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Gov. Perdue visits Northwest Cabarrus High School
Photo by James Nix
Gov. Bev Perdue speaks with a group of students in the i-Lab at Northwest Cabarrus High School during a tour of Monday morning.
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Published: September 15, 2009
Gov. Perdue visits Northwest Cabarrus High School
By Jessica Groover
jgroover@independenttribune.com
CONCORD — Gov. Beverly Perdue visited what she called one of the best high schools in North Carolina in terms of technology, on Monday. Perdue spent almost an hour at Northwest Cabarrus High School visiting three classes, talking with students and meeting staff members.
Perdue spent much of her visit talking about the importance of technology and asking students how it helped them learn. She visited the high school because it is ahead of other schools in technology.
At Northwest Cabarrus High School, all classrooms have SMART Boards, interactive white boards, said principal Lynn Rhymer. One of the goals for Cabarrus County Schools' strategic plan is to have 21st-century technology in every classroom.
While serving on state committees, Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education member Cindy Fertenbaugh had encouraged Perdue to visit the school system for that reason.
"I am proud of what we're doing in our school system," Fertenbaugh said. "Her education adviser contacted me last week and asked what schools (Perdue should visit). I said, 'write down Northwest Cabarrus High School three times, because they are doing a lot with technology.'"
After being greeted by a performance by the school band and handshakes from students, the members of the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education, Mayor Scott Padgett and school staff, Perdue sat in Mary Hunsuck's freshmen English class.
Perdue saw students use a SMART Board to identify the parts of speech and definitions for vocabulary words. As she watched students complete the exercise, Perdue said, "Good job," and "Go girl."
Perdue encouraged the next group of students in a leadership class to go to college and consider public service as a career.
"I'm trying to remind people, even though our economy has had harsh things happen to it, the key to economic recovery is with our students," Perdue said.
Students in the leadership class were given the opportunity to ask Perdue questions. They inquired about her positions on having ROTC in schools, how teenagers could be more involved in politics and how she entered public service.
"I got fed up with the state and federal government and thought, 'I'm smart and aggressive,'" Perdue said. "The good 'ol boys structure told me I couldn't run. That made me a little energetic. You can do anything you want to do."
At the end of her tour, Perdue visited a computer lab where students were using several types of technology, including the virtual world program, Second Life.
Perdue sat down with a group of students and asked how they use technology and why every school should be equipped with it. The students replied that it was easier to learn, and their principal agreed.
"They want to be here," Rhymer said. "It's going to help out our dropout rate."
"It does help the dropout rate," Perdue said.
Before leaving, Perdue also stopped to speak with employees in the cafeteria, something that
Superintendent Barry Shepherd said he was impressed with.
"We were honored to have the governor with us," Shepherd said. "I was very impressed with her office, and I feel good about (the visit)."
As she left with a gift basket from the school and the chorus singing, Perdue seemed equally impressed.
"Northwest has been such a great school," Perdue said. "I'm blown away."
• Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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