10/21/2015

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Powhatan, Virginia

The hometown paper of Lewis Wood

Vol. XXVIII No. 42

October 21, 2015

School board learns about graduation rates By Laura McFarland News Editor

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OWHATAN – Recently released numbers for Powhatan High School’s graduation rates and advanced classes show the students and staff are hard at work. Figures released during the Powhatan County School Board workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 13, showed that while there is always room for improvement, the efforts of the high school staff and students are paying dividends in the graduation rates and college readiness measures. Sandy Lynch, assistant superintendent for instruction, Tracie Omohundro, principal, and John Ringstaff, assistant principal, spoke to the board about the school’s PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND graduation rates, Advanced Placement Sandy Lynch talks to the school enhancements and SAT results. Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent, com- board about graduation rates.

mended the high school team for their hard work, including the administration, teachers, counselors and the people who prepare the students before they get to high school. “I fully anticipate given the results we have just seen with AP that we will make the AP Honor Roll again,” he said after the presentation. “If you remember last year we were one of six districts in the state that (were) named to that and to see even higher scores and higher participation this year is really incredible work by that team and by the teachers and the students.” Valarie Ayers, who represents District 3, praised the “amazing things” staff are doing to help students. “It is a team. That is what our whole school system is and you guys are doing a great job,” she said. Rick Cole, District 1, also praised the

high school’s numbers and Sammy Frame, District 4, lauded the staff’s common sense approach in many ways.

Graduation rates In looking at graduation rates, one measure is the Graduation/Completion Index (GCI), which uses a weighted point system and is linked to state accreditation, Lynch said. The school receives different points depending on whether a student receives a diploma or GED, is still enrolled, has a certificate of completion or drops out. The benchmark for full state accreditation is a score of 85, but Powhatan County Public Schools in 2015 achieved a score of 95, which was an increase of three points, she said. “A lot of good work went into that,” see SCHOOL page 2A

Mission trip changes heart of Powhatan teen By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Kneeling at the feet of African orphans is like no other experience Victoria Hughes could have imagined. The tiny feet were dirty and marked with cuts. As she washed them and tended to the wounds, very few of the children said anything. As she slid socks and shoes onto their feet – some of them experiencing the feeling for the first time – their eyes held wonder. And when she finished and they would stand and hug her, their simple “thank you” meant the world to her. “It definitely was more of an emotional thing than I thought it was going to be, just because you see these kids that have nothing,” said Hughes of Powhatan. “Something as simple as washing their feet and giving them shoes, they are so grateful. You think about how much you take for granted.”

The life-changing moment of giving shoes to African orphans who had none is part of what Hughes, a senior at Powhatan High School, experienced this summer when she traveled to Zambia as part of a month-long Teen Missions International trip. The program’s main goal of instilling a passion for missions in teenagers worked for Hughes. She said she wasn’t ready to come back to the United States and felt as though she was leaving part of her heart in Africa at the end of the 28-day trip. She already wants to return next summer, hopefully as an assistant leader with the program. She also plans to attend a leadership seminar in November in Florida related to the program and is holding a shoe drive to collect shoes that will be taken on similar trips by others. SUBMITTED PHOTO “At every rescue unit we eventually ran out of shoes. PHS student Victoria Hughes washes the There were more children than shoes. To tell a child I don’t feet of an orphan in Zambia during a missee MISSION page 6A sion trip this summer.

Bennett vies for supervisor seat Hymel seeks re-election to board By Laura McFarland News Editor

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OWHATAN – Charlie Bennett has announced he is running for the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat. Bennett is running as a libertarian and acts as the secretary for the Libertarian Party of Powhatan County. Bennett, 24, is a lifelong resident of Powhatan County and owns a house on Bell Road. “Living in Powhatan all my life shows my heart and soul is invested in Powhatan,” he said. While working fulltime at his father’s business, Bennett and Barden Funeral Home, he also volunteers around the community to make a difference, he said. Bennett said his plan for economic growth will make Powhatan business-friendly. Business obstacles are

tougher at the county level than they are on the commonwealth level, so he said he wants to make starting a business in Powhatan an easier and more efficient process. Currently, Powhatan citizens spend much of

Bennett their money outside the county. As a supervisor, Bennett said he will prioritize finding ways to keep money within the county to cause an increase in revenue. When Bennett’s plan is successful, he said he plans to lower property taxes in Powhatan so the citizens will have more

Inside 2015 Election Guide

money to spend on local businesses within the county. Bennett’s responsible budgeting plan will promote transparency and ensure no last-minute decisions occur, he said. When the public is unaware of last-minute changes, it causes an unhealthy relationship between the board of supervisors and the citizens of Powhatan. “It is unfortunate that a last-minute decision was the reality of the last fiscal year 2016 budget meeting,” Bennett said. “I will ensure the public has reasonable and adequate time to acknowledge and understand any decision beneficial or detrimental to their taxes.” Bennett will be on the campaign trail gaining support throughout Powhatan’s 5th District. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@opwhatantoday.com.

By Laura McFarland News Editor

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OWHATAN – Kim Hymel has announced she is running for re-election for the Powhatan County School Board District 5 seat. Hymel and her husband have two children in Powhatan County schools and their education is the family’s top priority, she said. She has been a board member since February 2014 and has a degree in education. Although retired now, Hymel was an elementary school teacher for more than 20 years, making her “uniquely qualified to serve this community and its schools.” Hymel said her steadfast goals are educating every student to maximize their potential within the county’s budgetary limitations. “For the past 19 months, I stood for financial transparency in

Sports B1 Defense stands tall in Homecoming thriller

all aspects of budgeting and appropriating taxpayers’ money,” she said. “I’ve met with taxpayers at homes, churches and public meetings throughout District 5 to listen to their concerns about the quality of our educational system in

Hymel Powhatan.” Hymel said she will continue to visit every facility and meet personally with every administrator and teacher to help understand from the inside out what’s happening in the school system. “I believe this enables me to make better financial, program, and

administrative decisions,” she said. Hymel said she has consistently stood for face-to-face meetings with the board of supervisors to deal with the difficulties encountered over the last few years. “I care passionately and believe in our school system and its potential to dramatically make our children’s future all that it can be. I also look forward to working with Jessica Gray, who is running in District 3 and Joe Walters, District 4,” she said. As a small community of caring and concerned parents, citizens, taxpayers, and excellent teaching staff working together on solutions, Powhatan can have the best school district in Virginia working toward state of the art technology and facilities, Hymel said. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

Index Calendar A9 Classified B8-9 Crime Report A5 Letters A7 Obituaries A9 Opinion A7 TV Listings B6-7


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