“If we build it, they will come” - Ribbon-cutting is held at Stokes Co, NC community college site

(By Leslie Bray, The Stokes News) - The skies threatened rain on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 29, but there was sunshine inside Stokes County’s Early College High School (ECHS). The ribbon-cutting for the opening of that facility, which had been planned as an outdoor event, was moved to an available classroom in the POD due to the inclement weather.

Elected state and county officials, employees of the Stokes County School System and Forsyth Technical Community College and many others, clustered together in the vacant classroom. It was soon standing room only with guests spilling out into the hall.

“I’m glad the room is crowded,” said Dr. Gary Green, FTCC’s president. “What this points out is the future needs.” The high-spirited crowd laughed as Green added, “We’ll get to that.” He noted that in 2010, 40 percent of Stokes County graduates planned to enroll in FTCC.