PTSA introduces ‘SWAG’ to student body

by Jadrian Williams

Back-to-School Night.  The African-American Celebration.  Fish fries. 

These events are what most Blue Devils think about when the Parent-Teacher-Student Association is mentioned, but the PTSA is introducing two new programs: Varina Synergizing Winning Academic Greatness and Soul Ice.

Senior Tiarra Brown, PTSA teacher recognition chair, said that the PTSA developed these new programs to get more students involved. 

“We’re trying to get them involved through the Soul Ice and V-SWAG movement and by raffling off parking and athletic passes,” Tiarra said.

PTSA President Tara Adams said that V-SWAG includes students, parents, faculty, community members and local businesses working together to make Varina High School a premier learning institution.

“It is a culture,” Ms. Adams said. “It is already helping the students at VHS because the morale is changing.”

Soul Ice is a nondairy, natural alternative to ice cream.  The plan is to have a Soul Ice cart on the bus ramp in the afternoons.  Students will operate the cart to learn real-world skills while serving a nondairy snack. 

Ms. Adams said the Soul Ice program will raise student awareness of the PTSA and teach math and business skills to participating students. The money raised will be used to fund student scholarships, Challenge Day and the PTSA.

“Students will benefit [from Soul Ice] by obtaining entrepreneurial skills, leadership skills, marketing skills as well as a host of other learning opportunities, which will tie into improved SOL scores,” Ms. Adams said.

Junior PTSA member Alliyah Lewis said the activities that the PTSA organizes are fun and build school spirit.

“I like the things that we do like the fish fry because it’s just fun,” Alliyah said.

Ms. Adams said her favorite part of PTSA is making a difference in someone’s life—whether it is helping a deserving student with a scholarship, improving tools for parents to advocate for their child or making a faculty member’s life a little brighter.

The PTSA’s primary goal, Ms. Adams said, is to take Varina to new academic heights.

“I hope the PTSA will continue being the most outstanding high school unit in Henrico County by helping to shift the culture at Varina High School,” Ms. Adams said. “Together we will take Varina High School to new heights of academic achievement, pride and promise.”