Inside A8 Marching band earns Grand Champion title
Powhatan, Virginia
B1 BSH remains unbeaten after Homecoming
Vol. XXXV No.. 16
October 20, 2021
Banner incident brings out underlying tensions By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – The issue of a poster in support of LGBTQ History Month that was recently defaced at Powhatan High School spilled over into last week’s Powhatan County School Board meeting as upset residents on all sides of the issue came to make their voices heard. On the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 6, the high school’s Equity and Diversity Committee, with administration approval, hung a poster in the main hall of the school showing a timeline of events in American LGBTQ moments, said Stephanie Wirt, an art teacher and member of the committee. By 9 a.m. the next day, the poster had been torn down by a student. Not deterred, students repaired the poster, even incorporating the damage done into the design by coloring the repair lines in the colors of a rainbow, she said. The poster was put back up, but about an hour later,
it was torn down by another student, wadded up and thrown in the trash, Wirt said. Eric Jones, superintendent, said last week that both students were disciplined for their actions. However, the incidents caused a substantial disruption in the learning environment with many students and staff upset at the high school, he said. “After reviewing the incidents and the impact it had on the learning environment at school, the PHS administration, with my full support, decided not to put the banner back up. It was a difficult decision, but one made to protect student and staff’s ability to teach and learn,” Jones said in a statement on Oct. 14. He added that the school division has seen an increase in bullying behavior to start the school year. “Students are retaliating and these actions have resulted in students being disciplined. As a result, PCPS’ efforts to combat bullying behavior for any reason is even more important,” he said. “We will continue to support all students, including our LGBTQ students, and work to create a safe and welcoming learning envi-
ronment. We will adhere to our core values, as stated in our strategic plan. Behavior that bullies, insults, or marginalizes students will not be tolerated in our schools.” But based on comments at last week’s school board meeting, it didn’t seem like anybody walked away satisfied in this situation. Several people criticized the administration’s decision not to put the poster back up, saying it sent a message that the bullies had won and students felt unsafe in their own school. Bigoted hate and actions and discrimination of any kind should not be rewarded with acquiescence, they argued. Criticism from others was aimed at the school for allowing the poster to be displayed in the first place, saying advocating sexuality has no place in Powhatan schools. Some called for complete neutrality in the schools, arguing advocating or raising awareness of different groups only highlights how people are different rather than the same. There were also a few comments that did not address the poster incident directly but spoke to the culture in see BANNER, pg. 4
New program offers bike rides for seniors Two state, local
candidates speak at NAACP forum
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – The Powhatan Village area is expected to start seeing a little more traffic of the three-wheeled variety as a new bicycle program aimed at seniors launches this week. The Powhatan County Department of Social Services is expected to launch Mobility Matters on Thursday, Oct. 21. The program, which is aimed at people 55 and older, will allow residents to borrow threewheeled beach cruiser senior bicycles that they can ride around the Village area to exercise, explore, and socialize, said Jayne Lloyd, the creator of the program. “It really encompasses
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Shown at the Ribbon cutting of the new Mobility Matters bike program are Sharon Rochelle, from left, Jim Dau, Ramona Thompson, Leonard Maxie, Shirley Royal, Carroll Smith, Karin Carmack, Jayne Lloyd and Tracy Cifers.
a lot. They can meet their peers up here for a bike ride, so it’s social. It is out-
side so anybody who is wanting to avoid the risk of exposure to COVID, you
are more outside,” she said. “It is health related with the
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Branch of the NAACP held a Candidate’s Forum this weekend that allowed residents to interact with candidates running in the November General Election. The Candidate’s Forum was held on Saturday, Oct. 16 and saw Caitlin Coakley, who is running for the House of Delegates District 65 seat, and Amy Kingery, who is running in a special election for the Powhatan Board of Supervisors District 2 seat, sharing why they should be elected. Andrew D. Snead, vice president of the NAACP and one of the moderators, said all candidates in those two races were invited to the forum. The small gathering at the Powhatan
see BIKES, pg. 6
Steve McClung running for supervisor seat in District 2
see CANDIDATES, pg. 6
Parents plan faux student dance
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Contributed Report Steve McClung is humbly asking for your vote in this upcoming special election for Powhatan’s District 2 Board of Supervisors. His dedication to public service and ability to lead and serve within various civic processes will complement the responsibilities and duties of this position. For those that do not know him, McClung has been a resident of Powhatan for over 50 years. He and his family were all raised here, graduated here, went to church here, played sports here, and most of them have worked here. Since the 1970s, McClung has witnessed the county’s major transition from a community with a small town atmosphere with less than 10,000 individuals to a locality that bolsters a population of over 30,000 residents. One of his main objectives is to keep Powhatan rural. As your representative, he will fight to ensure Powhatan has small business growth while still maintaining its rural environment and heritage. It is of the utmost importance to keep Powhatan a great place to raise a family. As a Republican candidate officially endorsed by the Powhatan Republican Committee, he will stand by what the party has always stood for: freedom, prosperity and opportunity. He will support and fight to ensure that our residents do not receive a tax increase and will constantly monitor for waste and, if possible, reduce the tax burden. Powhatan’s school system has garnered a lot of attention here lately. McClung is a graduate and a product of
MCCLUNG Powhatan’s school system. His three children were all educated at PCPS. It’s where he met his high school sweetheart, Suzi, who later became his wife. She taught at the elementary schools and even has a memorial award in her honor. As a supervisor, McClung will ensure the county properly funds the schools to continue quality education for our children, who are our future. He believes parents should be making the decisions for their children. McClung will always defend our sheriff’s office and our first responders. They need more funding, and he will work alongside the sheriff to ensure his office always has the resources to carry out its duties. McClung’s goal will always be to keep public safety in the forefront of our community. McClung said it would be an honor and privilege to serve the people of Powhatan as the next District 2 supervisor.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Parents of Powhatan High School students organized an alternative Homecoming dance at Independence Golf Course.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – A group of Powhatan parents recently came together and celebrated the idea of “fake it ‘til you make it” to help some Powhatan High School students make one more lasting memory. Adopting the attitude that “a fake Homecoming is better than no Homecoming,” the group put on the Powhatan FOCO 2021 on Oct. 3 at Independence Golf Course for 250 PHS students. Tammie Hayden, one of the organizers, said the parents hated that a limit had to be placed on attendance because of the size of the venue. The tickets were sold out in about two weeks and plenty of inquiries were still coming in, so they know it could have been see HOMECOMING, pg. 5