Archives Spring 2007

Fuqua Students Receive Awards from John Hopkins University

Sixty-seven lower and middle school students at Fuqua School recently qualified to take the School and College Ability Test conducted by the Center for Talented Youth at John Hopkins University.  To qualify, a student must score in the 95% on designated subtests of a national achievement test.  As a result of their outstanding test performance on the School and College Ability Test, eleven of the students received a State Award with High Honors held at the University of Richmond.  Pictured are the recipients of the award.

Commencement 2007

Fuqua School held its fourteenth commencement exercises on Friday, June 1 at 6:00 P.M. on the front lawn of the upper school campus.  Beginning in 2003, Fuqua School began a new tradition of having an outstanding alumnus as the speaker for commencement  This year's guest speaker was Harry F. Davis, president of the Maupin-Sizemore Foundation in Bedford, Virginia. A native of Charlottesville, Davis grew up in Pamplin, Virginia. Currently, he resides in Roanoke.

Davis is a 1966 graduate of Prince Edward Academy (PEA). He was an active student and athlete. In addition, he was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Monogram Club, 4-H Club, Pep Club, and band. A four-year stint in the US Air Force followed Davis' graduation from PEA and included serving as a member of President Nixon's Honor Guard in 1969. His professional career following military service began with a degree from the University of Richmond and proceeded through an illustrious business career and his recent retirement as First Vice-President of Morgan Stanley.

Harry Davis is the past president of the Roanoke Rescue Mission and currently serves on its Board of Directors. In addition, Davis has worked with the Red Cross, Kiwanas, Hospice, and the Chamber of Commerce. Retirement has allowed Davis to spend more time with his daughter, Jennifer, and his two granddaughters, Emma and Claire, who reside in Pennsylvania.

Through the efforts of Harry Davis and his love and respect for his former father-in-law, B. Blanton Hanbury, Fuqua School has the addition of a state-of-the-art fitness center that was constructed adjacent to the school's gymnasium facility. Hanbury, in whose memory the school's Founders Business Award is given each year, played an important role in the founding of the school.

All of the thirty-nine candidates for graduation plan to attend college or university. Collectively, the graduates have been offered 1.8 million dollars in scholarships.

SCA Elections

Fuqua School students in grades eight through twelve recently participated in electing officers to the Upper School Student Cooperative Association (SCA) for the upcoming 2007-2008 academic year. The SCA is an organization of students working in collaboration with the administration and faculty to promote the general welfare of Fuqua School. The organization exists in the lower, middle, and upper schools and officers are elected annually at each level. Every student is a member of the SCA. The Upper School SCA plays a leadership role in school-wide activities and in the development of student-related policies. It is a citizenship-oriented organization which strives to: create mutual respect between the students and the school community, encourage cooperation and sharing of responsibilities among students, teachers, and parents, promote good sportsmanship in every phase of school and community activity, develop students who are worthy citizens of the home, community, nation, and world in which they live, and examine the organization regularly with an open mind and a clear vision toward improving its effectiveness. The Upper School SCA conducts school assemblies, honors a Class of the Year, and coordinates elections held by School organizations and classes in grades 9-12. Pictured are the newly elected Fuqua Upper School SCA officers for the 2007-2008 academic year. The officers were sworn in before the student body after a recent awards assembly.

Middle Schooler Awarded Medallion for Mythological Studies

Pictured is a Fuqua School seventh grader being presented with a bronze medallion from Ms. Jodi Maxey (left), Latin instructor and Ms. Jo Leslie Shaw, Middle and Upper School Dean.  The student awarded this excellence for his success on the National Mythology Exam sponsored by the American Classical League at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  This exam is an annual competition and administered in conjunction with the Excellence Through Classics for Elementary/Middle School Levels.  Fuqua School is an accredited member of the League.

Youth For Christ Hosts Easter Program

Fuqua School’s Middle and Upper School Youth for Christ (YFC) recently sponsored an Easter Program for the students in Gilmer Gym.  The student-organized assembly featured scripture, religious poetry, and an acappella duet performed by two sisters.  Members of the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation choir shared their musical talents with the singing of inspirational and uplifting songs.  At the closing of the program, members of the Youth for Christ presented a monetary donation to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation for their continued work in making a difference in the life of a child.  Pictured are the officers of the Middle and Upper School YFC with Mr. Carl Etheridge, Director of Development for the Patrick Henry Plantation, Inc.  Mrs. Frances Moore is the YFC sponsor. 

Woman's Club of Farmville Announces First Place Winners

The Woman's Club of Farmville recently announced that Fuqua School was the home of two first place winners for the 2006/2007 student literary contest.  Pictured (far right) is Ms. Debora McClintock, District Second Vice-President and Ms. Barbara Humphreys, Chairwoman of the Arts and Literature Committee of the Woman's Club of Farmville presenting certificates to Fuqua School's first place winners in the short story and poetry categories.

Local Author Speaks to Fuqua English Class

     Francis Wood, author of The Angel Carver, recently spoke to students of Mrs. Martha Womack’s English 9 Class at Fuqua School.  Prior to his visit, the students worked individually and in groups to create and develop questions to ask the local author about his books.  Over a luncheon, the students met the author of their summer reading book and discussed the process of writing a book and other writing techniques.  Wood stated, “I always enjoy talking with students, answering their questions, and I especially enjoy listening to their insight into my stories.”

Pictured above is Wood (seated) with the English 9 Class at Fuqua School.

Envirothon Team Places Third in District

Fuqua School's Envirothon Team received third place overall at the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation's Envirothon Competition held at Twin Lakes State Park on Thursday, March 22. The award-winning Fuqua Envirothon team also placed first in the aquatics and forestry categories of the competition.

Fuqua School Celebrates A Day with the Arts

Through the study of the arts, Fuqua School fulfills its mission statement of “creating a safe and supportive learning environment that fosters boundless individual potential” in its students. Every other year, Fuqua School celebrates “Arts Day,” an academic day devoted to the study of the visual and performing arts.  Community artisans are invited to share their talents and passions.  “Arts Day” allows students to discover that art is expressed in innumerable ways, not limiting it to paint, brush, and canvas. This year’s theme was "Appalachian Culture."

The excitement began the week before the event when students explored the choices of workshops available.  To relate to the theme of mountain culture, choices included:   the study of handmade instruments and ole time music; preparing country foods; turning apples into dolls and creating critter pins; following a treasure map; practicing photo journalism; observing the daily life and hardships endured by Civil War soldiers; listening to roots music; making fuzzy scarves; designing and sewing cathedral quilt squares; learning and practicing basic clogging steps; and learning about horseback riding.  It was a full day of art appreciation across the curriculum.

The day concluded with the upper school students joining lower school students in an assembly in Gilmer Gym to watch the Jack Tales Players of Ferrum College in their performance of four Appalachian folktales. Because of their fast-paced action, energetic actors, innovative staging, and foot-stomping music, Jack Tales, as dramatized by Dr. Rex Stephenson, are stories of the Blue Ridge Mountains that particularly appeal to fun-loving audiences of all ages.  Dr. Rex Stephenson, Dr. Jody Brown, and students of Ferrum College, along with ten Fuqua Players enacted three of the Jack Tales: "Hainted House," "Hardy Hard Head,"  "Jack and the Robbers." The ten Fuqua Players attended a morning workshop and rehearsal session with the college group to prepare for the performance.

Arts Day focused on helping the students realize and appreciate that art in its many diverse forms enhances life by bringing color, joy, and pleasure regardless of one’s talent. 

Fuqua School’s Visual and Performing Arts Department sponsored the event.  Coordinators were Dora Bounds, middle and upper school art and theatre instructor, and Denise Penick, lower school art instructor. Pictured presenting her finished hand-made pot is a Fuqua Lower School student, who enjoyed the talents shared by local artisians and craftsman during Fuqua School's "Art's Day" celebration.

Fuqua Raises Over $10,000 for St. Jude

   
    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital announced today the successful completion of Math-A-Thon at Fuqua School.  Math-A-Thon, now in its 28th year, is an educationally-based fundraising program in which students obtain sponsors for the number of math problems completed in special workbooks provided for students in grades K-9.  The program is sponsored nationally by Six Flags Theme Parks, who provide free passes to their parks for every student raising $35 or more. 

    The students who participate in the program learn to do more than just math problems; they also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than themselves.  Through the Math-A-Thon, they are able to help provide a future for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Children with more than 200 forms of cancer and other catastrophic diseases find hope at St. Jude.  Since its founding in 1962 by the late entertainer, Danny Thomas, the survival rates for most forms of pediatric cancer have risen dramatically.  In fact, today more than 70% of all children with cancer will survive their bout with the disease.  St. Jude fully credits these successes in treatment to the generous support of people around the world, including the students at Fuqua School.

    “We are very proud of our students for working so hard on the Math-A-Thon,” stated Mary Herdegen, volunteer coordinator for the Math-A-Thon and a 4/5 teacher at Fuqua.  “With their help, St. Jude Hospital will be able to create new treatments that may one day lead to a cure for many forms of cancer that will benefit the children of our state, our country, and around the world.  I also want to extend our thanks to the Farmville community for supporting our students.  It takes all of us to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer, and we can all feel proud of our response.”

    The Fuqua Lower School SCA sponsored the Math-A-Thon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Over the past four years, Fuqua students have raised over $10,000.  An awards ceremony was recently held to recognize students for helping raise the necessary funds in the fight against childhood illnesses.  Lower School students were presented with prizes such as t-shirts, backpacks, St. Jude logo bracelets, and certificates.  St. Jude recognized Fuqua School with a plaque for this year’s $3,000 achievement and awarded the Lower School SCA with a digital camera. Mrs. Penny Pairet is the Lower School SCA Sponsor.

Pictured are officers of the Fuqua Lower School SCA after a recent assembly honoring students who helped raised over $3,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Fuqua Remembers VA Tech

Fuqua School’s Youth for Christ organization leads faculty, staff, and fellow classmates in grades 9-12 in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of the recent Virginia Tech victims and to honor the victims’ families and friends. The non-denominational Youth for Christ group promotes Christian ideals, spiritual development, and community support. Students hold fund-raising events in order to make financial contributions to community volunteer organizations.  Mrs. Frances Moore is the sponsor.

Fuqua School Endowment Continues to Grow

Ruth S. Murphy, Fuqua School president, recently announced that the school has received more than half-a-million dollars from the estate of Miss Julia Bolton Fleet.  Miss Fleet was born in 1922, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and later moved to San Diego, California.  Many of her relatives were native to Southside Virginia.  After the death of her parents, Miss Fleet became the liaison for the Reginald S. and Julia W. Fleet Foundation to carry on her parents’ passion for education by continuing the Foundation’s charitable contributions to numerous educational institutions.  In Virginia, she supported the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary, nearby Hampden-Sydney College, and Fuqua School, along with two other secondary independent schools.  Miss Fleet developed an interest in and affection for Prince Edward Academy and remained a very supportive benefactor of Fuqua School.

“Julia Fleet was a wonderful friend of Fuqua School.  A person of high intellect and integrity; she endeared herself to me with her wit and straight-forward personality.  We will always appreciate Miss Fleet's generous financial support,” commented Ruth S. Murphy, Fuqua School president.  This donation will continue to build Fuqua School's endowment fund, which has been recently enhanced by the bequest made by Mr. J. B. Fuqua, the school's benefactor.

Fuqua FBLA Chapter Receives Honors At State Conference

Members from the Fuqua School Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended the State FBLA Conference in Reston, Virginia from Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1.  They competed in five events against students in thirteen regions from across the Commonwealth.  Fuqua School received second place in the “Business Plan” category, and will compete at the national level in Chicago, Illinois this summer.  Fuqua School's FBLA Chapter was also named an Honor Chapter.

Fuqua FBLA Chapter Wins At Regional Competition 

    Members from the Fuqua School Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) were competing among students from twenty-one schools in the Longwood Regional Conference on Thursday, March 8. A member of the Fuqua School Chapter was elected as the Regional Vice-President for the 2007-2008 school year.
   
    The Fuqua FBLA received the following individual awards and recognitions: first place in Network Design, Business Math, Spreadsheet Applications, Entrepreneurship Team, Technology Concepts, and Business Plan; second place in Business Procedures and Programming Java; third place in Introduction to Business, Business Calculations, Introduction to Business Communications, and Programming Visual Basic.

    Representatives from the Fuqua chapter that placed first or second in the different categories attended the state competition in Reston, Virginia on Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1.  Mrs. Janet Moore is the Fuqua School business instructor and FBLA sponsor.  Pictured are the members of Fuqua School’s FBLA who participated at the Longwood Regional Conference.

Youth In Government Members Attend MGA

Fuqua School Youth in Government students recently joined students from across the state at the Virginia YMCA sponsored Model General Assembly (MGA) on the Capitol grounds in Richmond.  The Model General Assembly program is designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Selected students represent their schools as executive officers, senators, delegates, legislative officers, executive representatives, pages, reporters and lobbyists while debating legislation in committees and on the floors of the Senate and House of Delegates.  Each school group is encouraged to submit legislative bills to be debated by the students.  If the students pass the bill, it is then introduced before the General Assembly.  Mr. Jennings Custis, government teacher and sponsor for Youth in Government at Fuqua School, remarked: “MGA gives high school students an opportunity to explore the world of politics, and they come out with a greater understanding of the legislative process.”  Pictured are the twenty-three members of Fuqua School’s Youth in Government club that participated in the Model General Assembly program held at the state capitol.

Fuqua Community Exhibits Spirit of Giving

Fuqua School’s Class of 2007 exhibited a spirit of giving and led a campus-wide initiative to help raise funds for the Rachel family, who lost their Barber Street home to fire.  Barber Street runs adjacent to the Fuqua School campus.  The Senior Class sponsored a dress-down day (a day where students pay for the privilege of “dressing-down” from their usual dress code requirements) to help raise funds.  In addition, the Fuqua Players collected donations during their spring production, The Quilt.  A total of $835.00 was raised and presented to the family to help with the rebuilding of their lives.  Pictured presenting their gift to the Rachel family on behalf of the Fuqua School community are members of the Class of 2007.

Freshmen Class Sponsors Acoustic Music Night

The Fuqua School freshmen class recently held an “Acoustic Music Night” fundraiser in the Gee-Price Activity Center.  The opening number, performed by the local band Jump the Tracks, showcased the musical and vocal talents of three college-age performers, who donated their time and talent to help fundraise for the Class of 2010.  Audience members enthusiastically responded to Fuqua participants Stephen Nelson, Victoria Wilson, Tom Noehren and J. Blessing, while they enjoyed refreshments at their tables in a coffeehouse-like setting.  Fuqua parent, Dave Martin, performed an original score before the final group, Legrande Jazz, Farmville's very own jazz band, lent their talents to the event.  Fuqua School encourages the appreciation of the arts both in and out of the classroom, and the Class of 2010 would like to thank all of the participants who helped make their first “Acoustic Night” an enjoyable and successful evening.

 K/1 Students Celebrate Chinese New Year

Members of Ms. Tracy Carilli's K/1 class at Fuqua School recently culminated their study of the Chinese New Year with the practice of the age-old art of Chinese paper cutting and folding.  The students made paper dragons, masks, red envelopes, and Chinese lanterns. The K/1 class also formed a parade around the Lower School where they visited and presented fortune cookies to Ms. Latisha Eanes, the lower school nurse; Ms. Debbie Watson, lower school secretary; and Ms. Ruth Murphy, Lower School Dean and Fuqua School President. In addition, students received a surprise in the red gift envelopes that they made.

Sixth Graders Discover Bounty of Rainforests

In the classroom, what better way to learn about the bounties of the rainforest than to experience them first-hand?  After participating in a study of this vital biome, Fuqua sixth graders scoured local grocery stores in search of tropical produce.  The students learned that more and more varieties have become available, as commercial production has increased worldwide in recent years.  Through their “Rainforest Fruit Fiesta,” the sixth graders learned how to properly open and slice the fruits.  They enjoyed the new textures and tastes of papayas, mangos, plantains, red and brown “monkey” bananas, coconuts, carambola, blood oranges, kiwis, and pineapples.  In June, several Fuqua Middle and Upper School students, along with several parents and teachers, will participate in an ecological expedition to the rainforests of Costa Rice.  There the Fuqua travelers will view the flora and fauna.  Ms. Jodi Maxey, Fuqua Middle School science instructor, and Ms. Stephanie Trovato, Fuqua Upper School science instructor, will be leading the 9-day adventure.

Nano Explorers Compete in the Lego League Regional Tournament

The Fuqua School 4-H Lego Robotics Team, the “Nano Explorers,” recently competed in the “Virginia First Lego League Regional Tournament” at James River High School in Chesterfield, Virginia. The “First Lego League” was created to promote “inspiration and recognition of science and technology.” The Fuqua School group competed in Division 2, the highest level of competition. They competed in four areas: robot design, teamwork, nanotechnology research and robot performance.  Out of 15 schools competing in the Division 2 level, the Fuqua “Nano Explorers” placed first in the nanotechnology research category.  Pictured are the sponsors and members of the Fuqua “Nano Explorers.”

$5 Million Endowment for Fuqua School

Fuqua School President Ruth S. Murphy announced this week that the late J. B. Fuqua provided a charitable bequest to the school in the amount of $5 million.  Mr. Fuqua, entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist, died in April of 2006 in Atlanta, GA.

"We are humbled by and grateful for Mr. Fuqua's generosity and final expression of support, as well as his confidence in the quality of Fuqua School," Murphy stated.  "Given his strong affection for the area where he grew up and his deep desire to provide a 'model school of excellence' for students throughout our region, we are especially pleased that Fuqua School reflects the level of excellence that he envisioned."

    The gift is in the form of an endowment, the principal of which will be invested.  Income generated by the principal may be expended.  Endowments play a major role in the long-term financial well-being of educational institutions, including colleges and universities as well as independent schools.

    In his letter announcing the gift, J. Rex Fuqua, son of J. B. Fuqua, commented:  "My father was a generous benefactor to many, many institutions, both large and small.  He had a personal interest and affection for each one.  He was especially dedicated to and proud of The Fuqua School and the impact it had on the lives of others."

    In his lifetime, Mr. Fuqua donated in excess of $150 million to over 400 entities, including a $10 million gift to Fuqua School in 1993, challenging the independent school to become a "model school of excellence for rural America."  In subsequent years, additional contributions were made to the school, most notably through a matching gift program established in 2001.

    "Our new endowed fund will provide continued support from Mr. Fuqua which, along with contributions from our other donors, will help ensure financial strength in years to come," Murphy said.

    J.B. Fuqua was an internationally known businessman who grew up in Prospect, Virginia, and was raised by his maternal grandparents when his mother died shortly after his birth.  He graduated from Prospect High School in 1935 and joined the Merchant Marines where he advanced his passion and expertise in radio.  After his service years, he joined a radio station in Charleston, SC.  At the young age of twenty-one, he convinced a group of investors to back him in creating a new radio station in Augusta, GA.  A few years later, he established Augusta’s first television station.  Over the next sixty-five years, he used his business and financial instincts and skills to build a fortune, primarily through Fuqua Industries, a conglomerate that bought and sold over sixty companies.

    J.B. Fuqua won numerous awards and honors for his philanthropy.  He was recognized in 1993 as “Philanthropist of the Year” by the National Association of Fund Raising Executives.  In 1999, he was named one of “The Hundred Most Generous Americans” by Worth Magazine.  He also held honorary degrees from ten colleges and universities including Hampden-Sydney College and Duke University.

    Mr. Fuqua believed deeply in public service, and his savvy political instincts were greatly admired.  He was also a close friend of several presidents, especially Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford.  Lucy Baines Johnson and Rosalynn Carter both attended his funeral in Atlanta.

    “Our school’s family and the community will forever be indebted to Mr. Fuqua for his generosity, dedication, and leadership,” stated Robert M. Showalter, Chairman of Fuqua School’s Board of Directors. 

Benchmarck Community Bank Helps Sponsor Falconfest

Sixth Grade Life Science Studies Bones

Members of the Fuqua School sixth grade life science class recently culminated their study on bone structure.  Students have been studying skeletons and anatomy in class.  One of their assignments was to cook a chicken at home with help from their parents and bring the clean bones to class.  At school, they disarticulated and reassembled the chicken skeletons with wire and glue.  Ms. Jodi Maxey is the sixth grade science teacher at Fuqua.

K/1 Celebrates 100 Days of School

Fuqua School K/1 students celebrated the completion of 100 days of school on Tuesday, January 23.  The “100” themed celebration included a pancake and sausage breakfast in the Gee-Price Activity Center, decorated with 100 balloons; activities such as different ways of counting to 100; and making placemats with 100 items.

Woodmen of World Make Contributions

Pictured presenting Fuqua School with several copies of The American Patriots Handbook are (l-r) Mr. Scotty Hamlett, field representative for the Woodmen of the World, Mr. Jennings Custis, Fuqua School history teacher; Mrs. Frances Hazelwood, Fuqua School Library Media Specialist; and Mr. Adam Eason, area manager for the Woodmen of the World.

Fuqua School president, Ruth Murphy is pictured below (center) accepting a Virginia State flag from Scotty Hamlett (left), field representative for the Woodmen of the World and Adam Eason (right), area manager for the Woodmen of the World.  On behalf of Fuqua School, Murphy expressed her thanks:

“We were delighted to receive a beautiful new Virginia state flag from Woodmen of the World, as well as eight copies of the book, The American Patriots Handbook. The support this organization provides to schools and to the broader community is impressive, and we are fortunate to be on the receiving end of their generosity."  

JV Cheerleaders Participate in Capital One Pre-Game Show

Eight members of the 2006-2007 Fuqua School Junior Varsity Cheerleaders recently returned from participating in the Capitol One Bowl Pre-game Show in Orlando, Florida.  The Fuqua School girls joined 600 cheerleaders from across the country in performing three well-rehearsed dance routines for the pre-game events.  After receiving “First Place Overall” in the junior varsity division for their “Extreme Routine” at a cheerleading summer camp in Charlottesville, the Fuqua School Junior Varsity Cheerleaders received an invitation from the Universal Cheerleading Association to participate in this highly anticipated football event.  In addition to taking part in and attending the game, the Fuqua cheerleaders also spent a day enjoying the sites and attractions of Walt Disney World.  Ms. Chelsey Green is the coach for the Junior Varsity Cheerleaders.

Spelling Bee Winners

The Fuqua School spelling bee was held on Tuesday, January 23, with classroom winners from grades four through eight participating.  Competition was strong between a fifth and seventh grader.  The seventh grader went down when she attempted the spelling of C-A-R-N-I-V-O-R-E.  The fifth grader spelled it correctly and moved on to the next and final level of the contest, spelling P-U-E-B-L-O correctly, winning the Fuqua School bee.  Later in the month, the first place winner will participate in the state level private school division.  The winner of that contest will join public school regional winners for the state level spelling bee.

Fuqua Senior Band Hosts Basket Bingo

The Fuqua School Senior Band is sponsoring a Basket Bingo evening in the Lower School Commons on Sunday, February 11.  The doors open at 1 P.M., and the games begin at 2 P.M. The Basket Bingo event features top quality Longaberger® baskets filled with specialty prizes, a raffle table, door prizes, and a prize-filled balloon arch.  Concessions will be available for purchase.  The evening includes twenty games of old-fashioned Bingo.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Fuqua Senior Band's transportation costs for their spring trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, where they will be performing and marching in the “Islands of Adventure” theme park.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 or $25 at the door by calling 392.4131.   Pictured are Sandy Bolick and Joyce Eggleston, PEA Class of '77, showcasing several of the Longaberger® baskets.

History Student Makes Period Dress

Fuqua School juniors in Mr. Jennings Custis' United States History class recently culminated their study of the Civil War and Reconstruction period by completing an outside class project.  One student completed her project by making an antebellum style dress by hand.