June 5, 2008 issue
Rainbow Center Opens High Country Academy
After 15 months of renovating the former Fleetwood School, obtaining licensures and training staff, the High Country Academy, a day treatment program, opened in Fleetwood on Thursday, May 22, with a ribbon cutting and open house.
High Country Academy is a program of Rainbow Center – Children & Family Services (RCCFS) in partnership with the Greater Fleetwood Preservation Organization, as well as Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes County Schools. High Country Academy will teach appropriate behaviors, provide counseling, require parental involvement and offer basic academics to qualified youth. During the grand opening ceremony, the Boone Optimist Club presented a $500 check to Rainbow Center in honor of the Newell Family of Boone that was involved in a tragic car accident last fall. Rainbow Center CEO Glenda Andrews summarized the ribbon cutting, “You often hear that it takes a community to raise a child, and High Country Academy is a true example of this phrase. We’re happy to offer this service to at-risk children and families in our region.” Pictured are, from left to right on the first row, Dan Meyer, Boone Chamber; Beth Dixon, Ashe Chamber; N.C. House Representative Cullie Tarleton; N.C. Senator Steve Goss; Andrews; RCCFS Board Chair Susan Whittington; Ashe County Commissioner Judy Poe; Gordon Burns, Wilkes Community College; and Lynn Dyer, Wilkes Chamber. On the second row, from left to right, are Ginny Campbell, Boone Chamber; RCCFS Board Member Katrina Miller; Bobbie Short, Watauga County Schools superintendent; RCCFS Board Member Joe Miller; RCCFS High Country Academy Administrator Jamie Morrison; Richard Blackburn, Ashe County Commissioner chair; and Donnie Johnson, Ashe County Schools superintendent. On the third row, from left to right, are Lowell Younce, Watauga Board of Education chair; Watauga Board of Education Vice Chair Steve Combs; RCCFS Board Member Ruth Gray; Brian Newell, Charter Communications; Christy Pruess, Smoky Mountain Center; Tom Van Gilder, ASU. On the fourth row, from left to right, are RCCFS Campaign Chair John Matthews; Pete Kulynych; Patricia Triplett; Dr. Lee Warren, Watauga Board of Education; RCCFS Chief Operating Officer Clayton Cone; Captain Jeff Virginia, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office; Brent Keith, Skyline Membership Corporation; Watauga County Sheriff L.D. Hagaman; and Boone Chief of Police Bill Post. Photo submitted by Rainbow Center
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