Nansemond River students take distracted rides

Students at Nansemond River High School had a chance to learn about the effects of drunken or distracted driving thanks to the creativity of physical education teacher Sarah Smith and Andre Weaver, the school’s resource officer from the Suffolk Police Department. Students were accompanied by sponsoring adults on a golf cart obstacle course. The students first made a pass on a course to familiarize themselves with golf cart operation. Next, the student was handed a calculator and told to drive the course while performing multiple mathematical calculations on the fly. The golf cart speeds slowed remarkably. Finally, the student was handed a set of fatal vision goggles to wear while negotiating the traffic cones. These devices resemble standard safety goggles but the lenses distort perception. I became rather nauseated in seconds. Course speeds decreased to a crawl and falling traffic cones became the norm. This five-minute reality simulation probably has a greater inpact on new and future drivers than most lectures or videos could hope for.

Thanks to community support, the thespians of Nansemond River High School were able to compete in this year’s Virginia Theatre Association’s Secondary School Theatre Festival and annual conference in Reston in October. Nansemond River took first and second places in the state playwriting competition, winning the competition for the fourth year in a row. Sharing first place was Harold Hodge Jr. and Jeremy Hoffman; K.C. Couch got second place. Christian Ellis was named to the association’s student board of directors and an all-state actor, as was Kasey Furlo. The school’s production of “Scapino” received the Judge’s Award for Outstanding Ensemble and honorable mention for the Costume Merit Award for Costume Design for director and teacher. Performing Arts director Dr. Joleen Neighbours has firmly established NRHS as a tour de force that repeatedly challenges Northern Virginia’s former domination of the stage.

Have you ever wondered if solar panels would make a difference in your home energy costs? Several years ago neighbor Mike Zirpolo contemplated this while undergoing a major home expansion; at the time, it proved to be more than the budget could bear. However, with a Southern facing, exposed roof, the home offered an optimum opportunity for solar power. So the Zirpolos are now benefiting from 14 solar power panel supplements and the associated federal and state tax and energy credits. They expect to recoup their expenses in eight years; but in the meantime they can track the kilowatt hours they net and resell both on cloudy and sunny days. Mike never really viewed himself as a tree hugger; more as someone who would never spend more than was absolutely necessary. He thinks he has a winning combo here, ultimately benefitting the family budget.

Most folks with college-bound seniors are on alert for possible scholarship opportunities. Here’s one I stumbled on that may prove enlightening and helpful. The J. Theron “Tim” Timmons Scholarship is sponsored by AAA Tidewater Automobile Association. When Timmons came on the scene as the club’s director in 1934, the association was on the brink of collapse. When his photo was published in local papers announcing his arrival, bill collectors began calling en masse. Garages had not been paid; the phone company threatened to cease service. Instead of packing up and running, Mr. Timmons reached into his own pocket and paid the bills. There were a mere 850 members in 1934; at his retirement in 1996, AAA Tidewater Virginia had more than 280,000 members. Timmons died in February 2002. As a tribute to him and his work, the AAA Board of Directors established a foundation that provides a $5,000 scholarship annually. Applications are due April 15. Contact Georjeane Blumling at Gblum@tidewater.aaa.com or 233-3825.

  King’s Fork High School had two programs recently aimed at improving driver safety. At the behest of assistant football coach Richard Froemel, veteran Wal-Mart truck drivers came to the school with a full rig and videos to teach students about blind spots from the truck driver’s perspective and where you don’t want to be alongside a tractor-trailer. Meanwhile, the school’s DECA chapter under the leadership of Lisa Quinn sponsored a Wait to Text campaign. Students had the opportunity to see a video of the AT&T documentary “The Last Text,” which chronicled the stories of four teens whose lives were forever altered because of texting while driving. Students were encouraged to take a pledge to not text while driving. As a reminder of their pledge, students’ thumbnails were painted with black nail polish.

Do you have a story to share about yourself, a family member or neighbor? Please let me know at k.billue@charter.net so I can spread your news to Your Corner!

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