Making Halifax County Academies A Reality

Halifax County Schools Receive $799,755 In Funding For Smaller Learning Academies.

Congressman Virgil Goode was on hand Monday to present a grant for $799,755 to help fund seven smaller learning academies within the Halifax County Public Schools.
“I’m pleased to inform you that the Halifax County Public Schools have been selected to receive funding under the Smaller Learning Communities program,” he said.
The funds will be disbursed over a five-year period beginning this month, with the goal of promoting academic achievement through the creation of smaller learning environments in large schools, Goode said.
“We think this will enhance the academic scores and accomplishments of students,” he added.
“This was not an earmarked grant, it was competitive,” Goode said. “Halifax County schools had to beat out other communities in order to receive the funds.”
Superintendent Paul Stapleton said the grant had been in the works for a long time, and credited the support of teachers, parents and the community at large with helping the county receive the funds.
“I think we were one of the first communities in the country to be notified,” he said. “The bottom line is this is great news for the children of Halifax County.”
Current high school Assistant Principal Deborah Griles will split her time between her duties as assistant principal and serving as Director of Smaller Learning Communities, Stapleton said.
“The project was a team effort,” Griles said Monday. “We want to see these things put in place so we can make our kids the best they can be. We’re looking forward to putting Halifax County on the map with these academies.”
The grant will be used to help the school system establish seven academies within the school system.
“We have started this process with our STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academy and this funding will make it possible to help with (the establishment of) the other six academies we are planning,” Stapleton said.
The superintendent said each academy will be limited to between 100 – 250 students and he hopes to have six academies in place this fall.
“We’re hoping to have all but one open when school begins in the fall,” he said yesterday.
Stapleton said the program will offer the county’s students the best possible education available.
“Last year, I think we had 400 students graduate with around 1,500 college credits,” he said. “No one can touch that, but these academies will offer the opportunity to greatly increase those numbers. We think we have something really wonderful coming together for the children of Halifax County.
“The academies are designed to offer a more personalized and successful learning opportunities for our students,” he added. “They will promote high academic achievement with creative career and technical skills.”
The academies planned include:
• The STEM Academy – Based at the Halifax County Career Center, the STEM academy will offer students training in the four scientific areas, as well as a chance to graduate from Halifax County High School with an associate degree in pre-engineering that is recognized by Virginia Tech.
Support for the program will come through partnerships with NASA, FIRST robotics and Virginia Tech.
“We’re hoping to have NASA engineers, through the partnership with NASA, teaching in the STEM academy in Halifax County,” Stapleton said after the meeting.
• Law and Leadership Academy – Leadership skills are honed in this academy with a focus on political science, history, ethics and philosophy. Dr. Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, the Youth Leadership Initiative and the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership are working with the county’s school system.
In the Law and Leadership Academy, high school students will have the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree in pre-law.
The program is planned to initially be located at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center with plans for future placement at C.H. Friend Elementary School.
• Motorsports Academy – The motorsports academy will pursue all aspects of the burgeoning motorsports industry, including mechanics, body work, marketing and business.
Through partnerships with South Boston Speedway, the Mattioli Foundation and Virginia International Raceway, students will receive hands-on internships beginning in middle school with a carting program to develop drivers, and high school students will build race cars for competitive racing.
Students can earn an associate’s degree in motorsports.
• Fine Arts Academy – Focusing on developing skills in music, art, dance and theater, the fine arts academy will offer high school students an associate degree.
Opportunities and internships are available in fashion design, catering and resort management.
Beginning with a four-year-old arts academy, the program will be based at The Prizery and will be supported by the Community Arts Center Foundation, the South Boston-Halifax County Museum and Berry Hill Plantation Resort.
• Health and Human Services Academy – This academy will focus on preparing students for careers in medicine, education, childcare and counseling.
Universities such as Longwood will support the program, and local internship programs will be available at Halifax Regional Hospital.
• Environmental Science Academy – Support from the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture will assist students who are interested in science-related careers such as meteorology, herpetology or horticulture.
• International Business and Culture Academy – This academy will prepare students for a career in a global economy by offering them an understanding of foreign culture and business. Through teachers and mentors from every continent, support from international businesses, high-tech interaction with foreign universities, multiple foreign-language selections and opportunities to travel abroad, officials see this academy as providing students with a competitive edge upon graduation.
In addition, a ninth-grade transition program is a required component of the grant.
Stapleton said the ninth grade is a crucial period in a student’s academic career that can determine their success or failure in the future.
“We’re trying to make the transition from middle school to high school,” he said. “I believe the ninth grade is a key point of drop-outs in high school. A part of this program is to help alleviate the dropout rate.”
The funding will also assist with the establishment of an Institute for Continuous School Improvement for the county’s teachers.
“The primary goal of (the program) is to ensure on-going, high-quality professional development of our teachers,” Stapleton said. “So we know we have the best possible teachers in our schools.”

 

454 Clover Exchange Restored

Calling Clover residences or businesses this weekend required a 1-434 prefix for Halifax and South Boston callers in addition to the six-digit telephone number.
Yesterday, at 2:35 p.m., Sprint restored normal telephone service from Halifax to Clover.
“We restored South Boston’s service earlier (in the day),” said Dan Ward, Sprint’s customer relations representative in South Boston.
Sprint officials had suspected “a translations fluke” for interrupted telephone service to Clover that began late Friday or over the weekend.
“We don’t know why it happened but it happened,” said Ward, “and technicians went into the translations system and were able to correct it.”
Ward said that it did not appear customers were being charged for long distance service during the interval, noting a long distance blocked telephone was able to receive a call with the 1-434-long distance prefix.
However, if customers have questions following next month’s billing, they should contact the Sprint at 1-800-535-0189.
As early as Friday, one customer reported trouble on the line, and by Monday the South Boston Sprint office had received five complaints, indicating the problem was more widespread than originally thought.
Although the Clover area is covered by Verizon, Ward said the problem appeared to be with Sprint services.

Smoke Alarm Leads To Escape

A fire could have led to tragedy Monday had a smoke alarm failed to do its job, but fortunately this one did, alerting Charlotte Johnson of a blaze in the kitchen of her residence at 2150 Burton Rd. on Monday.
Johnson, who said she was asleep in the living room at the time of the fire, was able to escape the house and contact firemen from a neighbor’s home. She told a reporter she had been taking a break from mowing her lawn and went inside to cool off, eventually falling asleep, before being awakened by the smoke alarm.
“I would never live anywhere without a smoke alarm," emphasized Johnson.
Units from Scottsburg, Triangle and Halifax Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the blaze about 1 p.m., according to Halifax Volunteer Fire Department Chief Darryl Dawson.
Dawson said one truck and seven firemen from Scottsburg, one truck and five firemen from Triangle and three trucks and nine firemen from Halifax were on the scene for about one hour fighting the fire, which he said started in the kitchen.
The chief estimated $40,000 in damage to the house, much of it from heat and smoke, adding the cause of the fire is as yet undetermined. Dawson said the house was owned by Miriam Burton.

 

Obituaries

Joel Darryl Hite

Joel Darryl Hite, 44, of Hopewell died July 8 in Hopewell.
Mr. Hite was born February 6, 1961, the son of the late Algie Thomas Hite and Edna Moore Hite Parker. He was a member of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his mother of Ruffin, N.C.; one brother, David Carlton Hite of Virgilina; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Hite was also preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Ann Hite Berry and Linda Frances Hite Jordan.
Graveside services will be held today, July 13, at 3 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston.

Cheryl Lynn Martin Idol

Cheryl Lynn Martin Idol, 46, of 2211 Eastover Drive, South Boston died July 9 at her home. She was born in Clarksville, Tenn. on July 22, 1958, the daughter of Ronnie Lew Martin and Jean Yancey Martin, and was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church.
Survivors of Ms. Idol include one daughter, Keri Lynn Idol of South Boston; her mother of South Boston; one brother, Gregory Dale Martin and his wife, Carla, of Moore, S.C.; a nephew and two nieces.
Graveside services will be held today, July 13, at 11 a.m. at Glenwood United Methodist Church with the Revs. Mike Teixeira and Bob Woodfin officiating.

Luther Rice

Luther Rice, 76, of 2201 Traynham Grove Road, Alton died July 12 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Rice was born March 20, 1929, in Erwin, Tenn. He was married to Juanita Crawford Rice, and was a member of Bethel Hill Baptist Church. He was a retired ship builder with Tennaco and was a Army Veteran.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Judy Davis and husband, Rick, and Sandra Shipley and husband, Chuck, all of Gloucester, and Shelia Guy and husband, Wayne, of Newport News; one son, Bobby Rice and wife, Kathy, of Newport News; two brothers, Ken Rice and wife, Charlotte, of Erwin, Tenn., and Layton Rice and wife, Edith, of Newport News; four sisters, Nola Briggs of Flag Pond, Tenn., Hazel Riggs and Louise Bostic, both of Erwin, and Pansey Hensley of Weaverville, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Mr. Rice was preceded in death by one son, James Edward Rice; one sister, Maude Callahan; and two sisters-in-law, Ida Mae Blankenship and Goldean Tilson.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, July 14, at Bethel Hill Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jason Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Harmony United Methodist Church Cemetery, Alton.
The family will receive friends this evening, July 13, at Brooks Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:30.

Brooke Hughes Snead

Brooke Hughes Snead, 98, of Fredericksburg died July 9 at her home. She was born in Fluvanna County the daughter of the late Rebekah Poe Hughes and Eldridge Tucker Hughes, and was married to the late Raymond W. Snead.
Mrs. Snead was a retired teacher, a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church, a member of Mary Washington Hospital Auxiliary, the Women’s Club of Fredericksburg, the Fredericksburg Museum, a real daughter of the Confederacy and a member of the Fredericksburg Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Survivors of Mrs. Snead include a daughter and son-in-law, Rebekah and Carl Stelter of Cincinnati, Ohio; one grandson and his wife, David and Carolyn Stelter; and two great-grandchildren, all of Springfield.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today, July 13, at St. George’s Episcopal Church with the Revs. Ron Okrasinski and J. Larry Haun officiating. Burial will be at noon on July 15, in Oakland Cemetery in Scottsburg.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider St. George’s Episcopal Church Building Fund, 905 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, 22401, or Fredericksburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 4101, Fredericksburg, 22402.

 

HC South Wins Second Straight Sub-District Title

Halifax County South Blanked Scottsburg 6-0 Monday Night To Win The Dixie Youth Baseball Major League District 2 West Sub-District Tournament

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County South successfully defended its Dixie Youth Baseball Major League District 2 West Sub-District Tournament title Monday night by blanking Scottsburg 6-0 in the tournament title game.
Monday night’s matchup in Scottsburg marked the second straight year that Halifax County South and Scottsburg have squared off in the sub-district tournament championship game.
With the win, undefeated Halifax County South advances into the best-of-three game playoff series against the East sub-district champion for the District 2 title which gets underway this weekend. Three teams, Brunswick County, Clarksville and South Hill were still alive in the East sub-district tournament entering Monday night’s action.
The first game of the best-of-three game series for the district championship will be played at the home field of the East sub-district champion Saturday at 7 p.m. Game two will be played at the lower field of the Halifax County South complex on Saturday at 2 p.m. If a third game is needed, it will be played Monday night at the home field of the East sub-district champion.
Last year Halifax County South faced Brunswick County and won the District 2 championship. Halifax County South eventually fell one win shy of winning last year’s state tournament which was played in South Boston.
Halifax County South put all of the pieces together in Monday’s championship game with hurler Dylan Sons holding Scottsburg to just two hits, one each from Casey Wade and Travis Goodem while fanning seven Scottsburg batters.
The winners were offensively stout as well, getting seven hits in the game, one each from Tyler Long, Scott Rickman, Sons, Ryan Puryear and Nicholas Rouse.
Halifax County South jumped on top in the top of the first inning when Long singled with one out, Sons walked, and Puryear scored both on a long single to make it a 2-0 score.
Another run in the top of the second inning gave Halifax County South a three-run cushion. Rouse led off the inning with a hit, moved to second base on a Scottsburg error and scored when Dillon Puryear grounded out to the pitcher for the second out of the inning.
Halifax County South held its 3-0 edge until the top of the sixth inning when it added three insurance runs to seal the game. D. Puryear reached base on an error and later scored on an error and back-to-back run scoring hits from Long and Rickman put Halifax County South up 6-0.
Scottsburg squandered two almost-sure scoring opportunities.
The first came in the bottom of the fourth inning when walks to Steven Conner and Davon Greene and a single from Wade loaded the bases for Scottsburg with one out. Scottsburg was unable to plate a run, however as Sons fanned Goode and Zach Clem in succession to get Halifax County South out of the inning.
In the sixth inning a walk to Greene and a two-out single from Goode gave Scottsburg two base runners. But, the game ended with Clem grounding out to third base.
Scottsburg earned its way into the tournament title game by edging South Boston 6-3 Sunday in an elimination game.
South Boston had five hits in the contest with Charlie Beale leading the way with two hits and L.J. Barnett, Scott Parrish and Cole McKinney each getting one hit.
By contrast, Scottsburg had nine hits with Goode leading the team with a pair of hits. Greene, Wade, Clem, Joe Martin, Chad Hudson, Cody Martin and Reid Roller each had one hit.
Scottsburg jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with the help of hits by Wade and Goode and a pair of walks. Wade scored on a South Boston error and Goode scored on a wild pitch.
A three-run homer by Barnett in the second inning gave South Boston a brief lead with the homer plating Jason Gryder and Dillon Wazeka, both of whom reached base on Scottsburg errors.
Two runs in the fourth inning with Joe Martin and William Worley doing the honors put Scottsburg on top 4-2. A two-run homer by Clem in the fifth inning allowed Scottsburg to put the game away.

Rinker, Gupton Win HCC Tourney

By Ronnie Pate
special to the gazette

Sometimes in golf, just like any other sport, you grind it out waiting for a opening in the armor of your opponents and you go for it.
Such was the case in last weekend’s men’s Member-Member at Halifax Country Club.
Phil Rinker and Gary Gupton patiently waited for Jimmy Clay and Lurdy Stinespring to make a mistake and even though it took 31 holes, when they did, they walked away with the championship.
Mr. Golf and Mr. Carolina won with a two-day total of 129, four shots better than Clay and Stinespring, and five shots better than the third place team of Don Thompson and Mark Repokis.
The top two teams were tied after Saturday’s play with both shooting 64 and the teams of Repokis and Thompson and James and Drew Lewis were only one shot back at 65.
The top two teams stayed close through 3 holes Sunday, but when an errant shot went out of bounds, Rinker and Gupton went after it. The 65 they shot on Sunday was the lowest round of the day and propelled them to the win.
In the first flight, three teams distanced themselves from the rest of the teams in the flight and when the dust had settled all were tied at 137.
Mike Dunn and Brad Mele were declared the champions after a match of cards with Dennis Witt and Mike Hailey and the team of John Hayes and Charlie Baskerville.
Hailey and Witt claimed second place with Hayes and Baskerville delegated to third.
In the second flight, Grayson Throckmorton and Darrell Nichols led from the opening round and cruised to a 140 to capture top prize. The teams of Jack Caldwell and Nookie Green and W.J. Long and Ed Edgar shot two-day totals of 142 and after a match of cards, Caldwell and Green were awarded second.
Paul Butler and Larry Allen waltzed to a first-place finish in the third flight shooting 76-71--147, beating the team of Sam Lewis and Len Ferrell who also shot 74-73—147, after a match of cards.
Buddy Ferrell and partner Gene Faucette finished third with a two-day total of 151.
In the fourth and final flight, to mature veterans, Aubrey Houghton and Dunnie Nichols, showed two youngsters, Scott and Wes Bosiger the art of consistency as they beat them with a 78-81to claim first place by three shots.
Coming in third was Harry Mapp and Vic Fitchlee.
Image the Coffee Club Monday morning with Dunnie telling Harry about every shot.
Championship Flight
Rinker/Gupton 64-65—129
Clay/Stinespring 64-69—133
D. Thompson/Repokis 65-69—134
J. Lewis/D. Lewis 65-70—135
W. Clay/Weatherford 67-70—137
Long/Gasperini 68-75—143
First Flight
Dunn/Mele 69-68—137* Match of Cards
Hailey/Witt 70-67—137* Match of Cards
Hayes/Baskervill 70-67—137* Match of Cards
Thomasson/Chappell 69-71—140
Wilborn/Lumsden 69-71—140
Marable/Green 69-74—143
Second Flight
Throckmorton/Nichols 71-69—140
Caldwell/Green 73-69—142* Match of Cards
Long/Edgar 72-70—142* Match of Cards
Hite/Fisher 73-70—143
Plaster/Long 73-75—148
Sternes/Powell 71-78—149
Arthur/Satterfield 73-78—151
Third Flight
Butler/Allen 76-71—147* Match of Cards
Lewis/Ferrell 74-73—147* Match of Cards
Ferrell/Faucette 76-75—151
Elliott/Burton 76-76—152
Courtney/Palmore 77-75—152
Vaughan/Hatcher 76-86—162
Hall/Hay 77-87—164
Fourth Flight
Houghton/Nichols 78-81—159
Bosiger/Bosiger 81-81—162
Mapp/Fitchlee 84-80—164