“Spoiled brats” are a blessing
0Trump supporters have called anti-Trump protesters “spoiled brats.” We have elected a braggart, a bigot, and a bully, and he is the real spoiled brat. After a devastating loss, I find comfort in the future generation of voters. My grandchildren, now teenagers, work hard in school. They face challenges and set backs just as every generation of young people has. They also face a future where a high school diploma does not equal a good-paying manufacturing job and college is an invitation to years of student loan debt. They don’t blame immigrants, Muslims, or the media. They know they live…
Chesterfield County teachers win seven of 16 R.E.B. awards
0Chesterfield County teachers won seven of this year’s R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. The annual awards program, which is a partnership between the Community Foundation and the R.E.B. Foundation, recognizes excellence in public education by awarding cash grants to outstanding public school teachers in central Virginia. This year, 102 teachers were nominated by students, parents, and colleagues, and 34 of those nominees became finalists. From the finalists, 16 winners were chosen to receive grants of $8,100 to $12,000 that will provide learning opportunities during the adventure of a lifetime. The 18 finalists not chosen for a professional development grant will…
Annual Miracle of Christmas performances scheduled Dec. 21-23
0Celebrate the spirit of the season with your family and friends during the 14th Annual Miracle of Christmas, live at the Metro Richmond Zoo. Attend the reenactment of the Christmas story presented with live animals and set against a period-appropriate backdrop with cast members recreating events that took place more than 2,000 years ago. The average annual attendance exceeds 10,000 from the Greater Richmond area. Dates for the event are Dec. 21, 22, and 23. There will be three shows each evening: 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:15. The 20-minute pageant is preceded by musical…
Bensley Elementary named National Title I Distinguished School
0Bensley Elementary School has been named a National Title I Distinguished School based on its sustained academic excellence. This is the second time in 14 years that Bensley Elementary has achieved this prestigious recognition, marking only the sixth time that a Virginia school has earned this national honor more than once. Bensley Elementary was selected for the honor again based on exceptional student performance for two consecutive years. The school’s 2015-16 pass rates on state-mandated standardized tests are 90 percent in English, 92 percent in math, 99 percent in social studies, and 91 percent in science. Bensley obtained full state…
Two Chesterfield County Public Schools students win Virginia War Memorial 2016 Veterans Day Essay Contest
0Two Chesterfield County Public Schools students won the Virginia War Memorial 2016 Veterans Day Essay Contest, and the students both read their winning essays at the Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11 at the Virginia War Memorial. The winner for the middle school category is Jordan Bowe, an eighth-grade student at Matoaca Middle, who wrote an essay titled “Could You Walk in Their Boots.” The high school category winner is Lauren Faherty, an 11th-grade student at Manchester High who wrote “My Family’s Love of America.” The essay contest was open to all public, private, and homeschooled middle and high school students…
Skyhawks’ Jyles Webster to play for Concord University
0By Josh Mathews The bigger they are, the harder they ball. Jyles Webster stands 6-6 and weighs 215 pounds and that’s not even the most impressive thing about him; his deceptive court speed and athleticism are comparable to that of a point guard.The Skyhawks are a highly renowned basketball team in the RVA area, and Webster plays a big role. He has an incredible range of abilities on the court, and his constant effort has been rewarded him with an offer to play basketball at the next level. The forward has recently decided that he will take his gifts to…
FOOTBALL RECAPS: State playoffs
0Highland Springs 34 L.C. Bird 20 By Josh Mathews As Highland Springs started its defense of the 5A state title, the team knew it would take a complete effort on both sides of the football. That’s what the Springers made against the visiting L.C. Bird. Senior quarterback Juwan Carter led the offense, passing for two touchdowns and running for two more, while the Highland Springs defense forced four second-half turnovers. The Springers toppled the Skyhawks 34-20 at Victor Kreiter Stadium Saturday afternoon. Highland Springs 34 L.C. Bird 20 “They [the defense] kept their heads in the game and didn’t get…
Dogpound football positions
0Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of Dogpound football. Some time ago I predicted that this little side show where players kneeled on one knee during the playing of the national anthem would expand to other areas…and as usual [pat on the back] the Pack was dead on. Just recently another football player decided he was going to “sit” to protest the election of Trump as president. [Guess he will be sitting a long time…like years.] So I present the following look into the near future of pre-game football. “Well Sam, it is another beautiful Sunday afternoon for…