Doneva Chavis-Battle is shown in the center background as she speaks to a group of students at Eaton-Johnson Middle School about the hotel and hospitality industries.
Students in the eighth grade at Eaton-Johnson Middle School learned about the hotel business and hospitality industry during a presentation on September 9, by Doneva Chavis-Battle, director of sales for Country Inn & Suites in Rocky Mount.
Chavis-Battle explained to the students that the hospitality industry is growing in importance and in opportunities for future careers. She noted that her 105-room hotel not only rents rooms on a daily and nightly basis, but also hosts several different types of events. The Country Inn & Suites has banquet and meeting facilities used for business and professional conferences or conventions, weddings and receptions, family reunions and more. The hotel also has a full kitchen and restaurant.
She stressed to the students that in her business good customer service is the key to success. “You have to keep your customers happy,” she said.
She added that all employees at the hotel must have good communication skills. Employees at the hotel have jobs in areas that include general management, receptionists, front desk clerks, food services, waiters, kitchen personnel, chefs, housekeeping and maintenance. Chavis-Battle urged the students to get a good education, graduate from high school and go on to further their education in a community college or four-year college or university. In the hospitality field, she noted that students can receive an associate’s degree from a community college and some four-year colleges offer hospitality degrees. It is even possible for high school students to work in hotels and other areas of hospitality service while in school, particular during the summer when there is a higher volume of business.
“There are good career opportunities in my business, but you must be successful in school and get your education,” she told the students.
Chavis-Battle’s presentation was organized by Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley, lead school counselor at Eaton-Johnson, as part of the students’ exposure to career and education opportunities. Eaton-Johnson student ambassadors who assisted Chavis-Battle during her visit to the school were Elijah Hawkins, Juccia Davis, Kasey Edwards and Nanci Rodriguez.
Well after looking at the online edition of the Daily Dispatch I see that It didn’t take long for the new superintendent to bring in “his folks”. Two new principals were hired at the last Board Meeting and both worked with Jackson in the Nash-Rocky Mount System……the same system where the Board of Education parted ways with Jackson. Did Vance County not having any qualified candidates for the jobs or was this another example of “not knowing what you know….but who you know?”
Pulblius…….you are a LIAR or either your age won’t allow you to remember certain events. You agreed to meet me at Sunrise Biscuits in Oxford one morning about 2 months ago. Does that refresh your memory or has the stench of Vance County ruined your last few brain cells? I’m gonna leave it alone b/c I was told by my granny not to pick on the less fortunate!!! Enjoy your coffee today!!
Nice letter to the Editor in today’s edition of the Daily Dispatch by Claiborne Woods talking about the fiscal irresponsibility of the Board of Education. If you have children that attend VCS you need to do yourself a favor and read it. Then you may have a better understanding why so many parents/grandparents are pulling their kids out of VCS and looking at other options. The letter was written by a man who has inside information on issues concerning the local school system b/c if I’m not mistaken he worked for VCS for many years and I think he is now retired!
EJ Interim Prinicpal Mr. Fuller deserved this more than anyone…
I agree 199% b/c after Applwhite up and left and they bought in Larry Webb to try to fix things at NVHS the Asst Principal at Eaton-Johnson from all accounts held that school together just as well if not better than Larry Webb did. I’m wondering if he was interested in getting the Principal Job at EJMS and if he was it’s a shame that they hired from outside the area….especially from the area where the current Superintendent was forced out by the Board of Education. They called it a “mutual parting” but anyone with 1/2 a brain(even Publius) can read between the lines and see that he was forced to resign. Now less than 2 months of being on the job in Vance County he has already brought in 2 Principals that he worked with in Nash-Rochy Mount School District. Something stinks concerning this issue and if I were Mr. Fuller I would look for employment elsewhere b/c it’s evident that Vance County doesn’t think he’s capable of running one of the local middle schools…..even after doing so after Larry Webb went to NVHS. Shame on the Board of Eudcation for not hiring Mr. Fuller…..he was committed to the staff, the kids, and took the bull by the horns when Larry Webb bolted to go to NVHS. What else does he have to do to prove that he’s is capable of being an principal of a local Middle School?
Guess he wasn’t from Nash-Rocky Mount area?
Wonder why Charter Schools are popping up everywhere…..look no further than your local school system!!!!
Thanks for the drive by, Decept.