VCU news

By Mike Porter

A group of VCU freshmen reconnected last week with high school teachers and counselors who played a role in shaping their success.

At an event called “Making a Difference Day,” students and educators caught up at lunch and a reception. The idea was developed to find a way for the students to recognize those who influenced their lives and started them on a path to success at VCU.

During New Student Orientation at the beginning of the academic year, incoming freshmen were asked to nominate a teacher or counselor who had been critical to their development. Representatives from the Office of Admissions reviewed the nomination forms and narrowed the list to 20. Those educators and the students who nominated them were invited to lunch and a reception on campus on Dec. 4. Twelve educators were able to attend.

"This was a wonderful program that allowed us to honor the voices of our current students, while also showing respect and appreciation for those educators who provided them with guidance and support during their high school careers," said Vishon Luck, director of undergraduate recruitment in the Office of Admissions.

The educators who visited campus came from across Virginia and as far away as Baltimore County, Maryland:

·    Fredrika Conyers-Brinkley of Phoebus High School, Hampton, Va.
·    Ryan Conway of Glen Allen High School, Glen Allen, Va.
·    Virginia Henderson of Halifax County High School, South Boston, Va.
·    Christopher Murphy of Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, Va.
·    Stuart Nabors of James River High School, Midlothian, Va.
·    Beverly Parker-Lewis of Herndon High School, Herndon, Va.
·    Patricia Poggi of Gar-Field Senior High School, Woodbridge, Va.
·    Stephanie Powell of George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Baltimore, Md.
·    Jeremy Thompson of L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, Henrico, Va.
·    Michael Weinstein of York High School, Yorktown, Va.
·    Martha Wilson of The Governor’s School of Southside Virginia, Keysville, Va.
·    Michael Zook of McLean High School, McLean, Va.

I haven’t been in touch with him since graduation, but when we saw each other he said I look like a college student now.

Freshman Trish Cao nominated Nabors, who was her English as a second language teacher in ninth grade and also the faculty sponsor of the James River High School “Do Something” club, in which she was a member. Cao said Nabors was helpful throughout her high school years, even writing a college recommendation letter for her.  

“I haven’t been in touch with him since graduation, but when we saw each other he said I look like a college student now,” Cao said. “He’s impacted my life — and I’m sure he has impacted the lives of other students and his co-workers.”

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