Piedmont Online 2022–1–17
Welcome to Piedmont Online; a free community based blog and e-paper serving the north central piedmont of North Carolina. For a freee copy of the e-paper version, send a request to gillclopton@outlook.com
Preserving The Past, Building The Future
With a snip from Leo Kelly, the ribbon was cut to open the Eaton Johnson office building. Mr. Kelly spoke of his days attending Henderson Institute on these same grounds. In an interview, Kelly also expressed his hope that the old school building across the street will also be restored.
But today was about the future of Vance County. The five year project will be placed in service in the coming weeks as the Department of Social Service moves into the state of the art facilities. Other county services, including the Senior Center, will move into the complex in the near future.
The complex sits on the grounds of one of the state’s most cherished schools. Henderson Institute was established in 1887 by the United Presbyterian Church to serve African-American students. Legendary college football coach Jake Gaither got his first coaching job at the school, winning state titles in football, basketball, baseball, track & field, and debate.
Henderson Institute ceased high school operations when city and county schools merged during desegregation in 1970. They continued to operate as a 9th grade campus until 1974 when the name was dropped and the entire school became Eaton-Johnson Junior High School.
While the new Eaton Johnson Office Building will be a center of activity, the Institute Museum remains on the property in the only original building still in existence.
More photos later in this blog.
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Here Comes The Storm
Although the forecast wasn’t nearly as bad as first thought, Sunday would still be a day for winter weather. In this picture, the first snow flakes fall in W. Belle St.
Simmons Ready For A Big Year
Malia Simmons is ready to take college softball by storm. The Freshman from Henderson started all 7 fall games for Winston Salem State University, batting 4th and finishing in the top 3 in stats. She plays catcher and shortstop.
Headbanger Sports highlighted Malia this week as an “absolute gem” for the Rams. “As a utility player, she truly is valuable anywhere on the field, but her true magic shows at the plate.”
Malia is a 2021 graduate of Vance County High School where she also played volleyball along side Emani Foster, the sensational sophomore at UNC-Charlotte. Her mother Kim Simmons spoke of Malia’s dedication not only to sports, but to herself. “…such a hard-working athlete. She never gives up. She never gets discouraged. She still works a part-time job when she is home from school and maintains a high GPA.”
Malia started at the cathcer position for Vance County but she also plays shortstop.
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Remember When
The Henderson Institute Library and Science Building in 1928. Today, it is the only original building standing at the former school and is the home of the Henderson Institute Historical Museum. (Photo courtesy of Henderson Institute Historical Museum)
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Vance Charter softball player Charly Cooper has announced her plans to continue her education and softball career. She plans to sign with Pfeiffer University this week. (photo by Gill Clopton)
A Peak Out West
Every so often we get a contribution from our friends in the western part of the state. This picture was taken at Southwest Guilford High School in High Point. Southwest just happens to be the team that won the state title in girl’s basketball the first year I followed the sport; they won the first two 2A titles of those early years. Bishop McGuinness, their opponent in this game, has won nine 1A title in the past 15 years. This picture was taken during the JV girls game last week. Bishop McGuinness went on the win the game. (photo by Claire Aufrance)
Kinsley Earnhardt and Piper Satterwhite help Vance Charter School announcer Michael Bean as he introduces the varsity basketball team prior to their game against Granville Central. (photo by Gill Clopton)
The Granville Central girls’ basketball team stops on the stairway to the gym to take a team photo. This is the first year I have covered Granville Central and I could not have found a nicer school to visit.
Maya Lloyd falls into the arms her teammates during a cheer routine for the Vance Charter cheerleaders. Catching Maya are Ashley Hennessey, Mia Satterwhite, Kelsey Waddle and Jae Dickerson.
Vance County Splits With South Granville
Vance County and South Granville split varsity wins on Tuesday night in Henderson. In the photo to the left, Jada Marks scores 2 of her 12 points for the Vipers. Jalea Taylor and Sarah Baldwin each scored 12 also as the Vipers defeated South Granville girls 56–31 Layla Besaw (right) made some great plays late in the game to keep the score in range.
In the boys game, Pierce Pettit scored 19 in South Granville’s 51–43 victory. The game was much closer than the score indicates. In the photo to the left, the Vikings’ Oliver Roberts drives around Vance County’s Elijah Harris. On the right, Vance County’s Nate Durham goes up for a rebound. (all photos by Gill Clopton)
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Piedmont Sports Gallery
Camilla Welborn breaks away with a steal in Vance Charter’s 49–28 victory over Granville Central.
Seth Thompson leaves a Granville Central player stranded in the air. Central won the game 71–39
Crossroad Christian’s Thomas Shah attempts to block a shot by a Grace Christian player during the JV boys game played at Crossroads.
Katherine Suther had another good game and Vance Charter moved much closer to being healthy again as they ripped Roxboro for their 4th straight victory.
Curt Lassiter shoots over the defense during Vance Charter’s victory over Roxboro Community School. The Knights swept RCS in all three games.
Ribbon Cutting For Eaton Johnson Office Building
Sen. Terry Garrison and Mayor Eddie Ellington are among the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting.
Jordan McMillen
Leo Kelly
A hallway that once housed classrooms for Eaton Johnson School.
Surviving memories of the Henderson Institute can be seen from the new DSS lobby.
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To visit the Corbitt Museum, call:
Charles Powell at 252–767–2247
Ken Stegall 252–432–6476
or
Tommy Roberson 252–430–9045
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Slidin’ Around Town
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Your Turn
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