Lion’s Club notes 10-23-08

It is only a year away from the next Lee Regional Fair and volunteers who helped at this year’s edition will be the honored guest tonight as this is Fair Appreciation Night. This being the first meeting since the fair, it is dedicated to those who helped the Lions put on another successful event.
John Byrd opened last weeks meeting with the invocation and after the meal he introduced the speaker, Mark West, who is principal of Lee Early College. Support of the school comes from the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation according to West. The point is to offer something different to the students. One difference as compared to area high schools is that LEC students can earn a high school diploma and an associate degree from CCCC in four to five years. Another is that the school is kept small in numbers, giving it more of a community feel. Students must apply to the school and not all get accepted. The New Scholars Project and the AVID program for all ninth graders are a couple reasons why Lee Early College is a part of the New Schools Project. Also, if you see students on the side of the road at 9:30 am, they did not miss the bus, LEC does not start class till 10:00 and they go till 5:00 in the afternoon.
President John Walden reminded members of the upcoming Fall Convention and he also read a thank you letter from a sight impaired individual who attended the fishing tournament in Manteo. Jim Romine led the pledge of allegiance to the flag and Bob Nelson was tail twister for the evening. Guest included Nancy Berliner and Roger Binning.