All area schools will be holding graduations either this or next week, and the community should be proud of the students who have attained this level of achievement. Hopefully, more than not will go on to obtain some sort of higher level of college or training in order to be successful and productive members of society.

Achieving this level is difficult today, as the value of education has been devalued for some reason, and nationwide, communities are struggling to find ways to encourage students to stay in school and not drop out.

One method which is getting ready to be rolled out this summer in Valdosta is one of the most unique approaches yet to encouraging children to reach their full potential. In a partnership between the city schools and VSU, 36 students entering the 6th grade will be chosen to participate in the Valdosta Early College Academy.

Dr. Brian Gerber of VSU and Ingrid Hall, the principal of the academy, presented the initiative to a group of Leadership Lowndes participants this week, saying that the students they will be working with are those with potential and initiative, but who are currently either poor performing or are at high risk for dropping out of school. Instead, they will stay with the program through graduation, receive a tremendous amount of one-on-one time and encouragement, and the rigorous program will not just help them get a high school diploma, but also have up to 60 hours of college credits by the time they finish 12th grade. Each year, a grade will be added with 36 more students, until in 6 years, there is a full and thriving school of children who will be saved from the cycle.

A lofty aspiration and one made possible largely through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It’s a wonderful program and an excellent start toward helping those who have so much to contribute but so few opportunities to do so.

Business Roundup

The new Verizon store next to LHS’ entrance is supposed to be finished in a month and they may even be ahead of schedule. That’s turning into a very popular area to build commercial developments, from the Ferron 21 Plaza that’s currently being framed to what will soon be another strip center called Norman Square.

There is a new business in Lake Park called Joyce’s Barber & Beauty Shop. It’s located on Highway 41 across from Lake Park City Hall.

There is also a new business apparently on Baytree called the Pita Pit, but I couldn’t quite locate the store, so someone may have to help me on that one.

A sign by the Nails by Chris salon in the new Shoppes on Baytree center by Publix says there is a store coming in called Magpies. The sign has a giant coffee cup on it but nothing else to indicate what type of store it might turn out to be. I’m guessing coffee shop but I’ve been wrong before.

This past week, the Hughston Clinic held a grand opening at its new facility in Camelot Crossing off N. Valdosta Road. The new clinic is a spectacular facility and I understand the transition from their former location on N. Patterson St. is basically complete.

There is a groundbreaking event planned this week for the new Atlantic Southern Bank on Norman Drive. On Thursday, bank officials will break ground for the permanent branch location, as there is currently a temporary branch located on the site. The newest bank to arrive in Valdosta, Atlantic Southern is headquartered in Macon.

Speaking of banks, the Farmers and Merchants Bank on Inner Perimeter Road looks like they’re just about finished working on it for a summer opening. And no, no word yet on the North Oak Square Plaza as far as what shops are going in.

You know the site where the old Holiday Inn used to be beside I-75 at Exit 18? The site has been leveled for a new Drury Inn, but I heard twice this week from fairly creditable sources that a restaurant planned for the site may actually end up being the one that shall not be named. The company has looked at many sites in that same area several times over the past couple of years as apparently they feel like no one will eat there if they’re not on St. Augustine right beside the interstate. Personally, with all the fuss people make over it, I think the OG could be built in the middle of a swamp accessible only by jon boat and it would still be packed all the time. But nobody is paying me millions for my opinion, so what do I know? (Nobody is paying Mike Hill that either, if you read his column in Homefront today, a sore point with him apparently, but not enough of one to make him stop).