New web sites at VDT
Readers of The Times know since last weekend we have launched two new Web sites to engage and inform the youth of the South Georgia area. www.vdtvarsity.com hit the Internet on Friday just in time for opening night of high school and VSU football. While football is getting the startup focus, the site is designed for all sports, bands and cheerleaders in public and private schools in Lowndes, Brooks, Cook, Berrien, Lanier, Clinch and Echols counties.
Signup is free and it is easy to do. Once you register you will have your own web page to build around your sport or sports. If you are a fan or coach and just want to use the site without building a personal page then do that, no problem. All who register can upload photos and video they take at the game, practice and just during fun times.
Anytime someone posts a picture, video about you or your name is in a sports story in the VDT you will be notified through a text message on your cell phone or through email … your choice.
It’s a fun site … get started today.
www.tweentribune.com is now a part of classroom curriculum in the Valdosta and Lowndes School systems. Free to teachers and students we have announced the site as a way to engage, inform and educate students. They can interact with online news, while they fulfill language, computer skills and other classes. Local, state, national and international news is added to the site daily. Students can then read and comment for teacher assignments. Comments are moderated by their teacher.
Teachers, if you need more information go to www.tweentribune.com/teachers. We invite all students and teachers from public and private schools in Lowndes, Brooks, Cook, Berrien, Lanier, Clinch and Echols counties to join us.
My Food Finds
Everyone who knows me is very aware of my liking for food at the “local” eatery. To me, some of your best food can be found at the little out-of-the-way places. I thought from time-to-time I would share with you some of my food finds.
My wife and I tried out the Bemiss BBQ last week. I knew the barbecue was good from being a judge at the 100 Black Men’s Barbecue last month. The restaurant claimed first place in the commercial division. My surprise was not the barbecue but the cakes. On the counter you will find whole (except for the slices already consumed by customers) cakes of chocolate, key lime, lemon iced pound cake and carrot cake. The one I did not mention was coconut. If coconut is on your favorite list then the trip up Bemiss is worth the drive. This cake is probably the best I have ever eaten (at least in the top two or three). I have requested one for Thanksgiving and again on my birthday.
College name?
The announcement is out that Valdosta Technical College will become Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in July 2010 when they officially merge with East Central Tech in Fitzgerald. Forgive my boldness but I don’t like it. Oh, five years from now the name will flow easily in conversation but for now it is hard to like.
Wiregrass? I understand the plant is everywhere a pine tree grows in our area of the state and the name denotes a region but I guess that is my problem. It is every where but yet it is no where. If it could not be Valdosta I guess I would have preferred Georgia Technical College – Valdosta Campus, Fitzgerald Campus. I would have merged all campuses under the one name but you know there is one thing missing here, I am not the commissioner of technical education. Ron Jackson knows way more than me about this than I do.
Now that my rant is public, let me say this. Any name is only as good as the person or people behind it. Valdosta Tech and East Central have a legacy of successfully providing for the educational needs of thousands of young adults in our part of the state. This will not change no matter what the sign out front says.
Congratulations Wiregrass! Now go and spread technical education just like wiregrass — everywhere.
What We Think
From the publisher: Engage, inform that’s the VDT
- What We Think
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. - More What We Think Headlines
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Shame in Berrien County
