THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310551
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY YOUNG, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 53 lines
Charles S. Brabble Sr.
Hugo A. Owens Sr.
Admirers of both men filled the gym at Deep Creek Central Elementary School on Thursday night.
Eventually, perhaps, one of their names will grace the new middle school under construction now and due to open in September.
``We're here tonight deliberating over a name of worthy individuals,'' resident Vincent Carpenter said during the public hearing on the naming of the school. The hearing drew more than 100 people. ``No matter which name prevails, this process is a beautiful thing.''
Carpenter was one of five speakers who advocated for Owens, Chesapeake's first African-American city councilman. Owens also received letters of support from several people outside Chesapeake, including 4th District U.S. Rep. Norman Sisisky.
``Dr. Owens was one of the early architects of the quality of life we enjoy,'' said Donna Girardot, former executive director of Chesapeake's Chamber of Commerce.
Girardot added that Owens was recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the country's most powerful African Americans.
``He deserves more than we can give,'' said Joseph Key, a longtime friend of Owens. ``While he still lives, let us honor him by naming the school Hugo A. Owens Sr.''
Perhaps less well-known outside Deep Creek's borders, but apparently deeply known within the community itself, is Brabble, a former principal who worked in Deep Creek schools for 44 years before his retirement in 1990. Eleven people spoke on his behalf, many of them former colleagues.
``If this school has Mr. Brabble's name, there will be many generations of Chesapeake students who will know him directly, and indirectly,'' said Doris Berry, a former teacher who worked under Brabble when he was principal of Deep Creek Central.
Berry speculated that if the school was given Brabble's name, in the year 2050 an elderly gentleman passing by would be ``saying to his grandchildren, `He was my principal.' ''
For Brabble's son, Charles S. Brabble Jr., the outpouring of support for his father meant a great deal.
``It's an emotional thing,'' he said. ``We used to come here on Sundays - he'd work on Sundays - and I used to play in this very gym.''
School Board Chairman Barbara B. Head said Brabble Sr. can see the construction site from his home.
Board member L. Thomas Bray, who chairs the committee whose task is to name the middle school, said he expected the committee to make a formal recommendation to the full board next month. The board is expected to vote on a name in March.
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION