Contact: Jenni Brockman
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Community/Technology Center
This past Wednesday, January 6th marked the groundbreaking event for a new facility at St. Margaret's School (SMS), The Community/Technology Center, which will replace the school's science lab, built in 1961. At 1:00 p.m., despite a chilly winter breeze and near freezing temperatures, a large crowd of students, alumnae, Board of Governors members, faculty, friends, town citizens and officials gathered to show support for the event.
(pictured l. to r.) Jane W. Sellers, Campaign Chair; Anne Worthington, Student Body President; Edward L. Hammond, Tappahannock Mayor; Sarah Belle Parrott, Board Chair; James F. Moore, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors - Essex County; Margaret Broad, Headmistress; and Tom Boyd, President - Southside Bank and SMS Board Member, join in the ceremonial dig, signifying the groundbreaking for St. Margaret's Community / Technology Center, to be completed in the 1999-2000 school year - Photo by Barbara Jenkins.
In January 1997, the SMS Board of Governors adopted a strategic plan to serve as the guiding document for the school into the new century. Among its top priorities was the need for new facilities to support the school's program. A component of "The Campaign for St. Margaret's School: Educating Young Women for Life in a New Century," the facility will house science and technology classrooms; the building will also showcase a new dining facility.
SMS Chaplain Ann Reeder Riggs delivered the invocation; she gave thanks-as a community-for all institutions of learning and, particularly, for St. Margaret's School. Chaplain Riggs also thanked the school's benefactors, the support of Church Schools, and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. "As old structures, the science lab and tennis courts pass into history; we give thanks and recognize their role and contribution in our lives," prayed Chaplain Riggs. "We thank you also for the magnificent oak tree whose beauty and shelter we have enjoyed for many years; may its wood be used in new ways and in different forms to enhance the space which we will build upon."
SMS Headmistress Margaret Broad followed with a welcome address signifying the role of The Community/Technology Center in meeting an increasing need for improved science facilities and instruction aimed to lead SMS students into the 21st century, well-prepared and able to tackle the challenges ahead.
Headmistress Broad turned the podium over to Southside Bank President Tom Boyd. Mr. Boyd, representing the Community Relations Task Force, told the audience that he would revert to an edited version of his speech. "I had originally prepared to give a :20 minute speech," jestingly remarked Mr. Boyd. "But because of today's weather…I think I will speak in favor of brevity." Mr. Boyd noted the importance of the building as an aesthetic compliment to the local community and thanked all of those who were involved.
Following Mr. Boyd's remarks, those standing beside the podium picked up their shovels in unison for the ceremonious "dig," signifying the actual groundbreaking. Margaret Broad, SMS Headmistress; Tom Boyd, Board Member; Sarah Belle Parrott, SMS Board of Governors; James F. Moore, Chairman, Essex County Board of Supervisors; Edward L. Hammond, Mayor, Town of Tappahannock; Jane W. Sellers, Campaign Chair; and SMS Student Body President Anne Worthington, all participated in the groundbreaking, signifying the first step toward an anticipated completion date for the new facility during the 1999-2000 academic year. A reception, complete with hot apple cider and cookies, followed in Ball Gymnasium.
The Community/Technology Center will be built on the site of the current science building and tennis courts, adjacent to Ball Gymanasium. "This will be St. Margaret's last riverfront building site," notes Headmistress Broad. "We are thrilled to be able to add this building to our campus-a multi-purpose space which will be Tappahannock's first large, riverfront space available for the community."
