CLP 2009: Day 12, Wednesday June 10

College Leaders Program Class of 2009
Day 12- Wednesday, June 10
Reported by: Abigail Quinn, Hollins University

It was a field trip day! CLP woke up bright and early to be out the door by 7:30 this morning.  Most of us slept on the way to Chatham’s Green Rock Correctional Facility. To enter the prison we had to give up our driver’s licenses and were patted down. Our group was split into two smaller groups, one lead by the facility’s Investigative Officer and the other with Officer Gibbs. Our tour guide took us to see the gym, pods (where the inmates sleep), visiting room, and classrooms for VOTECH programs and GED programs. Although the inmates were tough, I was surprised by how well everyone behaved and followed procedures.  The jail was really clean, mostly due to the fact that the inmates spend an hour each day cleaning. The jail provides such luxuries as air conditioning, two televisions in each cell, planned activities, and two libraries.  It was disheartening to hear that the new jail was already filled at capacity and that 82% of the inmates are black. I had no idea how many jobs correctional facilities provide to the surrounding communities: officers, doctors, educators, ect.
     Next we hopped into the bus and drove to get lunch. We dined at Mary’s Diner for some “Good ol’ Southern Cookin’” YUM!
     After we were stuffed we had a tour of Dansville from the Mayor, Linwood Wright. We drove all around the city. The factories that once ran Danville are being demolished and the property is being sold for development.  New factories owned by international companies are beginning to pop up. Companies such as Swedwood (IKEA) and Telvista (a Mexican call center) are reaching out to their American consumers by putting factories in the United States.
     The bus dropped us off downtown at America National Bank and Trust, where Charlie Majors, President and Chairman, talked to us about changes in Danville. In class we already established that Danville is one of the poorest communities in Virginia with one of the highest unemployment rates. Yet Wright and Majors seem optimistic. With new companies coming into the area, they are hoping that more people will become employed. Also, it seems that Danville is putting its money in the right places. They made the small city very broadband friendly which is allowing more companies to come to the area. Furthermore, they realize the need to get their students educated. They have been training their teachers on how to teach with technology and co-operate Galileo High School for technology and sciences, which is receiving national attention. After meeting with Mr. Majors, I think we all felt like we had a pretty good grasp on the city of Danville’s struggles and prospects.
     After leaving Danville, we drove another hour and half to Lynchburg where we had a delicious Italian dinner. Delegate Shannon Valentine, a Sorensen graduate and State Board member, met with us in small groups before dinner before having to leave to pick up her child. I respect her for being able to play the role of politician and mom.
     We sang songs the whole way back from Lynchburg. We were all a little loopy from a great day and little sleep. We arrived back safe and sound at 10pm. What a great (but long) day.

—Abigail Quinn, Hollins University