Gates County Community Partnership Provides Scholarship to North Carolina Promise Recipient
Gates County Community Partnership presented a full tuition one year scholarship to North Carolina Promise Tuition Plan recipient Jordan Eason, a 2019 graduate of Gates County High School. He will be attending Western Carolina University.
"As an organization founded to support the educational aspirations of the students of Gates County, providing this scholarship was a no-brainer,” said Gates County Community Partnership director Michael Gatling. "We would like to congratulate Jordan Eason and offer assistance as he follows his dreams. He is a much deserving honoree."
The North Carolina Promise Tuition Plan is a program of the State of North Carolina established to increase access to a quality university education through the University of North Carolina system. Students who qualify receive reduced rate tuition with the remainder supplemented by the state.
"Gates County Community Partnership will continue to serve and is thankful for local support. We are working on a couple of things for this summer that back our mission as we intend to always stay active,” stated Gates County Community Partnership director Brian Rountree.
Gates County Community Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity whose mission is to inspire and increase community engagement by the citizens of Gates County for the educational and social development of its youth. Donations are welcome at paypal.me/gatescountycp and P.O. Box 64, Sunbury, NC 27979. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Gates County Community Partnership Donates to Gates County High School
Gates County Community Partnership Director Brian Rountree presents a $2,500 donation to Gates County High School Principal Jonathan Hayes in honor of Wayne “Primetime” Hathaway, former head basketball coach and mentor to Gates County’s youth.
“A Resounding Success”
Gates County High School Alumni Charity Basketball Expo 2019
On Saturday, April 20, Gates County Community Partnership hosted the Gates County High School Alumni Charity Basketball Expo at Gates County High School. “It was a resounding success with proceeds enabling a $2,500 donation to Gates County High School in honor of former varsity basketball coach Wayne Hathaway,” stated Gates County Community Partnership member Brian Rountree.
The Expo included three alumni basketball games, featuring Gates County High School basketball stars of the past. The alumni cheerleaders were a highlight, mixing traditional cheers with new ones. Other events included a 3-Point Shootout, Slam Dunk contest and “Rep Your Class” spirit competition, along with raffles and other giveaways. The Saunders Science Scholars, Gates County 4-H and Gateway Community Health provided enlightening information, activities and services for those present.
“We would like to recognize game MVPs Mike Manley, Graylon Boone, Tommy Arline and DeShanna Duggins, as well as the 3-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Champion Cassius Gary,” said Gates County Community Partnership member Sherley Jones. “Also, the Gates County High School Class of 2000 won the “Rep Your Class” spirit competition by donning personalized t-shirts and singing their “Rock the Red and White” school chant.”
Gates County Community Partnership appreciates all who attended, participated and made the Alumni Charity Basketball Expo possible. The directors specifically mentioned Gates County High School Principal Jonathan Hayes, Paul Gary, Renee Nicholson, Chante Lassiter-Jordan and the family of the late Wayne Hathaway.
“The Alumni Basketball Expo was about the community. We wanted to show our love for Gates County by providing an avenue for good, clean family fun over the holiday weekend. Hopefully, the event inspired others to become even more involved working for our youth,” said Gates County Community Partnership member Benjamin Saunders, Jr.
Gates County Community Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity whose mission is to inspire and increase community engagement by the citizens of Gates County for the educational and social development of its youth. Donations are welcome at paypal.me/gatescountycp and P.O. Box 64, Sunbury, NC 27979. For more information, contact [email protected].
Hoops for the Community
Tournament will Benefit Gates County High School
The sounds of basketballs bouncing on the hardwood always brings out the competitive spirit.
But that sound can also signal a worthwhile fundraiser.
Such will be the case on Saturday, April 20 at the Gates County High School gym. There, Gates County Community Partnership will conduct an Alumni Charity Basketball Expo.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds we raise at this event will be donated to Gates County High School,” said Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr, Director of Gates County Community Partnership.
Saunders added that the Partnership is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity.
“Our mission is to inspire and increase community engagement by the citizens of Gates County for the educational and social development of its youth,” Saunders stated.
The Alumni Charity Expo will feature games for ages 35-and-under and 35-and-over. Gates County High School alumni, men and women, are encouraged to participate.
There is a $20 per person participation fee. General admission for fans is $5 per person. Admission is free for ages 8 and under.
Advance tickets are available online at https://gchsalumnibbgame.eventbrite.com.
The event will feature the games along with a 3-point shooting and slam dunk contest. Awards and prizes are up to grabs.
Additionally, there will be free health and wellness checks.
For more information, send an email to [email protected].
School and Community Partnership Continues
Gates County Schools continues to benefit from their partnership with alumni who are giving back. On Monday, March 4, 2019, the importance of school and community partnerships was showcased at the Gates County Board of Education meeting. Mr. Benjamin Saunders, Jr., Mr. Brian Rountree and Mr. Sherley Jones, Jr. of Gates County Community Partnership, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity, gave a presentation highlighting the value of school-community partnerships as a bridge to the gaps in funding for educational technologies and resources which enhance the core curriculum.
Community involvement can be defined as the connection between schools and members of the community such as individuals, businesses, as well as other formal and informal institutions (Henderson & Mapp, 2002; Sanders, 2003). According to Dr. Williams, District Superintendent, the establishment of community partnerships comes from an innovators mindset to find ways to give students all the wonderful things they desire as they grow and learn in the public school setting. The purpose of education is to develop learners and leaders who improve today and tomorrow for all. To develop our students, we must be forward-thinking and utilize all resources to empower them and inspire innovation.
The mission of Gates County Community Partnership is to inspire and increase community engagement by the citizens of Gates County for the educational and social development of its youth. Since its formation in October 2018, they have worked with Gates County Schools and the community, focusing activities that encourage others to do more. In the organization’s first month of existence, it donated 125,000 sheets of copy paper to Gates County High School and assisted in securing additional funding to expand the Saunders Science Scholars program in Gates County Schools.
This is just the beginning as the partnership is motivated to push forward. “We are in this for the long haul. As a patriotic American, it is my responsibility to do what I can to encourage and give back, never forgetting my home. My colleagues in this organization feel the same way, which is why we came together, in an organized manner, to serve Gates County,” said Gates County Community Partnership member Michael Gatling.
On Saturday, April 20, 2019, the group will sponsor the Gates County High School Alumni Charity Basketball Expo at 4:00 pm in Gates County High School’s gymnasium. 100% of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Gates County High School. The cost is $20 to participate and $5 for general admission (8 and under are free). Advance purchase of either ticket is highly encouraged at https://gchsalumnibbgame.eventbrite.com.
Through their efforts, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Rountree, Mr. Jones and Mr. Gatling have laid the foundation for developing current and future partnerships that can be built in the best interest of children for Gates County.
Gates County Community Partnership accepts donations at paypal.me/gatescountycp or P.O. Box 64, Sunbury, NC 27979.
Gates County Community Partnership Donates to High School through its "Pupil Provision Project"
Gates County Community Partnership donated 125,000 sheets of copy paper to Gates County High School through its “Pupil Provision Project.”
The “Pupil Provision Project” is a subset of the Gates County Community Partnership that focuses on the donation of tangible items to local schools.
“We figured the paper donation was a good way to start because we recognize the considerable need to copy instructional materials in today's educational climate,” said Gates County Community Partnership member Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr.
Gates County receives supplemental funding from the state due to its designation as “low wealth” and “small county.” Per the “Highlights of the North Carolina Public School Budget”, dated February 2018, Gates County collected an additional $1,411 per child for FY 2017 - 2018 because of its below average ability to generate local revenue per student. Less than 5% of those funds went towards textbooks, supplies, and materials.
"We are grateful to Gates County Community Partnership for their support,” said Gates County High School Principal Jonathan Hayes. “This donation will have a positive impact on our teachers and their ability to provide curriculum materials to our students."
Gates County Community Partnership is a newly formed non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and increase community engagement by the citizens of Gates County for the educational and social development of its youth. The association was started by Sherley Lee Jones, Jr., Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr., Brian Keith Rountree, and Michael Gatling, each born and raised in Gates County.
"An educational and social investment in our youth will yield a positive net gain for our future. Being prudent will pay dividends for our students, community, and economy,” said Rountree.
Although members of the organization are working hard to give back to the Gates County community, most of them are no longer residents of the area. Jones lives in Virginia, Saunders in Maryland and Gatling in Alaska.
“We know we can only do so much because we are not local,” said Saunders. “Our goal is to inspire others within Gates County to do similar activities. Organized group efforts tend to produce superior results."
Jones emphasized the potential of Gates County students to become significant figures in science, technology, engineering, math, and other professions with the help of sound educational endeavors and active community support locally.
“Our youth will be empowered and inspired to not just succeed in life, they will excel.”