Newspapers / The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.) / July 2, 1993, edition 1 / Page 10
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The News-Herald, Friday, July 2,1993 Martin improved facilities, handled school integration First class at Ridgecroft The first class graduated from Ridgecroft School in 1974. The members were (front row, from left) Tula Duke Benthall. Teresa Hill Kelley, Susan Cherry Kinlaw, Sharon Smith Taylor, Charlene Callis Wiggins, Elaine Liverman Evans, Deborah Brett Lane, Denise Britton Baldwin, Joan Forbes, Emy Felton Winstead and Debra Dickerson Bird; (back row, from left) Starkey Sharp II, Wesley Daughtry, Teresa Pike Musser, Becky Johnson Wines. Tommy Sears, Eddie Williford, Kathy Brett Counce, Donnie Craft, Pam Curie Carr, Bruce Lassiter, Chris Beatty Cheek, Bill Majette, Meg Revelle Chapin, Charles White and Lynn Jones Perry. (Photo courtesy of Marti Tyler) By Dorothy M. Powell Retired Ahoskie teacher Active in many areas of commu nity life, the late Russell Penn Martin exerted a powerful influence as an educator. When he assumed the position of superintendent of Hertford County Schools in 1950, he found that there were many one-room Negro schools in the county. Those small units were primitive, uncomfortable for students and teachers, and in poor repair. In a short time, he arranged for these schools to be consolidated into larger, more modem structures. Integration accomplished Perhaps Martin's greatest accom plishment, however, was the suc cessful and smooth integration of the public schools, beginning in 1966 with the freedom-of-choice plan. His careful and wise judgment were reflected in the steps he took to accomplish the transition. After consulting with Dr. Everett Miller, assistant superintendent of the North Carolina Department of Education, Martin devised a plan whereby black students could fill out a simple form stating the school which they had attended the previous year and indicating the school in which they wished to en roll for the next year. In the first year 375 students from formerly all-black schools ap plied. No one from eligible geo graphic areas was turned down. To keep the public fully in formed, Martin and assistant super intendent J.M. Jenkins visited nu merous civic organizations to ex plain their plans for integration. To facilitate the procedure, Mar tin assigned some white teachers to the former Negro schools and some Negro teachers to the white schools. Citizens accepted the tran sition, because it was conducted fairly and legally. Unlike some neighboring coun ties, Hertford never was involved in a lawsuit, because the schools al ways were in compliance. With the laying of this solid foundation, total integration fol lowed in the fall of 1970. Technical institute started In the early 1960's, Martin fore saw the need for a technical college (See MARTIN, Page 17A) Ridgecroft began as Brown's vision More than two decades ago, the founders of Ridgecroft School rec ognized the need for an alternative education program in the Roanoke- Chowan area. The progressive vision of the founders in 1968, under the leader ship of Bynum Brown as chairman of the board of directors, led the of ficial opening of Ridgecroft School in September, 1970, with Thomas M. Parker as headmaster. Since that time, the school has grown from an enrollment of 147 students in grades 1-8 to more than 360 students in grades K-12. Dr. Carolyn Jackson was ap pointed headmaster in 1990, follow ing Douglas Bowers, Michael Ellis and Dr. Thomas Aycock. Other things have marked the 25 years since Ridgecroft was opened. The physical plant, on a 20-acre site, has been expanded to an 80- acre site to include a high school wing, gymtorium, administration building, library, parking lot and well-equipped athletic field. Many of these items were made possible through a five-year "Cam paign for Quality" capital fund drive with contributions from many dedi cated staff members, parents, friends, alumni and businesses. Curriculum development also has kept pace with the increased en rollment. In addition to basic courses, Ridgecroft offers these electives in keeping with its phi losophy of total personal develop ment: band, chorus, drama and speech, intramural sports, honors classes, computer instruction, art and music. Other special extra-curricular of ferings include enrichment week, the Ridgecroft Dinner Theatre and field trips, and they all make learn ing relevant and immediately re warding for the students. A significant accomplishment came in December, 1984, when Ridgecroft was granted membership in the Southern Association of Col leges and Schools. A two-year self-study preceding the accreditation team's visit gave the school a solid sense of identity and recognition. Since 1984, the school has had at least two National Merit finalists, Mark Mason and Larry Cooke. Beth Tripp was selected to attend the N.C. School for Science and Math. The basketball team, participated in eight state playoffs, and the base ball team won four conference championships in a row and twice finished second in the state. In the quest for continued growth and educational excellence, the posi tions of admissions director and di rector of development were created and filled. Through its history, Ridgecroft has been characterized by continuity of leadership, enduring pride, and a spirit of dedication. Statistics mat ter less to school administrators than the satisfaction of knowing a student has reached a personal goal. Ridgccroft’s nurturing environment can enable a child to recognize and develop to his full potential. It is with pleasure we extend our Congratulations, Ahoskie on your 100*'* Birthday Peggy's Beauty Shop 332 E. Main Street 332-3744 We have everything you need to Make Your Place Some Place Special! 1948 Swain's Tile was started by Edgar L. Swain, Sr. in his home. Specializ ing in ceramic tile, the business grew and needed more space. 1961 The business opened its first showroom in what was the location of Sessoms Dodge at 210 West Main Street. Edgar L. "Buzzy" Swain, Jr. joined his father’s business and carpet and vinyl floorcovering were added. 1973 Swain's Tile and Floorcovering opened at its present location, Hwy. 13 South. The business has grown and diversified to include a complete line of decorating needs: carpet by Philadelphia, Cabin Craft, Salem and Mohawk; vinyl by Mannington, Armstrong and Tarkett; Martin Senour paint; wallpaper; draperies; blinds and more! Liz Brown, a certified interior designer, is on staff to help make with decorating de cisions. Today Let Swain's show you how to make your place some place special. SWAIN'S TILE & FLOORCOVERING U.S. 13 South Ahoskie (919) 332-4415 Quality Construction Starts With the Proper Groundwork! From laying the foundation to pouring the concrete, when you want quality site construction, you want Commercial Ready-Mix Products! We can handle small jobs and large jobs. Call one of our five convenient locations today and let us tell you more. •Grader 'Bulldozer ‘Loader ’Backhoe Work •Hauling •Scraper Work ‘Hydraulic Excavator ‘Stone •Fill Dirt ‘Concrete & Galvanized Pipe •Reinforcing Wire & Rods ‘Concrete Blocks We salute Ahoskie during their Centennial Celebration. We are proud to have served as the site construction contractors:* artd/tof;supp!iers;p(ppnprit|;ffi it;}rpjpcls;iiA|Qsl:idilraid*Mart,::Ace>,fe|y^^ vations to Ahoskie Commons, Red Apple and Duck-Thru. Robert Newsome, Jr. President Charles Harrell General Manager J.D. Jones Construction Superintendent Commercial Ready-Mix Products, Inc. Cofield, N.C. (919)358-5461 Ahoskie, N.C. (919) 332-3590 Franklin, Va. (804) 562-6946 Winfall, N.C. (919) 426-5978 Suffolk, Va. (804) 925-0939
The News-Herald (Ahoskie, N.C.)
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July 2, 1993, edition 1
10
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