Artist's rendering of New Mount Olive Christian Academy

On Sunday, August 29, I attended the New Mount Olive Christian Academy Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Big Bethel Road.  Other elected officials in attendance were Vice Mayor George Wallace and Delegate Jeion Ward. The school is directly behind the church and was designed to beautifully complement its architecture.

The New Mount Olive Christian Academy building is brand new, complete with such state of the art features as a computer classroom and a science lab. The school is for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

I was honored to be an invited guest for the grand opening and to help cut the ribbon to the school.  I have been friends with the pastor of the church, Reverand W. Randolph Rylander and his wife, who is the principal for the academy for many years.  They are both powerful forces full of warmth and determination.

I have seen Mrs. Rylander in action at the existing New Mount Olive school on Aberdeen Road, which I have visited to read to the children for the Mayor’s Book Club.  The students at the school always impressed me as being particularly advanced and articulate and I found out yesterday it is likely because of the innovative curriculum used in the New Mount Olive classrooms.

The old school building on Aberdeen Road will now become a dedicated day care site.

The school colors are blue and gold and all the deacons and deaconesses had on navy suits with gold boutonnières.  I wish I had paid more attention to the notes on my calendar because not only did I neglect to wear navy, I also did not realize they had a parking space reserved for me. One of the deaconesses was out front, in her beautiful suit, waiting for me to arrive while I parked in the back.

I felt awful about that.

In addition to cutting the ribbon to the new school yesterday, Mrs. Rylander announced a new mascot – “The Eagle” – which entered the sanctuary to much applause.  Unfortunately, my remarks had to follow The Eagle’s entrance and a man in an eagle suit is a tough act to follow.

I had my picture taken with The Eagle later, and he pretended like he was kissing me on the cheek by pressing his giant yellow beak against my face.  I told Mrs. Rylander I wish I had pictures of all the mascots I had been photographed with during my mayoral career. It would make a humorous montage in an album one day.

The church hosted a lovely reception in the new cafeteria where they served navy blue Kool-Aid and cake.  I don’t think I’ve had Kool-Aid since 1975.  It was delicious and the perfect drink for a hot summer day.

What stood out in the end, after the great reception, the gorgeous facility and even The Eagle is that the Rylanders believe firmly in the importance of an early, solid education, as well as teaching Christian values and principles.  Their presence in our community is one more gift for the city of Hampton.