Inside A3 McClung sworn in as new supervisor
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Knights secure state championship
Vol. XXXV No.. 20
November 17, 2021
Powhatan groups honor Veterans Day By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
P
OWHATAN – Powhatan County paid tribute last week to the men and women who have served in the nation’s armed forces with three special Veterans Day ceremonies held around the county. All of the ceremonies held on Thursday, Nov. 11 were aimed at honoring those residents who have served or continue to serve their country featuring music, special speakers and various displays. The observances began with the Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum, which has not officially opened but has a temporary display up in the lobby of the gym at the Pocahontas Landmark Center. While the museum held hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for people to see the exhibit, it started with a ceremony that honored all veterans but especially highlighted
PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND
Three Powhatan groups held Veterans Day events on Nov. 11. From left, Earl Hobson was one of several speakers at the Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum; James Gordon Maxey II holds a photo of his father, Garland Maxey, that was on display at the American Legion Post 201’s Veterans Day program, and James English was the keynote speaker at the 17th annual Huguenot Springs Veterans Day Candlelight Service.
the contributions of veterans of color. Adhering to the origins of Veterans Day’s precursor, Armistice Day, American Legion Post 201 once again held a special ceremony at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to honor veterans. The ceremony included musical selections, tributes to veterans of different branches of the military and wars and featured a speaker talking about the impact of PTSD on so many veterans.
The day was rounded out by the 17th annual Huguenot Springs Veterans Day Candlelight Service held at the Huguenot Springs Cemetery. The mass grave is the site of burial for approximately 250 confederate soldiers. The ceremony was aimed at honoring veterans of all wars but always has a special recognition of those who died in the Civil War.
School board discusses making mask optional By Laura McFarland
see VETERANS, pg. 6
Foundation awards seven Innovative Classroom Grants
Managing Editor
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POWHATAN – Powhatan County School Board members took a tentative step toward a decision to make masks optional in the near future if the change in state leadership yields the pulling back from mandates that many parents are hoping for in early 2022. James Taylor, who represents District 4, added a discussion to the board’s meet-
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Members of the Powhatan County School Board started discussing the possibility of making masks optional if health orders from the state level are rescinded in January 2022.
ing on Tuesday, Nov. 9 about the division being proactive in case Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin rescinds the health orders issued by Gov. Ralph Northam this summer. A few board members made it clear when adding the discussion item that they didn’t want to take action that night without the public knowing what was happening. Taylor said he wasn’t proposing an immediate mask change, which is what several of the community members who spoke during the public comment period asked for or demanded earlier in the evening. Instead, Taylor said he wanted the board to be in a position where it had thought out its
options and made a decision of how it would handle the situation if and when a change happens at the state level. “This has never been about let’s change the mask mandate now. I think we are all in agreement that everything we are told is that we have to follow the directive coming from Governor Northam’s office through the health department, and we have been doing that,” Taylor said. “This is about being proactive so that if and when Gov.-elect Youngkin rescinds that health order and makes masks optional, which is see MASKS, pg. 4
The Powhatan Education Foundation (PEF) last week awarded seven Innovative Classroom Grants to Powhatan County Public Schools educators to fund projects that will enhance student learning. During the Powhatan County School Board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9, Conway Blankenship, a PEF board member, presented checks to the educators for their projects. The Powhatan Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the learning experience for the students, teachers and staff of Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) by promoting innovative educational opportunities, recognizing outstanding achievements, and developing community partnerships. Each year the PEF awards Innovative Classroom Grants that present ideas for achiev-
ing the county’s curricular goals, enhancing students’ personal development, and/or encouraging links with the community. This year the nonprofit received over 15 grant requests, and seven grants were fully funded totalling $13,689.72. The projects selected for this year’s grants were: Whiteboard Activity Tables – project leaders Claudia Stocker and Sophia Bastaich, Powhatan Middle School, $2,239.56. The funds will be used to help students become more engaged and motivated in math class by using activity tables. Virtually Changing Our Reality – project leaders Becky Brown and Gillian Lambert, Powhatan Middle School, $2,963. This program provides a style of remote learning with high quality visual stimuli, close to visiting reality, presenting material in 3D format in see GRANTS pg. 3
Health department holds vaccine clinic for 5- to 11-year-olds By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – Almost 200 children ages 5 to 11 were given the COVID-19 vaccine last week in a clinic held at Powhatan Middle School by the Virginia Department of Health’s Chesterfield Health District. The health department hosted the event at the middle school on Monday, Nov. 8 and saw 241 total vaccinations, including 193 5 to 11-year-olds, PHOTO COURTESY OF POWHATAN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS said Dennis J. O’Connor, comThe Chesterfield Health District held a vaccine clinic for 5- to 11-year-olds on Nov. munity health response leader. see CLINIC, pg. 3
8 at Powhatan Middle School that saw 193 children receive their first shot.