Successful Summit

AYDEN — The first Education Excellence Summit’s “Apple 101 - Ayden-Pitt Partners for Learn Enhancements” held at Ayden-Grifton High School Saturday morning had more than 100 participants. Event organizers were pleased with its outcome and called it a success.

Ayden Mayor Steve Tripp said the event was a great day for the community. “The attendees and participants were enthused and full of energy. An atmosphere of improvement and change filled the air the whole day. Also, I witnessed collaboration and team work between administration, teachers, parents, and community leaders.” 

Participating throughout the day were representatives of the two major sponsors. Mack Burkes of Weyerhaeuser and Neal Walston of Minges Bottling Group, Pepsi Cola were both participants in the event through the entire session.

The event was planned in an effort to bring all key stakeholders of the Ayden educational system to share needs and identify common goals to advance the educational system, to exemplify high achievers for the students, community at-large, educators, families, and business partners.

The objective of the event is to raise EOC test scores, raise AYP percentiles, insure rigorous academic excellence, increase AP, Honors course participation, develop long-term educational plans, and increase utilization of dual enrollment courses.

Ayden Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sarah McLawhorn welcomed those present and later explained how the Business Alliance would develop into a partnership with the high school.

Following introductions and invocation by Pastor Matthew Ward of the Haddocks UAF Baptist Church, remarks by Chamber Board Chairman Mitchell Oakley and Burks and Walston, Summit Committee Chairman Kim Bell gave a power point presentation about how and why the Summit was organized.

Dr. Michael Priddy, Superintendent of Pitt County Schools, introduced keynote speaker Phillip K. Cates, Director of Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives-Public School Forum of NC. Cates explained the importance of a citizen leader and the relationship between government and its citizens. His speech provide plenty of inspiration and motivation.

The Honorable State Representative Marian McLawhorn of Grifton spoke briefly to the group about state initiatives before local area school principals gave reports about their schools. The principals included Ms. Gail Haney of Ayden Elementary; Keith Gould, Ayden Middle School; Walter Harris, Grifton School and Bill Frazier of Ayden-Grifton High School.

Dr. Priddy talked briefly on the National Model for Excellence in High Schools, noting there are case studies regarding how high schools should teach and educate.

Pitt County Schools Testing Coordinator Cathy Crawford explained testing and the scores associated with local area schools.

Following lunch in the cafeteria, the participants were divided into groups to answer three questions: 1) What do you think are the strengths of our school? 2) What areas of our school program stand in need of improvement? and 3) What specific strategies can be utilized to strengthen the home/school/community?

Partial results of the group sessions were read to conclude the event. A final report from the Summit Committee will be forthcoming in published form.

Summit Chair Kim Bell said of the event, “It truly exceeded all my high expectations and I feel confident that we have definitely gotten a head start on changing the ‘history of apathy toward events such as this for Ayden’. I am sure that many, many people will certainly be sorry that they missed out on such a wonderful event.”

Ms. Bell praised Committee members Nell Congleton, Kathy Stox, Bill Frazier, Sarah McLawhorn, Gail Haney, Keith Gould, Julie Rose and Anne Booth. Ms. Booth was inadvertently omitted from a committee list published last week and Ms. Bell issued her apologies for it.

Ms. Bell pointed out that initial feedback from the participants was positive and that she was especially pleased that the representatives of Weyerhaeuser and Minges Bottling Group-Pepsi Cola, stayed to participate in the event.   

“What was especially touching was the remaining presence of our corporate sponsors, Mack Burks (Weyerhaeuser) and Neal Walston (Minges Bottling Group-Pepsi) for the entire day and their participation in all of our activities,” Ms. Bell said. “This I thought was most unusual and certainly speaks of their commitment to our Summit.”

Ms. Bell said that the Summit Committee would reconvene soon in an effort to provide a summary report of the Summit on the information collected.

Mayor Tripp also added that apathy is disappearing in the community. “The apple seed was planted. Now it is time to fertilize and water it to make it grow.  And in the near future we will harvest this crop.”

In closing the event on Saturday, Oakley left the audience with a quote by Elbert Hubbard, “The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.” Oakley added, Michael J. Smith of Beaufort, N.C. and Christa McAuliffe, a school teacher from New Hampshire, lost their lives yearning to see the invisible, to feel the intangible and to achieve the impossible. They may have fell short on this particular Challenger mission, but their efforts continue to pave the way for space exploration that has made all our lives the better for it.”

In concluding he said, “Let’s adopt Christa McAuliffe’s motto, ‘Reach for the Stars’ as we collectively and cooperatively work together to improve all aspects of our community life for our children and their children.”

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