Powhatan Today –12/21/2022

By LauraMcFarland Managing Editor

POWHATAN–

PageRoad approximately 0.2 miles northwestoftheintersection withAnderson Highway ChairMike Byerly, who representsDistrict 3; Steve McClung, District2; and Karin Carmack, District5, votedin favor ofthe rezoning,while David Williams, District 1, and Bill Cox, District 4, voted against.

the board as well as the feedback from the community was nevera straightforwarddiscussion ofwhat the business would or wouldnot bringtothe countyasitalsodelvedintoissues of traffic impact,the role of the comprehensive planindeciding future development and county interactions, andtransparency with the

Educator surprised with $25K award

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

CUMBERLAND – Powhatan resident and Cumberland Elementary School math interventionist Pamela Stepko got a huge shock last week when she learned she was the recipient of a $25,000 Milken Educator Award during a surprise school assembly.

a complete shock.

Even a day after the award, Stepko, who has lived in Powhatan County since 2010, said she was still astounded by the news as well as being humbled and grateful.

Duringthe meeting held on Monday, Oct. 24,the board voted3-2in favor of rezoning a 5.93-acre parcel on PageRoad fromAgriculture (A-10) to CommerceCenter(CC). The propertyisonthe westsideof

School board approves $3.95 million grant

Thecase dealt withthe decision of whetherto rezone the property which wouldallow for Stroud VenturesLLC to construct a contractor’s office alongwith thestorageof a limited quantityofmaterials,supplies and equipmentinside the building

However, thediscussion by

community

Eleven

business’ap-

Stepko was prepared for a special event on Wednesday, Dec. 13 with the arrival of Virginia First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow for a visit to the elementary school.

But when she attended the special assembly, she was instead stunned to become the center of attention with the announcement by Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop of the award. The prestigious honor bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.

Middle school rolls out variety ofclubs to engage students

By LauraMcFarland Managing Editor

During the presentation, she listened intently to the explanation about the Milken Educator Award, which was completely unknown to her. She said she was so busy trying to take in the details of the award that actually hearing her name called was

POWHATAN– PowhatanMiddleSchoolwillbe buzzingwithdifferentkinds ofactivitiesmovingforward asnew clubsallow students tobondwithotherstudents

“Yesterday it almost was like a dream,” Stepko said on Thursday. “So much happened in the moment and then afterward that this morning, when I woke up, I literally called my principal at 6 a.m. and said, ‘what in the world has just happened? How in the world did this happen?’ I was very much in shock.”

The Milken Educator Award recognizes teachers, principals and other public-school educators who promote excellence and innovation. Recipients are selected on the basis of multiple criteria related to instructional practice, leadership, student achievement and accomplishments outside the classroom.

million that had previously been allocated this fiscal year for 10 diesel buses, Andy West, director of transportation, told board

By LauraMcFarland Ma

School board sees changing of guard

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

Stepko is the 48th Virginia educator to receive a Milken Educator Award. Since the launch of the Milken Educator Awards program in 1987, the Milken Family Foundation has distributed more than $70 million to more than 2,800

requests.Thestudentscompletedtheirrequestsofwhat they wereinterestedin first. Thentheteacherssignedup tobe a sponsorfor a club andwesentitbackoutfor studentstosignup.Soit was allfocusedonstudentinterest,” saidMartin,whohas

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Scope of parental notification policy to be debated

POWHATAN – The handling of controversial topics in classrooms and notifying parents when it is going to happen was a significant focus for the Powhatan County School Board

recently that will carry into the new year.

While not a new topic, the drive that brought this issue to the forefront now was Senate Bill 656, which requires all school divisions to develop a policy ensuring parental no-

tification of any instructional material that includes “sexually explicit content.” The deadline for school boards to adopt policies is no later than Jan. 1, 2023.

The policy is supposed to include information, guidance, procedures and standards

relating to ensuring parental notification; directly identifying the specific instructional material and sexually explicit subjects; permitting the parent of any student to review

His presentation was followed by a public hearing in which no citizens spoke. The grant funds include

buses and $200,000 for eligible charging infrastructure.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SONNY MERRYMAN

Powhatan County Public Schools has been awarded $3.95 million through EPA 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates awards for 10 electric buses and charging stations.

PHOTO BY LAUR A McFARL AND

Eighth grade mathteacher Phil Nu sbaumgives instructions during the second Rubik ’s Cube Club, one ofmany now being held every Friday at Powhatan MiddleSchool.

local business

speakersaddressed the board about the PageRoad project either duringthe public commentperiodor a public hearing associated withthe case, with 10speakersasking for theproject to bedenied and one backing the

PHOTO BY LAUR A McFARL AND

Powhat anCount ySherif f Brad Nunnally right and assistant commonwealth’s at torney Alice Sheridan judge the Pumpkins for Kid scontest to pick the topfive entries on Oc t. 28

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

Grant funds will allow PCPS to purchase 10 new electric buses as well as saving $1 million that had previously been allocated this fiscal year for 10 diesel buses.

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Siblings Lane, Avery (holding her letter to Santa) and Lauren Hershey dressed as the Elf Squad at the Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department Company 2’s annual Santa Breakfast on Dec. 10. See more photos Page A8.

POWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board saw a changing of the guard last week with District 1 board member Rick Cole serving in his posi-

tion for the last time on Dec. 13 and newly-elected school board member Vicki Hurt being sworn in the next day. After being the District 1 school board member for more than 10 years, Cole announced in April that he would be retiring at the end of this year,

Rick Cole retires, Vicki Hurt sworn in

PHOTO COURTESY OF MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop puts an arm around a still-stunned Pamela Stepko, who is trying to process the news about her Milken Award.

Please see AWARD,

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Vicki Hurt, left, is sworn in as the Powhatan County School Board representative for District 1 by Rene Holy, chief deputy clerk of the circuit court, at a brief ceremony held Dec. 14 at the Pocahontas Landmark Center.

Thomas W. Barden Sr. BARDEN, Thomas W. Sr., 69, formerly of Chesterfield, passed away december 16, 2022. he was preceded in death by his son, thomas w. Barden Jr.; and father, Maurice P. Barden Jr. he is survived by his special friend, Sandy Cline; mother, Barbara F. Barden; siblings, Lawrence Barden (Barbara), david Barden (Karen), Kenneth Barden (wanda) and Vickie Maxey (Johnny); and former wife, donna Gale Barden. the family received friends Sunday, december 18, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Bennett & Barden Funeral home, where services were held Monday, december 19, 2022, at 11 a.m. Interment Graceland Baptist Church Cemetery. online condolences may be made at bennettbardenfh.com.

Susan B. Effinger

EFFINGER, Susan B., 66, of Chesterfield, went to be with the Lord Saturday, december 10, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Ralph w. Ef finger; sons, John w Effinger, daniel w. Effinger (Candice); granddaughter, odessa J. hill; sister, Karen hall (Bobby). Susan enjoyed her family gatherings, reading, knitting and crocheting, decorating, being outdoors and her cats. She was most proud of her top two accomplishments, helping to raise two young men and her career in the health care profession, helping people in their time of need. a memorial service was held 1 p.m. tuesday, december 13, 2022, at Bennett and Barden Funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to your local SPCa online condolences can be made at bennettbardenfh.com.

Ride Assist offers transportation options

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Ride Assist Services (RAS) provides volunteer transportation to and from medical and dental appointments and community locations to ambulatory seniors and seniors with developmental and other disabilities (age 60 and above) who live in Powhatan County.

RAS is requesting funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia to cover various operating expenses ($25,000) through the FTA Section 5310 program to continue this transportation service.

Transportation, subject to volunteer availability, will be provided regularly between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. RAS invites interested public and private transit and paratransit operators in Powhatan to comment on the proposed operating grant by sending written notice by Feb. 1, 2023, to: Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation – Public Transportation Division, 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond VA 23219 and to Ride Assist Services, 3908-2 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan, VA 23139.

County shares holiday office hours

Powhatan County has announced the following holiday hours: All county offices are closed Dec. 23 and 26 as well as the weekend in between. Offices will also be closed Jan. 2, 2023, for New Years. The Convenience Center is closed Dec. 24 and 25 with Dec. 26 being a regularly scheduled day closed. It will also be closed Jan. 1 and 2.

Powhatan County Public Library will be closed Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday. The library will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 9 a.m.

Powhatan County courts will close at noon Dec. 22 and be closed Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26. They will also be closed Monday, Jan. 2.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21

Powhatan county Parks and rec announced its Holiday Open Gym activities. The following programs will be held: special needs basketball (18+), monday 10 a.m. to noon; basketball Open Gym, monday to Friday, noon to 2 p.m. (dec. 19 to dec. 30; Pickleball, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Holiday closures are dec. 23 and 26 and Jan. 2, 2023. activities are free for residents and county employees/ $10 non-residents. minors under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Pocahontas Landmark center Gym is located at 4290 anderson Highway. For more information, call the rec center at 804-598-5275. Follow us on Facebook @ Powhatan county Parks & recreation.

community matters is a resource for all 55 and forward interested in learning, staying active and engaging with peers. challenge and socialization are powerful combined and crucial at any age! Programs are free; requires independent participation. On dec. 21, the group will hold a Very Quichey christmas. Join with other participants for carols with youth, cookie decorating, quiche and salad, and ornament making from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Powhatan rescue squad building. Information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan county reach for active services. call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 for more information.

POWHATAN HIGH SCHOOL FIRST NINE WEEKS HONOR ROLL

Ninth Grade All A’s Mackenzie Aeschlimann, Logan Baggette, Gillian Bates, Rodricko Brown, Sophia Campbell, Benjamin Compton, Pietro Conigliaro, Anderson Daniels, Jonah Davidson, Joshua Dean, Addison Delaney, Don Dittman, Violet Edling, Mary Fens, Connor Golden, Caris Grell, Baily Hacker, Lilyana Hamilton, John Harrison, Gabrielle Hartless, T. Henshaw, Rachael Hinson, Nariah Howell, Nariona Howell, Joseph Joyce, Hannah Kantanen, Joseph Kelley, Joshua Layman, Justyn Little, Haylee Miller, Joshua Montgomery, Evelina Moyer, Meaghan Priddy, Georgia Rambo, Samuel Reilly, Hannah Ritchie, Christian Rittner, Brett Schott, Arilyn Sellars, Kelsie Snellings, Caroline Speight, Leo Stallings, Matthew Stoneman, Ellah Taylor, Lacie Taylor, Abigail Trevillian, Karly Vaughn, Shane Whitlock, Collin Wood, Luke Wright, Ella Yarhouse, Jah’nie Youmans-Jackson, Farrah Zaki.

Ninth Grade All A/B’s Addisyn Alvarado, Blake Badgett, Evan Baker, William Ball, Dillon Barnes, Christopher Barnett, Matthew Betz, Tyler Bilthuis, Quentin Booker, River Braswell, Wilson Braun, Emily Bruce, Leo Burchett, Annabella Butler, Nathan Butler, Noah Campbell, Wesley Carl, Olivia Carter, Raegan Carter, Lucas Cash, Camden Chewning, William Clancy, Gabriella Cornett, Annie Crane, Eva Crane, Grayson Crawford, Peyton Creasy, Nathan Danburg, John Davis, Case DeHart, Kendall Dickerson, John DiNardi, Ethan Dippold, Ayden Dooley, Cameron Duck, Olivia Duncan, Zachary Durrbeck, Sadie Edling, Allen Ellis II, Jackson Faris, Samantha Fens, Aubrie Field, Jake Fields, Shawn Flippo, Lucas Foltyn, Tristan Frame, Ava Franklin, Lauren Freeman, Caleb Fuentes, Marnie Garland, Abigail George, Emily Gibbs, Grace Gicheru, Victoria Goin, Mazie Harmon, Taylor Harper, Leo Harris, Aiden Hawthorne, Virginia Hayden, Krusen Heller, Morris Heller, DaZiya Henderson, Rowan Henke, Elihu Herrin, Ezra Herrin, James Hester, Aidan Hicks, Emma Honaker, Gavin Hoskin, Devin Howard, Ethan Hoyt, Lillian Hull, Zachary Hull, Camryn Humphreys, Gloria Jamerson, Demarco Johnson Jr., Arlena Johnson, Megan Jones, Zachary Kantane, Colin Kelly, Matthew Kenney, Noah Kimble, Alexa Lawson, Thomas Leary, Maya Lesine, Dylan Mapes, Bradley Marks, Zomeydi Marron

m uddy c reek b aptist c hurch, 3740 Trenholm r o ad, will hold “The nativity,” a live performance, at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. come experience this beautiful story underneath the stars.

Powhatan c oun ty Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on saturdays. meeting rooms are available by reservation; study rooms are available first come, first served. The library offers e-books through Overdrive and materials to borrow in person or by using books to Go. With books to Go, patrons may reserve print materials, dVds, and audiobooks 24/7 online at www.powhatanlibrary or by phone during open hours at 804-598-5670; once the patron is notified that their order is ready, they have three days to pick it up at the to-go shelf. The outdoor library book drop is open 24/7 for returning library items; however, patrons must return mobile hotspots to the circulation desk inside the library. The library accepts donations and the Friends of the Library bookstore is open during library business hours. Visit www. powhatanlibrary.net or call the library at 804-598-5670 for more details, and like the library’s Facebook page for all the latest, up-todate library news, information and program schedules.

Powhatan county Public Library will hold a weekly stor y Time on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Participants will read stories, sing songs, learn finger plays and more! story

Lopez, Samara Martin, Addison May, Charles McConnell, Meadow McCord, Lucy Mincz, Blake Monson, Kaitlyn Moore, Carolina Mooring, Cassidy Moser, Brooklynn Narbut, Logan Newman, Reed Newsome, Georgia Nice, Bradley Norkunas, Jacob Ogo, Hayden Payne, Caleb Perez, Zoe Pollard, Addison Pullin, Mary Purser, Cameron Quinn, Hailey Ragland, Tyler Richardson, Bryleigh Roop, Lyla Ross, Kyle Rowe, Hayden Russell, Hailey Sanford, Evan Sargent, Kayla Scioscia, Lauren Scythes, Cody Seibel, Wayne Shackleford, Nathan Shelton, Fawzia Sher Khan, Roxanne Shirts, Valentina Shultz, Lydia Sidell, Sally Smartschan, Coleman Smith, Maddox Smith, Parker Smith, Lucy Stauffer, Benjamin Stevens, Jordan Stierle, Cooper Stuart, Austin Sweet, Roman Swinter, Asia Taylor, Madison Taylor, William Timberlake, Steven Tinsley, Christian Toman, Gavin Tomlinson, Aiden Trevillian, Elizabeth Vallent, Jackson Vanderpool, Olivia Vilar Harvey, Zachary Walls, Rebecca Walter, Brielle Walters, Benjamin Whitver, Katelyn Williams, Sol Withers Dyke, Kiera Woodson, Jackson Wright, Jesse Yoder, Brayden Zaun.

10th Grade All A’s Jackson Baker, Elijah Bell, Aidan Bibbee, Henry Bowman, Riley Brumfield, Aleah Burnett, Jacob Chim, Daniela Conigliaro, Chase Connelly, Keira Cook, Emily Davis, Savannah Forkey, Anna Franklin, Megan Gobble, Curtis Gouldthorpe, Mason Heckel, Conner Hedgepeth, Matthew Henderson, Isabella Hiatt, Leah Holland, Ella Kinker, Zachary Kneessi, William Lakel, Matthew Langfitt, Wesley Liford, Claira Lively, Landyn Llewellyn, Sydney McCracken, Caitlyn Milligan, Evan Mohr, Mackenzie Mozingo, Eli Muse, Kaitlyn Nicholson, Bevyn Nunnally, Kristen Roberts, Trevor Robinson, SarahS eaman, Isabella Shaw, Benjamin Speight, Maria Stallings, Nolan Stamp, Taylor Sutphin, Emma Terry, Kevin Thomas, Gavin Utley, Hayden Vick, Margaret White, Jesse Whiting, Nicole Yanguez.

10th Grade All A/B’s Leland Adams, Alexis Adkins, Edgar Alejo, Max Altieri, Erika Anderson, Marissa Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Jake Arnold, Jenna Autry, Michael Avery, Brian Avinger, Riley Baltz, Virginia Barnes, Ashley Beach, Macie Benkovitz, Matthew Bernard, Nicholas Blankenship, Jor-

Time generally meets in front of the fireplace, and occasionally in our outdoor space. business network International (bnI) Powhatan chapter meets virtually from 8 to 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday. Visit Www.bnIVa com for information. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/bnIOnFire or contact executive director dawne Gulla at dawne@bniva.com or 804690-9220 for more information.

The Woman’s c lub of Powhatan meets at 10 a.m. every third Wednesday of the month, at may memorial baptist church, 3922 Old buckingham road, Powhatan, from september to may. There are no meetings in June, July and august To attend a meeting, call membership chairman Kay Watson at 804240-4896 to let her know you will be coming or just simply drop in; the welcome mat is always out. Visit the Facebook page for Woman’s club of Powhatan.

The Free c linic of Po whatan serves residents from Powhatan, a melia and c umberland c ounties as well as select chesterfield areas. services include medical, dental, counseling and women’s healthcare by appointment. eligibility requirements on website www.freeclinicofpowhatan.org/ patients. registration for new patients by appointment mondays 5-8 p.m. or walk-in Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call (804) 598-5637.

THURSDAY, DEC. 22

Just Kids, an affordable clothing shop selling gently used children’s

dan Booker, Tori Bowman, Charles Boyer IV, Jameson Britt, Trent Britton, Trevor Britton, Cohl Brooks, James Brooks, Benjamin Brown, Karley Burd, Christa Butler, Caroline Camp, Allison Carroll, Emma Carter, Giovanni Casarez Hernandez, Analee Cave, Julia Cecil, Summer Church, Paige Clark, Elizabeth Curtis, Ella Davis, James Davis, Mary Davis, Blake Dean, Grayson Delaney, Virginia Dewey, Isaac Dorsey, Jacob Durrbeck, Caleb Edling, Addison Elliott, Gisele Engen, Carter Estep, Logan Ferguson, Edwin Fields II, Adrianna Flippen, Evangeline Fridley, Laylah Fritz, Nevaeh Gareau, Bryce Gilstrap, Sydni Goodall, Brayden Goodnow, Brooke Gordon, Aidan Gorman, Ella Green, Rebecca Griffith, Mackenzie Halfon, Haydon Hall, Kaitlyn Hancock, Ava Harper, Parker Harris, Delaine Healy, Hannah Hedwall, Rilynn Hiatt, Jadyn Hirsch, Chloe Holt, Jacob Huffman, Chloe James, John Jastram, Mya Johnson, Addie Joyce, Parneet Kaur, Kaelyn Keaton, Reghan Kerns, Thomas Kimbrough, Erica Krauss, Aubry Lecik, Wyatt Lennon, Abigail Loftis, Nicholas Lopez, Reili Machotka, Alexandria Magill, Kaeleigh-Ann Malick, Morgan Manson, Jami Martin, Kennedy Martin, Krissa Martin, Samantha Martin Randall Mathena Jr., Clara McComb, Lanie McGhee, Alyssa McNutt, Lucas Milligan, Emily Minbiole, Ann Mitchell, Emma Morris, Jackson Morris, Savannah Morris, Caleb Murray, Christopher Naoroz, Torie Nash, Ryan Newcomb, Lucas Niece, Armando Nieves, Cameron Oliver, Kaelin Ortiz, Tyler Overboe, Jadyn Palka, Grayson Palmore, Kayla Parrish, Carter Patton, Avery Payne, Amelia Pendleton, Enrique Pereyra Garcia, Phoenix Perritt, Jason Peyton, Lauren Pike, Eleanor Pillsbury, Trent Powell, Jenna Presley, Chloe Proffitt, Madison Pugh, Katelyn Rabas, JoAnna Raychouni, Robert Reamy, Sadie Redlich, Shelby Reed, Sierra Richardson, Ashley Roberts, Savannah Ryman, Darryl Sanders, Jose Sandoval, Michael Saunders, Madilyn Seay, Shannon Seay, Sydney Shiflett, Carter Shust, Kasia Smith, Madelyn Smith, Gerald Stauffer III, Megan Stocker, Conner Sutton, Cadence Taylor, Logan Thompson, Anna Tingle, Lauren Traupman, Kate Travis, Kendra Turner Gregory, Matthew Tye, Reese Wagner, Addison Wallace, Jamison Wallace, Autumn Walton, Annaston Watts, Brittany

clothes, sizes newborn to 8 plus, is open. Warm coats are available. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and s aturdays. The shop is located in the m e morial b a ptist c h urch youth House, 3926 Old buckingham road. Just Kids is a ministry of may memorial baptist church. clothes cost $2 per bag.

The Powhatan Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, saturdays and Tuesdays at 2500 batterson road. contact the pantry at 804-372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail.com.

Graceland baptist church, 975 d orset r oad, holds a c ommunity meal called at the Table at 5:30 p .m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. come enjoy a homecooked meal, a brief Jesus story, fellowship, and music. all are welcome.

extension specialists and industry experts share timely topics for farmers in the Virginia cooperative extension ag Today, held virtually at 9 a.m. every Thursday. These updates are relevant and brief and are recorded for folks who can’t join on that day and time. Podcasts (audio only) are posted on Westmoreland Vce webpage and youTube video recordings can be found at https://www.youtube. com/ playlist?list=PL7_2QUVzrPXdpysV2Hy11cH8KbrluifyO. contact stephanie romelczyk (sromelcz@ vt.edu) for information on joining the meeting live. Watched or listened to Vce aG Today? Let us know how we are doing! Find our survey here: https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/ jfe/form/sV_6fiybb914ayrdn7

Webb, Ellen Weimer, Madison Wellborn, Luke Wells, Ayden West, Noah Whelan, Cori Whitehead, Ne’Vaeh Wiley, Hayden Wilkerson, Abigail Williams, Peyton Wirt, Alex Wood, Hunter Wright, Anna Yarbrough.

11th Grade All A’s Madeline Barnwell, Elaina Buczkowski, Summer Campbell, Katherine Cerullo, Trevor Coppock, Kayla Cote, Colin Crews, Julia Dondero, Christianna Edmondson, Samuel Favreau, Garrett Foltyn, Breanna Gillespie, Olivia Goodrich, Talon Harness, Tane Jeffs, Isaac Kelley, Alexander Kirkman, Sarah Kunze, Madeline Latham Matthew Layman, Taylor Ligatti, Zoe Lucas, Oskar Lundgren, Adam Lyman, Emily McManus, Isaac Rambo, Lauren Richardson, Felicity Stringfield, Camden Taylor, Brynna Tester, Eli Timmons, Ian Timmons, Ava Tucker, William Tuttle, Logan Wilhelm.

11th Grade All A/B’s

Bryson Adkins, Arthur Alexander, Michaela Amburn, Avery Andersen, Michaela Anderson, Hunter Atkins, Chase Babb, Riley Baldwin, Katie-Lynn Ball, Connor Bates, Hunter Beil, Anabel Bichsel, Viktor Blair, Carrie Blashfield, Henter Blevins, Albert Bolt, Sadie Bondurant, Ciara Booker, Zoe Broaddus, Taylor Brown, Lea Butler, Shauna Callahan, Hayden Campbell, Benjamin Chancellor, Zander Crossman, Brooklynn Crump, Harrison Cumbea, Chloe Cunningham, Lindsey D’Ambrosio, Brianna Dalton, Rhett Dauley, Jackson Davis, Lyla Davis, Madeleine Davis, Austin Dean, Austin Dodd, Anthony Donnelly, Cole Donnelly, Cyrus Dooley, Ashlyn Dowdy, Kaylee Dowdy, Alaya Duncan, Tyler Dunford, Matthew Duty, James Elam, Erica Epperly, Thomas Epps, Mia Evans, Sophie Farmer, Kaileigh Field, Cooper Fitch, Mackenzie Flora, Madison Fromherz, Skylar Galderise, Evan Garland, Michael Gicheru, Austin Gillespie, Ivy Gogerty, Madeline Gordon, Olivia Grasty, Connor Gravatt, Courtney Greenhow, Casey Grell, Savannah Griffin, Elliot Griffith, Aiden Hall, Jamie Hall, Jacob Hanna, Autumn Harlow, Preston Harold, Cole Harper, Katherine Harrison, Grace Hayden, Colin Henry, Kennedy Herring, Victoria Hicks, Trinity Higginbotham, Natalie Hintz, Kendra Hogston-Royall, Austin Holder, Aiden Houser, Katelynn Houston, Mason Hughes,

mill Quarter republican Woman’s c lub (mQrWc ) will meet on the fourth Thursday of the month at Italian delight restaurant, 1795 south creek One, Powhatan. Fellowship begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. The organization meets the fourth Thursday of every month unless otherwise advertised in the community calendar or mQrWc s Facebook page. mQWrc is an active group and interested in expanding. Visitors are always welcome.

The original Powhatan aa meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday in the Powhatan Village building.

The Powhatan rotary club meets at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday at the county seat restaurant.

SATURDAY, DEC. 24

Graceland baptist church, 975 dorset road, will hold a candlelight service at 5:30 p.m. dec. 24. It is open to the public.

Powhatan aa meets at 8 p.m. every saturday at manakin episcopal church on Huguenot Trail.

SUNDAY, DEC. 25

The staff of the Powhatan Today wishes our readers a merry christmas.

MONDAY, DEC. 26

a Powhatan Hope n arcotics anonymous (na) meeting will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every monday at Pcc church, 4480 anderson Highway, Powhatan, room 102. It is an open discussion meeting. Wheelchair accessible.

PHS choirs excel at district competition

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

The Powhatan High School Radiance and One Voice Concert Choirs attended District 3 All District Assessments Friday, Dec. 2, at Cosby High School. Both groups received straight 1’s for a Superior Rating – a great step toward having the school once again recognized as a Blue Ribbon School.

The high school’s choral program also had a record-breaking number of choral students make District 3’s All District Choir with the second highest number (just behind Cosby High School) of student representation with 33 out of 40 students gaining a seat in the choir! Of the 33 students selected for All District Chorus, nine students ranked in the top 20 in various vocal categories!

Congratulations to the 33 members who are going to represent Powhatan at All District Chorus!

From

leaving one year on his unexpired term.

Hurt was elected by a wide margin in a special election held during the General Election to fill the unexpired term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2023. She is also still serving out her term on the Powhatan County Planning Commission, which ends at the same time.

Cole was not feeling well last Tuesday and was unable to attend his last meeting in person, but he did participate in part of it via phone. He said in a separate interview on Dec. 15 that he hopes to come back for the January meeting to offer his formal farewell.

“It is bittersweet, of course. I got into it because I wanted to help the Powhatan School System get better, and when you are on the board you have a voice,” Cole said. “School board members aren’t the most important part of the school team, but certainly they are a part of it. So I felt like I was part of that team and had a chance to work to make a difference in some things. It is difficult to give that up, but at the same time, I know it is time for someone else to take it over and I wish Vicki good luck.”

Hurt was sworn in by Rene Holy, chief deputy clerk of the circuit court, during a short ceremony at the Poca-

hontas Landmark Center’s attended by about 20 people. She said afterward that she is looking forward to working with the division’s faculty, staff and administration “to make us be the best school system in the state of Virginia.”

Hurt said she is aware the board will be working on the budget at the beginning of 2023 and she also feels Policy IIA needs to be revisited with more detail.

“I will be doing homework over Christmas. I will be reading all of the policies

and looking at past budgets to be prepared for January,” she said.

Her priorities are to help ensure that next year’s budget is as efficient and effective as possible and making sure the division is focusing on strong academics, cutting down learning loss and supporting teachers.

During the Dec. 13 meeting, all four school board members thanked Cole for his years of service and wished him good luck.

Valarie Ayers, District 3, said Cole is a remarkable

man who has been involved with Powhatan County Public Schools since he was a child.

“If you haven’t heard his stories, he has some remarkable stories about the history of Powhatan County,” she said. “He has always put children first, no matter what role he had in this school system. As a school board member he put children first and our employees and he has absolutely been a dedicated servant. I, for one, will miss him and miss his service and dedication.”

James Taylor, District 4, thanked Cole for serving as a teacher, principal and school board member.

“Congratulations on a great career and I wish you the best in retirement,” he said.

Cole said he will still serve as a career coach with Reynolds Community College that works with Powhatan High School students.

“I really enjoy working with students. Quite frankly, that has been what has kept me going some in the past 24 months – the fact that you get to work with students

All students selected for All District Chorus will have an opportunity to audition for All State Chorus in 2023.

The Powhatan High School Choral Program continues to pursue excellence through music and build performer confidence as each group prepares for the upcoming 2023 competition season. The students and Choral Boosters realize that the program is only as successful and strong as the community that supports them.

If anyone wishes to support the choral program, there are ongoing fundraising efforts through the December Calendar Fundraiser and the Dinner and A Show event at PHS on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

For more information on fundraisers and how to support the program, visit the choral booster website: www.powhatanchoirs. com or email choralboosters@ powhatanchoirs.com.

and you get to listen to them. My job as a career coach, basically, is to help get them resources and information so they can make good decisions. That continues to be fun,” he said last week.

Cole has worked in education since 1974. Prior to the decade he has spent with

Reynolds Community College, he worked for PCPS for Powhatan High School for 19 years, 13 as the principal. He also worked in Goochland County for 15 years.

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.

Ball on Little Christmas keeps festivities going

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

POWHATAN – Even as the Powhatan Christmas Mother program has been winding down ahead of Christmas, they are preparing for one last hurrah to end the holiday season.

The program is working with St. John Neumann

Catholic Church to host The Ball on Little Christ-

mas. The fundraiser to benefit the Powhatan Christmas Mother will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at The Venue at Flat Rock, 2480 Batterson Road.

With the party costs covered by the church and community sponsors, all proceeds from the $75 per person tickets will go to the Christmas Mother program.

The evening will include

Organizers are hoping those in attendance will look forward to celebrating 2022

Students that made District III All District Chorus were: Nathan Adkins, Arthur Alexander (16th tenor of 90), Rowan Blashfield, Chole Burchett, Caoilainn Conner, Milo Cook, MaKaela Doyle, James Elam, Sophie Farmer, Madison Fromherz, Sydni Good-

all (seventh alto of 90), Olivia Goodrich (16th soprano of 90), Olivia Grasty, Haydon Hall (third tenor of 90), Jaycie Hammer, Delaine Healy, Irina Hinson, Rachael Hinson, Aaron Hixon, Samantha Ingram, Nathan Martin (18th bass of 40), April Milburn (17th alto of

90), Aaron Miller, Piper Morton, Mariella Moyer, Wesley Nolen Jr. (19th tenor of 90), Camdyn Pitts (20th alto of 90), Zoe Pollard, Marley Rasmussen, Lindsay Steele, Emma Stigall, Alexander Weimer and Abigail Williams (19th alto of 90).

DJ Jamie Timberlake providing music to keep the party going for a night of dancing with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are limited to 100 so purchase yours online ASAP at powhatanchristmasmother.org.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF POWHATAN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Powhatan High school’s choral program had a record-breaking 33 choral students make district 3’s all district choir

Powhatan High school One Voice concert choir received straight 1’s for a superior rating at the district 3 all district assessments.

Powhatan High school radiance concert choir received straight 1’s for a superior rating at the district 3 all district assessments.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

mary Harrison, Jaime Quinn, Pinckey sowers and Ginny broughton are some of the committee members planning The ball on Little christmas.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PCPS

district 1 school board member rick cole’s last meeting before retiring was on dec. 13. He couldn’t make it to the meeting in person but participated by phone and took a photo Friday with the surprise staff set up for him to celebrate his years of service to PcPs

Summer jury trial set for former band director

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

POWHATAN – A threeday summer trial has been set in the case of the former Powhatan High School band director charged with multiple counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship.

During a status update

hearing held Tuesday, Dec. 13 in Powhatan County Circuit Court, a three-day jury trial was set for Andrew C. Snead to be held July 26 through 28, according to

Timothy Dustan, deputy commonwealth’s attorney.

Snead is facing eight charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship and one charge of soliciting child pornography, all felonies. The current charges involve five individuals.

July was the earliest date a

instructional material that includes sexually explicit content; and providing, as an alternative, non-explicit instructional material and related academic activities to any student whose parent so requests.

Using the starting point of a model policy from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the central office leadership and instructional team developed a revision for Policy IIA for Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) that was first presented for review to the school board on Nov. 8. The board was made aware during the presentation that they would need to adopt the policy at the Dec. 13 meeting. Powhatan’s revisions to its policy do not provide as much detail as the VDOE sample draft, such as a requirement for a 30-day parental notification, with the intention that more specificity would be present in the regulations used to enforce the broad policy.

The board ultimately voted unanimously last week to pass the revision to the policy, acknowledging that while they weren’t done with the topic, they had to have something in place to meet the state’s deadline.

However, the conversation sparked by this policy indicated some board members and community members thought the policy did not do enough to spell out what topics should trigger the need for parental notification and if the division’s policies provide enough guidance for staff members.

In addition to notification regarding sexually explicit material, District 4 repre-

sentative James Taylor, who first began raising issues with Policy IIA not going far enough in November, asked last week for notification regarding topics such as gender identity, sexual behavior, ideologies that would ascribe value and status based on skin color and religious convictions.

Taylor stressed several times that this discussion was not about banning controversial topics but about informing parents when discussion topics or classroom and instructional materials could impact their children.

In November, staff pointed out that Taylor’s initial ask, which was for gender identity to be included in the policy regarding sexually explicit content for notification, was not possible because gender identity did not meet the state’s definition of sexually explicit content.

Va. Code 2.2-2827 defines “sexually explicit content” as “any description of or any picture, photograph, drawing, motion picture film, digital image or similar visual representation depicting sexual bestiality, a lewd exhibition of nudity as defined in 18.2-390, sexual excitement, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse, as also defined in 18.2-390, coprophilia, urophilia, or fetishism.”

The code defines “sexual conduct” as “actual or explicitly simulated acts of masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse, or physical contact in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or, if such be female, breast.”

Last week, Taylor instead asked for the topics such as gender identity, sexual behavior, ideologies that would

ascribe value and status based on skin color and religious convictions to be included in Policy INB, which deals with teaching about controversial issues. He also liked a resident’s suggestion earlier in the evening about putting in a clause regarding discipline of staff members who do not comply with the school board’s policy.

Valarie Ayers, District 3, pushed back against the additions to Policy INB, saying the school division already has existing policies regarding some of the topics he mentioned, such as nondiscrimination and religion in schools. It makes more sense for the school board to revise those existing policies to include 30-day parental notification clauses so people can find all of the information about a specific topic in one place, she argued.

As such, the board is bringing forward at least three policies on Jan. 10, 2023 – INB (teaching about controversial issues), AC (nondiscrimination) and INDC (religion in schools) –for review to discuss possibly adding language regarding parental notifications.

Within this discussion were a few additional related topics. One was the question of how detailed a policy, which is adopted by the board, should be and how much detail should instead be put in regulations developed by staff. Regulations have been presented to the board in the past, but they are not always voted on, it was pointed out.

Superintendent Beth Teigen said one of the reasons staff wasn’t recommending putting a 30-day notice requirement in policy was because there are examples where it isn’t practical, such as students taking Anat-

jury trial of that length could be set, Dustan said. Snead has been held without bond since he was arrested on June 30.

Dustan said on Dec. 15 that no additional charges have been filed but it’s possible there will be more.

When asked for comment on Dec. 15, Powhatan County Public Schools Superinten-

omy and Physiology, which would automatically put the school division out of compliance with its own policy. The goal of staff is to keep the policies streamlined but the regulations having as much detail as possible, she said. She added that while some school divisions do not have regulations come back before the board, it seems to be a recent practice in Powhatan to do so and she is ready to continue doing that.

During the public comment period, a few of the four speakers brought up the difference between policies and regulations, arguing for clear, detailed and unambiguous policies adopted by the school board instead of relying on regulations approved by staff later to carry all of the weight.

A few of the speakers also asked sexually explicit materials to be removed altogether from the schools, arguing the focus of schools should be on education “not indoctrination.”

Dr. Tracie Omohundro, assistant superintendent for instruction, said the school district did put out a survey asking for feedback after the Nov. 8 meeting and received 25 responses, which varied in opinion on the policy.

Some of the feedback wanted: complete bans of sexually explicit content; not to ban any content because of the impact it would have on children; more serious notification; to have procedures spelled out more; to question why the content even existed within the policy; the definition of sexually explicit (which Omohundro said in itself was sexually explicit) included in the policy rather than only linked in it; and to express concerns about how the policy would impact classroom libraries, curric-

dent Beth Teigen said that the school board had reviewed a recommendation by staff on Dec. 13 based on updated information to terminate Snead’s employment and had approved it.

Teigen said Snead had been on unpaid leave and his employment was terminated with the effective date of Nov. 29, 2022.

ulum materials and libraries.

Ahead of the meeting, staff has been asked to start collecting information about what sexually explicit content may be in classrooms at this point based on definitions that were clearly spelled out to them, Omohundro said.

“We indicated that if any sexually explicit content occurred in the elementary classroom from a curriculum standpoint or a classroom library standpoint, we did not want to have that in our classrooms and they needed to talk directly with their school principal to discuss what that was, because we didn’t feel like that had a place there in the elementary classroom other than our Family Life curriculum,” Omohundro said.

At the secondary level, teachers and staff were asked to fill out a form identifying content, where it is located and how it can be accessed by students.

“We began all those processes behind the scenes now so that we can make sure that, once the policy is drafted, that we can provide adequate notification to families prior to use of materials,” she said, adding the deadline for identifying the materials is Jan. 2.

Identified materials will be pulled out of the classrooms until the division has the ability to have 30 days notification of those materials existing, Omohundro said. She said the division expects notifications likely couldn’t go out until mid-January, “so don’t anticipate that anything would be available for students before mid-February, but again with parental notification.”

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.

ARRESTS

One female was charged on dec. 8 with breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor (Felony) and petty larceny (misdemeanor).

One female was charged on dec. 9 with reckless driving general rule (m) and hit and run –personal injury, attended property (m).

One male was charged on dec. 11 with driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated (m ), traffic: failure to wear seatbelts in front seat (m) and reckless driving –excessive speed (m).

One male was charged on dec. 12 with petty larceny (m).

One female was charged on dec. 12 with violating a protective order (m).

One female was charged on dec. 12 with driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated (m).

Weekly incident report Dec. 5-11 – Incident type and total calls advice 33 animal calls 34 assist 10 attempt to locate 8 bad checks 1 bOL 4 damaged property 1 death investigation 1 deliver message 1 disabled vehicle 14 disorder/disturbance 4 domestic 8 drugs 1 dumping 1 Follow-up 4 Found property 1 Fraud 3 Funeral 2 Hit and run 3 Investigation 8 Larceny 3 Lost property 1 missing person 3 mVas 15 Overdose 1 Pd alarm 9 Phone threat 3 Project lifesaver 3 Psychiatric 3 reckless driver 9 shoplifting 1 suspicious 12 Traffic hazard 6 Traffic stop 49 Transport 3 Trespass 3 Underage possession 1 Unknown emergency 12 Vehicle fire 288 1 Warrant service 5 Weapon offense 1 Welfare check 10

Snead

Award

educators, including more than $1.1 million in Virginia.

Youngkin said it was exciting to join the Cumberland Elementary community to celebrate Stepko as she accepted her award.

“Virginia’s educators are making a tremendous difference in young lives and I look forward to continuing to champion their contributions in the New Year,” she said.

“Pamela has an unshakable belief that every child can achieve success in math, and this is reflected in the 20-point jump in math performance Cumberland Elementary students achieved last year,” Balow said. “She scrutinizes data to plot a path forward for every child in her school and is constantly finding creative ways to excite young minds about the wonders and possibilities of mathematics.”

Stepko is in her seventh year of teaching at Cumberland Elementary. Before assuming her current role as a math interventionist for third and fourth grade students,

she served as an assistant principal and as a pre-K, second grade and third grade teacher.

“Pamela Stepko’s unique combination of leadership and classroom experience makes her a valuable asset to Cumberland Elementary School and the community at large,” said Bishop, who received

a Milken Educator Award in 2001 while a theater teacher and fine arts chair at Prince George High in Prince George County. “Through her creativity, compassion and high expectations for excellence, Pamela builds both academic skill and the confidence in her students to become productive young citi-

DEPUTIES ASSIST WITH FOOD COLLECTION

The Powhatan sheriff’s Office recently introduced its three newest deputies. shown are sgt. david Hunt, from left, with new deputies chase breeden, mason Thornberg and reese barden. The deputies assisted Hunt and Investnet with donations in honor of the late carla Hunt. These donations were taken to backpacks of Love for Powhatan. barden will go to the crater criminal Justice academy in January 2023. breeden and Thornberg will be in field training for several weeks. Powhatan’s newest deputies will be serving in the community soon.

zens. I am thrilled to welcome her to our national network of Milken Educators.”

Information released from the Milken Family Foundation praised how Stepko helps students build academic skill and confidence; motivates and encourages students by setting clear expectations for their success; writes problems on the windows so students can see both the math and the world beyond; sets math content to music to increase retention; and uses data-driven approaches to develop targeted instruction and assess next steps. The school’s scores on state math assessments have risen 20 percentage points since Stepko stepped in as a math interventionist.

Leading up to the day of the announcement, Stepko said staff had been informed that Balow and Youngkin were coming that day to tour the school and see some of redesigned spaces. The school had other dignitaries visit in the past, so nothing seemed out of the ordinary to her.

The school prepared in different ways with students, including hav-

ing one class from each grade level that would be attending the assembly learn a song for the occasion.

For her part, Stepko had been working with some of her fourth grade students for several days on math skills to demonstrate to the visitors. She told her students she would be back during the tour and went to the assembly.

“That is what we all thought was happening. Of course it was something completely different,” Stepko said.

After the assembly, Stepko asked the visitors still there to come meet her students, who had been preparing for days to show off their math skills. She said she was grateful to have the opportunity to showcase the wonderful things happening at her school.

“Yes, I received this award but only because of all of the work and everything we do within our division and the teachers, the inspiration, the learning, the excitement of the students. Everything that we do is for them,” she said.

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

2095RedLaneRoad 1/2mileoff Rt.60onRedLaneRoad 804-598-2455 www.redlanebaptist.org SmallGroupClasses9:00a.m. WorshipService10:30a.m. Dr.JamesTaylor,Pastor

3619HuguenotTrail Powhatan,V irginia2 3139 www.finecreek baptis t.org SundaySchool:9:45a.m. Wor shipSer vice:11:00a.m. Traditional VernGilmer,Pastor

GracelandBaptistChurch Dr.RonaldWyatt,Jr.,Pastor Contemporary–9:00a.m. Sund aySchool–9:45a.m. Worship–11a.m. Children’sWorship–11a.m. Praise&Worship–6p.m. Light houseYouth–Wed.5:30p.m. BibleStudy–Wed.6:30p.m. Children’sWorship(allages)–Wed.6:30p.m. MiraclesofGod Sp.NeedsService: 11a.m.t he 2nd Mon.ofeachmonth 598-34 81 •975DorsetRoad www.gracelandbc.org

FIRSTANTIOCH

BAPTISTCHURCH

3920MAIDENSRD.,POWHATAN 804-598-2301

PHOTOS COURTESY OF POWHATAN CHRISTMAS MOTHER

christmas mother Kathy Ware receives 26 bikes from rbaa (richmond bicycling area association) with alton Walton presenting the bikes on dec. 3 at christmas mother Headquarters. Volunteers suzanne cline (left) and carolyn Gillespie and car y Philbrick (right) helped unload the bikes.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF POWHATAN SHERIFF’S OFFICE

From A1

PHOTO COURTESY OF MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION milken educator award recipient Pamela stepko (center) talks with cumberland elementary school Principal Virginia Gills (left) and First Lady of Virginia suzanne s youngkin after the assembly.

RBAA

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

On dec. 3, Powhatan county Public Library and Powhatan extension Office hosted a Holiday Wreath Workshop. The Goochland Powhatan master Gardeners (GPmGa) provided the greenery and assisted the participants in two separate workshops in creating their holiday wreaths.

monacan services day support made environmentally friendly and animal friendly ornaments to place on the county christmas tree. They were joined by members of the community to help place them on the tree. The consumers enjoyed being a part of the holiday celebrations in Powhatan county.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF POWHATAN COUNTY

An extra measure of good cheer

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

Have you ever had those conversations with someone you haven’t seen in a long time and, inevitably, a phrase along the lines of “we need to do that one day” comes up?

That is what it has been like for the past several years every time I would see local resident Steve Harris. I am pretty sure from the first time we met at an event, he mentioned a “Christmas story” he thought I would find interesting from his time in the U.S. Navy. Steve served four years in active service and 20 years in the Navy Reserves.

Each time, we would promise to follow up, but we never did –until this year. Steve sent me a handwritten letter and a copy of a 58-year-old message that still has a warm place in his heart.

As we are a few days from Christmas, around the time this story took place in 1964, I thought I would share with our readers Steve’s story.

In December 1964, Steve, then a 25-year-old ensign in the navy, was stationed at a base on an island in The Bahamas called Eleuthera with about 100 other men as part of ASWFORLANT (Antisubmarine Warfare Forces, Atlantic). At the time, Steve was single and he was informed he would not be granted Christmas leave due to his junior status and

married officers being given priority. He was disappointed but it was a reality of serving in the military.

At the start of his watch on Dec. 19, 1964, Steve saw an unclassified message that came in on the teletype and was posted on the command message board. He was so moved by the message that he asked the radioman for a copy that he still holds today.

The message from Vice Admiral C.E. Weakley read: “For all of us Christmas has some special meaning. For all of us there is some little thing that triggers memories of past holiday seasons — a midnight church service, a carol sung with friends, a hot toddy. Whatever this recollection, it belongs to each of us personally.

But, if we stop and think, we realize that the combination of these thoughts is the essence of the wonderful way of life we enjoy as Americans— as free men in a free society. And, we know that what we are doing as Navymen and as members of the ASW team is a vital factor in insuring that next Christmas will be a happy one in the United States and that our children will live and grow up as free Americans to have warm thoughts of the Yuletide season as we have. With the real meaning of Christmas in mind, this is perhaps the greatest gift we can give to our loved ones.

To all in ASWFORLANT and to

your families, my very best wishes for a happy holiday season. To those of you who by necessity must be on station, an extra measure of good cheer — and thanks.”

Several days later, Steve was overjoyed when he was informed that he would be given two weeks of Christmas leave after all. It took a space available Military Air Transport Service (MATS) flight from Eleuthera to Patrick Air Force Base; a limousine from the base to Orlando; and another space available flight from Orlando to where his parents lived in Atlanta (he is still tickled as he says he got first class on that flight because he was in his uniform). But when it was all said and done, “he arrived at home in Atlanta, Georgia, where his mother cried and his dog bit him.”

Steve praised the generosity of several HAM radio operators who got a message from The Bahamas to his dad to let him know he was coming home since there were no cell phones and he couldn’t afford the landline calls.

“I didn’t know exactly when, but I would be there,” he said. “When you fly space available like that, you are flying by the seat of your pants.”

I asked Steve why he still cherishes this message so dearly, and he said because it still rings true today.

“I loved the navy, I really did.

Coach’s wisdom extended beyond sidelines

JIM RIDOLPHI Contributing Columnist

Someone leaves this planet every second of the day, and each of those deaths is a tragedy for the people who loved them. As I get older, it seems there are more sad days where someone associated with my generation takes the final ride. Even more frightening is the fact that many of them are our childhood heroes or favorite icons.

Fortunately, most of us will enjoy the upcoming holiday season without the grief and dismay of losing a loved one, and the next few weeks will be spent with special moments with the people we love the most.

Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach’s family won’t be one of those happy families celebrating this holiday season after he passed last week after suffering a massive heart attack. They will be among those previously referenced few who will spend the coming days remembering and missing Mike, and they won’t be alone.

Even avid college football fans may not be acquainted with Leach as his teams never won a national championship or even captured a conference title. But, to those who are familiar with his antics, Leach was a winner who mentored hundreds of successful individuals who played for him and had thousands more who admired his efforts.

I began following Leach, 61, when he coached at Texas Tech and was first introduced to his dry

wit and humorous approach to some of life’s smallest problems.

The sultry coach was never timid about offering his opinion on almost anything.

For example, in a post-game report, a reporter asked Leach about his thoughts on Halloween candy.

He anxiously answered, “I think candy corn is awful. You know, it’s like fruitcake. There’s a reason they serve fruitcake once a year, because it’s awful. There’s a reason they only serve mint julips once a year, because they’re awful. And there’s a reason they only serve candy corn once a year, because it’s awful. Now that does beg the question why they serve it at all, but, anyway, that’s my opinion.”

He freely opined about everything from the existence of Big Foot to a special brand of marital advice (he endorsed eloping), and never lacked a snappy response to reporters’ questions.

When one asked Leach the overused and useless question regarding how he would like to be remembered in his obituary, Leach’s answer was predictable.

“Well that’s their problem ... what do I care, I’m dead.”

You could have easily been fooled by the down home, everyman’s approach Leach employed, but don’t let the simple approach to life’s complexities fool you.

Leach was no dummy. He held a master’s degree and graduated law school before he arrived on the sideline as a coach.

But, it was his refreshing approach to the game that made him

a fan favorite. Leach knew that winning wasn’t everything and prioritized producing responsible young adults with a reasonable chance of winning in the most important game — life.

Along the way, he gained a reputation as an offensive genius, credited with transforming college football with the Air Raid offense.

The loss to the college football world is immense, and his irreverent personality is probably irreplaceable. But, my thoughts are focused on his family who are suffering through an unimaginable loss at the most difficult time of year.

I can relate to their grief, and that of the thousands of Americans who suffer loss at this celebratory time of year. I lost my father on Christmas Eve, 1960, and the season has never been quite the same, but now has become an appropriate time to remember lives lost and appreciate the blessings they bestowed on us.

Above all others, Leach’s family know the influence Leach had on thousands of young lives and the love and respect he displayed for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

For the rest of us, Leach’s death reminds us that life is fleeting and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

I’ll leave you with a tidbit of Leach’s philosophy, an appropriate reminder of how he lived and enjoyed his too short time on earth.

“Well, you’re going to be dead in a hundred years anyway, so live dangerously.”

We’ve got people serving today. I thought the best part of that was the vice admiral, for those who were having to serve and couldn’t go home, he wished them an extra amount of cheer,” Steve said.

I concur. So to the families of service members far from home

this holiday season and to those men and women protecting us at home and abroad, “an extra measure of good cheer — and thanks.”

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Policy needs to have specificity

Dear Editor, In a recent call with the Powhatan County School Board (PCSB) Superintendent she was kind enough to present her rationale for advancing generally worded polices whose “strength,” she contends, are ensured by reference to both the published county curriculum and the standards issued by VDOE.

While I appreciate her rationale for offering more generally worded polices, there are a few issues that may result when policies are constructed in that manner. In retrospect, and with time to digest her position, a few concerns come to mind that argue against the School Board not taking this opportunity to be much more specific in the guidance given to school staff.

1. Unfortunately, a troubling variable over which the Board has no control is consistency of the guidance coming from the VDOE. Guidance which can and will change based on who occupies the Governor’s mansion or which party claims a General Assembly majority.

QUESTION: How does the PCSB propose combating the shifting sands defining our elected officials and the legislation passed by the General Assembly?

specific examples of what is and what’s not acceptable those seeking change will be forced to debate and publicly declare their positions for all to see. An open airing would be preferable and may well result in retention of some of the original specifics.

3. We all need structure and, in that vein, specificity more fairly and effectively orders behavior and provides a well-defined and much needed set of guardrails for the “traveler.”

The boundaries those guardrails establish can be four lanes wide and therein be respectful of everyone’s liberties, but they must be put in place to prevent harm to the traveler and his/her passengers caused by those who always seem to delight in going off-road. Invariably some will!

QUESTION: How exactly will the PCSB propose fleshing out the policies such that a very, very clear understanding is given to all those in the classroom as well as all those who the Board must depend to monitor in-class behavior?

As the Board considers this point please don’t forget the parents, many of whom are unfamiliar with the specifics of guidance given by the VDOE nor with the Powhatan School’s curriculum standards. The parents really need specifics, examples of what’s prohibited and not broadly-worded polices.

From A2

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

The new bridge of reason aa meeting is held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Powhatan mennonite church, 3549 Old buckingham road, Powhatan. It is an open, decision and literature meeting for Powhatan, Goochland, and cumberland counties. aa meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at st Luke’s episcopal church on Huguenot Trail.

UPCOMING

Girl scout Troop 3029 is helping the Huguenot Volunteer Fire department achieve

a long-held goal of building a memorial to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks of sept. 11, 2001 at the station. The Girl scouts are selling 411 bricks inscribed with the name, rank and company of a firefighter, law enforcement officer or paramedic killed during the attacks. a donation of $23 will cover the cost of one inscribed brick in honor of a first responder. To purchase a brick, visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/memorial911. checks payable to Troop 3029 may also be mailed to Laura baltz at 1510 Holly Hills road, Powhatan, Va 23139. For more information, contact baltz at 804-467-4313 or Ljbal65@aol.com.

Powhatan state Park will hold a ranger-led hike of Pine Trail promptly at 10 a.m. on d ec. 31. Would you like to have the

8460 times-dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 344-8746 Publisher Joy Monopoli

chance to explore all of the trails in Powhatan state Park and meet new people? If so, you may enjoy our hiking series. each month we will hike a different trail in the park and learn about local history and wildlife. Pre-register by calling the park office at 804-598-7148, or by email at powhatan@dcr.virginia.gov. Include “Hiking series” in the subject line and specify date(s), or alternates in the event a particular hike is fully booked. be sure to wear comfortable, closed toed shoes and to bring plenty of water. children are welcome, but be aware that some hikes may exceed 4 miles and require navigating uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Pre-registration required due to group size limitations.

2. Along those same lines, superintendents come and go, as do school board members for that matter. Today’s resolve can vanish quickly and without specificity a serious risk comes as downstream interpretation and application will invariably dilute all of today’s good intentions.

QUESTION: How will the PCSB instill more permanency to policies pertaining to what’s presented during inclass lectures?

Polices can be changed, but when accompanied with

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS

Powhatan Today welcomes your Letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Letters, which should be no longer than 400 words, must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The deadline is noon theThursday before publication, but letters may be held until the following week upon the editor’s discretion. The publisher or editor of Powhatan Today reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Once received, all letters become the possession of Powhatan Today. Letters reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of Powhatan Today or its staff.

Too often overly-generalized policies generate questions and with that confusion as answers are offered. Specificity and clearly calling out what’s acceptable in the classroom is preferred. I suspect the folks in surrounding counties regret not calling out examples of behavior their citizens are now forced to contend at great cost to their children, the parents and staff alike. Let’s not allow such to occur in Powhatan.

Robert Powers Powhatan

Powhatan today is published weekly on wednesdaywith offices located at 8460 times dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116. Periodical Postage paid at Powhatan, Va. 23139. USPS # 000-035 © 2022 by Richmond Suburban newspapers. all advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CaC audited Circulation: 11,026.

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Powhatan resident and navy veteran steve Harris holds up a message sent to deployed navymen in december 1964 that he still cherishes today.

PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND aspen sowers brings her children colt, Greyson and Penny to meet santa.

stephanie dodd and daughter Faith wait in line to see santa.

cameron and nathan Waters and children breckon and carson wait in line to see santa.

Leigh, Harper, arthur and alex shavit enjoy breakfast together.

elizabeth Papelino takes photos of her children Kyle, ainsley and Hadleigh.

Volunteers andie Poe, Jessica Green and Tammy rainey run the hot cocoa station.

Volunteers were hard at work in the kitchen to feed hundreds of people.

emma, Jenna and stephen campbell color at the breakfast.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Huguenot Volunteer Fire department company 2 held its annual santa breakfast on dec. 10 at the station with hundreds of people coming for a great meal, games and activities, a hot chocolate bar and a chance to meet santa claus.

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3 Email: paidnotices@timesdispatch.com Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS 804-643-4414, ext. 3 Email: paidnotices@timesdispatch.com Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

Have an idea for a community news story? E-mail news tips to Laura McFarland at lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call at 804-363-1577.

Have an idea for a community news story? E-mail news tips to Laura McFarland at lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call at 804-363-1577.

Buses

From

Dominion Energy will install charging stations at no cost to the school division. The replacement buses must serve the division for at least five years from the time of delivery.

accessories used while driving (air conditioning, heat, etc.) and driving conditions (traffic). All PCPS routes have the ability to accommodate an EV for a morning or afternoon run with a charge in between runs, West said.

of obtaining the rebate from the EPA, which they should receive within 60 days. This purchase order will not be processed by PCPS.

send news items to Powhatan today lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call 804-363-1577

Advertise in Powhatan Today

Call 746-1235 for details.

the conversation. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/powhatantoday.

tip, story idea, community events, photos, birth announcements, 40th anniversaries & above or 80-year-old birthday & above announcement submissions e-mailed to Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call 804-363-1577

Cortney Humphreys, Jonathan Hunt, Jacqueline Hymel, Madalyn Ickes, Madison Jamerson, Zachary James, Mayson Jenkins, Grant Johnson, Madalyn Johnson, Ryan Jones, Sarah Kantzler, Owen Kerns, Samuel Kernstine, Miriah Keuther, Conner Kluis, Corynn Lampman, Noah Lane, Gianna LaRaffa, Kyle Larsen, Lindsy Lawyer, Steven Lawyer, Jaimely Lebron, River Leynes, Samantha Lilly, Ian Lockett, Trinity Luck, Chelsy Luna, Dillon Mabe, Annabelle Mack, Madeline Mahoney, Tyler Manes, Brendan Martin, Karley Martin, Madison Matko, Zoey Mattison, Reese McLachlan, Emily Meadows, Thomas Menting, April Milburn, Evangeline Mitchell, Madelyn Mohr, Eli Monson, Dixie Moore, Aubrey Morgan, Justin Morris, Piper Morton, Olivia Moss, Justin Myers, Brandon Nixon, Makenzie Nixon, Katharine O’Neil, Jackson O’Quinn, Alex Olah, Nathan Orban, Jaks Ownby, Valeria Palacios-Marentes, Alexander Pearson, Erin Pell, Jordyn Perritt, Cote Phillips, Zeaga Pieren, Camdyn Pitts, Rylan Powers, Dylan Preston, Sean Priddy, Carter Quinn, Ryan Ragland, Cole Rakes, Peyton Ramsey, Destinee Raynor, Evan Reese, Noel Rhoden, Faith Richardson, Jacob Riley, Kaitlyn Rissmeyer, Emily Ritchie, Preston Ritz, Marilyn Robinson, Jackson Roop, Sophia Rusin, Charisa Russell, Isabella Russell, Mara Rutkai, Leyla Sakrisson, Laura Samuels, Nia Sanders, Ethan Sargent, Chase Schuhle, Michael Scioscia, Jaila Scott, Abigail Seaman, Evelyn Seaver, Jason Seibel II, Trinity Shaw, Caleb Shumate, Caleb Shust, Joshua Sprouse, Amber Stewart, Wesley Stotler, Michael Tambellini, Allison Taylor, Paris Taylor, Mason Timberlake, Howard Toft, Jack Valcourt, Brandon Vallent, Bradley Wade, Presley Warren, Jaden Watkins, Gracelin Watts, Matthew Willis, Abbigail Wilson, Mary Wilson, Sally Woodard, Courtney Woodel, Nathaniel Yarhouse, Heath Yohman, Ryan Zaun.

12th Grade All A’s

photos, birth announcements, 40th anniversaries announcement submissions can be e-mailed to Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call 804-363-1577

Clancy, Bailey Claus, Mary Cleary, Sean Cleary, Margaret Compton, Jack Connelly, Logan Cox, Xzavier Cox, Terriah Crayton, Kaleb Cubbage, Thomas Daniel, Cristion Davis, Alayna DeMann, Alicia Dickerson, Amanda Dickinson, Kasey Dillard, Savannah Durrbeck, William Duty, Helena Eanes, Keira Edling, Hunter Edwards, Avah Etheridge, Robert Falconer, Brian Ferguson, Taylor Fitz Simmons, Samantha Flippo, Gracie Fortenberry, Luke Futrell, Bethany Gilman, Lillian Golden, Chayse Goodall, Robert Graham, Bailey Grant-Dickerson, Jason Green, Wyatt Groseclose, Jacob Hackler, Sally Handy, Reagan Hansen, Peyton Harris, Tucker Hartz, Kalob Hiatt, Briana Hicks, Dashaun Holder, Joseph Holliday, Nathan Holt, Richard Huber III, Landon Hutchison, Janae Inglish, Dean Jarrell, Kiyah Jasper, Christopher Jennings, Hannah Johnson, Phoebe Johnson, Clayton Jones, Jacob Jordan, William Karanian, Madyson Kelley, Mary Kimbrough, Dylan King, Hunter King, Hailey Kingsley, Kai Knudsen, Gabriel Koelzer, Elizabeth Krumpter Gregory Langer, Jesse Lanzillotti, Noah Lawson, Chance Laxton, Michael Leonard, Brooke Lewis, Camden Lippy, Joshua Little, Dori Magill, Michael Maokhamphiou, Donald Markel, Lily Marshall, Anna Martin, Gabriel Martin, Tristan McAteer, Rachel McClellan, Sadie Meade, Emily Morales, Hannah Morris, Mariella Moyer, Fletcher Mullins, Chloe Newcomb, Hannah Newcomb, Luis Nieves Jr., Wesley Nolen Jr, Carter Nuckols, Charles Osterman, Polly Overboe, Hannah Palmore, Samantha Pavlish, Sophia Payne, Katrina Pitman, Britton Proffitt, Rebecca Ray, Maliya Reams, Sha’Jiyah Reddick, Carly Rehme, John Reid, Bristoe Richardson, Donald Richardson, Brayden Romer, Chesed Russell, Natalia Sanchez, Delaney Sanders, Brandon Saunders, Hannah Seay, Aaron Sharpe, Dominick Shaw, Ashley Shields, Andrew Shiflett, Nicholas Shumake, John Simpson, Caleb Skeens, Eddie Slagle, Jacob Smith, Zachary Smith, Richard Sodan IV, Justin Staffieri, Lindsay Steele, Rebecca Stevens, Emma Stigall, Atiya Taylor, Emilee Taylor, Amari Thompson, Madison Todd, Dylan Trevillian, Vanessa Trikowski, Nakiya Turner, Parker Unmussig, Rachael Wade, Ian Walls, Conner Walters, Nicole Ward, Taylor Watson, Gavin Waugh, Rachel Webb, Jacqueline Westlake, Holland Weyer, Oscar Whitely, Cole Whiting, Austin Whitlock, Christian Wilkerson, Gavin Williams, Laci Wills, Colby Wright.

photos, birth announcements, 40th anniversaries announcement submissions can be e-mailed to Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call 804-363-1577

www.facebook.com/powhatantoday

Facebook at www.facebook.com/powhatantoday

Emma Adams, Olivia Adams, Christopher Adkins Sara Akersveen-Davis, Emily Allen, Patrick Baird, Haley Bauer, Nicholas Benton, Hayley Bonafilia, Olivia Bray, Gunner Buzzard, Alexandra Campbell, Kayla Carr, Kayden Cline, Daniel Cottone, Kathy Culver, Eric Daniels, Kayla Day, Alyssa Devereaux, Carrie Elrod, Sofia Engen, Jessie Fens, Landon Gibbs II, Alyssa Gorman, Chase Granger, Robert Green, Anna Guthrie, Caroline Hall, Jaycie Hammer, Evelyn Henard, Braeden Henke, Irina Hinson, Joshua Holland, Austin Hurt, Raquel Iga, Margaret Ivey, Summer Kantanen, Brandon King, Logan Lane, Chase Lanehart, Nathan Maliff, Cole Malkerson, Abigail Mandarino, Mary Martin, Kalei Meyers, Morgan Oliver, Autumn Osborne, Makenzie Parrish, Alexander Peloke, Andrew Price, Lucy Redlich, William Reid, Amanda Seaman, Hayden Stamp, Cary Stancil, Andrew VanSlyke, Sydney Wade, Jordan Wilkerson, Bryson Wilson, LeeAnna Wilson, Brandon Yoder.

SPORTS page filler

12th Grade All A/B’s

you have a sports story idea or photo to submit?

E-mail Robby Fletcher at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com or call 804-380-0497

you have a sports story idea or photo to submit?

Contact Robby Fletcher at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com or call 804-380-0497

Addison Adams, Katherine Adams, Nathan Adkins, John Ainsworth, Shelby Akins, Monica Alejo, Erin Almond, Ellamae Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Sara Barnett, Rosa Benitez, Kyla Beyer, Timothy Blasé, Colton Blevins, Hayden Blisick, Paul Bonner, Luke Burkhart, Alexander Campbell, Chandler Cannon, Samantha Carraway, Isabelle Carson, Briseida Casarez Hernandez, Angel Cedillo, Ella Chitty, Cameron Christopher, Liam

you have a sports story idea or photo to submit?

Contact Robby Fletcher at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com or call 804-380-0497

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

In addition to the almost $1 million in savings by not purchasing the diesel buses, West outlined numerous benefits the electric school bus bring to the division. He cited a fuel cost reduction of over 50% as well as maintenance costs being reduced by about 50% since there are no oil changes, fewer filters and no diesel exhaust fluid. The buses also create zero emissions.

Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3

“Shorter routes could accommodate an electric vehicle for an entire day on a full charge without having to be charged in between runs,” he said. “Typically, on the fast chargers that Dominion would install, it would take about two and a half hours to charge a school bus.”

He added that the terrain in Powhatan County will not adversely affect the battery’s range.

buses’ batteries; questions about costs for electric vehicles for other school systems; different insurance needs; concerns about Dominion possibly using bus battery power during times they are not in service; and how this will move the division in regard to future requirements about converting to electric buses.

Superintendent Beth Teigen also explained in November that the school division must turn in 10 diesel buses within a two-year window and that a number of buses have already been identified for that purpose, with more than half of them over 18 years old.

Sonny Merryman Inc. will then place the order with Thomas Built Buses upon receipt of the copy of the purchase order. Unfortunately there is currently a nine to 12-month build time, West said.

Email: paidnotices@ timesdispatch.com

Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

Breaking down a comparison of costs for diesel versus electric school buses, West said they estimate 10 buses in service for 15 years would save the school division $975,750, or $6,505 per bus per year.

PCPS obtained a quote from North Carolina-based Thomas Built Buses for the 10 buses, which will have an electric vehicle (EV) range on a full charge of about 100 to 120 miles based on

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3 Email: paidnotices @timesdispatch.com Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

The board members did not comment or ask questions during the Dec. 13 presentation but there was extensive discussion when they first received information on the grant during their Nov. 8 meeting from West and a representative from Sonny Merriman, regional sales manager Cory Compton. Topics they discussed including ensuring there are no hidden costs; worries about the safety of batteries; learning there is a 15-year-warranty on the

From A3

BallChristmas Mother Kathy Ware as well as honoring the community for its support of the program and raising funds for 2023, said Pinckey Sowers, the 2013 Christmas Mother and a member of the Little Christmas event committee.

Got a news tip? email lmcfarland@ powhatantoday .com if it’s important to you, it’s important to us!

“This is a way of letting the community know that the Christmas Everyday Committee works year round. Just because the 25th of December has come does not mean Christmas is over. We are trying to provide services throughout the year and we thought this was a good way to have people realize what we do in the community,” she said.

Advertise In Powhatan Today! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

The name of The Ball

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

E-mail to lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com

Deadline is 3 p.m. Wednesday for the following week’s issue. Calendar announcements cannot be taken by phone. We reserve the right to edit all items submitted.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Wednesday for the following week’s issue. Calendar announcements cannot be taken by phone. We reserve the right to edit all items submitted.

on Little Christmas is a reference to Epiphany being celebrated on Jan. 6 to celebrate the Magi or Wise Men visiting baby Jesus.

Sowers said the event is possible because of St. John Neumann and its parishioners, who are responsible for so much of this event but also have supported the program with an annual Angel Tree and previous events such as a gala in 2013 and the 50th anniversary celebration.

“They have been very generous throughout the years,” she said.

Father Walter Lewis,

Answering a question about possible uses for the roughly $1 million saved on diesel buses, Teigen told the school board in November that one possibility for some of the funds was to purchase radios for the school buses that would be tied to the same land mobile radio system the county uses.

In a separate interview last week, West explained that the next step is to create a purchase order for the full amount of all 10 buses that will be sent to Sonny Merryman Inc. for the purposes

priest at St. John Neumann, noted that throughout the history of the Christmas Mother program in Powhatan, several parishioners have been in the title role, which is a significant connection.

The church takes on a large number of tags for clients each year to support the ministry, he said.

“This is just a natural outreach of that commitment to respond to the needs of those less fortunate,” he said.

The Venue at Flat Rock –formerly Father Val Hall –will be decorated by church members in a winter theme

A memorandum of understanding with Dominion Energy is still under review, and division staff hope to have it finalized in early January, he said. Once the agreement is signed and delivered, the energy company will begin the planning process and order necessary charging stations for installation. This timeline will all depend on availability of parts.

Upon delivery, the buses will be inspected by PCPS garage staff, registered and tagged through the Department of Motor Vehicles. As long as the charging stations have been completed and installed, the buses will then be ready to go in service, West said.

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.

and most of the food will be prepared by them, he said, adding they are happy to support the Christmas Mother program’s mission to help people all year round.

“It really is to help support the outreach beyond the Christmas holiday and to recognize that the needs which present themselves so acutely at Christmas continue into the new year and this provides some funding to help with that,” he said.

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.

Sports story idea or photo can be submitted to Robby Fletcher at email: rfletcher@ powhatantoday. com or call 804-380-0497

Do you have a sports story idea or photo to submit?

Jolly good time

Passion Community Church held its Holly Jolly Jamboree on Dec. 3 at its Powhatan Campus.

From s’mores around the fire to snowball fights, families kicked o the Christmas season with an indoor bouncy house, pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, crafts, cookies, and a special presentation of the Christmas story.

PHOTOS BY LAURA Mc FARLAND

Christina Odom and her children, Bryson and Jackson, join friend Ashley Gentry and her children, Joseph and Adalynn, for some Holly Jolly fun.

Clint Brown and sons Maddox and Logan watch while helpers Noah Kimble and Madison Lloyd make their s’mores order.

Taylor Goodman and children Michaela and Wyatt pose with a llama.

Reagan Wilson tells Santa what she wants for Christmas.

Jen Kimble and daughter Sadie are dressed for holiday fun.

Theresa Schwickerath and her children, Isaiah and Faith, are ready for holiday fun.

Indians dominate on senior night

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

Wrestling head coach Jonathan Tanaka entered the Powhatan gym sporting a look many have come to expect when the Indians celebrate their seniors.

Rocking an all-orange suit and pants combo with an equally orange tie and a black undershirt, a look that was a gift from team parents in 2019, Tanaka brings out the Powhatan-themed look for senior nights, state finals appearances and, in a non-sport occasion, prom.

The look may be something he says he wouldn’t wear in a non-Powhatan related function, but it holds significance for the Powhatan coach, whose own high school wrestling coach brought out a similarly orange-colored suit for his own team.

“The kids love it. I was a little embarrassed by it at first, but now it’s something that everyone expects,” Tanaka said.

On this senior night occasion against Dinwiddie on Dec. 14, the orange-wearing Tanaka was just one of many special moments for the Indians, who dominated their opponent in a 72-6 final that gave the home team a huge boost heading into the Mechanicsville Holiday Classic, which they placed sixth in among 21 teams on Dec. 16-17.

While the Indians have six seniors on the roster, they were without two of those seniors on their celebratory night against the Generals. Landon Gibbs ulti-

mately missed the day due to his preparation for the Big River Rivalry All-Star football game while Ricky Huber was out with an illness.

The four seniors honored were Britton Proffitt, Natalia Sanchez, Chris Davis and Amanda Seaman, all of whom were able to get a match against a Generals opponent on their senior night.

“Really happy with these six and really happy that the four here tonight got a big crowd,” Tanaka said. “We’re just so happy to see our seniors have a nice, fun event tonight.”

Proffitt was brilliant in his matchup, with the senior winning the 144-pound event with a pin in 1:12. Proffitt was lead-

ing 11-3 before he finished his contest in the first period, displaying a variety of his best moves to pick up a well-earned six points for his team.

Proffitt has come a long way as one of the team’s most trusted leaders. From the day he first stepped foot on the Powhatan mats to now, he says one of the biggest areas of his own growth comes in the form of that very leadership and the ability to lift up others still new to the game.

“Honestly, I pride myself on being able to help because not all people could be leaders, and I think that I just have the ability to talk to people enough to where

game

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

At the eighth Big River Rivalry all-star football game, Powhatan and Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot had some of their most valued seniors enter Day Field at Randolph-Macon with one last chance to showcase their skills against the best high school athletes in Richmond, while representing their schools one last time in the process.

the James River against the all-stars that are north of it.

The North team ultimately took home the victory in a 33-21 final that saw them explode for three touchdowns in the third quarter to pull ahead after a 7-7 halftime score.

Powhatan’s biggest standout of the day was Trevillian, who entered the game with a chip on his shoulder as he set out to prove

that he can compete with the best that Richmond has to offer.

“I just wanted to show people what I’m capable of and get a little bit more exposure to show that I can play with the best talent in the 804,” Trevillian said.

From the very first snap under center, it looked like Trevillian was in for a special day of football. His very first pass was a display of Trevillian’s ability to handle pressure, his arm talent

Powhatan bounces back from defeat with Caroline win

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

The Powhatan Indians had a week that truly tested their mettle, as they had to bounce back from a tough loss to the undefeated James River Rapids with a matchup against the 3-4 Caroline Cavaliers two days later.

The 63-32 loss to the Rapids on Dec. 13 was a tough pill to swallow for the Indians, who fell in a 22-7 hole after the first quarter and couldn’t recover from there despite possessing the home court crowd. James River is off to a 7-0 start to the season and are led by sophomore phenom and North Carolina commit Lanie Grant, who proved a difficult assignment for the Indians thanks to a marksman shooting touch and a flair with the ball as a scorer and playmaker.

It was a tough loss against a battle-tested team a year removed from being atop the Dominion District, but the loss gave the Indians an early chance to test their resolve in the face of adversity. In their road matchup against the Cavaliers on Dec. 15, they were able to display the exact type of toughness necessary to bounce back and pick up a dominant win of their own.

The 56-25 victory, which pushes the Indians to a 5-4 record heading into their winter break, was a perfect balance of efficient offense and lockdown defense as they held the Cavaliers under 10 points in each quarter while scoring in double figures themselves in the first three quarters of the game.

In the first quarter, the Indians powered forward with a 23-6 lead that saw sophomore Emma Terry score all 11 of her points to lead the way. Senior Katherine Cerullo, who finished with a team-high 15 points on the night, added eight points in that first quarter stretch, and the two key contributors charged the offense forward with a big lead and all of the momentum.

In the second quarter, Cerullo added five more points, while her teammate Corynn Lampman was a perfect three-for-three from the free throw line to add five points herself and help Powhatan enter halftime with a 37-14 advantage.

The offense slowed down a bit with their big lead in the second half, but the defense was still top of the line. The Cavaliers managed just 11 more points in the second half, and the Indians never let them generate or sustain any momentum to potentially pull off a comeback.

With the win, the Indians now have a prolonged break until their next game, a Jan. 3, 2023, meeting against Clover Hill (0-5) at

PHOTOS BY ROBBY FLETCHER

Powhatan Britton Proffitt took care of business on his senior night against Dinwiddie with a pin in 1:12 on Dec. 14.

Indians seniors Oscar Whitely, Dylan Trevillian and Landon

Gibbs were joined by Knights star David Mann on the South team that pit Richmond’s best seniors south of

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER

Powhatan quarterback Dylan Trevillian tossed two touchdowns and 167 yards through the air for the South team in the Big River Rivalry held on Dec. 17 at Day Field.

Wrestling team places 6th at Mechanicsville Holiday Classic

Powhatan senior Chris Davis has been with the wrestling team for two seasons and won his battle against Dinwiddie by fall with 20 seconds left in the second period.

Powhatan swim makes its mark at Hanover meet

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

Powhatan’s swimming team is off to an excellent start to the season, with the team getting the opportunity to once again compete with some equally strong competition at the Hanover Hawks Holiday Swim Invitational held at SwimRVA on Dec. 17.

20 schools were in attendance at the Hawk Invitational with many getting an early look at what their top swimmers could do at a state of the art pool alongside talented athletes from around the Richmond area.

For Powhatan, there were top results found from multiple Indians swimmers. Senior state-qualifier and team leader Cole Malkerson’s 200-yard freestyle was among the most interesting results of the day, as the star swimmer just barely missed the state cut by 0.26 seconds. He swam that competition in 1:50.30.

The Powhatan girls 500 freestyle finals were also one that got Indians fans excited in the stands. In the finals, sophomore Elizabeth Vallent and freshman Hayden Russell went over their best times by over five seconds and ultimately finished in a thrilling tie with times of 5:52.93.

Three girl swimmers qualified for individual finals and relay finals for the first time in over five years. Vallent, who qualified with that 500 freestyle time along with Russell, also qualified after competing in the 50-yard freestyle as well as the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Vallent swam with freshman Kayla Blinn, sophomore Jenna Autry and Russell in the 200

Rivalry

From

and his accuracy down the field as he slung a deep ball to Trinity’s Trai Ferguson, who got open down the sideline and hauled in an 83-yard touchdown.

“I saw there was one safety and the corner was a little pressed up, and I knew our guy was the better guy there so I just threw it up and gave him a shot,” Trevillian said.

Trevillian later fired another touchdown off a deep ball in the fourth quarter, with the Indians star finding Jashaun Amin this time for a 60-yard score that saw the L.C. Bird standout win his jump ball and keep both feet in as he backed into the corner of the end zone.

Gibbs, playing cornerback, had a solid day against the run, making a handful of tackles that stopped the ballcarrier near the line of scrimmage. Gibbs, who said this was likely his last time putting on the pads, plans to major in engineering at Virginia Tech.

“For me to have one last game it was a pretty great opportunity; I couldn’t turn it down,” Gibbs said.

free relay, where they finished with a time of 1:51.37. In the 50 free event, Vallent flew through the race with a time of 26.76 seconds.

Whitely, who holds offers to continue his football career and was a standout tight end and linebacker for the Indians, lined up exclusively on the offensive side of the field for the South, playing tight end and lining up wide as a receiver.

The chance to have one last time on the field with two guys he considers brothers was something he says he’ll never forget.

“It’s really enjoyable and meaningful – it was one last ride with my brothers,” Whitely said. “I just love the feeling of one last time with them, coming out and showcasing what we can do on the field.”

BSH’s Mann also lined up exclusively on the offensive side of the field as a tight end despite also proving to be a menace on the defensive line for the Knights during his senior season. The two-time first team All-State Knight finished his final season at BSH with 28 receptions, 436 yards and four touchdowns.

It’s hard to think of a better send-off event for these senior football stars, who now close out a thrilling chapter in their football careers with the proper recognition of being some of the best in the game in Richmond.

Autry also qualified with an excellent finish in the 100-yard butterfly event in which she finished with a time of 1:07.37.

The boys swimmers also left

SwimRVA with some Powhatan history under their belts, becoming the first team in school history to to have a relay qualify for finals for the Hawk meet.

In the 200-yard medley relay featuring Malkerson, junior Nathan Orban, sophomore Christopher Naoroz and junior Brandon Vallent, the Powhatan swimmers worked together for a 13th place finish that was just behind their preliminary time of 1:54.50 with a finals finish that clocked in at 1:55.06.

Later in the 200-yard freestyle relay featuring all four of those swimmers yet again, they finished with a time of 1:43.30 in the finals with a preliminary time of 1:41.45.

As a team, the Indians combined for a score of 114 points at the end of the invitational, which placed them in 17th among the 21 competing teams. The girls team accounted for 37 of those points while the boys finished with 77. Western Albemarle had the most total points at the end of the meet with 1,753 points, 640 points higher than second place finisher Blacksburg High School. Cosby rounded out the top-3 with 1,082 points, making them the last team to reach over 1,000 team points during the meet.

With winter break approaching, Powhatan gets some time to celebrate a hard-fought effort at the Hanover Hawks Holiday Swim Invitational and look ahead to competing the rest of the season as they aim to make an impact in regionals and, hopefully, the VHSL Class 4 state championships.

robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Bounces

From B1

home. Two days after that, it’s a crucial road test against the L.C Bird Skyhawks, who sit in third place in the district with a 4-1 record. The Indians can use their time off to rest up before that stretch of games and prepare for the second half of the season that’ll throw even more big tests their way.

robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Wrestling

From B1

they can trust in me, and that’s how we can get all of us moving together as a group,” Proffitt said. Proffitt was one of seven Powhatan wrestlers to win by a pin, many of which came within the first period of play. After freshman Brady Beard won the 106-pound matchup in just 56 seconds, he was quickly beat in terms of quickness by Sanchez in the very next event, as she won the 113-pound event in just 36 seconds.

Talon Harness, Gavin Utley, Proffitt and Preston Ritz all followed the quick start up with pins of their own, all of which came within that first and only period. Utley managed to get his opponent on his back with just a second left in the first period, making his battle the closest of the four, while Harness took just over a minute and Ritz captured his victory in 22 seconds.

As the team took complete control over those first handful of matches, the crowd was fired up for every pin like it was the most important one of the night. Proffitt says the crowd’s energy was one of the things that made it such a special night.

“This was the most filled our stands have ever been, and I think the whole way through we were able to keep all of our guys behind every person that was out on the mat,” Proffitt said.

The night was also an opportunity for the team to honor Kieran Hathaway, a beloved member of the team who passed away on Jan. 2, 2022. Hathaway’s passion for wrestling and for his teammates has resonated within the team since his passing, and people who were close to him like Proffitt felt senior night was just another way to remember him and what he means to the Powhatan community.

“Tonight just felt like a great way to honor him one last time at home before we get into the postseason,” Proffitt said.

For a team that has emphasized its togetherness that is akin to a family atmosphere, using senior night as a chance to also honor someone as vital to that family aspect as Hathaway was a must for the Indians entering their meeting with the Generals.

“He’s a person that we keep close to our hearts; we’re just trying to dedicate the season to him,” Tanaka said. “He’s a kid that we all were around so much, and him and Britton were really close. We were super happy to have Kieran’s mom Carter here so we can support and recognize her as well.”

After that memorable senior night, the Indians were quick to compete again two days later at the Mechanicsville Holiday Classic held in the Mustangs’ gym.

Last year, the Indians finished fifth at the Holiday Classic, and were close to that result this time with a sixth place finish that saw Harness, Utley, Proffitt and Luke Wells finish with second place finishes in their respective classes. Beard also placed fourth in the 106-pound bracket and Davis placed fifth in the 190-pound bracket to help with Powhatan’s team score.

The Indians now get a nice break after the Holiday Classic, with their next contest coming on Jan. 6 to 7 when they travel to Bristol, Tennessee for the Bill Brimer Brawl.

robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Powhatan’s swim team competed at the Hanover Hawks Holiday swim Invitational on dec. 17.

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER sophomore guard emma Terry (2) drives on a James river defender in Powhatan’s home loss to the rapids on dec. 13. Two days later, the Indians defeated the caroline cavaliers in a 56-25 road matchup.

PHOTOS BY ROBBY FLETCHER

Powhatan senior Landon Gibbs (6) gets low and makes a tackle for the south team.

blessed sacrament-Huguenot’s david mann blocks on the line as a tight end.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Powhatan swimmers cole malkerson, christopher naoroz, brandon Vallent and nathan Orban competed together in multiple relay events at the Hawk Invitational.

Park.Thesiteaddressis1595StandingRidgeDr.,located southofAndersonHighway (Rt.60)and approximately0.3miles west oftheChesterfield/PowhatanCountyline.Thesubjectpropertyconsists of3.4acres.The2021Long-RangeComprehensive Plandesignatesthe subjectpropertyasGatewayBusiness.. Themeetingmaybewatchedlive by visitinghttp://powhatanva.gov/432/ Live-Stream-of-Powhatan-County-Meetings.

AllPlanningCommissionmeetingsareopentothepublicandinterested personsareencouragedto attendonthedayandtimespecified above. Copiesoftheproposedplans,ordinances,andamendmentsmaybe reviewedintheDepartmentofCommunityDevelopmentinthe PowhatanCountyAdministrationBuilding(3834OldBuckingham Road)between8:30AMand5:00PMofeach businessday. Copies ofstaffreportsareavailablepriortothePublicHearingupon request andwillbe availableonline at least five (5)dayspriortothemeeting at http://powhatanva.gov/agendacenter.Please call(804)598-5621with anyquestions.

The Williams and schollaert families shop together.

bb armitage, left, and ashly Kochensparger sell goods at the Knitts by babbs & co table

PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND rose bowling paints the face of adrienne Vassar while mom Jeanine and sister natalie watch.

coordinator Jayne Lloyd, right, tells marie Hendrix about community matters.

Women’s club of Powhatan members sell baked goods.

christmas mother volunteers sell the 2022 sweatshirt.

rotar y club of Powhatan members man their table.

boy scout Troop 1823 holds a fundraiser to raise money for sea base, a high adventure camp.

during the Powhatan christmas Parade on dec. 10, vendors and local youth and civic groups set up on the cour thouse Green to sell holiday crafts and baked goods and raise funds.