By PHIL OSBORNE

Danville Schools Education Foundation

March is the time of year when you can experience all four seasons — in one week. It’s a potpourri of weather, so let’s make this week a potpourri of news and information about the Danville Schools Education Foundation and Alumni Association.

First, congratulations to the four young ladies — all DHS students — who participated in the Rotary International speech competition last week here in town. I had the good fortune to listen to Virginia Harp, Emma Merryman, Samantha Sallee and Alexis Weathers. If you have ever done any public speaking, you know how intimidating it can be in front of a group of strangers. Not these girls. Poised, professional, on point, persuasive …

Emma Merryman was the winner of the competition, but all participants were outstanding in their own right. Kudos to them and to the speech program at DHS.

Speaking of the latter, don’t forget that the speech and forensics program will be having its 25th anniversary celebration on June 8. Find out more on Facebook at: http://bit.ly/2Eurloq.

The week after that, the Foundation is hosting a 5K at Millennium Park. Historically, it was known as the Bill Pollom Memorial Father’s Day 5K. This year, the foundation is assuming administration of the event. Sponsor letters are out for last year’s donors. If you’re interested in being a sponsor this year, please let me know.

Later this fall, we hope to revive our distinguished alumni program with a special event for new and past inductees. But we need you to take some time now to make a nomination for someone you think is deserving of the honor. You can find an application form on the Foundation website — givedanville.org.

And speaking of alumni, reunion season will be coming up soon. If we can help with planning, logistics, or contact lists, let me know. If you want to make sure your information contact is current, you can complete a form on our website.

In November, Dancing with the Danville Stars will return. Mark your calendars now, and start thinking about dancers who you can recruit to represent your school, class, club or booster organization. More details will follow in due time.

Finally, I noted this headline in a publication called the Chronicle of Philanthropy. It is a professional trade journal for those in the non-profit and fundraising world:

“Grant makers move money toward early-childhood learning and work-force training”

That’s a national movement that fits perfectly with what the community in Danville-Boyle County is doing with the Early Childhood Alliance and the advanced manufacturing center at BCTC. It’s a pretty safe bet that some of those grant makers will be hearing from us!

If you or your organization hasn’t yet signed on in support of the Early Childhood Alliance white paper, please do so this week. It is extremely important to demonstrate community solidarity when and if those grant applications are made.

Unfortunately, the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams came up one game short of a Sweet 16 appearance this year, but they both had outstanding years. So until next season, Go Ads.

Phil Osborne is executive director of the Danville Schools Education Foundation. Email him with questions about the foundation at posborne@danvilleschoolsfoundation.org.