Mecklenburg County Schools, Local Area Businesses, and Community Volunteers Receive 2008 Creating Excellence Award

L-R – Lin Hite, Marketing Teacher, Bob McKay – Verizon Center, Paul Lehman-Clarksville Economic Development Association, Stephanie Carter – Business Teacher, Natalie Coronas – CTE Coordinator, Chrystal Harris – Business Teacher, Betty Duckworth – Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership, Ben Burchett – Sea Systems Group Inc., Jerry Glass – American Power Boat Association, and Lou Zarelli – Community Volunteer & Retired Racer (pictured with Jason Clark – Department of Education Program Specialist, Office of Career and Technical Education Services) were named as the Region 8 winner of the Creating Excellence in Career & Technical Education Program (Group Category).  They won this award because of a school-wide marketing program showcasing the school’s programs to the Virginia Welcome Center in Bracey, Virginia. ( Picture courtesy of Ed Demerel, Department of Education.)  

     The Virginia Department of Education recently recognized several area teachers, organizations, and individuals by presenting them with the 2008 Creating Excellence Award for Region 8 for their participation in the Mecklenburg County Public Schools Boat Building Community Collaboration Project.

     Students in Mecklenburg County Public Schools partnered with members from the community to participate in the 2007 Clarksville Dominion Hydroplane Challenge by building five J-stock hydroplane boats from kits provided by the American Power Boat Association.  Students built the boats under the direction of several teachers and community volunteers and then the boats became property of the American Power Boat Association.  Students in the Marketing & Business departments at Bluestone High School and Park View High School designed team logos and decals that were placed on the boats and on team t-shirts.  Students participated in this project on many different levels from construction, to racing, product design, and marketing and they were included in the project from start to finish.

      The project participants received this award because the project brought many individuals, organizations, and businesses together and students were able to learn how valuable community partnerships are to their success and the success of the schools.  Students also were able to see that everyone has a vested interest in their futures.

     Members who participated in the project included:

Carol Brown – Southside Marine

Clarksville Economic Development Association

Lake Country Rotary Club

Howerton Antique Reproductions

Sea Systems Group Inc. – Rick McKinney & Ben Burchett

American Power Boat Association – Jerry Glass

Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership – Betty Duckworth

Bluestone Middle School – Mona Rainey

Verizon Center – Bob McKay

Buggs Island Dock Service – Mike Denton

Mecklenburg County Public Schools – Mark Ecker, Todd Muller, Chrystal Harris, Stephanie Carter, Joseph Kuhn, Lin Hite, Ann Redd, Danny Pittard, James Massingill, Natalie Coronas, Sandra Jewell

Billy Crowder – Community Volunteer, Retired MCPS Technology Teacher

Lou Zarelli – Community Volunteer, Retired Racer