Union County Weekly

Vol. 10 No. 50

December 11, 2015

Population boom will burst

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

It’s something that many parents in the Union County Public School system hoped they would never hear again: redistricting is coming by 2025.

That’s the warning Dr. Jerome McKibben, a senior demographer at McKibben Demographic Research, gave the Union

County Board of Education at its Dec. 1 meeting.

McKibben presents a population forecast report for the district every two years that helps predict future infrastructure needs.

The information presented is a forecast, rather than a projection, based on what could happen as a result of future population dynamics.

The report demonstrated that the population boom and migration to Union County would decline by 2019, due to less

young households and families migrating to Union County. The county will consist of more “empty nest” households, which refer to homes that no longer will produce more children.

The child-rearing age range is between 20 and 28 years old.

Most couples typically aren’t homeowners when they begin having children. By the time they reach their 30s, they will most likely be finished with “family formation” and will purchase a

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Page 2 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 3

Waxhaw close to YMCA agreement

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WAXHAW – Waxhaw is close to finalizing an agreement and closing on property that would ensure a YMCA branch at N.C. 16 and Kensington Drive.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has one branch in Union County, located in Wesley Chapel. “We’re very fortunate they want to be here,� said Natalie Jackson, parks and recreation director for Waxhaw. Jackson said the partnership could provide an “awesome amenity� for citizens.

The town plans to supplement the YMCA’s 16-acre purchase by pairing it with 13 acres of its own for about $1.2 million, but the town will save millions through the partnership, she said.

Jackson anticipates the town closing on its 13 acres by mid-December.

The town planned on building two U-18 soccer fields on the property, but realized that was unrealistic after examining the site further.

The alternative is building one U-18 field and two U-11 fields. The town hopes a 3.5-acre encroachment of county land will help with the configuration of the fields. “The county staff has been very supportive of that,� Waxhaw Town Manager Warren Wood said, noting county commissioners will need to approve the request at their January meeting.

Jackson said a joint-use agreement between the town and YMCA is 99 percent complete.

The agreement spans 25 years with the option for three 10-year extensions. “We have a long-term partnership that is simply for sustainability of both what the Y is bringing and we’re bringing to the table,� Jackson said.

The agreement allows for the park to consist of multi-purpose fields that the YMCA will have priority over but not exclusive use. The town will have the opportunity to rent out fields.

The park will include a pavilion, bathrooms, green space, pond, parking and potentially a walking trail.

The town will construct the park at a cost of $350,000 annually for three years. The YMCA will maintain the property, while both will share in scheduling, though the YMCA will take the lead.

The YMCA will build at least 10,000 square feet during the initial phase of the project, and possibly more depending on its capital fundraising, Jackson said. The contract also calls for at least 50,000 square feet within 10 years. Total build-out could measure between 85,000 and 100,000 square feet, Jackson said.

Amenities could include exercise rooms, health and fitness center, locker rooms, a gym and swimming pool. Jackson said the pool is unlikely to be included in the project’s initial phase.

The town ensured clauses went into the agreement that allows the YMCA and programming to benefit citizens who aren’t YMCA members, Jackson said. “The sky is the limit for what we can do,� she said.

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Farm could become senior community

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

A senior housing community with as many as 257 units could be developed on 116 acres of farmland between Indian Trail and Wesley Chapel.

John Ross, president of Eagle Engineering, said the development off Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road will help meet demand for an underserved demographic of the community. “Within this demographic, there are a growing number of people that desire to limit their commitment to living space and associated property maintenance and focus more on enjoying the active lifestyle outside the home,�

Ross said.

No one spoke against the project during a public hearing held Monday, Dec. 7, at the Union County Government Center. County staff and the planning board are recommending approval. County commissioners will vote on the proposal next month.

Housing projects that target senior citizens tend to receive little resistance from Charlottearea communities, because they typically don’t affect rush hour traffic or increase enrollment in county schools.

Indian Trail approved a project last month that will allow 51 homes at the Austin Village shopping center, while Waxhaw approved 49 townhomes on seven acres near downtown earlier this month.

The Moore Farms Active Adult Community differs from those projects because it’s an agerestricted proposal, whereas the others are agetargeted for residents 55 years old and older.

Senior citizen townhomes coming to Waxhaw Waxhaw leaders approved plans Thursday, Dec. 3, allowing a developer to build 49 townhomes downtown that would target active senior citizens ages 55 and older.

Kent Olson, of Development Solutions Group, told leaders the project would help make downtown Waxhaw more vibrant and provide local businesses more customers.

It would occupy up to seven acres on Waxhaw-Marvin Road.

Town staff and planning board members didn’t endorse the proposal because it didn’t fit current land-use plans. However, the town is tinkering with its zoning ordinances and land-use plans. “We’re taking the steps to really begin to address where we’ve been and getting to where we need to be,� Mayor Stephen Maher said.

Detached homes will cost between $290,000 and $400,000, while attached homes will sell for $260,000 to $300,000, Ross said.

While homes will have low-maintenance architecture and small yards, the community will offer open green space, benches, a community garden, fitness center, and area for recreational activities and picnics.

Moore Farms will allow for walking trails and connectivity to the Carolina Thread Trail.

Residents will enter the property by passing a pecan grove and driving through a barn-type structure. They’ll be able to drive onto Moore Farms from two points off Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road and two future points on adjacent property.

Dr. Eric Schimpfhauser, DDS Dr. Angela Haller, DDS

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Page 4 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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Retail is the missing piece for Waxhaw Town contracts with consultant to find right fit

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WAXHAW – Waxhaw has signed a three-year agreement with a consumer analytics and research firm that will help the town find the right kind of retail opportunities.

Town leaders acknowledge Waxhaw needs to expand its tax base beyond single-family homes.

However, they must do so in a way that satisfies both downtown and suburban residents who are growing increasingly vocal about the town’s growth.

Those closer to downtown want to preserve Waxhaw’s rural character, while residents in suburbs like Cureton have been critical of commercial projects they don’t support, such as gas stations.

Curt White, Main Street manager for Waxhaw, points to ESRI data from 2015 that exposes a $300-million spending gap among the nearly 40,000 people living within a five-mile radius of downtown.

“Those are dollars that we see leaving our area because the supply of retail opportunities is not meeting the demands of our citizens here in Waxhaw,” White said.

Town officials talked to economic developers across the state about how they’ve worked with retail recruitment in their municipalities. They interviewed three firms.

“Buxton is far and away the best in terms of analytics,” White said.

Buxton will harness its data to compile a list of retailers that fit best with Waxhaw, Sales Director Rob Miller said.

Merely identifying the need for a casual-dining concept and trying to call 200 such companies would not be an efficient uses of the town’s time,

The Weekly

Community Spotlight

Keith Adams is the founder and executive director of Indian Trail-based nonprofit Common Heart. The organization heads up Common Cupboard, a food pantry that feeds hundreds of area families each month, and Common Things Thrift Store, which sells merchandise to support Common Heart’s mission of feeding the hungry.

The organization recently provided Thanksgiving meals to more than 1,000 families. Find more information at www.commonheart.org.

What inspired you to start Common Heart?

5000 Sardis Drive Indian Trail, NC 28079 704-821-1318

My friends and I just wanted to serve and love our neighbors in need. After having provided groceries for a few families from our own cupboards we realized that if we joined together we could create a “common cupboard” we could draw from to serve many more families.

Tell us a little about the nonprofit.

www.charlottekennels.com

We have grown in 10 years from a few friends reaching out in love to a few families, to several hundred friends gathering food, sorting it and

because you never know what a specific business is looking for, Miller said.

A large part of identifying the best retailers to bring to town is understanding the tastes of Waxhaw consumers. Where do they shop? Where do they go out on Friday night?

Buxton will build a consumer profile for Waxhaw to better understand its market and use that to pitch to potential retailers.

Miller identified Waxhaw’s projected retail sales gap to be in the $700 million range considering a 15-minute drive time. At that size, the market is much closer to 90,000 people.

Buxton helps 3,000 retailers, such as Lowe’s, Applebee’s and Trader Joe’s, make strategic site selection decisions by understanding what makes a good location and avoiding underperforming areas, Miller said.

It also has helped 700 communities, including 20 in North Carolina, fill 40 million square feet of retail space over the past 10 years, Miller said.

Waxhaw will pay the Texas-based firm $50,000 a year and will have access to retail lists within 60 days. But over the course of the contract, Buxton assures the town will have a partner.

Buxton will not only focus on bringing new business, but also work with existing ones. Miller envisions the possibility of holding a “small business night” to help companies better understand their customers and identify opportunities for expansion.

Waxhaw is in the process of updating its development ordinances and diversifying its housing.

Miller said the town’s evolution won’t affect the process of recruiting retailers.

Mayor Stephen Maher looks forward to partnering with Buxton.

“We got to get real smart about what we want to bring in,” Maher said. “It has to be unique.” delivering groceries every month to families we know in need through our main Common Cupboard in Indian Trail. We also operate a second pantry at Mill Grove UMC in Hemby Bridge, Common Things Thrift Store and a free tax preparation service in Indian Trail.

Common Heart recently completed the Great Turkey Countdown.

What’s going through your mind?

First, time for a nap. It’s no small thing to provide 1,000 turkeys and trimming delivered to 1,000 families. But the most astounding thing to me is how the community pulls together to do it. Hundreds of people donated, did food drives and brought turkeys. Then, hundreds more packed and delivered them to families who would not have had a Thanksgiving with out the community's help. So after my nap, I was filled with awe and gratitude at the kindness of the local community.

How can the community help Common Heart?

We always need volunteers, especially folks who will serve weekly or monthly …

Administrative, thrift store, pantry help, tax preparers and many others … We can always use financial contributions especially right now at the end of the year.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

The Weekly

Crime Blotter The Union County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents in western Union County from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3: Stallings Vehicle Break-ins • 1400 block of Porch Swing Lane: Theft from vehicle. Dec. 2

Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 5 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $49.96 household goods and $14.97 alcohol stolen from store. Nov. 29 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $157.72 merchandise stolen from store. Dec. 1 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $25.72 gloves and $7.88 alcohol stolen from store. Dec. 3 Waxhaw Business break-ins • 9100 block of Mini Ranch Road: Felony break-in reported at home. Dec. 1 • 8800 block of Bonds Grove Church Road: $250 gun, $400 cash, $590 TV, $100 video streaming device, $700 laptop and $46,300 jewelry stolen from home. Dec. 2

Property Damage • 13400 block of East Independence Boulevard: Injury to personal property. Dec. 1

Vehicle Break-in • 8100 block of Rillwood Drive: Satellite radio device and gum stolen from vehicle. Dec. 1 • 10000 block of Mini Ranch Road: Bags with content stolen from vehicle. Dec. 1 • 8500 block of Chilcomb Court: $300 Saks 5th Avenue bag and $827.99 laptop stolen from vehicle.

Dec. 3 • 8100 block of Waxhaw Creek Road: $50 rifle scope and $15 machete stolen from vehicle. Dec. 2 • 9400 block of Mini Ranch Road: $200 phone and $700 laptops stolen from vehicle. Dec. 1 • 9600 block of Mini Ranch Road: $100 keys stolen/damaged from vehicle. Dec. 1 • 9100 block of Mini Ranch Road: Felony vehicle break-in reported at home. Dec. 1

Property Theft • 400 block of Aurora Boulevard: Misdemeanor larceny reported. Dec. 2

Kidnapping • 600 block of Beauhaven Lane: Felony kidnapping and extortion. Nov. 28

Indian Trail Business break-Ins • Verizon Wireless, 14045 Independence Boulevard: $3,000 phones and $1,163.26 cash deposit stolen from store. Nov. 28 • 5200 block of Old Monroe Road: $500 money and $300 security device stolen/damaged in home break-in. Nov. 28 • 5800 block of Crosswinds Court. $700 tools stolen from home. Nov. 28

Property Damage • 7700 block of Waxhaw Highway: $100 power box damaged at home. Nov. 28 • 2600 block of Catesby Drive: $500 in Christmas decorations damaged at home. Nov. 28 • 2200 block of Legacy Oak Drive: $2,000 damage to vehicle at home. Nov. 29 • 8500 block of Royster Run: $500 damage to vehicle. Dec. 3

Fraud • 15800 block of West Lawyers Road: Financial card theft reported. Dec. 2 • 12800 block of East Independence Boulevard: Credit card fraud. Dec. 4 Other • Undisclosed location: Police investigate seconddegree sex offense. Dec. 2

Vehicle break-ins • 3000 block of Ainsdale Drive: $150 GPS, $130 glasses and $1,000 handgun stolen from vehicle.

Nov. 27 • 200 block of Thompson Court: $1 tablets and $1 phone stolen from vehicle. Nov. 30 Fraud • Game Stop, 1404 E. Independence Blvd.: Obtaining property by false pretenses. Nov. 27 • 2000 block of Galena Chase Drive: $18.13 fast food stolen via credit card fraud. Dec. 1 Property Theft • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: Alcohol and other merchandise, worth $376.94, stolen. Nov. 27 • 4900 block of Old Charlotte Highway: $400 handgun stolen from home. Nov. 29 • Aldi, 5704 W. U.S. 74: Two-wheeled tote bag stolen from store. Nov. 29 • 1000 block of Thurston Drive: $40 Christmas lights stolen from home. Nov. 29

Property theft • 6300 block of Bud Huey Road: Credit/debit cards stolen from convenience store. Nov. 27 Weddington Property Damage • 5000 block of Oxfordshire Road: $1,000 iron fencing. Nov. 27 Property Theft • 3800 block of North Twelve Mile Creek Road: $150 deer stand, $75 safety harness and $1 deer antlers stolen. Nov. 30 Wesley Chapel Property Theft • Target, 6350 Weddington Road: $99.99 phone and $10 toothbrushes stolen. Dec. 1 • Target, 6350 Weddington Road: $14.99 hoodie, $49.99 speaker, $24.99 jeans and $16.99 hat stolen from store. Dec. 1 • 5000 block of Willow Run Drive: $325 cellphones stolen. Dec. 2

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Page 6 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly WWW.UNIONCOUNTYWEEKLY.COM 10100 Park Cedar Drive, Suite 154 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 www.unioncountyweekly.com

Editorial Managing Editor Hannah Chronis Business Editor Josh Whitener WWW.THECHARLOTTEWEEKLY.COM Education Editor Courtney Schultz Development Editor Justin Vick Sports editor Ben Doster Faith Columnist John Munro

Advertising Charlotte Conway Adrian Garson Andrea Mounts

Business Publisher Jonathan McElvy Associate Publisher Frank Vasquez Business Manager Brent Epling

Design

Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following dining locations between Dec. 2 and 6: Lowest Score: • Bojangles, 6550 Old Monroe Road, 28079 – 83.5 Violations included: Adulterated food noted; multi-use equipment not properly sanitized; person in charge did not demonstrate active managerial control; container of slaw held four days past discard date had swollen lid raised 1 to 2 inches above container’s rim; steak placed into unclean pan with heavy accumulation of food particles; marinater unclean; multiple pans with heavy accumulation of food particles; fry pans not sanitized at end of holding period; steak not kept hot enough; two containers of slaw held multiple days past expiration date; fries for holding not labeled with discard time; chicken not kept cold enough; rice not cooked hot enough; sanitizer cloudy and not at proper strength; general cleaning needed throughout kitchen.

28079 • Bojangles, 6550 Old Monroe Road – 83.5 28104 • Brooklyn Pizza Parlor, 6400 Weddington-Monroe Road, suite A – 96.5 • China Café, 15080 Idlewild Road, suite I – 95 • Hickory Tavern, 6400 Weddington-Monroe Road – 94.5 • Kami, 5922 Weddington-Monroe Road, suite A12 – 94 • Panda Chinese Restaurant, 13661 Providence Road – 95

Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby

28110 • Chili’s Grill & Bar, 2861 W. Hwy. 74 – 92.5 • Jud’s, 1603 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 95.5 • Longhorn Steakhouse, 2117 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 94 • Showmars, 2398 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 92

Advertising: adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Letters to the Editor: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Press Releases: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Union County Weekly is published by Charlotte Media Group. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

28112 • Carolinas HealthCare System – Union, 600 Hospital Drive – 98 • King’s Deli & Grocery, 3603 Plyler Mill Road – 92.5 28173 • Club at Longview, 8801 Longview Club Drive – 98

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Grants offered to keep companies local

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Union County has awarded economic incentive grants to Tyson Chicken and Brand RPM in hopes the companies will invest millions of dollars into expansion projects at existing factories.

Union Commissioner Jerry Simpson described the awarding of grants Monday, Dec. 7, indicative of making the county a great place to live and work. He attended a conference earlier this month organized by the Centralina Council of Governments.

“One of our speakers indicated that economic development is increasingly a competition over placemaking,” Simpson said.

Brand RPM

Brand RPM is considering investing $2.32 million in a new building, as well as equipment and machinery. The firm, which has operated in Indian Trail since 2008, manufactures corporate and custom-decorated apparel and merchandise.

It’s a leading distributor for Under Armor and adidas in the United States.

“This potential expansion will strengthen the stability of its Union County location and its retention of its current 28 employees,” said Gretchen Carson of Monroe Union County Economic Development.

The firm will receive an economic incentive grant of no more than $46,000 over a five-year period.

“The company recently notified our office of the potential expansion and indicated that incentives are a very important factor in their final location decision,” Carson said. “Union County is in competition with South Carolina.”

County officials said the project could create 38 jobs and generate $90,000 of taxable investment over the life of the grant.

Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods could invest $5 million to improve the efficiency at its Monroe factory, which could result in the creation of 56 new jobs.

The expansion will increase the number of pounds of chicken packaged during a typical work shift, according to Ron Mahle, assistant director of economic development for Monroe Union County Economic Development. The plant processes chicken for tray packaging to grocery stores.

The firm, which has opereated out of Monroe since the 1960s, serves as one of the county’s largest employers with 1,500 workers.

The company considers economic incentives as a requirement for location expansion, Mahle said.

Tyson Foods will receive a grant of $115,000 over five years. The county expects to receive $194,125 in property taxes over the course of the grant.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 7

Opinion

Newspapers are the last place to lean back and read tion day after day. I’m also sharing this story because we constantly face the same questions from our advertisers. We walk into a local business, tell them about our community newspapers, and without any real understanding of what they’re saying, their eyes turn white and they recite the ominous chant: “We’re not going to advertise in print anymore. We’re moving our marketing dollars to digital.”

It seems I have this conversation in private all the time; why not have it in public just for one week?

I’ll be the first to admit: I love all things digital.

I read breaking news on my computer at work. I read social news (no matter how ludicrous it may seem) on my phone. I read Tweets at stoplights. I play card games on my iPad in airports. Maybe I don’t have the digital addiction some people have to their smart phones, and I certainly am not on a constant quest for narcissistic approval on social media, but I do love the expediency of the digital world.

But I also love newspapers – especially community newspapers like ours – for all the ways that we are so different from the barrage of information you receive through that data plan that gets more and more expensive every year.

I love that newspapers don’t have ad blockers.

If you don’t know about ad blockers, they are filters you can install on your computer or phone browsers that eliminate all ads from being seen, and 200 million people use ad blockers every day across the globe.

In my 30 years of reading, writing and publish-

ing newspapers, I have never seen a single person take a pair of scissors and cut all the ads out of a newspaper just so they can read the stories.

I love that ads in newspapers are as important to the content as the stories themselves. In fact, we are the only news medium remaining where people don’t skip the ads. We click the elusive “X” on web pages. We hit fast-forward on the TV. We change the station (or convert to Sirius or Pandora) on the radio. The only time we want to see commercials on any of those mediums is during the Super Bowl. Otherwise, our entire consumption of news and entertainment is spent trying to avoid advertisements – ask Netflix about that business model.

Meanwhile, our readers love the ads as much as they love the stories.

I love newspapers because we don’t have creepy ads that seem to know your every move.

True story: A few months ago I wanted to buy my wife a suit for work, and I made the dreaded mistake of searching for women’s suits online, just to see what was out there. For the next three months, every advertisement on every site I visited showed me the latest in women’s business suits. That’s just creepy.

I love newspapers because we are wireless, we don’t require a data plan, and we don’t threaten to shut off your source of news if you don’t give us a credit card.

I love newspapers because, when you pick up a paper and read, you don’t automatically get two spam emails a day pawning products that you’d never buy in a hundred lifetimes.

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I love newspapers because we’re the only medium left that allows you to turn everything off, open the pages and sit back to consume news relevant to your daily life. We are the last “leanback” source of news, and there is absolutely nowhere else you can go in today’s massive news industry and read through pages and pages of information about your very own community.

And I love newspapers most – especially these days – because we were the original social media.

We are still a place where people share stories. We are a place where meetings are organized, opinions proffered and photos captioned.

I was stunned to learn this week that Congress gingerly asked Facebook and Twitter to help identify people who might use social media to organize terroristic activities on social media.

Are you kidding me?

I love newspapers because we care about making our communities better through the filter of our editors and reporters who live and work here. Love or hate newspapers, call them liberal bastions of propaganda if you want (we’ve never faced that accusation), but you’ll never find a newspaper in this entire nation that wouldn’t turn over a terrorist or a criminal long before Congress had to ask. Heck, we’d expose them before the next press run.

Trust me, digital has an enormously valuable place in our society. So do local, community newspapers. That’s what I told my CPA. Email jonathan@carolinaweekly newspapers.com

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Earlier this week, I spent an entire day doing what every business owner loves more than anything in the entire world: I spent eight consecutive hours with my CPA. Don’t get the wrong impression. We weren’t huddled in a back office preparing for the colonoscopy that is an IRS audit. Instead, we just needed to do a little tax planning. Our company has acquired a few businesses this year, and apparently, federal and state law suggests you know how much money you make each year so you can then Jonathan McElvy efficiently grab both ankles and allow said government to take most of what you’ve earned.

To be completely transparent, our business hasn’t had the best of years. Slumps in certain sectors of the economy have definitely hurt us.

We’ve also acquired a few new businesses, and they have gone through massive transitions, which take time to implement.

Rob, my CPA, had a different question when we looked through our books. He’s seen our business have mild success in prior years and he wondered, aloud, if the great big world of digital news consumption had finally caught up with us.

The only reason I’m sharing this story with you, our readers, is because I get the same ques-

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Page 8 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Education (continued from page 1)

new or existing house.

The housing market in Union County blossomed as new families began to own homes, which reflected in the school system, but McKibben sees most of the housing boom in western Union County.

“The big difference from two years ago is the housing trend was on the upswing and expected to level or decline, but it declined more than expected,” he said.

The local 18-to-24-year-old population also continues to leave the district – going to college or moving to other urbanized areas – which will begin to leave a gap in the student population.

The students from the housing boom is beginning to graduate, but fewer children will enter the district in the future because fewer new families are moving in.

What Union County will see in the coming years is the replacement rate of high school seniors to new students, which will decrease as fewer children enter the district.

McKibben warns the district will experience a wave of high school enrollment over the next three years due to large numbers of students currently in middle school, but a lack of migration will lead to a decrease in enrollment.

The forecast predicts total district enrollment is forecasted to increase by 757 students, or 1.8 percent, between 2015-16 and 2020-21, and decline by 394 students, or 0.9 percent, from 2020-21 to 2025-26.

However, the growth leveling off or declining is not a Union County phenomenon, McKibben added, explaining most suburban school systems go through 12-year cycles and experience population waves.

The population waves lead to redistricting, as the distribution of students becomes unequal amongst school buildings, which occurs in most school districts every 10 to 15 years.

BOE member Kevin Stewart asked McKibben his opinion about UCPS’s most recent redistricting, which Stewart referred to as “conservative.”

McKibben said he feels the district was making up for poor infrastructure decisions made more than 15 years ago in which schools were built too closely to others because of land availability and cost.

“Where you place a school is very important – you have to be clear of where it’s going,” he said.

Stewart believed clusters were built too close together by previous boards.

McKibben suggested the district give schools “breathing room” because the population distribution will change and the board will need to reevaluate student assignments.

The ideal redistricting moves no more than 10 percent of its students. The school district will definitely have to redistrict by the end of the forecast, especially with the U.S. 74 Bypass coming, which will attract more businesses and infrastructure.

He also warned the longer the district waits to redistrict, the number of students being moved would increase.

McKibben Report of UCPS Enrollment Forecasts (in students) 43,000 42,800 42,600 42,400 42,200 42,000 20 15 -1 20 6 16 -1 20 7 17 -1 20 8 18 -1 20 9 19 -2 20 0 20 -2 20 1 21 -2 20 2 22 -2 20 3 23 -2 4 20 24 -2 20 5 25 -2 6

UCPS

“The distribution of students versus the distribution of schools is going to change,” he said.

“The more you wait, the higher percentage you will have to move. It’s going to get ugly.”

Deputy Superintendent Mike Webb told the board district staff will examine the report and use the information to re-evaluate the district’s capital plan, the CCEP, based on the population forecasts.

BOE member Gary Sides said he wondered about whether middle and high schools potentially coming to the Hemby Bridge area would be needed, which the staff will evaluate.

Webb said the process will take a few months and staff will present a new plan by the March 1 BOE meeting.

Visit www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Page/2784 to see McKibben’s full report.

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Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 9

Education

4 quick questions with Weddington Middle’s Nicole Schroedel

by Courtney Schultz

What is your most favorite memory from your eight years of teaching?

courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Why did you pursue an education career?

The first time I knew I wanted to be a teacher, I was a senior in high school. I volunteered at a workshop for adults with disabilities once a week. To see the progress being made each week made my heart melt and I knew right then and there that my passion was going to be in teaching, particularly special education. I loved the idea Nicole Schroedel of teaching new strategies, facing struggles together, having a positive attitude, and making a difference in lives. Children need that one special teacher to be in their corner and that’s who I am.

What is the biggest obstacle working in an EC classroom?

The biggest obstacle working in an EC classroom is keeping up with every student’s individual needs and paperwork. The biggest misconception is that because my students tend to be lower that I can teach all one way and that’s false. Just like any other classroom, I have to differentiate my instruction and aim to fill their individual needs. I overcome it by being very organized and collecting a lot of data so I always know where they are academically and where we need to go.

My favorite memory is from when I was teaching in Ohio. I had a sixth-grade student with autism and he had a one-on-one aid. Anytime he was unhappy with what was going on in class, he would storm out and leave the building … I vowed from that very first time in September that things were going to change because the potential was there. After creating and sticking to behavior plans, spring came and he was no longer leaving class anymore. I can remember when I told him in May that next year he would not have an aid anymore … He continued on without an aid even through high school. He is a student I will always hold very close to my heart. Through the tough times, I focus on the difference I made with him and that keeps me pushing on.

What is the biggest challenge in education today?

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

MARVIN – Marvin Ridge High School sophomore Kelsea Little wanted to learn more about medical careers, but quickly realized she needed to take matters into her own hands since Marvin Ridge didn't have a club dedicated to the medical field.

Kelsea started the Code (orange and) Blue: Mavericks Medical Careers Club at her school, and enlisted the help of her assistant lacrosse coach Kaitlyn Harfmann in spring 2015 to become the club’s advisor and assist in the club’s formation.

The club came to fruition this fall and invites medical professionals to visit the club to talk about their day-to-day lives in their careers, and the path they took to get there.

The club will give students an overview of the wealth of medical careers available to them, Kelsea said, and highlight the educational paths students “can follow to achieve their dreams.”

Through networking, Harfmann and Kelsea have invited multiple medical professionals to visit monthly; each month’s meeting will feature a different theme.

The club featured spinal specialist Dr. Alfred Rhyne of OrthoCarolina for its inaugural meeting. Rhyne spoke intimately and candidly to students about his career path and career as an orthopedic surgeon.

“To be a doctor you must be inquisitive, motivated and have empathy,” he told students.

Kelsea said the visit helped her better understand the experience of an orthopedic surgeon and the rigor of his college courses, as well as his residency.

Harfmann said this December’s visitor will be emergency room doctor Dr. Jeffery Klein and future visitors will include dentists, medical school students and nurses.

“I hope kids get a more realistic view of what a medical career is, and the things that they will have to do (to pursue a medical career) that they didn’t realize,” Harfmann said. “I think there’s a lack in high schools connecting kids to careers …

I think there are so many kids that go into college and waste a year of college realizing its not what they want.”

Harfmann added she’s had students in the past who’ve pursued a pre-med degree, but don’t realize the complex courses their career path entails, and the long years of medical school and residency that follow their undergraduate studies.

“They might not realize that they won’t start their careers until their 30s,” she said.

Kelsea said she feels pressure to choose a career while in high school and wants the club to help her and other students clarify their career choice.

She hopes to pursue a career in gynecology, but wants to explore more medical career options before making her choice.

Contact Harfmann at 704-290-1520 to learn more information and to volunteer to speak to the club.

Education Briefs Brothers continue to support The Patriot Charities WEDDINGTON – Music duo CJ and Brother Max raised funds to afford The Patriot Charities, a Charlotte nonprofit, a trained PTSD service dog and a rescue dog, which they presented to Marine Sgt. Robert Baker at the Patriot Charity Black Tie Ball last month.

CJ and Brother Max play classic rock hits from the 70s to the early 90s. They released their first single “Give Me A Shot” earlier this year and donated all the proceeds from downloads to the Global Post Traumatic Stress Injury Foundation.

CJ Teas is a freshman at Weddington High School and Max Teas is an eighth-grader at Weddington Middle School. They’ve played multiple concerts throughout the year, with all appearance fees, tips and donations benefitting The Patriots Charities. This year, they’ve added new members to the band, including 14-year-old Aidan Nolan, a Weddington High School student, and 12-year-old Briggs Akers, a fifth-grader.

Find more information about the duo at www.cjandbrothermax.com.

Waxhaw students qualifies for national Bible Bee

For me, the biggest challenge in education today is the amount of work on a teacher’s plate without the reward of higher pay. In North Carolina, our EC caseload can be up to 50 which brings with it a lot of paperwork … Once I account for all the lesson planning and grading for just those classes and then throw in time to do the EC paperwork portion of it, it ends up consuming the majority of my personal time at home. The amount I get paid compared to the amount of hours I put in is just so unfair. I know money is the number one issue of why we have lost so many great teachers and it continues to be one of the biggest challenges in education today.

Marvin Ridge students seek careers in medical field

The Weekly

WAXHAW – Waxhaw resident Rhett Mullen competed in the 2015 National Bible Bee in San Antonio from Nov. 17 to 21 after earning top scores in the nation in Bible memorization and study.

The highest 120 scorers across the country in each of three age categories secure invitations, and Rhett will compete in the Primary age division for qualifiers 7 to 10 years old.

Qualifiers study the book of John 1-12 and hundreds of scriptures. They also have the opportunity to audition for the National Bible Bee Game Show, which is broadcasted on NRM and will be held in San Antonio in January 2016.

The qualifiers will compete in oral and written rounds, including an onstage semi-final round, in which the top contestants perform in a singleelimination scripture quotation contest. In the final round, contestants gain points by reciting passages and answering questions about Bible study.

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Page 10 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Faith

Recalling the shepherds’ story during the Christmas season

by John Munro jmunro@calvarychurch.com

Night had fallen in the fields just outside Bethlehem as a group of shepherds were watching their flock of sheep. Two thousand years ago, Bethlehem was an insignificant little town, but it did have an interesting history. Israel’s greatest king, King David, was from Bethlehem, so it was sometimes called “the city of David.”

All of a sudden the darkness around these shepherds was suddenly changed into the brightest of light. A magnificent angel stood right in front of them, and the glory of the Lord was shining all around them. The shepherds were absolutely terrified. Then the angel spoke, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

As far as the shepherds could see, the sky was filled with thousands and thousands of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Some of the shepherds might have remembered that one of the Old Testament prophets, Micah, had written that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. That prophecy given seven centuries ago was now coming true.

Right away the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem, and investigate things for themselves. Bethlehem was bustling that night and the inn was packed

out. Eventually the shepherds came to a stable, and saw a little baby boy lying in a manger, which would’ve been used as a feeding trough for animals. His tiny little limbs were wrapped in swaddling cloths just as the angel had told them.

The shepherds explained to the baby’s mother, Mary, all that happened on the fields outside Bethlehem, and what the angel said.

Then the shepherds returned to their fields praising God for all that they had heard and seen. I am Pastor John H. Munro sure the shepherds wondered why the angels that night had appeared to lowly shepherds like them. Why had the announcement of the Messiah’s birth not come to the priests, rulers or dignitaries?

The wonder of the Christmas message is that the good news of a great joy is for all people. Everyone, from the highest to the lowest, from the richest to the poorest, needs to know and can know personally the wonderful Savior of the world. His name is “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The little baby born in the stable of Bethlehem is the Son of God who dies for the sins of all—rich or poor, educated or uneducated, religious or irreligious. He died and rose again for our salvation.

This Christmas season, experience the good news of great joy. Open your heart and your life to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away all of our sins.

The Weekly

Faith Briefs

Choir at Langford Chapel to host holiday concert MONROE – Langford Chapel CME Church will hold a holiday concert to celebrate the birth of Jesus and honor the music of the late Andrae Crouch on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. The concert will be held in the Langford Chapel, located at 113 S. Johnson St. The concert is free and open to the public.

Marvin AME Zion to present ‘The Never-Changing Story’ WAXHAW – Marvin AME Zion Church will present “The Never-Changing Story” on Dec. 20, a Sunday, at 6 p.m. The production will include a drama, music and dance from the church’s worship and arts team, which will retell the story of the birth of Jesus. Visit www.mamez.org or call 704-843-3611 for more information.

Marvin AME Zion is located at 1525 Crane Road.

Annual Follow the Star 5K to benefit Lottie Moon MATTHEWS – Idlewild Baptist Church will host its third annual Follow the Star 5K on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The 5K trail run will be filled with “holiday themed obstacles,” according to the race website. Proceeds will benefit the Lottie Moon offering, which supports international missionaries.

No strollers or animals are permitted. Awards will be given to the Top 3 male and female finishers. Race packet pick-up begins at 8 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. All participants will receive a star ornament.

Email Christy Godwin at jgodwin2@carolina.rr.com or visit www.fo llowthestar.raceonline.com for more information.

Idlewild Baptist Church is located at 12701 Idlewild Road.

Send faith notes to hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

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The Weekly

Calendar December of Wreaths 10 Festival Celebration The event offers a way for local businesses and groups to celebrate the holiday season.

Attendees can enjoy food and fellowship and can tour the wreaths.

The event will feature a silent auction for all wreaths on display and all the proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Contact Tara Stone at 704-289-4555 or tara. stone@carillonassistedliving.com for more information.

4 to 6 p.m.; Carillon Assisted Living at Indian Trail, 5306 Secrest Short Cut Road, Monroe

11 “Nutcracker”

23nd Youth Ballet’s

The Union County Youth Ballet’s (UCYB) 23nd rendition of the Christian tradition of ”The Nutcracker” will feature new choreography, costumes and “Herr Drosselmeyer.”

Joel Paulus, a UCYB Artist in Residence, will dance as Herr Drosselmeyer and many Union County students will perform in other key roles.

The production will have tiered ticket prices this year – front theater seats will cost $15 for adults and $13 for children and senior citizens, and back theater seats will cost $12 for adults and $10 for children and senior citizens.

Tickets are available by calling 704-2895733 or by visiting www.ucyb.org.

Friday – 7 p.m.; Saturday – 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wingate University George Batte Jr. Fine Art Center, 403 N. Camden Road, Wingate

12 Light Up MillBridge

The Waxhaw community MillBridge will celebrate the holiday season with a Santa visit, horse-drawn carriage rides and crafts.

The only functional covered bridge in the region will “sparkle with thousands of luminaries placed one by one by members of the community” and holiday decorations will be on displaying, including a Christmas tree.

Visitors can visit with Santa, take carriage rides, assemble crafts and enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of the photographer on site.

“Light Up MillBridge is coveted by our residents, their families, as well as the Waxhaw community. Kids and adults alike become entranced by the sea of lights and the event has a way of putting everyone in the holiday spirit,” Kelley Archer, marketing manager at MillBridge, said in a news release.

Visit www.millbridge-nc.com for more information.

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; 1401 MillBridge Pkwy., Waxhaw

Springs 12 Mineral Tree Lighting Mom and Pop’s Café and the Optimist Club of Waxhaw will sponsor the third annual Mineral Springs Christmas Tree Lighting. Families are encouraged to make ornaments to decorate the tree prior to arriving. Tree decorating will take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the lighting of the tree at 5:30 p.m. Mom and

Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 11 Pop’s Café will offer a limited supply of free refreshments from 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.

The outdoor showing of a classic Christmas movie, sponsored by Stage Right Productions will follow the tree lighting. The event also will include Christmas carols. Call 704-8431111 for more information.

5 p.m.; Mom and Pop’s Café, 5917 Waxhaw Hwy., Mineral Springs

15 Elf: The Musical Junior

Parkwood Middle School will perform “Elf: The Musical Junior” for the holiday season. The musical is based off the movie of the same title that follows Buddy, an orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole.

The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is human, until his enormous size and poor toymaking abilities cause him to face the truth.

Tickets cost $6 and can be purchased at pwmstheatre.wix.com/pwms.

7:30 p.m.; Parkwood High School auditorium, 3220 Parkwood School Road, Monroe

15 Meet & Greet Networking

Small business owners can build business relationships and build their business for the New Year in a relaxing environment. Owners can share knowledge and make contacts for referrals.

The Trail House Restaurant will provide appetizers and attendees are asked to contribute $5 for the wait staff.

Contact Kat Miller at 704-574-0026 for more information.

6 to 7:30 p.m.; The Trail House Restaurant, 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

Christmas Ornament 16 DIY Vase for Teens The Monroe Library will host an event for teens to make a DIY Christmas Ornament Vase that “will cheer up any room.”

Registration is required by calling 704-2838184, ext. 232.

5 p.m.; Monroe Library, 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

19 Reindeer Ride Annual Siskey

Join the Y Xtreme team as they ride as reindeer throughout Union County. Bikers are encouraged to attach antlers to their helmets.

Riders will have 34-, 46-, 55- and 67-mile options on marked routes with route sheets available. It is a “no drop” ride.

9 a.m.; Marvin Elementary School bus parking lot, 9700 Marvin School Road, Waxhaw

Walk Through 19 ABethlehem The Waxhaw Baptist Church invites the community to step back in time to the little town of Bethlehem.

Attendees will walk through an indoor/ outdoor interactive guided tour that will take them back to the night Jesus was born. They will walk through the Bethlehem, meet the merchants follow the shepherds and the Wise Men on their journey to find Jesus.

The event is free and drop-in style.

Contact Rev. Chris Whittaker at 704-8434822 for more information.

6 to 9 p.m.; Waxhaw Baptist Church, 8213 Old Waxhaw-Monroe Road, Waxhaw

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 12 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Union County Weekly’s 2015 girls’ tennis Super Team

Sports

Player of the year Ella Imhof Marvin Ridge

Cara Clemons Cuthbertson Cuthbertson senior Cara Clemons made the most of her final campaign with the Cavaliers. Clemons, who moved back and forth from No. 1 and No. 2 on the team, persevered to end up at 10-5 in singles to earn Team MVP honors. She made the Southern Carolinas all-conference team for the fourth year in a row.

Marvin Ridge freshman phenom Ella Imhof had a dynamite rookie campaign with the Mavericks. Imhof was the best player on the best team, not only in Union County, but the entire NCHSAA 3A level. The fourstar recruit finished with a 12-5 singles record, and went 10-1 in doubles on her way to all-conference honors.

Sarah Merrill Weddington

Rachel Zubrinsky Marvin Ridge

Weddington freshman Sarah Merrill played an integral role in helping the Warriors win a share of the Southern Carolinas Conference title. Merrill, who went from the No. 2 to the No. 1 position for Weddington during the season, finished with a 15-0 record.

Marvin Ridge junior Rachel Zubrinsky played an integral role in the Mavericks state championship run as the team’s No. 2 player. Zubrinsky finished with a 21-8 singles record, while going 8-1 in doubles on her way to all-conference and all-region honors.

Kaley Williford Central Academy

Meredith Little Parkwood

CATA junior Kaley Williford led the Cougars to their first ever Rocky River Conference title. Williford was named Rocky River Conference Player of the Year after finishing the regular season with a 17-1 record in singles and going 14-1 in doubles play. She finished third at regionals, and qualified for the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs.

Parkwood senior Meredith Little earned all-conference for the fourth year in a row. She was the Rebels No. 1 player during her four years with the program, and never missed a match. Little finished the season with a 9-5 record in singles, and went 10-4 in doubles.

Coach of the Year Julie van Olden Marvin Ridge Second Team Hannah Scott Marvin Ridge Jillian Paris Weddington

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Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 13

Sports

Monroe looks to capture 2A state championship on Saturday The Redhawks beat East Lincoln 46-6 to advance to NCHSAA 2AA state championship

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Top seed Monroe was held to fewer than 50 points for the first time this postseason, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Redhawks from soaring to an easy 46-6 route of No. 2-seeded East Lincoln (14-1, 7-0 Southern District 7) Dec. 4.

Monroe (15-0, 5-0 Rocky River) will face Bunn (13-2, 5-0 Northern Carolina), the No. 2-seed and champion of the east region in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2AA state championship at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh Saturday at 8:05 p.m., Dec. 12.

Fortunately for Monroe, this isn’t the first state championship appearance for coach Johnny Sowell, his staff and a few key players – junior quarterback Zephaniah Wall and seniors, cornerback Melvin Bonilla, wide receiver/safety Desmen Robinson, linebacker Dontaviaus Covington and center/defensive tackle Dashawn Goings.

The Redhawks reached the state championship most recently in 2013, where they fell to High Point (N.C.) T.W. Andrews, 18-14.

“Those guys that have been there are the guys that are going to be doing a lot of that talking for us as well,” Sowell said.

Wall said Monroe needs to have a good week of practice and preparation.

“We haven’t lost yet,” Wall said. “We don’t want to know how it feels to lose, so I think that’s another motivator. We want to be respected. We want to be looked at as one of the top teams in North Carolina… We have one goal, and that’s to win a state championship.”

Monroe’s biggest win of the season came with a 45-38 triple overtime victory over Weddington on Sept. 11. They’ve won every game by 24 or more points since then, and have a 42.25-point average margin of victory during the playoffs.

That doesn’t bode well for a Bunn team, which

The Weekly

Sports Shorts Weddington adjusts to life without All-American guard Watts Weddington’s girls’ basketball team lost AllAmerican guard Stephanie Watts (North Carolina) to graduation, but the Warriors (6-1) have powered through and appear to be headed toward another successful campaign.

“It’s definitely a completely different looking team on the offensive end,” Weddington coach Ryun Cook said. “It’s always extremely difficult to keep that level of play up when you lose a player like Stephanie, but I think our strength is our diversity and depth.”

The Warriors, who have experience and size, take pride on defense. They use their athleticism, length and quickness to frustrate opponents, deny penetration and cut off passing lanes.

“Our team identity really starts with our defense,” Cook said. “I think we’re a little tougher team this year than we’ve been in the past.”

Ben Doster/UCW photo

All-purpose back senior Braxton Knotts will be key on Saturday as Monroe takes on Bunn in a state championship.

has squeaked by its last two opponents by a combined eight points.

“You stop the run, we can also pass,” Wall said. “If you stop the pass, we can also run. Being versatile we have a lot of weapons, and we know how to utilize our weapons on the offensive side of the ball. I think we have a pretty strong defense, and that helps the offense out a lot.”

Wall and Monroe’s aerial attack has improved vastly over the course of the season, and has evolved into a lethal force that violates the no-flyzone policy of opposing secondaries with their long bombs.

He struggled early against East Lincoln, but soon settled in and proceeded to torch the Mustangs, completing 14-27 passes for 295 yards and

three touchdowns to one interception to clear the 3,000-yard barrier for the season.

“During the summer I knew I was getting better,” Wall said. “It just took me a little bit of time to play like I can play. I knew I could always play at a high level, like I am now. It took me a little bit to catch on, but I got in a rhythm and I’ve been in a rhythm all season.

“I’m a veteran... I always step on the field with confidence that we’re going to win the game.”

Junior wide receiver Jadarious McManus, who has been a go-to-target, led Monroe with seven receptions for 183 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first player in school history to surpass the 1,000-yard barrier in receiving in a season.

Offensively, Weddington moves the ball well, and has a balanced scoring attack with four players consistently reaching double digits in points per game.

Sophomore guard Erin Addison averages a team-high 12.1 ppg. She also dishes out 3.4 apg, grabs 3.3 rpg, and makes 3.4 spg. Senior guard Taylor Schuster gives the Warriors another scoring threat from the perimeter (10.7 ppg).

Senior forward Molly Mann (11.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg) and junior forward Remi Roberts (10.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 1.4 bpg) have provided Weddington with two towering forces in the paint.

“We need to improve our offensive chemistry and decision-making right now,” Cook said.

“We’re turning the ball over more than we like.

I think once we get a little more comfortable as a new team you’ll see less turnovers and better shots we’re going to be taking.”

olinas) finish that included a conference championship and fourth round appearance in the state playoffs.

However, Cuthbertson has rebounded nicely under the guidance of coach Mike Helms and the stellar play of a strong nucleus of talented players, and are thriving with a 7-0 record.

“The kids have stepped up,” Helms said. “They have been pretty solid so far. We’re getting good minutes out of eight, nine kids.”

Helms said it’s probably the best shooting team the Cavs have produced in school history, but they still have room for improvement.

“We’re not where I’d like to be defensively or rebounding-wise,” Helms said. “We’ve got enough size that we should be a good rebounding team.

That’s something we got to continue to get better at, just being disciplined in our block outs and taking care of our areas, and rebounding as a team and not as an individual.”

The Cavaliers are solid in the post with seniors, center Steven Ruszala (6-foot-6) and forward Tyrik Dawson (6-foot-5), while forward A.J. Spencer provides a spark off the bench.

Senior guard Ryan Mobley gives Cuthbertson a perimeter scoring threat and distributor, while senior wing Chris Grovanz commands the respect of opponents with his ability as an outside shooter.

Cuthbertson boys’ basketball team remains unblemished Cuthbertson had reason for concern following the departure of four seniors who were key to the Cavaliers turnaround from a 5-19 record two years ago to last season’s 22-6 (9-1 Southern Car-

Offensively, Monroe’s biggest priority will be turnover prevention and not committing penalties. Defensively, the Redhawks will be tasked with slowing down Bunn’s dynamic rushing attack.

The Wildcats have amassed 5,236 yards and 86 touchdowns on the ground, and senior running back Tevin Perry has gained 2,176 yards and 28 touchdowns on 218 carries. This will be no small chore for Monroe, but the Redhawks are more than equipped to meet the challenge head on.

Senior defensive lineman/outside linebacker MiQuille Bryant had three sacks against East Lincoln, tying Tristan Thompson’s school record for most sacks in a season with 16.5. Robinson made two interceptions to set a new school record for most interceptions in a season with 11.

He has 24 interceptions for his career.

Monroe expects to have Covington back in the lineup after he sustained a knee injury in the Redhawks first round win over Forbush. Covington said he could have played last week, but sat out for precautionary reasons to make sure he was full-speed for the state championship.

“We shouldn’t have any excuses about not being healthy,” Sowell said. “We’re healthy this year. When you’ve got those guys up front doing what they’ve got to do it forces the quarterback to make quick decisions, and we’ve got the stingy guys back there that do their job like they always do.

“There’s not anybody that thinks ‘I.’ Everybody is thinking about the team. It’s a team effort. I think it comes from learning from teams in the past. Nobody has to worry about what school they’re going to go to. It’s just about team right now. No pressure.”

The Redhawks are the clear favorite going into this game, and should be ready for whatever Bunn throws their way.

Sophomore guard Myles Brown, a transfer from Illinois, has been a nice addition to the backcourt for the Cavaliers.

Helms added this team can score inside and outside, which makes them a dangerous team and tough to match up with.

Marvin Ridge to host recruiting seminar on Monday, Dec. 14 Marvin Ridge High School will host a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recruitment seminar on Monday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

Glenn Deveaux, a Marvin Ridge assistant football coach and the founder of Recruit704, will be the keynote speaker.

Deveaux will cover the NCAA recruitment process, registering on the NCAA Clearinghouse website, core courses and the sliding scale, NCAA eligibility worksheets, NCAA recruiting calendar, differences between an official and unofficial visit, how to best market yourself and roles the student, coach, parent and guidance counselor play.

The seminar is open to area athletes and their parents.

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Page 14 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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Union County Weekly | December 11, 2015 | Page 15

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Page 16 | December 11, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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