The expansion of the academy programs for Halifax County Public Schools continued Thursday morning with the ribbon cutting for the new motorcycle technician training program at the high school.
The latest expansion was part of a significant push forward in the academy programs. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine visited Halifax County Wednesday morning for the ribbon cutting of the new Lowe’s Equine Center and Agricultural Science Academy at the Halifax County fairgrounds.
One day later, Southside Virginia Community College, represented by provost Dr. David Johnson and other college officials, took center stage at the ribbon cutting, held at HCHS. SVCC and its president, Dr. John Cavan, have worked closely with local school officials to make the new motorcycle technician training program a reality.
SVCC wrote a grant proposal for more than $100,000, funded by the Tobacco Commission, for the new expansion of the motorsports academy. “It (the new training program) will provide employees to the local job market, and these folks can not only just work on motorcycles, but they’ll be able to go to work in watersports areas, in ATVs and motorcycles. The racing industry is a big boom around here. It’s got a lot of potential to assist folks to provide the families to increase the tax base,” said Dr. Johnson.
Along with the grant monies, some equipment and motorcycles were donated by private companies and individuals for the new technical training program.
Danny Wilborn, a new instructor for the program, noted with the price of fuel, there’s a significant demand now for motorcycles and the technicians to make needed repairs.
The new technician training program represents an expansion of the
continuing partnership between SVCC and Halifax County Public Schools. Local school officials continued to praise SVCC for its role in helping boost dual enrollment, college level courses offered at HCHS.
HCPS has hired Wilborn to work in the new program. The Halifax County native has been involved in the private sector for more than 30 years building motorcycles. He also had gained extensive experience in the automotive and truck maintenance field at Wilborn’s Automotive Machine shop in South Boston.
The new training program has included expenditures of about $75,000 in equipment, with plans to spend another $30,000 to upgrade and expand the new technical program.
Johnson, subbing for Dr. Cavan, said, “We are thrilled to be here. I’m grateful to the Tobacco Commission, I’m grateful to Southside and I’m grateful to the public schools for allowing us to expand this valuable asset that we have, the minds and lives of students.”
The leaders explained that the student body is the focus of the work here, part of the economic development in the region.
“We are here because of you and for you,” said Johnson.
This is part of the continuing dual enrollment program involving community college and high school course work.
Johnson added, “We have an extremely strong dual enrollment program here at Halifax County,” noting it is one of the strongest of its kind in the state.
Halifax County Public Schools Division Superintendent Paul Stapleton said, “for the last four years we have opened up immense opportunities for our students in lots of areas. And in most of those areas, Southside Virginia Community College has been a major player.
“Today, they are THE major player,” said Stapleton.
Stapleton noted this motorcycle technician training program is a unique program for the students, adding, “This is a tremendous dollar-value project. It’s not just the good it’s going to do for the students, it’s showing the kind of investment that (SVCC president) John Cavan and the community college enjoy making in the children in Southside Virginia.”
Stapleton particularly made a point of Cavan’s enthusiasm for the program, even though the college official was unable to attend the ribbon cutting.
Stapleton said the motorcycle technician training program fits very well “as the next, newest piece” of the motorsports academy, which has enjoyed considerable growth and success.
Stapleton contended there are “job opportunities galore” in the field of motorcycle technology, in both engineering and design.
Even as the regional economy in Southside Virginia continues to struggle, this was another positive step in the expansion of the academies programs in the local school system.
Stapleton noted, “I think, what you’re going to see as a result of this, is students that are moving into a very high tech career after they leave high school. If they get through this motorcycle technician training program and they’re successful at it, then I think you will see students that are very well prepared for a job.”
Stapleton contended HCPS is the best academic public school division in the state. “Nobody can show that their kids have the college courses that they have leaving the high school,” said Stapleton. He cited statistics showing that 30 students received their associate’s degree at last spring’s graduation and 85 percent of the senior class had more than one college course and 72 percent of the total student body was taking college courses.
Stapleton noted the upgrade in programs on the career side for students, but added, “the downside for us is public schools, we’re losing so much money we don’t have any way to fund it. That’s where Southside really gave us a Christmas present.
“This was the best early Christmas present that we could have gotten in Halifax County Public Schools, said Stapleton.
Steve Anderson, chairman of the Halifax County School board, thanked SVCC for this opportunity.
“It’s huge. When someone gives you an opportunity and a financial gift such as what we’re receiving this morning, just to say ‘thank you‚’ doesn’t seem sufficient. But we do thank you, and we appreciate it sincerely. It will be put to very good use and we’re looking forward to great things to come in the future,” said Anderson.
Noted HCPS Director of Academies Dr. Melanie Stanley, “this is a wonderful opportunity for our students to take part in some hands on, real world experiences and I think that’s what we’re all about, making the partnerships and having the initiatives to go after different partners to provide those opportunities for job programs, internships, you name it, we’ve got it going on in Halifax County.”
Stanley said the school system has expanded its motorsports academy, hiring a fourth instructor and taking the program to the middle school level.
A group of local business and political leaders were on hand for the latest expansion of the school system academies, along with SVCC officials. The officials and invited guests were treated to refreshments prepared by students from the culinary arts program at HCHS following the ribbon cutting.