“Best of” voting is in full swing for the annual awards in The Roanoker and Virginia Living magazines.

For the last four years, NCS has earned the Platinum Award for “Best Private School” in The Roanoker. This year, the voting for schools is separated into three categories and North Cross is eligible in the following categories: Private Elementary School; Private Middle School; and Private High School. Please click here to cast your vote for North Cross School and your “Most Inspiring Teacher”  in the “Events, Places, and Faces” section. Voting for The Roanoker closes at midnight on February 1. 

Virginia Living magazine is conducting its voting from now until Friday, January 23. Voting is done by region, and North Cross School would like to represent the Southwest region. Click here to cast your vote today.
 

• Helen Schmedtje ’17 (flute, far right) earned 3rd chair All-District Symphonic Band. Helen is now eligible to audition for the All-Virginia Band on February 28 at James Madison University.
• Nolan Wages ’16 (trumpet, second from right) was named 9th chair All-District Concert Band.
• Kevin Bao ’18 (contra–alto clarinet, second from left) made 2nd chair All-District Concert Band.
• Caroline McGimsey ’17 (clarinet, far left) was named 2nd alternate All-District Concert Band. She increased her score by 30 points from last year and has a good chance of being called up for a spot.

“If you want to know what is going on in the school, talk with students and faculty. But if you really want to know what is going on, talk to William Jernigan.” That was Dottie Hammond’s sage advice to Headmaster John Tucker when he came to North Cross in 1970. 

The new headmaster took Dottie’s advice and soon discovered that William was a fount of wisdom and good advice. Mr. Tucker later recalled, â€œHe was a man to follow—a natural leader.”

William Jernigan came to North Cross School when the campus was opened in 1961. His official title was “Property Manager,” but his 1974 obituary in The World News said that those who knew William considered him “an unofficial guidance counselor, cheerleader, peacemaker, alumni secretary, and parent for just about every kid in the school.” Jack Ross ’75 remembered Mr. Jernigan was never in a bad mood, “except when he had to straighten someone out, and he always showed up at practices, football games, basketball games—anything that involved the school.”

Dottie Hammond also recalled that William was always available to help anyone at any time. “Every year setting up the book fair took many hours and everyone worked into the night. William was always the last person to leave campus. He tested doors to see that they were locked properly, and assured everyone that he would be at home and ready to return if we should need him for anything at all.” William and his wife Rowena even helped out at the junior and senior proms.

There are two framed portraits in Slack Hall. The first is of Thomas A. Slack, whose name graces two buildings on campus, and one of the most important figures in the history of our school. Mr. Slack’s portrait hangs in the lobby near Logan Gallery. The second portrait is of William Jernigan (photo above), which hangs in the hallway just outside the headmaster’s office. William died suddenly of a heart attack on January 5, 1974, 41 years ago this week. His death left the students and faculty in a state of numbness. In his comments to the school, John Tucker remembered that William always went the second mile. “Often we are asked to go the one mile because it is required of us, but that is as far as we go. William went with every task in the spirit of the second mile, concerned not with how small it was but with how big he could make it. It was not a task, but an opportunity.”