Inside A8 Village Vibe offers fun night out for community
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Jacob Pfab is a state champion
Vol. XXXV No.. 50
June 15, 2022
Large crowd drawn to Field of Honor tribute By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Until they saw the tag with their fathers’ names on it, Frank and Melanie Skala didn’t realize how emotional the Field of Honor experience was going to be. Melanie Skala of Powhatan had purchased an American flag at the event without her husband knowing and brought him to the opening ceremony held Friday, June 10 as a complete surprise since he hadn’t actually heard of it before. She purchased one of the 500 flags laid out in the Village Meadow this weekend and dedicated it to their fathers, one who served in the U.S. Navy and one in the U.S. Air Force. “It brought us both to tears to see these flags,” her husband said. “My thought was I hadn’t seen anything like this since I saw Arlington in D.C., and it
had the same effect.” More than 1,000 people packed the Village Meadow for the opening ceremony and the Village Vibe concert featuring KOS Band that followed. It was an evening with plenty of fun and laughter but also great moments of patriotism and honor. The Rotary Club of Powhatan hosted the Field of Honor from June 10 to 14 as a way for people to purchase a flag to honor a “Hometown Hero” of the owner’s choice, living or deceased, including veterans, friends and family members, first responders, teachers, medical professionals, and people who have made an impact in their lives, said Don Smith, public relations chair. “We had heard about this project from other organizations that had done the PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND Field of Honor, and we had seen the picFrank and Melanie Skala of Powhatan photograph a flag they purchased tures, but there is nothing that can replace during Field of Honor to recognize two of their personal heroes, their seeing all the flags out here on display. see FIELD OF HONOR, pg. 6
fathers, both of whom served in the military.
Summer reading kicks off at library PCPS hires two
new principals By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
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Pocahontas Elementary principal Tom Sulzer reads to a huge crowd of families during Powhatan’s Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party on June 7.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – With more than 500 people in attendance and 208 readers of all ages registered, organizers are calling Powhatan’s Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party a success. Those there to participate in this year’s program kickoff on Tuesday, June 7 were greeted at the door by encouragement from Powhatan High School cheerleaders and the music of the marching band. Inside, National English Honor Society students, along with staff and volunteers, welcomed visitors with a free book for the chil-
dren, free pizza and the chance to register for this summer’s reading program and experience an Ocean of Possibilities. “They bring their school spirit and get kids excited with their music and cheers,” English instructional specialist Tracey Ingle said of having the high school students take such a prominent role. “The little ones look up to them and get excited about what they can do one day.” Organizers of the program, which is a collaboration between the library and the school division, were thrilled with the response. Ingle said she was super excited to see so many people there
with smiling faces ready to have a fun summer of reading and special activities. “I think this is one of the biggest kickoff events we have had in the library,” she said. “It was an incredible evening,” agreed Ann Blankman, youth services librarian. “It went better than our wildest dreams. We had a huge turnout. In a way I am not surprised because the Powhatan community is so engaged in the library. They are so involved and they are always eager to participate in the different activities that the community offers. “But it was still insee SUMMER READING, pg. 5
POWHATAN – Powhatan County Public Schools recently hired two new principals to fill the vacant spots that opened at Powhatan High and Flat Rock Elementary schools. New to Powhatan, Chris Sumner will take the helm of the high school starting July 1, although he may already be spotted getting to know the lay of the land before then. Long-time assistant principal Isabella Worrell will see some familiar faces when she begins leading Flat Rock, where CHRIS SUMNER she previously worked, on July 1. Chris Sumner Sumner will come to Powhatan from Nelson County, where he is currently the school division’s special projects administrator. He said he has worked ISABELLA WORRELL in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade for nearly 20 years, working as a visual arts teacher, field hockey and tennis coach, eighth and ninth grade assistant principal, and high school principal. He took a job earlier this year as the special projects administrator, which he said afforded him rich central office experience with auditing and aligning curriculum and pacing, the Virginia Preschool Initiative, and the Title III grant. But he realized almost imsee PRINCIPALS, pg. 4
Relay for Life makes ‘superhero’ effort to fight cancer By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
MIDLOTHIAN – Relay for Life South of the James always brings out a myriad of emotions. There are so many touching moments, such as the Survivors Lap that kicks off the event and honors those who have fought or are fighting cancer, led this year by Ken and Jen Schoemmell of Moseley, whose daughter, Olivia, is currently undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia after being diagnosed in May. While survivors were cheered on as they made their lap, the footPHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND ball stadium at Midlothian High School, Ken and Jen Schoemmell of Moseley lead the Survivor Lap that kicked off where the event was held Saturday, June 11, was respectfully quiet for the luminaria cer- Relay for Life South of the James’ event on June 11. The couple’s daughsee RELAY, pg. 8
ter, Olivia, is currently undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.