Watson made the tearful announcement to a visibly emotional board at last week’s regular School Board meeting.

Chairman John F. Axselle III accepted Watson’s letter of resignation, and expressed regret that such a stalwart of the school district will be absent from the panel.

“I would classify you as an education evangelist,” Axselle said. “Your family’s gain is Hanover’s loss.”

Dr. Jamelle Wilson hinted Watson’s shoes would be hard to fill. “Sue has a passion for children. She has a passion for music. She has a passion for people and that translates in to her care and commitment for teachers. Sue has a heart for people.”

Watson said she came to this difficult decision after long and careful consideration, and expressed a desire to spend more time with her friends and family.

She also plans to devote more time to the projects she loves the most, like the Ashland Musical Variety Show.

Watson’s voice will remain strong in Hanover’s education community. “I hope to use the years of experience working with outstanding educators, parents, citizens, business and political leaders and students to continue to be an advocate for quality public education,” she said.

Watson was one of the longest serving School Board members in the state, and she was the first woman on Hanover’s School Board when she was appointed in 1976.

A lot has changed since then. “Make no mistake about it. Today, Hanover County Public Schools are second to none,” Watson said in her statement at the end of the May 8 meeting.

Watson reinforced her belief in the importance of public education and applauded Hanover citizens for setting the education bar high and not accepting less.

“Those of us who have been fortunate to serve as School Board members in Hanover recognize that our community has high standards and that our citizens turn to us to meet and exceed those standards year after year,” Watson said.

Her colleagues on the board offered their good wishes and sincere regrets after Watson completed her comments.

Chickahominy District representative Robert L. Hundley Jr. said Watson burst the bubble on the idea of term limits. “There are times when people think that something should only be done for a certain period of time and then stepping aside. I can’t imagine anyone being more committed to a cause than you have been for the past 36 years, and it’s truly an inspiration for me.”

Watson cited her biggest success as the evolution of Hanover education into a diverse and varied system that fits the needs of all students.

“I am most proud of how our school district has invested its resources wisely to teach all of the children it has served. A public school system ideally does just that,” she said.

She voiced a concern for the politicization of public school policy. “Our nation and state have become sadly polarized on the value and quality of public education. At a time when public schools face more mandates and testing requirements, millions of dollars are being cut from school budgets each year.”

Rodney L. Gentry, 38, of the 6100 block of Retreat Hill Lane in Mechanicsville was arrested by investigators with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. He is out on bond and will be arraigned at a later date in Hanover County General District Court.

Gentry was arrested as a result of an investigation into his role as the treasurer of the Henry VFD. He had held the office for more than three years.

According to Sgt. Chris R. Whitley, further investigation into the extent of the embezzlement is ongoing and is being done with the full cooperation of the Henry Volunteer Fire Department and Hanover Fire/EMS administration.

For the 13th year, the Rotary Club hosted Casino Night on March 10, with a turnout of about 420 at American Legion Post 175 in Mechanicsville.

Bret Atwood, who chaired this year’s Casino Night, said the Rotary Club of Mechanicsville is the “largest single non-public supporter” of Hanover Safe Place. With the help of corporate sponsors, he said the club is able to raise awareness for domestic violence in Hanover County through the fundraiser.

A black-tie event, Casino Night runs for five hours, featuring silent auctions, live auctions and table games.

This year, Casino Night raised $28,162.42 for Hanover Safe Place, which is located in Ashland.

“It takes the entire club and community to put this together,” Atwood said. Six months of planning go into successfully bringing Casino Night to fruition.

“We’re looking forward to next year already,” Atwood added. “We’d like to expand the event.” Working closely with Atwood is John Monacell, the past chair.

Casino Night’s support of Hanover Safe Place, Atwood said, shows the Rotary Club’s “commitment to making Hanover County a safer place.”

Recognized for their sponsorships of Casino Night were: Tuckaway Child Development and Battlefield Commons, silver; Sklar Technology Partners, exclusive VIP gaming; Alexander Insurance Services, Village Bank, Richmond Gastroenterology Associates (Hanover), Atwood’s Printing, Marty’s Grill and Fox 35 in Richmond, bronze; Long & Foster, Phil Kersey, TAW Construction and Tim Amos, complete horse race; Allen & Allen, Andrew J. Michael M.D., Atwood’s Printing, CodeBlue Technology, Dr. Charles W. Harrill, Freed & Shepherd, Friends of Trip Chalkley, Power Installations, Rue & Associates, Union Bank and VA Oral & Facial Surgery, gaming table; Rotary Club of Mechanicsville, cooler o’ fun; Angela Kelly-Wiecek, Barre Y Lane Communications, BB&T, Board of Supervisors (retired), Canova Peterson, Charles and Cynthia Riedlinger, Hanover County Public Schools special education teachers, It’s A Breeze, Joseph Elrod Jr. DDS, Moncure Insurance Agency, Retina Institute of VA, Yount, Hyde & Barbour CPA, Richard Start Sr. and Sen. Ryan McDougle.

While traveling back and forth to the country music capital, the 18-year-old graduated from Hanover High School last year, using online schooling to complete his courses. 

He grew up near Hanover Courthouse and considers himself a country boy whose passions are “huntin’ and fishin.’ ”

While Nashville is a stark contrast to Hanover, Lawhorn said Music City is where he needs to be to further his career.

“And, so, yeah, it’s definitely crazy seeing that concrete jungle,” Lawhorn said. “But I mean I gotta do what I gotta do to get it done and there’s no way around . . . moving there because I have to be there and be in the circle.”

Lawhorn plays a six-string guitar and a five-string banjo.

“I’ve been singing ever since I was a little kid, but I started playing the guitar when I was like 12 or 13, or something like that,” Lawhorn said before opening for country music artist Craig Campbell on Friday, May 4, at the Hat Factory in Richmond.

Lawhorn said he got a break about two years ago when he was discovered on YouTube by country music producer Jerry Stover.

Lawhorn’s record label is Average Joe’s Entertainment and he has released a single, “Sittin’ on a Tailgate.” He also has a song on iTunes, “Answer to No One.”

His style is a blend of different kinds of music. “It’s got a lot of heavy blues in there,” Lawhorn said. “It’s country, but it’s got a lot of heavy blues just because that’s the kind of style that I sing. I classify it as a mix between like Outlaw Country and Southern Rock.”

Lawhorn said he listens to a lot of old country artists like Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams Sr., because “I believe that, in anything, if you forget where you come from, how can you remember who you are.”

Lawhorn also likes the blues and singer Stevie Ray Vaughan and bluegrass and the group SteelDrivers.

“I mean, I have influences from any genre of music that I like,” Lawhorn said. “More and more along the lines of good music. Not so much as a genre, because I feel like good music shouldn’t be bound by genres.”

Lawhorn said he is often asked how he gets the ideas for the songs he writes.

“And I’m like, ‘Well, dude, like I don’t write songs that I don’t know nothing about . . .,” Lawhorn said. “And every single one of my songs is straight out of my life.”

Lawhorn wears cowboy boots and a baseball cap on backwards.

He also wears a cross on a necklace around his neck.

“Yes, sir, I’m a Christian,” Lawhorn said. “I was raised up in church ever since I was a kid and, yeah, man, I have a firm belief in the good Lord.”

Lawhorn said he knows that the road to success will not be easy.

“You know, I’m in it for the long run and I believe that after I build a firm fan base that it’s going to take off,” Lawhorn said. “But, it takes time and . . . a lot of determination.”

Success to Lawhorn is not necessarily selling millions of records or filling up stadiums with thousands of people.

“But if I can write one song that touches somebody in a way where they can say, ‘I really relate to that,’ or ‘That really hits home for me,’ that’s being successful,” Lawhorn said.

As evidenced by the raucous response he received from the crowd during his show at the Hat Factory, Lawhorn appears well on his way to touching people’s souls.

“. . . If I can just change someone’s life or affect someone’s life in a positive way, then — even if I don’t end up being some huge, crazy success — you know I’ll still feel like I’m successful man because I love where I come from and I wasn’t ever even going to think about doing something like this until it kind of just fell out in front of me,” Lawhorn said. “So I’d be just as happy, you know, back home living a country boy’s life.”

The Mechanicsville resident recently took part in RVA Fashion Week at the Hippodrome Theatre in Richmond. The experience proved to be a major motivation for the “I do everything myself” designer.

Operating as J Carpentier, Jennifer said her early sketches stemmed from ideas she had after shopping. “I had an outfit that I wanted to buy when I went shopping. I thought it existed, but it didn’t — I had in mind what I wanted,” she said.

Back then, her designs — from the standpoint of sewing — centered on bathing suits. “I’d buy one pieces and make two pieces, or I was creative with small things like that. I would cut up old outfits and just change them up.”

These days, she describes her style as “classy, sexy, fashionista.”

“Basically, my style is for the professional woman.” She wants to be distinctive — “just not go too out there. I feel like I grab a little bit for everyone in my stuff.”

“The collection I just created is a fall/winter 2012-2013 collection,” she said. In the next three to six months, she plans to have designs ready for purchase. “I’m just finalizing, making everything perfect at this point.”

She also is looking “to reach out to boutiques in the area to carry some of my stuff.”

Participating in the fashion show inspired Jennifer to pursue her own line. “I want to go ahead full force into it. I’ve already got the motivation to go there, and I think it’s going to go really well. I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people at the show who saw my work.”

For RVA Fashion Week, Jennifer had 12 “looks” and about 20 different pieces. While working with manufacturers, she said she envisions adding to a design and accessorizing.

In an industry known for thin models, Jennifer said her sample size is 6. “It is a contemporary clothing line, so I will be going towards the demographics age 24 to 50.” She is targeting “the professional woman that likes to dress stylish.” She said her designs range from day wear to night wear to evening wear.

As a designer, Jennifer said she considers a woman’s curves a plus. A model she saw in a recent show wore fashions that “took advantage of her shape.”

“I like dressing for the real woman, because I’m no a stick figure myself,” Jennifer added.

A 2002 graduate of Longwood University, Jennifer took what some would call the sensible route after completing her degree. “I fell into a job at a government agency.” She said she is “an overachiever” and accepted a position as a proposal manager. That work included “a very demanding lifestyle. I decided I wanted to change, so went I home to clean out my closet and I found my notebook of all my designs.”

She said she knew she needed a change, but she didn’t know what direction she wanted to take. “I was looking at the books,” she recalled and decided,  “I’m gonna go to fashion school I did a lot of research.”

After organizing a portfolio, Jennifer toured the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. A few weeks later, “I was moving to LA by myself. I left a good job, took a huge risk.”

Since she already had a bachelor’s degree, her program was 15 months. “It was very demanding, long hours, lots of projects. I went in there not even knowing how to draw.” She said she wondered, “How am I gonna do patterns?”

“Before the program I didn’t understand all the processes that go into design.” She said she discovered the process is “very technical, a lot of measurements, specifics.” She said there is “so much more work than people realize. It’s much harder, it’s not all glamor as they make it seem.”

In 2008, she received a Professional Designation Degree in Fashion Design from FIDM.

Since then, she has designed for Scala Eveningwear, BG Haute, and Ludus Athletics. She was a vice president at Ludus.

As she prepared for RVA Fashion Week, Jennifer said she was “locked in my house. I go to work and play volleyball. One night a week I play volleyball. I’ve been selling and making patterns.” She also said she was “looking forward to a weekend just so I can breathe.”

In November, Jennifer started on her illustrations and preparing collections for a Dec. 4 casting call. “Two weeks later, they called and said I was selected to be one of the designers.” The process, she said is “very selective, especially with the VCU student design program,” and those students wanting to participate. “They picked about 11 designers, along with 10 boutiques.”

From a marketing perspective, Jennifer said she has started reaching out to manufacturers. She said she wants her designs to be “high quality, so I’m very particular. Being a perfectionist, I want everything to be perfect.”

She said her collection, J. Carpentier, “is inspired by the strong independent, fashionable woman who is not defined by how she looks – she is defined by her attitude: assertive, sexy and stylish. She is captivating, chic and exudes confidence.”

Jennifer said her line “is a contemporary collection, including casual to sophisticated daywear and eveningwear. This collection embodies a mix of around-the-clock lifestyle separates, including dresses that range from chic, fashion-right day dresses to out-on-the-town styles and special event options.”

Mechanicsville has been home to the designer for two years.

She bought a house here and plans to retain her residence as she pursues her career goal.

“But I plan on building my company.” She said she realizes she will have to travel to establish her design work, “but I don’t think I’ll relocate.”

Jennifer landed in Mechanicsville thanks to her identical twin sister, Mindy Carpenter. “I came here looking at a house with my sister. I fell in love with the floor plan of her house. Our real estate agent is from Mechanicsville and she found the same floor plan as my sister.”

With a smile, Jennifer said, “Being the typical twins, it’s kind of random — we didn’t mean to do it at all.”

She decided to use J Carpentier since that is the spelling of her family’s last name on the family crest. The Carpentiers hailed from England and Ireland.

While she pursues a career in design, Jennifer continues to work as a proposal manager for Logistics Solutions Group.

“Two totally different worlds, but I do it all,” she said. “My day job,” she said, “pays my bills and allows me to pursue my other ventures.”

Jennifer will have a website, www.jcarpentier.com, online soon.

For more information, including personal designs or mentoring, Jennifer Carpenter can be contacted at jennifer@carpentier.com.

Photos submitted by Jennifer Carpenter
These three designs were among the 12 “looks” Jennifer Carpenter recently had on the runway of RVA Fashion Week.

Robertson pleaded guilty last Wednesday in Hanover County Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting Jyreffe Patrick Clark on Dec. 17. In exchange for Robertson’s plea, a charge of using a firearm in a felony was dismissed.

Sentencing was set for July 25.

Robertson, who was 17 at the time of the offense but has since turned 18, wept openly while sitting at the defense table during Wednesday’s hearing as authorities summed up their case against him. They said he was the person who shot Clark and orchestrated an effort to cover up the shooting and then remove Clark’s body from Robertson’s home in the 6400 block of Lark Way near Mechanicsville.

Co-defendants Laquan Tullis and Michael Thompson, 18, both pleaded guilty to being accessories after the fact. Tullis has finished serving a jail sentence in the case and Thompson, who appealed a conviction in Hanover Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, is to be sentenced in Hanover Circuit Court in July.

The shooting of Clark, who aspired to become a musician, occurred during a boisterous video re-creation of a music video titled “Get rich or Die Tryin’ ” by rapper 50 Cent. A gun in Robertson’s home failed to fire when the trigger was first pulled but then fired when Robertson took the weapon, striking Clark in the back of the head.

All three young men attended Lee-Davis.

Clark’s body was not discovered until the next day when a neighbor found it near a fenceline in a nearby field. The defendants admitted their involvement after being confronted by police, who found a trail of blood leading back to Robertson’s home.

That’s how Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-4, opened his remarks last week at the Hanover Association of Businesses and Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Seminar.

He was joined by Delegates John A. Cox, R-55, and Christopher K. Peace, R-97, in updating members on the recent session.

McDougle said legislators had just completed a session when they tackled redistricting. He previously was Hanover County’s lone senator. He now shares the responsibilities with Senators Walter A. Stosch, R-12, and Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D- 9.

He called the change “very substantive. Some of us were not very pleased how that process went about.” He said it was “very partisan, Democrat-controlled.”

The redistricting, McDougle said, left the Senate “being 20/20 evenly split.” Some issues, including appointing or re-electing judges and passing revenue expenditures in the budget require 21 votes.

While in session, the senator said legislators “look at close to 3,000 different issues.”

He also said voters will be able to cast ballots regarding eminent domain in a Constitutional amendment in the Nov. 6 General Election. He said the amendment is about “protecting your property rights.”

“We did some things that affected the economy and what we can do from the legislative side to help small businesses,” McDougle said. Technology and investment tax credits, “things that will actually spur jobs,” were among measures addressed.

“Virginia has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Southeast,” he added.

According to McDougle, the No. 1 item they do as legislators is pass the budget. “We do that every two years.” This year, he continued, saw “the most inclusive [budget] document we’ve ever created on the Senate side.”

Citing partisan politics, McDougle said, “The legislative process that we’ve been through the last 16 months has been more political.”

He did say that it had been a session “that has been more impressive. We’ve gotten more things done for the economy, how we do jobs, make decisions.”

“We are part-time citizen legislators,” Cox told the group at Islamorada at Bass Pro Shops in Ashland. The “junior” member of the county delegation, Cox has been in the House of Delegates for three years.

He termed the recent session as “contentious, certainly on the Senate side. We’re blessed that House Republicans control 68 of the 100 seats in the House of Delegates.”

With the 20/20 split in the Senate, Cox said Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling can break a tie, but he cannot vote on judges and the budget.

“Our main charge in what we call the long session – even number years. It’s 60 days and our primary responsibility is to pass a budget. But not just a budget. Unlike what they do in Washington [D.C.], we’re required to pass a balanced budget. We did that without raising your taxes.”

Cox talked about the “significant changes” the General Assembly made in the Virginia Retirement System. “We were very aware that we were not going to affect any of our current employees. Those new employees who come on after January 2013 will have to make their own contribution to their retirement, similar to what my employees do with their 401(k) plan at Cox Transportation.”

“Small businesses drive our economy. That’s what’s going to bring jobs back to the Commonwealth,” he added.

Peace continued Cox’s theme with partisan politics, saying, “Virginia works a lot better than the other side of the Potomac [River]. There is a broken system in Washington that is hurling us to oblivion.”

“I understand how important business is to our community,” he said. “We’re the No. 1 state in America for business. We’re the best state to earn a living. We are the best state to raise a family.”

“We need to be vigilant to be sustainable,” Peace said. “At this point, we’re seeing increases in revenue. I still believe housing is ground zero in economic recovery.”

Referring to this year’s session and budget talks, Peace said, “It was business first, jobs and the economy.”

He also invited the business and community leaders to contact their delegation with ideas for legislation. “Take your good ideas and make them into law.”

Sean Davis, Henry District representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, and Dr. Jamelle Wilson, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, also attended the chamber breakfast.

Michael Gladstone, president, presided over the breakfast, which was held on Tuesday, May 1. The monthly event is sponsored by Village Bank.

The NJROTC program at Lee-Davis is one of 18 units among 65 programs in Area 5 that earned the award this year.

Area 5 consists primarily of NJROTC units in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, according to Tyler Billups, a senior chief petty officer in the Lee-Davis unit.

Debra F. Rogers, Senior Naval Science instructor at Lee-Davis and a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, said the Distinguished Unit Award is based on academics, community service, competitions, field trips and more.

A detail report is prepared and submitted to the Navy for evaluation and a score is given for each NJROTC unit, she said.

The NJROTC program “is a great venue to teach kids patriotism and community service . . .,” Rogers added.

An 18-year-old senior at Lee-Davis, Tyler said he enjoys the camaraderie of the unit and watching the cadets grow. He also said that receiving the Distinguished Unit Award means more respect for the NJROTC program at Lee-Davis.

“We’ll get to go off to different competitions and people will know that Lee-Davis is one of the top schools in Area 5,” Tyler said.

Senior Terry Hewell, also 18, is the commanding officer for the Lee-Davis unit. He said there are about 100 students in grades 9 through 12 in the program.

Hewell said receiving the Distinguished Unit Award will earn the program more respect among the Lee-Davis student body.

The NJROTC unit used to be known to Lee-Davis students as the guys who wear uniforms, Hewell said.

“Now it’s like, ‘Hey, they win and they’re very successful [in] what they do,’ ” Hewell said. “So everyone’s starting to respect you more, more and more.”

The award helps to solidify the status of the NJROTC program at Lee-Davis, Rogers said.

“I think it’s great for the students, because, when I got here two years ago, we were in jeopardy of being shut down,” Rogers said.

The program was placed on probation, but rallied with support from parents and the community, who petitioned the Hanover County School Board to keep the program alive, Rogers said.

The program was recognized as the most improved unit in Area 5 last year and also was designated as the fifth-most improved unit nationally among all ROTC units, Rogers said.

The program received the Unit Achievement Award last year as well, Rogers said.

“This year we went one step higher and won Distinguished Unit, which is a really big deal from where we were two years ago almost being shut down . . .,” Rogers said.

Rogers said this year’s achievement is a testament to the cadets’ hard work, community support and the leadership of Master Chief Calvin Lawrence, who helped start the NJROTC program at Lee-Davis 12 years ago.

A 30-year Navy veteran, Lawrence commutes to Lee-Davis every day from his home in Chesapeake. The drive is worth it, Lawrence said, because he enjoys working with the cadets and watching them progress.

Some of the students come back to visit after they graduate and talk about how being in the NJROTC helps them in their lives, Lawrence said.

When NJROTC units are inspected by Navy officers, they’re held to the same standards as enlisted personnel, Lawrence said.

“The way you can tell that if it’s a sharp, good unit is by appearance,” Lawrence said. “If they’re squared away in uniform, then they know that there’s no problem as far as discipline or morale or anything.”

Rogers said the Lee-Davis unit will receive a pennant for its award and each cadet will receive a ribbon to attach to their uniform.

“A lot of people died for this uniform, so that is why it is important that we teach the cadets to wear the uniform properly, because, when they’re out in town, out in the community, folks don’t know whether they’re active duty or whether they’re cadets,” Rogers said. “So it really is important that [we] teach, train and develop them to wear the uniform the right way, to respect the uniform, to respect the individual that died for that uniform.”

In his mind, Hewell said, the Lee-Davis NJROTC unit has carried itself well and this year’s honor is symbolic of that.

“I would just like to add that I could not be more proud of the cadets,” said Hewell, who’s headed to the U.S. Marine Corps. “I’m just glad that they get something to show that their hard work paid off and that putting in true hard work and putting in all the hours was truly worth something.”

He recently had been honored by the VFW Battlefield Post 9806 in Mechanicsville. 

When the local Post sent Ladd’s nomination to the state organization, he also received that honor. 

As the VFW officers acknowledged his duty and service, Ladd was presented with a commemorative plaque recognizing the Virginia Firefighter of the Year and a Letter Of Commendation from the VFW National Headquarters. 

An excerpt from the nomination submitted on Ladd’s behalf follows: 

“Lt. Grindstaff is serving Station 3, the Eastern Hanover Fire Company. Including his youthful contributions to the American Red Cross and the YMCA (in Ohio), Ladd has participated in public service and public safety since his early teens. 

“Every day, Ladd remains focused on firefighter safety, training and fire service education, the brotherhood, and fire service traditions. Somewhat a self-appointed historian, Ladd has been called a fireman’s fireman. He constantly demonstrates a high regard for family, fire safety, outreach and public education.

“Lt. Grindstaff harbors great pride in our contribution to the Hanover County Public Schools Book Buddies program. He has a great awareness of the fire service business and industry, and is an excellent Instructor. Ladd also urges volunteering as a way to test the waters with fire service participation.”

Information submitted by Cris Leonard, Hanover County Fire/EMS volunteer membership coordinator-public relations.

Dear Chairman Axselle, Hanover School Board Members, and Dr. Wilson,

As we have discussed, please accept this letter as the official notification that I will not seek re-appointment as the Ashland District representative on the Hanover County School Board. 

After thirty-six years of service to the children and citizens of Hanover County, this clearly is a difficult and emotional moment for me; but I will leave the Board tremendously pleased with the quality and effectiveness of Hanover County Public Schools. Since l976 I have had the honor of being a part of a public school system that has continued to improve—working hard to support academic programs and professional educators’ efforts that meet the needs of every Hanover student. I leave with a deep sadness that I will no longer be a member of a policy- making body that embraces one of the most noble missions of our society—the promotion of public education. 

Thirty-six years of public sector leadership have given me the opportunity to witness first-hand the difference a strong system of public schools makes in a community, a state, and a nation. Through its history, America has relied upon its public schools to effect substantive and progressive societal change. Millions of students over generations have looked to our nation’s schools to offer every student, regardless of background, talents, interests, and abilities, the opportunity to fulfill his or her potential and become a positive part of the American Dream.  Indeed, our public schools, in Hanover and across the nation, are the bedrock of our democracy; and it has been a matter of great personal pride to have helped lay that foundation for our nation’s future through the investments made by our community in Hanover County’s schools.

Make no mistake about it, Hanover County Public Schools are today second to none. The validation of our school district’s quality and effectiveness come from the testimonials of the most highly respected auditing and accrediting agencies in our nation. And the measures of our students’ and teachers’ success place our effectiveness within the top ranks of our state and nation. Those of us who have been fortunate to serve as School Board members in Hanover recognize that our community has high standards and that our citizens turn to us to meet and exceed those standards year after year.

I have been fortunate to have worked alongside dedicated, effective School Board members, school leaders, teachers, parents, business, county and community leaders; and I have witnessed firsthand the devotion and expertise they all bring to our noble mission — the education of our children.  It has been a privilege to work with four of Hanover’s twelve superintendents — J.K Samples, Stephen M. Baker, Stewart D. Roberson, and Jamelle S. Wilson. As members of our team, our superintendents have seized the opportunities the School Board has handed them and have taken the school district to ever-higher levels of performance and responsiveness. Without this teamwork, Hanover County would not enjoy the enviable record it has attained.

In anticipation of this moment, it seems to me that I should be prepared to answer several questions: What has been your greatest success in your service as a School Board member? What is your greatest concern as you exit?  And what are your plans for the future? 

The answer to the first question is straightforward. I am most proud of how our school district has invested its resources wisely to teach all of the children it has served. A public school system ideally does just that. It recognizes that not all children march to the same drummer, that not all children come to school equipped with the same readiness to learn, that not all children have a college degree as part of their vision, that every child has special talents and immense potential to be nurtured and enhanced, and that resources for education do make a difference in elevating the quality of life for all of the children we serve.  In other words, because we all have embraced our noble mission, we have succeeded in creating impressive and diverse educational opportunities that are the envy of the nation and the world.

My response to the second question is linked to my concern for the present and future of public education. It is obviously based on my long experience with and my deep commitment to the value and importance of quality k-12 public education. As chair of our School Board for eight terms, as one of the most veteran Board members in our state, and as a person who cares deeply about the creation of public policy affecting public schools at the state and federal levels, my greatest concern as I leave the Board is that the positive public attitude toward and support for public schools are threatened now more than at any time in my thirty-six years of service. At a time when public schools face more mandates and testing requirements, millions of dollars are being cut from school budgets each year.  Our nation and state have become sadly polarized on the value and quality of public education. What’s worse, much of the discussion about the inadequacies of our public schools is not always based on facts and research, but on public rhetoric and uninformed opinions that are divisive and self-serving.

Hanover’s schools have been largely immune to these political wars over the last few decades; and in 1994, when voters soundly turned back the elected school board notion, our community told us that we must be the protectors of the school district and shield it from the devastating effects of polarizing politics. Though it saddens me to see our state and nation embroiled in public school issues in the way that they are today, it is my hope and prayer that the citizens and leaders of Hanover County will continue to be the shield and   protector of its high quality schools and of its children. Equally prayerfully, I wish for all of us a stronger economy so that all of our schools will be able to focus on how they can better meet the needs of all students. 

Question three, regarding my future plans, is more easily answered. On a personal note, I plan to spend quality time with family and friends and continue being involved in the greater Ashland/Hanover community. I hope to use the experience gained from years of working with outstanding educators, parents, citizens, business and political leaders, and students to continue to be an advocate for quality public education. I hope to continue to support the mission of public education by helping to communicate the reality of our public schools and the extensive research that highlights our many important successes and our critical responsibilities. And finally I hope to encourage others to recommit themselves to that which has helped to make our country great — our public schools. 

In concluding, let me profess that there is no greater calling than to be a leader or an educator in a public school system today.  I have tried to approach my role with care, compassion, energy, and devotion. As we know in a system built upon a model of continuous improvement, our work is not completed and never will be. I look forward to watching, supporting, and cheering Hanover County School’s continued path of educational excellence — truly God’s work. I appreciate all of those who have appointed me, worked with me, communicated with me, challenged and enlightened me, supported me (especially my family and friends), and who have thus enabled me to enjoy serving in a role that,  by its very nature,  makes a difference in the lives of students, educators, parents, citizens, and our world. 

With my sincere thanks and best wishes,

Sue Forbes Watson

She notified the board at the end of its meeting Tuesday night, fighting back tears as she read a two-page letter that noted her service with four of Hanover’s 12 superintendents during her 36 years representing the Ashland District. When appointed in 1976, she was the first woman on the board. Her term expires at the end of June.

Her greatest concern as she leaves, she said, “is that the positive public attitude toward and support for public schools are threatened,” with discussions of school inadequacies “not always based on facts and research but on public rhetoric and uninformed opinions that are divisive and self-serving. …

“Our nation and state have become sadly polarized on the value and quality of public education.”

A great sense of pride comes from the way the school district has invested resources to teach all children, she said.

A public school system “recognizes that not all children march to the same drummer, that not all children come to school equipped with the same readiness to learn, that not all children have a college degree as part of their vision, that every child has special talents and immense potential to be nurtured and enhanced, and that resources for education do make a difference in elevating the quality of life for all of the children we serve.”

Board members took turns praising Watson’s service, citing her commitment to education, her institutional memory and her collaborative spirit.

“Words escape me to tell you how much I will miss you and how much I value listening to you and learning from you and being challenged by you,” said Glenn T. Millican Jr., who represents the Mechanicsville District.

Superintendent Jamelle S. Wilson described Watson’s passion for children, for music and for people that translates into care for teachers.

“At the basal level, Sue has a heart for people, she has a love of people, and she has moved people in 36 years in this county, in our school division, in our world. We are forever grateful. … We are celebrating what you have done as a foundation for how we then move forward.”

In a statement, former Superintendent Stewart D. Roberson said: “Sue Watson’s imprint on Hanover County’s schools has been broad and deep for four decades. Her legacy will last through the generations. Through her compassion, her unwavering devotion to America’s public schools and her recognition that resources make the difference in lifting the condition of all children, she has demonstrated what should be viewed as the tried, tested and true ingredients for promoting student achievement in our nation’s schools.”

Watson, 68, taught English for several years in Henrico County. She was co-founder of the Ashland Musical Variety Show in 1982. A native of Wilson, N.C., she majored in English and religion at Duke University and got a master’s in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Her husband, Ritchie D. Watson Jr., is a retired English professor at Randolph-Macon College. They have two adult children.

While traveling back and forth to the country music capital, the 18-year-old graduated from Hanover High School last year, using online schooling to complete his courses. 

He grew up near Hanover Courthouse and considers himself a country boy whose passions are “huntin’ and fishin.’ ”

While Nashville is a stark contrast to Hanover, Lawhorn said Music City is where he needs to be to further his career.

“And, so, yeah, it’s definitely crazy seeing that concrete jungle,” Lawhorn said. “But I mean I gotta do what I gotta do to get it done and there’s no way around . . . moving there because I have to be there and be in the circle.”

Lawhorn plays a six-string guitar and a five-string banjo.

“I’ve been singing ever since I was a little kid, but I started playing the guitar when I was like 12 or 13, or something like that,” Lawhorn said before opening for country music artist Craig Campbell on Friday, May 4, at the Hat Factory in Richmond.

Lawhorn said he got a break about two years ago when he was discovered on YouTube by country music producer Jerry Stover.

Lawhorn’s record label is Average Joe’s Entertainment and he has released a single, “Sittin’ on a Tailgate.” He also has a song on iTunes, “Answer to No One.”

His style is a blend of different kinds of music.  “It’s got a lot of heavy blues in there,” Lawhorn said. “It’s country, but it’s got a lot of heavy blues just because that’s the kind of style that I sing. I classify it as a mix between like Outlaw Country and Southern Rock.”

Lawhorn said he listens to a lot of old country artists like Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams Sr., because “I believe that, in anything, if you forget where you come from, how can you remember who you are.”

Lawhorn also likes the blues and singer Stevie Ray Vaughan and bluegrass and the group SteelDrivers.

“I mean, I have influences from any genre of music that I like,” Lawhorn said. “More and more along the lines of good music. Not so much as a genre, because I feel like good music shouldn’t be bound by genres.”

Lawhorn said he is often asked how he gets the ideas for the songs he writes.

“And I’m like, ‘Well, dude, like I don’t write songs that I don’t know nothing about . . .,” Lawhorn said. “And every single one of my songs is straight out of my life.”

Lawhorn wears cowboy boots and a baseball cap on backwards. He also wears a cross on a necklace around his neck.

“Yes, sir, I’m a Christian,” Lawhorn said. “I was raised up in church ever since I was a kid and, yeah, man, I have a firm belief in the good Lord.”

Lawhorn said he knows that the road to success will not be easy.

“You know, I’m in it for the long run and I believe that after I build a firm fan base that it’s going to take off,” Lawhorn said. “But, it takes time and . . ..a lot of determination.”

Success to Lawhorn is not necessarily selling millions of records or filling up stadiums with thousands of people.

“But if I can write one song that touches somebody in a way where they can say, ‘I really relate to that,’ or ‘That really hits home for me,’ that’s being successful,” Lawhorn said.

As evidenced by the raucous response he received from the crowd during his show at the Hat Factory, Lawhorn appears well on his way to touching people’s souls.

“. . . If I can just change someone’s life or affect someone’s life in a positive way, then—even if I don’t end up being some huge, crazy success—you know I’ll still feel like I’m successful man because I love where I come from and I wasn’t ever even going to think about doing something like this until it kind of just fell out in front of me,” Lawhorn said. “So I’d be just as happy, you know, back home living a country boy’s life.”

The 2012 celebration was held on Tuesday, May 1, at Hanover High School.

Volunteers were judged in the following categories: “Spirit of Youth;” “Spirit of Dedication;” “Spirit of Family;” “Spirit of Team;” “Spirit of One;” and a new category, “Spirit of Inspiration.”

Judges selected the following volunteers for a 2012 “Spirit of Volunteerism” award:

The Three Rivers Livestock Club won the “Spirit of Youth” award. A 4-H Club for ages 9-18, much of its work involves sharing information on the impact of agriculture within our lives. For example, these young people created an enticing “Book Barn” Learning Center that they donated to Mechanicsville Elementary School. The Barn shelves include 27 books from which young readers can learn about cows, corn, pigs and more. The group also raised enough funds to purchase and donate a copy of “Ready, Set, Grow” (an elementary-age book on Virginia agriculture) for each of Hanover’s 15 elementary schools. Using the same book, the members created learning materials and taught 91 preschoolers about agriculture at the Caroline County Fair. Owens & Minor was the sponsor of this year’s “Spirit of Youth” award and the company presented a check to Hanover Arc. With this money, Hanover Arc will award one child with a scholarship for a season of riding lessons.

Jean Ray received the “Spirit of Dedication” award – given to a volunteer aged 60 or older – for her volunteer service beautifying Pole Green Elementary School. An accredited Flower Show judge and a member of two garden clubs, Jean travels and judges garden club floral design and horticulture presentations throughout Virginia. While leading a children’s program at the Mechanicsville Branch Library, she spoke with mothers of students attending Pole Green Elementary School and decided to contact the principal about a possible service project. That encounter has led to the design and implementation of a courtyard garden. Jean has led the club in plant installation, written grants to the fund the project, secured donations, recruited employees of her bank to volunteer, donated tools and materials and much more. To raise funds, Jean created handmade recycled art and baskets for the school’s Winter Festival. The leftover baskets were then made available to deserving students as holiday gifts for their parents. Her efforts, including a mascot garden alligator, have brought a renewed pride in the school’s green space. The category’s sponsor, Covenant Woods, presented a check to Pole Green Elementary School for continued beautification of the school.

Al and Margie Dickerson received the “Spirit of Family” award. The names of Al and Margie Dickerson are considered synonymous with Ashland Christian Emergency Services (ACES). Al, with the support of his wife, has provided leadership and daily service to this vital community resource since the 1980s. ACES provides food, clothing and furniture, as well as limited financial assistance, to families in need within Ashland and beyond.  Even when the facility is closed, Al is there sorting items and making repairs, or he is out in the community sharing the mission and gaining support for those they serve. The Dickersons’ generosity is described as inspiring. Al also serves on boards of the hospital and his church and is a member of the Kiwanis. Although he is 87 and she is 79, this pair continues their faithful service to the community, as they have for over a quarter century. The category’s sponsor, Walmart of Ashland, presented a check for ACES.

“The Junk Guys” received the “Spirit of Team” award. “The Junk Guys” – Frank Helander, Larry Lee, Marshall Johnson and Jane Moore – have spent the last five years collecting cans and other recyclables from roughly 70 locations in Hanover and surrounding areas to raise money for Hanover Habitat for Humanity. “The Junk Guys” also spend hours breaking down appliances to obtain recyclable materials. In 2011, they contributed more than 1,600 hours and recycled more than 60,000 pounds of materials that they carried and sold to the scrap yard. The results of this grimy, physical labor has provided responsible recycling for local businesses, schools and churches and has provided funding for new homes. Last year, the “Junk Guys” earned just shy of $20,000, which was enough to install the foundation, entire framing package and all of the windows and doors for one Habitat for Humanity home. Hanover Habitat will use the donation from the category’s sponsor, Battlefield Press, to help build its 41st house.

There were two “Spirit of One” winners, Sue Dibble and Sharon M. Stiles. For the past three years, Sue Dibble has served as the president and later the vice president of the Elmont Elementary School PTA, as well as leading other events and projects for the school. Many of the ideas initiated by Sue have brought a feeling of “community belonging” and “family” back to the school and has raised PTA involvement, as well as parent and student participation. Acting as a visionary and bringing her business mind to the needs of the school has led to extraordinary accomplishments which include beautifying school grounds and the creation of a learning garden. The school will soon be breaking ground on the construction of an outdoor classroom with a stamped concrete floor and raised stone seating walls to accommodate up to four classes. Sharon is involved in the YMCA Bright Beginnings program,  Henry Clay Elementary School’s Roots & Shoots, Gandy Elementary School’s Book Fair and the Ashland Garden Club, just to name a few of her many passions. For six years, she has been on the Board of Directors for the Hanover Arts & Activities Center and is serving her second term as president. Under her leadership, the center has undergone an extremely detailed strategic planning process. Sharon has supported and ensured that community events such as the July 4th parade, the Railroad Run and the Ashland Variety Show continue. She has spearheaded partnerships with other organizations to host Black History events and many others. The category’s sponsor, Rappahannock Electric, presented donations to Elmont Elementary School’s FUN-DATIONS program and to The Hanover Arts & Activities Center.

J. Franklin Jones Jr. received the “Spirit of Inspiration” award. This award honors an individual who has volunteered for 20 years or more within a specific organization. Franklin has been providing valuable service to the community and to various organizations for decades. He has been a member of the Doswell Ruritan Club for 50 years and has served as officer in every capacity, including president several times, as well as having perfect attendance for the entire half-century. He has been the driving force in coordinating club activities and fundraisers to support community service efforts, including scholarships to high school seniors, donations to nonprofits and providing food and gifts to families through Hanover’s Christmas Mother Program. Franklin has been instrumental to the Christmas Mother program since the club took it on in 1988. He also serves as treasurer of the Doswell Community Center Foundation. He keeps the books, takes charge of all the maintenance and rentals, as well as organizing and cooking salt fish breakfasts. Franklin provides transportation using a handicapped van to connect those in need with community services. The donation of the category’s sponsor, Grace Community Presbyterian Church, will provide needed items for families served by the 2012 Hanover Christmas Mother program.

Ferber’s Tire and Auto Service received the “Commitment to Community” Award. This category honors a Hanover business that exemplifies strong community values and a sustained commitment to supporting the community. Ferber’s Tire & Auto Service is a locally owned business that provides financial support to various local organizations, including Miss Mechanicsville, Dynamo Soccer, Hanover Hawkeye Wrestling, the Hanover Christmas Mother Program, Pearson’s Corner Elementary School and Kersey Creek Elementary School. Ferber’s has been the business partner for Kersey Creek for three years and has been a business partner, as well as the primary sponsor for Pearson’s Corner for its last two fall festivals. Ferber’s sponsorship for the festivals has resulted in raising more funds in the last two years than ever before. Because of this success, the school is nearly 100 percent outfitted with current technology in every classroom. In addition to supporting the Christmas Mother program, Ferber’s assisted one of the families by repairing their car.

Sponsors for this year’s awards were Owens & Minor, Covenant Woods, Ashland Walmart, Battlefield Press Inc., Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Grace Community Presbyterian Church. Each sponsor contributed $250 to the organization designated by the honoree during the nomination process.
Patience Salgado was the guest host for the event.

Volunteers also were personally thanked by the Hanover Board of Supervisors, which designated April 15-21 as 2012 Spirit of Volunteerism Week in Hanover County. Also speaking were sheriff David Hines and Fire/EMS chief Fred Crosby, who talked about the remarkable effort made by thousands of Hanoverians who volunteered to search for a boy lost in the woods at North Anna Battlefield Park last October. Many of those who participated in that search attended.

Last year, Hanover citizens contributed 269,031 hours of documented volunteer service in the county. The total value of that contribution to Hanover County was more than $5.9 million.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities in Hanover County, call the Department of Community Resources at 365-4300.

Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County public information officer.

2012, Mechanicsville’s Relay for Life 18th year, will include a new way to remember and celebrate, the Ribbon of Remembrance. 

Organizers are asking everyone and anyone, not just those registered participants but everyone within the community, to come and hang a photo of a loved one that has fought cancer on the Ribbon of Remembrance. 

This ribbon will line the outside of the track and, along with the luminarias lining the inside of the track, will be a constant reminder of why each participant has decided to raise money and awareness to fight cancer.

Each photo should be no larger than 8.5”x11” and be a copy of a photo. Relay for Life will not be responsible for the photos.

To learn more about becoming involved, visit www.relayforlife/mechanicsville or contact Ginny Wescott at 527-3712; ginny.wescott@cancer.org.

The tournament is being held as a fundraiser for the choral program.

Costs are $260 per team. Sponsorships are $100 for hole, $50 for putting green and $50 for driving green.

For more information, call Scott Ellett at 513-2996 or e-mail Sabrina@banerealestate.com.