By Joe Chandler
"Don't just settle for anything, for anything is not your best."
That was the challenge that Halifax County High School senior class president Ernest Cage issued to his 359 fellow graduates during Tuesday night's Commencement Exercise.
"This short phrase has driven men and women throughout history to be the best they could be," Cage told the audience of more than 3,000 students, family members and friends that gathered for the high school's annual graduation ceremonies.
"This single phrase has been the driving force behind every business owner, every sports player, every movie star, every doctor, every garage owner, and every plant supervisor and it is my hope that it will be the driving force that propels each of you forward to bigger and better things in years to come."
Cage encouraged his classmates to choose their paths carefully.
"The path you take," he told his classmates, "determines everything from what type of job you will be able to obtain to what age you will retire. Most importantly, you must choose how you want to live your life. You can only succeed in life if you are confident, and believe in what you're doing. Don't try to keep up with the Joneses, rather keep up with yourself, your goals, and dreams."
The senior class president also told his fellow students to go into the work force with a plan.
"Go the extra mile, work the extra hours, and you will be noticed," Cage said.
"This principle is true no matter if you work in a tobacco field or in a room full of computers. Everything comes together with a plan."
"At some point on our way up the path to success we may be bucked off by the horse that is carrying us," added Cage.
"Don't be afraid to pick yourself up and continue on your journey."
Cage also urged his classmates to strive to overcome obstacles.
"If someone tells you that you cannot do something, look them in the eye, say I can, and go out and prove them wrong," he said emphatically.
In concluding, Cage reminded the grads to not forget the lessons that their parents, guardians, relatives, and teachers have taught them.
"Their love and dedication is the guiding light that has brought us here tonight," Cage said.
"I hope each of you will join me in thanking them for a job well done."
In the Valedictory Address, school Valedictorian Lauren Glass put two challenges in front of the class.
"The first," she said, "is to realize, strive for, and never give up on your dreams. Some of them will come true and some, most likely, will not. But, we can never stop reaching for them. After all, if we don't have dreams, do we really have anything to live for?"
"I have many visions of how I want my life to be and, although some visions may diminish over time, I am going to fight with every ounce of my soul for the ones that are a real possibility," she added.
"Every one of you must do that too. We must all fight for our dreams and for the life we want. Many people may try to discourage you but you must listen only to yourself for it is your life that must be lived."
Glass told her classmates that the second challenge that she wanted to place before them was, perhaps, the most important thing they can do in their life.
"I challenge you to make a difference in someone's life," she said.
"To be a source of guidance and inspiration. To shatter the image that society has placed on today's young adults. There is nothing more completely rewarding in life than to touch someone else's - be it through your work or your personal life."
"Society, as a whole, looks down on our generation," Glass continued.
"We are seen as selfish and self serving. We need to change their point of view. The best way to do that is by being a role model and having a large impact on another's life."
Glass also told her fellow students to make a difference.
"Do not just be a person that floats through life," she cautioned them.
"When you are gone, be remembered for the good that you have done for someone. Do not just be a name that someone has to fight to even recall. Make this world a better place."
Noting that it is time for them to embark out into the "real world," she told her classmates to walk out of the gym with a strong hold on their dreams.
"Walk out with a purpose in life," she encouraged them.
"Be remembered not just for the name that you carry, but for the impact that you created and the joy that you brought to the life of another individual."
Following the Valedictory Address by Glass, Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt and Halifax County High School principal Larry Clark presented the first diploma to Glass and the second diploma to the school's Salutatorian, Ashley Talley.
And, in a special presentation, Witt and Clark presented the diploma that would have been presented to the late Valerie Louise Bowers to her parents, Jerry and Joan Bowers, who took their daughter's place in the line of graduates.
Valerie Bowers, a member of the school's graduating class, died last month after fighting a long, tough battle with cancer.
In all, 360 students received their high school diplomas Tuesday night. Thirteen members of the senior class did not graduate. However, a majority of those are expected to graduate this summer after completing one or both of the school's two Summer School sessions.
Halifax County High School's graduation ceremonies went without a hitch with the exception that the graduates could not line up outside to begin their entrance or conclude the recessional.
Graduates were gathered in the school auditorium at the beginning and dispersed in the school cafeteria at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The cool rainy evening was a help in one sense that it helped make conditions in the gym more comfortable for the more than 3,000 people that assembled for the event.
Halifax County High School will start the first of its two Summer School sessions Monday at 8 a.m.
And, this year's Summer School program, which will conclude on Friday, July 24, could be the last of the traditional Summer School programs at the school.
Halifax County High School principal Larry Clark said that the school will be offering both remedial and new course work for students this summer. However, with the implementation of Block Scheduling next year and the additional opportunities that will result for students to take the new courses they want to take, there is a possibility that the Summer School format could change after this year.
"Based on our understanding of things, this may be the last of the traditional Summer School programs where students can take new course work," Clark said.
"But, we don't know how Summer School will work next year," Clark said.
"We'll just to have to wait and see."
Halifax County High School's Summer School will be composed of two 15 day sessions. Summer School sessions will run from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day. However, classes will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on June 29, June 30, July 1, and July 2 to make up for time lost when students get a one day holiday break on Friday, July 3.
Leon Johnson, who will serve as Summer School principal this year, said yesterday that Summer School enrollment is down this year with approximately 200 students having preregistered for Summer School classes.
"I'm sure we'll have some students coming Monday that haven't preregistered," Johnson noted.
However, the numbers may still show a decline in enrollment.
Johnson says that two factors are involved.
"One thing is that students were given an opportunity this year to have their first semester and second semester grades averaged together to come up with an average for the year," Johnson explained.
"I think that helped some students who otherwise might not have passed the first or second semester."
Also, Johnson pointed out, "the fact we have the Four By Four Block Schedule format beginning on August 31 also plays somewhat of a part in that."
Johnson noted that with the Four By Four Block Schedule format students will have more opportunities than ever before to take elective courses and to do remedial work in the event that they fail a class.
Summer School will end on July 24 and a graduation ceremony for seniors completing their required credits this summer will be held that evening.
The Halifax County School Board has given its nod to the revision of the school system's Six Year School Improvement Plan which outlines goals and objectives for student achievement, school facilities, and staff development.
School system officials put together the latest Six Year School Improvement Plan in 1997. However, that document must undergo annual review and revision.
The plan was put in front of the Halifax County school Board a month ago but school trustees balked at approving the plan primarily because an objective calling for academic achievement in Math and Language Arts for students in Grades 2-6 was set at the 50th national percentile.
Some school board members felt that that mark was too low and wanted school system officials to raise the standard. The document approved by the school board Monday night has done that, with the objective now calling for students to score at or above the 60th percentile or at or above the state average on the two sections of the Stanford 9 Achievement Test.
The Stanford 9 Achievement Test will be administered to students in grades two, three, and five to prepare them for the state mandated SOL tests that all students in grades four and six will take. The SOL tests will become barrier tests, meaning that students must pass the test in order to be promoted to the next grade level.
Halifax County's national percentile ranking in 1996-97 for Grade 3 was 46 in Reading, 51 in Math, 50 in Language, and 50 for the partial battery.
The county's national percentile ranking for Grade 5 in 1996-97 was 57 in Reading, 59 in Math, 49 in Language, and 57 for the partial battery.
Also, the plan states as one of its objectives that by the 2003-2004 school year, 70 percent of the students in both the third and fifth grade will reach the pass rate benchmark established by the Virginia Department of Education for the Standards of Learning Tests which will cover English, Social Studies, Math, and Reading.
Among the objectives for academic achievement on the secondary (high school and middle school) level, was that in 1998-99 and each subsequent year, 70 percent of the students taking the Virginia Standards of Learning tests at Grade 8 and the end-of-course tests at the high school level will pass.
That objective has not been able to be assessed at this time because the first scheduled administration of these tests comes in the fall of this year.
Also, the plan calls for students to score at or above the 60th percentile or at or above the state average on the Stanford 9 tests at Grade 9.
School system officials note that the seventh grade has not taken the Stanford 9 test prior to 1998. In 1997, students in the eighth grade achieved at or above the national average in Reading, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Total Math, Problem Solving, Procedures, and Basic Battery. They achieved beloew the national average of the 50th percentile in Language, PreWriting, Composition, and Editing.
Eleventh grade students achieved at or above the 50th percentile in Vocabulary, PreWriting, and Composition while falling below the national average of the 50th percentile in Total Reading, Reading Comprehension, Math, Language, Editing, and Basic Battery.
The plan calls for providing opportunities for parental involvement through participation in Open House events and Parent Visitation Day, serving on advisory committees, and as volunteers in booster clubs and other organizations.
Also interim report cards noting student progress will be sent to parents after four and a half weeks and nine week report cards will be issued to all students.
The plan also calls for decreasing the number of students at Grade 8 and above who need to retake the Literacy passport Test, teachers and administrators to plan and implement a comprehensive program of professional development opportunities, and to further implement and enhance the use of technology in the classrooms.
Also, the plan calls upon school system officials to develop a long range school facilities capital improvement plan, to develop strategies targeted at decreasing the dropout rate, and provide career education and exploration opportunities for students as part of the development and enhancement of the School-To-Career program.
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate approved tax breaks for millions of married couples and self-employed workers in an election-year gambit by Republicans designed to improve the prospects of major tobacco legislation.
The tax cuts were added as an amendment to a tobacco bill that Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott had declared near death earlier this week. The voice vote approval Wednesday came after Democrats narrowly failed to kill the amendment.
''Stayin' alive, stayin' alive,'' Sen. John McCain, sponsor of the tobacco bill, declared with a grin and both fists in the air as he left the Senate chamber following the vote.
The Arizona Republican's bill would charge tobacco companies at least $516 billion over 25 years, in part by raising taxes by $1.10 a pack. That was a provision that chafed conservatives who said it would run afoul of the GOP's promise to cut taxes.
Yesterday, the Senate for the third time defeated a Democratic effort to cut off debate and bring McCain's bill to a vote. The 56-43 vote fell 17 short of the 60 votes required.
A group of senators led by Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, offered an amendment they figured no lawmaker could refuse in an election year. It would offer couples earning less than $50,000 a year a break from the ''marriage tax'' penalty, a provision in the tax code that forces couples to pay more than they would as singles.
The $46 billion tax cut over 10 years also would allow self-employed workers to deduct their health insurance premiums from their taxable income, beginning in January.
It would be paid for with money McCain's bill generates.
''If we're raising taxes for tens of billions of dollars for spending, then why not give part of it back?'' Gramm said.
McCain and other supporters of the amendment hoped that it would win votes for the overall bill from conservative Republicans uncomfortable with some of its provisions.
But Gramm said he would not vote for McCain's bill unless other changes also are made. Several GOP leaders still objected to the power the measure would give the Food and Drug Administration, for example.
''It's a little more palatable,'' said Assistant Majority Leader Don Nickles of Oklahoma, the bill's highest-ranking opponent. ''But it's still a bad bill.''
Democrats and a coalition of health care groups said the amendment would spend too much of the bill's money on tax relief at the expense of smoking cessation programs.
Formerly staunch supporters of the McCain bill complained that the tax cuts had destroyed its focus on teen smoking.
''What bill? We don't know what's in it anymore,'' said Sen. John Breaux, D-La. ''It's going in circles.''
The tax cut after a long day of behind-the-scenes bickering over parliamentary details. Several issues remain to be determined, such as how much to limit the fees of attorneys who worked on tobacco litigation. That issue was set for debate today.
''I anticipate several more lows before we're done,'' said Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
Gramm's proposal would grant a $3,300 tax deduction, phased in over several years, for married couples with incomes of under $50,000. Only 25 percent of the value of the deduction would be given for 1999, and the break would rise slowly, reaching 50 percent in 2006 and 100 percent in 2008.
Gramm pegged the cost of his measure at $16 billion over the next four years and $30 billion over the following five years. In all, he said, it would send one-third of the money raised in the tobacco bill back to taxpayers.
Despite the progress in the Senate, other factors indicated that tobacco policy was a long way from being decided. House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Wednesday morning repeated his opposition to a sweeping tobacco bill like McCain's, preferring instead a cheaper bill that only targeted youth smoking and drug use.
And a jury in Jacksonville, Fla., found in favor of the family of a cigarette smoker, ruling that Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. was negligent and must pay relatives nearly $1 million for the man's death.
In a political situation that mirrors a hotly-debated issue in Halifax County, the Town of West Point has voted to re-establish its police department.
Located southeast of Richmond, West Point is a town of 2,989 people which disbanded its own police department in 1986. The town then contracted with the King William Sheriff's Department to provide police protection services.
That scenario has frequently been used locally as an example of why the South Boston Police Department should be abolished, with the town's police protection to be contracted out to the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Doing so would save taxpayers in Halifax County and South Boston about $500,000 per year, proponents of the abolishment of the South Boston Police Department have contended.
In the fiscal year 1998-99, West Point appropriated $270,000 to pay the King William County for providing such law enforcement services, according to West Point Town Manager Lance L. Metzler.
Generally, the King William Sheriff's department had one deputy patrolling the 6.2-square mile jurisdiction of West Point, though sometimes two deputies were on duty, Metzler said.
However, the topic of re-establishing the West Point Police Department "popped up every year or so" with the town council and public safety committee, Metzler said.
"As the town grew, it became apparent that citizens wanted more police protection," Metzler said. "Business owners, elderly citizens, the youth, everybody wanted a closer bond with police."
The town also wanted to move towards the style of "community policing" which has become popular in countless jurisdictions across the country.
"The deputies had such a high rate of turnover that no one could really get comfortable with them," Metzler explained. "We would like to see more officers on foot and bicycle patrols, where they can better address potential problems in the town."
Not receiving such services from the county, the West Point Town Council voted 5-0, with two abstentions, to bring back their own police department.
One councilman had just been elected and abstained because she felt she did not know enough about the situation to make a vote, while the other abstention came from a council member who did work for the county on occasion, Metzler explained.
"At this point we don't know exactly what it will cost us, since in any startup situation, you're going to have some hidden costs," Metzler said.
"We hope it will continue to be around $270,000, but if it goes over a bit, I think the citizens here wouldn't complain," he continued. "I think they'd rather have the peace of mind they've been looking for."
Having its own police department would also allow the town to seek state and federal grants that could provide for more enhanced police protection, Metzler said.
"I have three such grant applications on my desk right now," he said.
The "new" department will not be starting out completely from scratch, he added. Equipment for officers that had been purchased with proceeds from the annual $270,000 will become property of the West Point Police Department, Metzler said.
The town also has been providing office space for the deputies, which will now become the new station house. "Thank Heavens, we don't have to start completely from scratch," he said.
The reestablishment of the police department has been an issue that has been "studied and reflected upon with a lot of input from its citizens," Metzler said.
"We are looking at it this way: If it works, fine; we'll give it a try," Metzler said. "If it doesn't work out, then we'll go back to sheriff's department."
By Doug Loftis
If indeed a show of force can be considered a deterrent to crime, Halifax County should become a safer place to live. For the first time ever, sheriff's deputies will number 35, an increase of 13 thanks to a new law that takes effect July 1.
The Virginia General Assembly agreed to lower the ratio from one deputy for every 2,000 residents to 1,500. Halifax County has a population of about 36,000 residents who live in an area of approximately 836 square miles.
Since announced last month, over 50 applicants filed for the 13 positions including some who already work in the county jail but will lose their jobs when the county jail consolidates with Blue Ridge Regional Jail next month.
The Good News
Deputy salaries are established by the state and start at $21,247 annually and reach a maximum of $33,155 for the lowest level of classification referred to as grade 7. The highest grade of classification, grade 13, has an annual starting salary of $36,242 and steps up to $56,554 for 21 years of tenure.
In addition to the salary, there are benefits which include fully paid health insurance, 10 days paid vacation, 11 paid holidays and 10 hours per month sick pay.
Not So Good News
Under normal circumstances, such salary and benefits would appear relatively attractive. The job doesn't require a college education, not even a high school education. Applicants must, however, successfully complete an 18-week training course and qualify on the firing range with a handgun.
Deputies must continually qualify under the weapon provision and for good reason.
Halifax County is fortunate in not having had a cop gunned down in the line of duty. Neighboring Mecklenburg County can no longer make that claim since Clarksville Police Officer Harvey Glen Lawson was shot and killed on the night of March 12, 1985.
Halifax County deputies have been shot at though and one has been wounded though not seriously. Just being shot at is something a law enforcement officer never forgets.
Ask 12-year veteran Major Ray Link. Link and another deputy were still inside their cruiser one night when shots rang out. The shooting suspect that night was none other than Lance Chandler who, five months later, shot and killed convenience store clerk Billy Dix. Chandler is now awaiting execution for that crime.
Ups And Downs
Halifax County is not and should not be classified as crime-ridden but like most communities across the U.S., responding to the calls (11,485 in 1997-5% increase over 1996) takes more and more manpower.
In 1997, breaking and entering calls were up 18 percent, robberies up 30 percent, sexual abuse up 150 percent and mental transports up 300 percent.
Illegal drug offenses (254 calls in 1997) tend to grab the most attention but statistics actually reflect a decrease in activity compared to 1996 (300 responses).
Domestic. That one word strikes fear and certain caution in every law enforcement officer's mind.
"It's the most dangerous call," said Link, "you can't win!" Last year, county deputies responded to 385 domestic disputes and made 104 arrests. The year before, domestic calls numbered 354.
Often, it is a domestic dispute that results in shootings which in 1997, numbered 40 in Halifax County. One became a murder.
Along with criminal responses, Halifax County sheriff's deputies 22,618 civil warrants in 1997. Sheriff D.J. Oakes assigns three full-time officers to civil service alone and at times, a fourth deputy is required.
Rubber Meets Road
The Halifax County Sheriff's Department has 23 vehicles in service and just this week, purchased five more. And rather than buy new cars, the sheriff chose once again to purchase used vehicles.
Oakes and Link found 1995 Chevrolets driven about 70,000 miles by North Carolina Highway Patrol officers and for approximately $40,000, acquired all five.
"That saved the county about $65,000," Link said while noting that Oakes is the only sheriff in recent history to buy used, rather than new, cars for his department.
The majority of sheriff's cruisers have over 100,000 miles of use which is understandable considering that the county has about 150 miles of primary and 850 miles of secondary roads.
Few Good Men And Women
The sheriff has made but not announced the names of the 13 new law enforcement officers which will be sworn in for duty before July arrives.
And what does he look for in an officer? "You've got to want to be a police officer," Link responded after giving the expected and obvious character preferences such as honesty, integrity and stability.
Desire might well be the stuff that sticks when it comes to working rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays "and dealing with the public."
Studies show that police work is a high stress occupation that affects individuals and families involved. A Northwestern University study ranked policing as the second most stressful occupation after air traffic control.
The average life expectancy of a male is 73 whereas a male police officer's average life expectancy is only 53.
Halifax County's oldest deputy is 53.
Statistics also show that police officers submit workman's compensation claims six times the rate of other employees.
Halifax County sheriff's deputies are provided the benefits of retirement through the Virginia Retirement System but unlike many localities around the state, are not eligible for "special" benefits referred to as LEO (Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters).
While normal retirement age is 65, LEO members have special retirement provisions for 60-year old members. Early retirement is permitted at any time between ages 50 and 60 provided the employee has 25 years of credit.
Sheriff Oakes asked the Halifax County Board of Supervisors to provide LEO for his department but the bid was turned down. He is expected to renew that appeal soon.
"I don't think we are asking for anything excessive," Link responded.
Neighboring Campbell, Mecklenburg and Pittsylvania counties all provide special LEO benefits.
Frank Cunningham of Baltimore, MD, died June 9, 1998 at St. Agnes Hospital in MD. He was 67 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Cunningham was born in Halifax County on February 22, 1931 the son of Robert and Mary Medley Cunningham. He was a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church.
Survivors include one sister, Alease Lipscomb of Baltimore; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Augusta of South Boston, Richard and Fannie, John Moses and Elizabeth Cunningham of Baltimore; six nieces, Millicent, Lisa, Zelda, Willie Mae, Valerie and Vivian; three nephews, David, Jerry and Tony.
Funeral services for Mr. Cunningham will be held Saturday, June 13 at 1 p.m. at Cross Roads Baptist Church, South Boston, with Rev. Dennis White officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Everett R. Martin of Hudson, NC died Sunday, June 7, 1998.
Mr. Martin was born June 16, 1927 in Halifax County the son of Wilmouth and Lillie Lowery Martin and was married to Montrose Richardson Martin.
His survivors include his wife; two sons: Raymond Martin of Charlotte, NC and Michael Martin of Hudson, NC; daughter: Lisa Hodges of Lenoir, NC; brother:Chester Martin of South Boston; sister: Sue McKinney of South Boston and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Dean Martin.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, June 9 at Blue Ridge Memorial Park, Lenoir, NC.
Della Thomas Nichols of Wolf Trap Road, South Boston died Tuesday, June 9, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 82 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Nichols was born in Halifax County on December 3, 1915 the daughter of Richard Thomas and Rosa Lou Thomas and was married to James Frank Nichols.
Survivors include her husband and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Mrs. Nichols were held Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Rev. Horace Murray conducted the service.