Culpeper has A Robust Education System

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Monday Article

September 22, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

Last week our Lead Culpeper participants were immersed in Education.  The group started the session at Eastern View High School.  It was deja vu for many and a distant memory for others. The session began  with a presentation by Dr. Bobbi Johnson, Superintendent, followed by a tour of the facility by Randi Richards-Lutz, Career and Technical Administrator.  The general take away was “Wow, they didn’t have this when I was in high school!”  A few of us were ready to sit in on a class or two.

We boarded a school bus to make our way to Pearl Sample Elementary.  Kristin Williams, Principal, and Assistant Principal, Andrea Kilby, welcomed us into their school.  We were treated to lunch and a very informative talk from Greg Beamer, Director of Food Services.  He spoke of the challenges faced with feeding the school population and remaining within the guidelines set forth by the National Lunch Program.  Our meals were tasty and nutritionally balanced. While we ate, scores of young children paraded by our group.  Their little faces seemed happy and eager to learn.  Our tour of Pearl Sample took us past rows of neatly hung backpacks and walls lined with students’ works of art.  It was a happy place - a setting conducive to learning.

Upon our return to EVHS, Chuck Gyory and Mike Dale spoke to us about Career Partners and the program E Squared.  The importance of the collaboration between business and education created by this long standing program, demands recognition.  Many volunteer hours have been given in the development of E Squared - a program designed to take a team of students through the process of successful entrepreneurship.  E Squared alumni, Emily Ray and Mitchell Luckinbill, spoke to us about the demands of the curriculum and the rewards of completion.  It was refreshing to hear young adults speak so articulately and passionately.  

We concluded the session with presentations from Germanna Community College’s Dr. Ann Woolford, VP of Academic Affairs & Student Services, and Ben Sherman, Business & Career Coordinator.  Both spoke on various programs offered through Germanna, all with the goal of offering affordable secondary education and workforce development training opportunities for our businesses.

Culpeper is fortunate to have this robust education system.  It is poised to offer our residents many opportunities and choices for education.  Education is the lifeblood of a community.  It may be cliche to say the future is in their hands - but how else can it be described?  Without a stellar education system, our chances to attract business and industry are diminished.  It is important that we all recognize the need to support our educational system and the educators.  After all, they are our first line of defense for a healthy future.