August 31, 2018

Flag Presentation

On August 22, 2018, Danville Chapter 15 WoodmenLife Representative Robert Clowdis presented an American flag to George Washington High School in memory of late WoodmenLife Member Bobby Lee Johnson, who passed away on July 22, 2018. Athletic Coordinator, Jonathan Fain, and Johnson’s granddaughter, Charlotte J. Melton, a secretary at GW, accepted the flag for the school. The new flag will be on display in the school’s gymnasium. Pictured below, left to right, is Robert Clowdis, Charlotte Melton, and Jonathan Fain.

Ms. Culley Goes to Germany

Representatives from DPS (Joyce Culley, Coordinator of Career and Technical Eduation), Pittsylvania County, the National Fund, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, and the State Department for Workforce Development, traveled to Germany to tour various industries that focused on apprenticeship programs. Joyce brought back lots of wonderful stories and workforce ideas for our CTE programs. Pictured below are the representatives who made the trip. In the first picture below, Joyce is located 3rd from the right. In the second picture, she is located 2nd from the left. Thanks for the chocolate, Joyce!

Accolades for Coach J

Coach Harry Johnson was recognized at halftime of the GW-Dan River football game on August 17, 2018. Coach Johnson was an educator in the Danville Public Schools for 24 years as well as the GWHS Head Basketball Coach for 19 years. In 1996, Coach Johnson lead the Eagles to an undefeated season and State Championship! He will also be recognized at the September 6, 2018, School Board meeting. This 'ole girl from the Class of '83 loved Coach J. Such a gentle soul who only wanted the best for his students and student/athletes. We love you, Coach.

Trolley Tour Highlights Danville for New Teachers

Thanks to Corrie Teague Bobe from the City of Danville's Office of Economic Development for the informative tour she gave our DPS teachers who are new to Danville. The group toured the Downtown and Tobacco Warehouse Historic Districts, as well as the Danville Science Center, where the group saw previews from upcoming features in the Digital Dome. Some of our newest teachers on the tour were from Alaska, Rhode Island, New York, Pittsburg, and Brazil. Such diversity teaching our best and brightest! They are indeed "Special" as the trolley sign indicates. Corrie Teague Bobe is in the photo on the left.

NJROTC Leadership Academy Graduates

The GWHS NJROTC Unit sent 10 cadets to Summer Leadership Training (SLT) this year at Camp Bud Schiele Boy Scout Reservation located near Rutherfordton, NC from 7/30 to 8/2. SLT is designed to increase their leadership and team building skills by participating in activities that emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and confidence i.e., rappelling, zip line, high and low COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience Course), building rope bridges, etc. The cadets are expected to return to their home units and put their leadership skills to good use. “Our cadets did a phenomenal job during all aspects of their training and they came back home motivated and ready to charge into the new school year," stated LCDR Frank Hitt, the Senior Naval Science Instructor at GW. "I am very proud of them! We would like to acknowledge the American Legion Post #1097, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 647, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4420, and the Danville Public Schools Career and Technical Educational program for their generous donation that made this training possible.”

See below for the graduation photo. The names of the cadets are from left to right.

First row: J’Niah Barton

Second Row: Tyreke Poole, Courtney Chipps, Rianiah Graves, Dymonique Williams, Jamilia Canada

Third Row: Logan Rigney, Kalil Abel, Jaden Carter, Billy Smith

Ruby B. Archie Library Dedication

Members of the community gathered at the Danville Public Library to honor Ruby B. Archie, a longtime elected official, educator, and former Mayor of the city of Danville. Ms. Archie was the only woman to serve as Mayor and the library is the first city building to be named after a woman. She taught at DPS for 37 years and headed the English Department at both GW and Langston high schools. Pictured below: Sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha along with Rev. Thurmond Echols, Mayor Alonzo Jones, Vice Mayor Lee Vogler, and a crowd of current/retired educators gathered to celebrate. When you think back on teachers and mentors who made a difference in the lives of others I know that Mrs. Archie will be mentioned many, many times. She is definitely on my list!

Don Robertson Honored by Danville City Council

Don Robertson, longtime voice of the George Washington High School Eagles, was honored Friday night, August 24, 2018, with a proclamation from Danville, Virginia city leaders during halftime at the first football game of the season. Present for the proclamation was Mayor Alonzo Jones, Danville School Board member Tyquan Graves, and Danville City Councilmen Adam Tomer, Dr. Gary Miller, Larry Campbell, and James Buckner. This was Don's last game of broadcasting. Thanks Don, we will miss you in the booth! Below photos are courtesy of Matt Bell.