THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503150091
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
The purpose of this letter is to thank the Norfolk public school system for having a such a wonderful, although apparently not well-known, Skills Center.
Through the Norfolk Skills Center, training is available from office technology to horticulture - free. The main purpose of these classes is to train persons to successfully compete in the work force. Each person with whom I am in contact is very knowledgeable, friendly, unfalteringly helpful and will do whatever he or she can to help get you started on a new career.
From Mr. Murray, the director; Elsie Harold and George Reed, the counselors; to Miss Pfaehler in financial aid, they are there to help you and do so quite well. Their main purpose is to train you and help you obtain work in your chosen field, which they accomplish at a very high percentage rate.
My chosen field is horticulture, which is taught at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Extension Service, Virginia Tech, at 1444 Diamond Springs Road by Ron Grainger, an infectiously enthusiastic instructor. This class, as well as all the other courses, is taught by a very capable teacher.
We receive thorough hands-on training in every aspect of horticulture and will be certified professional gardeners upon graduation. I have only been in the class a short time and have quickly learned an amazing amount. It's exciting to be learning something new about horticulture every day. My only regret is that I did not know about the class sooner. I'm hoping others will see this and join the class.
You can reach the Norfolk Skills Center at 441-2665.
Mary H. Rice
Abingdon Circle by CNB