Vencie Varnado believes it’s crucial for the community to take an active role in public education.
“It is the local community who has to fill the gap when public education is being limited due to budget cuts and a lack of parental/guardian academic support,” Varnado said. “The community is ours.”
Vencie Varnado
Varnado will be the featured speaker at the fifth annual Celebrate Excel banquet Friday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building in Pittsboro.
A 1982 graduate of Calhoun City, Varnado currently lives in Millington, Tn. and is an JROTC instructor at Frayser High School in Memphis.
He is a firm believer in community supported organizations that are committed to assisting with the academic success of all learners, K-12.
Excel has been providing that support for years through its after school tutoring program for grades 1-6 and its four week summer program of reading and math.
Charlie Brown will emcee the banquet and Precious Pratt Thompson will serve as honorary chair. She is a graduate of Vardaman, currently furthering her education at the University of Mississippi while being employed there. Thompson was recently elected as a member of the Calhoun County School Board.
“I am a lifelong learner and have been closely involved in the field of education for as long as I can remember,” Thompson said. “I understand the importance of a good education.”
The evening is part of the recently launched campaign to raise local financial support for Excel to insure its long-term viability.
Tickets are $10 and available at Excel and at the door of the event. Supporters can purchase a table of eight and invite guests.
For more information call 628-5165.