Gift to Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center leaves lasting legacy

J. Pearson wished to do one thing to acknowledge his mom for the whole lot that she did to boost him and his two sisters.

When John Dooley, former CEO of the Virginia Tech Basis, floated the concept of naming the Northern Virginia 4-H Instructional Middle’s Performing Arts Complicated for Bernice Pearson, J. Pearson nearly fell on the ground.

“It was simply excellent,” J. Pearson stated.

“To offer again and identify it after mother due to the performing arts she did all these years, it is only a dream come true,” he continued. “We’re capable of do it by way of Virginia Tech due to the 4-H connection.”

The reward from J. and Renae Pearson will fund an entire renovation and modernization of the performing arts advanced, carried out in three steps.

The primary is to renovate the constructing and amphitheater and add inexperienced rooms, a spot the place performers can calm down when not performing. As soon as these areas are functioning once more, the second section provides some short-term housing for seasonal workers, which opens up extra house for campers through the summer time. The third and last section will replace the sound and lighting with state-of-the-art know-how to allow performances, together with a summer time live performance collection.  

After the renovations are full, one other aim of the venture is to offer 4-Hers on the middle with hands-on studying within the performing arts.

“Performing arts know-how has modified a lot through the years,” J. Pearson stated. “We’re placing within the know-how to present youth the chance to get expertise and coaching on present audio-visual gear to present them a leg up as they start pursuit of their careers.”

Bernice Pearson was a longtime 4-H volunteer in Fauquier County. There, she ran a touring 4-H performing arts group known as Younger Dominion that attended numerous competitions – together with ones out-of-state. Her work gave youth new experiences and helped kick-start an curiosity within the arts for a lot of of them.

One member of the group, Michael Williams, is an area schoolteacher who now brings his college students to the 4-H middle that can now bear Bernice Pearson’s identify, exhibiting how Pearson’s impression has spanned generations.

On the unveiling of the Bernice Pearson Performing Arts Complicated – which was saved a shock to its namesake – Dooley attended along with family and friends. When Bernice Pearson attended the revealing, she was ecstatic as she relived her time as a volunteer with 4-H and the legacy she left on the ceremony.

“Renae and J.’s beneficiant reward to the Northern Virginia 4-H Instructional Middle honors the exceptional legacy of years of 4-H volunteer service of his mom by offering present and future generations fantastic services by which to study and benefit from the performing arts,” Dooley stated.

Due to the Pearson’s reward, youth can run a sound system, microphones, an amplified signing and speaking system, and stage lights. The middle will present a number of alternatives for youth to discover their performing arts pursuits and hone their skills.

“We’re extremely grateful for the generosity of Renae and J. Pearson and of the various years of service that Bernice gave to 4-H,” stated Jeremy Johnson, state 4-H chief. “It’s due to folks like her that 4-H is ready to have such a significant impression on the lives of our youth, and this reward allows us to affect youth for years to come back.”

The reward additionally allows a long-lasting income stream for the middle. The amphitheater has been out there for the neighborhood to hire as an occasion house, however that is restricted due to the out there facilities. With the reward, the house will probably be usable by extra teams, serving to the middle to boost extra cash whereas additionally reaching the encircling neighborhood in new and lasting methods.

“This reward modifications the trajectory of the middle,” stated Katie Tennant, the middle’s program director. “It permits us to develop into a neighborhood point of interest and to be a vacation spot for the folks we serve. We’re extremely grateful for the Pearson’s generosity and for the lasting impression they’ll have on numerous folks.”