Turning Over A New Page

by Charles Condro, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Throughout the city and across the nation, elections for positions of every level from the town hall to the oval office are winding down to the final weeks. One candidate hoping to be elected on November 4, is former MLWGS sophomore-junior guidance counselor Ms. Dawn Page. She is running for the Richmond City School Board from the eighth district.

Ms. Page, who has been working part-time for Hanover Public Schools since leaving MLWGS after last year, decided to run so she could try and improve the public school system.

“As a product of Richmond Public Schools,” said Ms. Page, “I want to improve the quality of education by ensuring accountability, fiscal responsibility… and increase parental and community involvement.”

The eighth district is in Richmond’s Southside, on the border of Chesterfield County. Ms. Page is running against Mr. Charles Willis.

Mr. Willis works as the director of Willis Entertainment, a special event consultant agency. He had worked in Richmond Public Schools for thirty years before leaving in 2003.

“I started in the eighth district thirty years ago as a janitor and I eventually worked up to becoming an administrator,” said Mr. Willis.

Funding for MLWGS is one of the many topics that have come up in this election.

“I will continue to support funding for MLWGS,” said Ms. Page. “MLWGS is a wonderful learning environment for all to explore endless educational opportunities.”

“I fought for its funding and since then [the beginning of the school],” said Mr. Willis. “I’ve always supported the mission of that school.”

While Ms. Page no longer holds a position at MLWGS, she has left an impression on her fellow counselors.

“Ms. Page is a wonderful person who always has the interests of the students at heart,” said Guidance Director Mr. Karl Zweerink. “She would make an excellent addition to the School Board.”

“She has a very warm personality,” said senior guidance counselor Ms. Penny Deck. “She has a very good rapport with youth.”

The election of all of the School Board members has significance to MLWGS because of the funding that the Board sends to MLWGS. Several students, particularly in the eighth district, will have a chance to have their input on the election by voting on Election Day.

“She did a lot of great work at our school,” said Chris Richardson (’09), a resident of the eighth district. “If I had the opportunity [to vote for Ms. Page], then I would.”

Staff writer Danny Yates contributed to this article.