Special to IFN
Brady Johnson, retired Iredell-Statesville Schools superintendent, was the guest speaker at the January meeting of the Statesville Woman’s Club. He discussed three different opportunities for students within the county, including the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont, the Good News Club, and Bible History courses offered by I-SS high schools.
The local Boys & Girls Club was founded in 2001 after seven local teens were killed in a car crash. The after-school program met in churches in South Statesville until a permanent facility opened in 2007.
The program follows the school calendar and runs from August to May and serves 230 to 630 students. A summer program served 500 students in the past, Johnson said, but that number has been reduced to 140 students as a result of $400,000 in federal budget cuts.
The Good News Club, which Johnson described as a “90-minute, old-fashion Sunday School lesson that’s non-denominational.” Since starting at Cool Springs Elementary in 2009 with 20 students, this volunteer program has grown to be in 15 of the 17 I-SS elementary schools and one middle school. There are also chapters in Alexander, Caldwell and Rowan counties.
Over 20 years ago all five of the I-SS high schools offered Bible History classes as electives. Statesville High School pulled out of the program three years ago, Johnson said. Enrollment in 2025 was 500 students with the largest number of participating students attending Lake Norman High School.
Next Meeting
The Statesville Woman’s Club February meeting has been postponed to Thursday, February 12, at the historic clubhouse, located at 515 West End Avenue. There will be a time of Social Fellowship at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting set for 6 p.m. The guest speaker will be Leeanne Hudson from Focal Point Coaching. All members, guests and interested women are invited to attend.
Learn More
For information about renting the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club’s Clubhouse for your meeting or event, email the Club at Statesvillewomansclub@gmail.com or call 704-761-8208. The Club website is www.statesvillewomansclub.org. For details on joining the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club, please contact Membership Team member Dana White at 704-641-8199.