Travis. That laid a foundation for my love of the outdoors, and because of that, I went on to study and eventually major in Natural Resources at Sewanee." ​
After graduating from Sewanee, Andy started working on his family's farm (which has been in the Kegley family for 5 generations). What started off as a summer job working in the dairy barn, turned into a passion that ended up having a farther reach than he ever thought. "Working there gave me a new appreciation for farmers and the work they do--I believe farmers should be compensated as much as lawyers." 

Andy continued to work and live on his family's farm while simultaneously working with local government and non-profits. He eventually accepted the Executive Director position at HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence) Wytheville in 1994. "HOPE provides tools to build community sustainability and independence for individuals and families in Wythe County and surrounding areas. We help with housing, crisis intervention, and food security." 

After years of building HOPE, the closing of a local homeless shelter in 2012 led to a new venture. Suddenly, there was no place for transient individuals and food insecure families to have a hot meal. HOPE responded to this loss by collaborating and planning with the local community to "open" Open Door Cafe, Southwest Virginia's first pay-what-you-can restaurant. Anyone can enjoy a delicious, hot meal, regardless of their ability to pay. "The Cafe serves lunch Monday-Friday and has been so popular in the community, we decided to add a Wednesday night dinner. The response within the community has been overwhelming--on any given day, we have 20 volunteers serving 80 individuals."

According to Andy, about 60% of Cafe customers pay the $8 suggested donation for their meal, 20% of customers give more, and another 20% donate less than $8, or volunteer their time in exchange for a meal. Customers can also purchase meal tokens to give away themselves or to put in the pay-it-forward jar for anyone who needs it.

"We are serving people in our community who need help and we are sourcing our food from local farmers and vendors. Many food insecure individuals and families don't have easy access to healthy food--at Open Door Cafe we always make sure we have delicious and nutritious food."

Click for more information about HOPE and go enjoy a delicious meal at Open Door Cafe!
3 Comments
Joe Maynard
7/18/2020 08:08:50 pm

Wow. that is really weird. I stopped at the open door cafe yesterday on my long drive back from CT to Nashville, as I had asked Siri for the "best milkshake in Wytheville" to break the monotany of a 1000 mile drive, on a hot summer day, and Open Door Cafe came up on my phone... Today, my 1/2 sister, after, I guess organizing her house, dropped off 2 class photos randomly, one from HS and the other Sigma Nu at Sewanee, a lifetime ago... I decided to see what some folks were up to and the first person I googled, was the guy who was the leader, or "Commander" when I joined, Andrew. Andrew, I think you said you wanted to go into forestry and be a writer, but looks like you're doing a very cool thing, and the place had a very welcoming vibe when I drove up and ordered a milkshake to the friendly but somewhat perplexed woman at the cash register. And this odd coincidence was too good not to share, so there... Keep the faith & all, & best in your endeavors... Joe PS. You don't need to post this but if passed to Andrew that would be cool. Thx

Reply
CHARLES WILLIAM KEGLEY
4/13/2022 08:50:00 am

So proud of my cousin Andy and thrilled that we live in the midst of our family's historic farm. With unlimited appreciation and respect, Prof. Charles and Ms. Debbie Kegley

Reply
Frankie Odum
4/13/2022 10:18:52 am

So proud of you Andy Kegley. You are truly a blessing and a true gift from God to our community. We are so much better off to have you as a leader in our community. You have done so much and continue to do so much. It is my honor to work with you on the Board. I appreciate all you do. I am learning a lot from you. Thank you from the community. Thank you from me. God bless you.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Alumni News Blog

    If you have a story you'd like to submit, or would like to write a guest editorial as an alumni of North Cross, please email Jamie Lee.

    Archives

    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018

    Categories

    All
    Alumni Awards
    Class Notes
    Class Of 1982

    RSS Feed

Vertical Divider

4254 Colonial Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
540-989-6641 • (540) 989-7299 (FAX)

HOURS: M-F; 8AM-4PM

North Cross School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school founded in 1944 and governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.

All contact information listed on this website is for official North Cross School business only. North Cross School does not accept unsolicited advertisements sent to school email addresses, phone numbers, or fax numbers listed on this site.

North Cross School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid or employment policies, or any other programs administered by the School. For more information, read our Inclusivity Statement.

​Accreditation
North Cross is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. North Cross School's Junior Kindergarten is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools who is recognized by the Board of Education pursuant to §22.1-19 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Virginia Council for Private Education to accredit private nursery, preschool, elementary and secondary schools in Virginia
.

Memberships
North Cross is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling, The Cum Laude Society and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

​
Privacy Policy
Faculty and Staff Links
North Cross Shanghai
Employment Opportunities
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Vision & Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Building Character
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our Head of School: Armistead Lemon '95
    • Leadership Team
    • Key Contacts
    • Campus Map
    • In the News
    • NOW@NORTHCROSS
    • Employment Opportunities
  • ACADEMICS/STUDENT LIFE
    • Lower School >
      • Early Childhood Program
      • First through Third Grades
      • Fourth and Fifth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Middle School >
      • Sixth through Eighth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Upper School >
      • Ninth through Twelfth Grades >
        • Global Studies Distinction
        • STEM Distinction
        • Fine Arts Distinction
        • Internship Program
      • Course Catalog
      • College Counseling
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • The Talfourd H. Kemper Library
    • CrossWalk for Learning Differences >
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • STUDENT LIFE >
      • Dress Code
      • Extracurriculars
      • International Students
      • Boarding at North Cross
      • After-School Opportunities
      • Summer Programs
  • ATHLETICS/ARTS
    • Athletics Calendar
    • Teams & Schedules
    • Championships & Awards
    • Forms
    • Facilities
    • Meet Our Athletics Staff
    • Athletic Boosters
    • In the News
    • ARTS >
      • Band
      • Chorus
      • Studio Art & Graphic Design
      • Theater
      • Friends of the Arts
  • PARENT/Alumni RESOURCES
    • Log in to FACTS
    • School Calendar
    • Back-to-School
    • Student & Parent Handbook
    • Parent Opportunities
    • Key Contacts
    • Covid Protocols
    • Spirit Store >
      • Athletic Apparel
    • ALUMNI >
      • Alumni Reunion Weekend
      • Awards
      • Athletic Hall of Fame
      • In the News
      • Class Notes
      • In Memoriam
  • ADMISSIONS
    • What is an independent school?
    • Inquire & Tour
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition and Fees
    • International Student FAQs
    • Meet Our Team
  • GIVING
    • Make a Gift to North Cross
    • Annual Fund
    • Foundation Tax Credits Program
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock Gifts
    • The Legacy Campaign
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Meet Our Team