Powhatan Today, August 10, 2022
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ABOVE PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND
Powhatan High School held a summer graduation ceremony on Aug. 2 to honor 10 new summer graduates and one May graduate who couldn’t attend the ceremony. Shown above, the graduates were supported by a large group of family, friends and PCPS staff. Shown center, Destiny Jasper poses after the ceremony for a photo. Right, Farah Kirkman walks across the stage to get her diploma.
CENTER AND BOTTOM ROW PHOTOS COURTESY OF BROOKS ANN SMITH
Center row from left to right, Leah Wright was a May graduate who walked during the Powhatan High School summer graduation ceremony on Aug. 2. Summer graduates were Finley Breen and Andrew Fiore, each shown shaking hands with new principal Chris Sumner; Kendall Humphreys; bottom row, Audrey Lennon, Sydney Lawson, Berkley Richter and Gavin Rice. Not pictured, Summer Kimble.
GRADUATES Continued from pg. 1
dents traveled a slightly different path to graduation, but “their uniqueness, perseverance and ambition will serve them well moving forward,” Dr. Chris Sumner, the new high school principal, said during his first graduation speech in his new role. “While PHS provided them the ability to grow roots, graduation will allow them to grow branches and achieve new heights. We are proud of the graduates who stand before us today,” he said, praising the hard work that earned them their seat in the auditorium that day. Last week’s ceremony was the largest summer graduation for the school and was a wonderful celebration of the students, said Stacey Cavedo, exceptional education lead teacher and summer school coordinator for the high school. “I think it is a great option for students when they are struggling. There are some people who may need more time. I think this has been a wonderful thing for them to have this as another option they can do to still be part of the graduating class,” she said. “There are also early graduates, and some of them have been former students of mine, so I have a mix of emotions of pride and just all the happiness in the world for them.
FUTURE Continued from pg. 7
zens are more likely to be covered by health insurance. Even with those numbers, college is not for everyone and making career choices is never easy.
“It just makes my heart swell with joy, happiness and pride. I know their families are so proud of them, and I have the same emotions as a faculty member here,” she added. Sydney Lawson, 17, graduated early, taking government and English classes in summer school so she could accomplish the feat. She appreciated the school offering the option and making it special as a number of family members came to watch her get her diploma. “It meant a lot. It is a milestone to walk across the stage in front of everybody and show them that I did it,” she said. Lawson plans to attend Brightpoint Community College for a year or two and then transfer to a fouryear university to study criminal psychology. Destiny Jasper, 18, said she didn’t pass all of her classes and it was a struggle to get to this point, but she was so happy she made it. Jasper said between having COVID-19 multiple times and doing school remotely, she struggled. But she praised her grandmother, Rosemary Jasper, as well as the Kirkman family, who adopted her in October 2021, for helping her get here. “A lot of people that I know just gave up and it was really hard not to give up. There were plenty of times
Most information regarding the pros and cons of attending college focuses on these economic factors, but I contend college offers more than just a chance at financial security. The college experience provides a unique chance to observe, learn and mature and allows students to find their individualism with
LETTERS Continued from pg. 7
administrator previous to these select raises being granted. Then they could motion that we have decided to make a change to the county HR rules. Retroactively, of course. It’s very simple … just change the rules. That justifies the entire mess! I agree, that would be a very sinister move. I suppose we’ll just have to watch and see what, if anything, happens at the next meetings... Once again, I ask my fellow county neighbors to come to these meetings. Let your voice be heard. Find out how your tax dollars are being spent. All five board members are up for re-election in 2024. Harry Markland Powhatan
Blame for every wrong can’t be placed on one man Dear Editor, Isn’t it amusing when those who sit outside the operational day-to-day draw unsubstantiated conclusions (Powhatan Today, Letters to the Editor, August 3rd Vol XXXVI NO. 5)? The only worthy advice given by Mr. Markland was his plea for greater taxpayer involvement in the affairs of Powhatan County. However, doing so requires a grasp of the facts and a well-informed appreciation of perspectives advanced
where I was about to give up and people told me to get my GED, but look at me now – I got my diploma!” she said with a huge grin. Jasper also said she appreciated the high school staff for making the summer graduation ceremony special. It was a great sendoff before she goes to community college with plans to eventually study psychology. “Even though we are late they still have the same enthusiasm for us and they seem just as proud. I thought it would be awkward but it wasn’t awkward. I was still just as excited as I probably would have been if I was with everybody else,” she said. “They did it perfect and it feels just as special.” Berkley Richter, 17, said she found the graduation ceremony a little awkward, but that is mainly because she didn’t want to be the center of attention. The new graduate also graduated early with the intention of going to community college and eventually transferring to study criminal justice. She took English and government this summer to earn the credits she needed to graduate early. “I think I have always been ready to just get going to college and figure out what I want to do,” she said. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.
a community connection. In all honesty, placing a price on that aspect of college life is impossible, but most who experience it will attest to its importance. Today’s academic campuses are a vital element in our communities intertwined with our daily lives. As college costs continue to in-
by both sides of an argument. As for Mr. Smither’s “mistakes” let those without any sin throw the first stone….and with that all left the assembly. Our county administrator has evidently made a few mistakes, but in the big scheme of things me thinks some on the BOS and those who speak from the podium protest too much. Too much tearing down and not enough building up. Admittedly, the Keystone transition was difficult. Large scale software implementations always are especially when select departments seek significant customization. Regardless, and despite all the uproar, bills went out, the county’s coffers were not appreciably impacted, and based on my observation in the days following the sun rose in the east and set in the west. Frankly, one might do well to consider the possibility (and like Mr. Markland I’m not an inside player) mistakes made by subordinates are often not presented publicly and rightfully so. Yes, the “buck” always stops at the boss’s desk and Mr. Smither stood up to that role very well. I suspect much of what Mr. Williams and Mr. Cox put on Mr. Smither’s tally might be better placed elsewhere or at least spread a bit more evenly. Additionally, when a complex computer system is introduced the implementation “challenges” cause delays, all of which are exacerbated by the users of the old who find change distasteful. Again, from the outside looking in, it appears two realities contribute to the “give and take” on the BOS
crease, more parents and students will consider the pros and cons of college, comparing and contrasting the benefits opposed to ever increasing costs. Their conclusions may well be as varied as the options available to young adults today. There are no wrong answers.
with both sitting squarely in each members lap. The first is an apparent lack of commitment to empowerment and the need to delegate operational authority to the chief executive. The second is the childish stance taken by some on the BOS who constantly tear down, (despite claiming no intention of “throwing anyone under the bus”) or seek the spotlight as they circumvent those to whom operational responsibility was given. Further, I agree 100% with Mr. Byerly, Mr. McClung, and Mrs. Carmack, who understand the absolute necessity of maintaining consistency in key county positions. Constant turn-over is very costly to the county, both in absolute dollars and cents but also in our ability to implement the county’s long-term vision. I’m not suggesting Mr. Smither be given tenure, but nor is it prudent to be constantly changing horses every two years or when in the middle of the stream. One last point. Mr. Markland uses the words “contentious” and “dysfunctional” to describe the BOS. Neither are accurate. By definition politics is often contentious but therein democracy thrives as alternative views are passionately aired. As for the board being “dysfunctional,” a 3-2 vote is called a majority against which progress is consistently made – again a republic in action just as the Founders intended. Perhaps, the problem lies in Mr. Markland’s simply not being able to find himself in the majority. Robert Powers Powhatan
