It is not every day that a private school and a public school work together to seek grant funds for joint use. It is even more unusual for those efforts to be successful!

"That is an important part of who we are," said Haywood Christian Academy's (HCA) Headmaster Blake Stanbery when speaking about community relationships. Stanbery and Central Haywood High School's (CHHS) Principal Phil Pressley wrote a grant together to receive much needed volleyball equipment for their schools. The $2,000 award came from Healthy Haywood's Fitness Challenge grant - a program of the Haywood County Health Department and certified Healthy Carolinians partnership.

"I think it says a lot about our community," said Pressley. "We have seen community spirit stronger than ever, and I believe Healthy Haywood has helped foster that by awarding grants like this one."

Bill Nolte, Associate Superintendant for Haywood County Schools had this to say: "We deeply appreciate the partnership that Haywood Christian Academy has formed with Central Haywood High School. Haywood Christian's multiple layers of support for Central Haywood are beyond commendable. We are so proud to have a private school partner with one of our public schools from the Day of Caring, to the Healthy Haywood grant and everything in between."

Both schools had the same need for their students. CHHS did not have volleyball equipment for their physical education classes. HCA needed regulation equipment for their JV and Varsity girls' volleyball teams. Since HCA utilizes Central's gym and football field for their "home" athletic facilities, it was a great opportunity to work together.

HCA worked with Bethel Middle School in the past for their volleyball practices and games. "We are so thankful for Bethel's A.D., Sherri West and all her help to get us started," said Stanbery. "But now we can consolidate most of our athletics to one facility, which is very close to our own campus."

Students of CHHS and HCA will benefit immediately from this project. There are 88 students at CHHS and 134 at HCA, totaling 219. HCA plans to use the $2,700 steel volleyball system this summer at their camps. Next school year, HCA intends to host volleyball matches with area 1-A and 2-A public and private high schools at the CHHS gymnasium. This project will benefit 200 varsity and 150 junior varsity female student athletes each season in western North Carolina in addition to those at CHHS and HCA. HCA is also scheduled to host the Blue Ridge Christian Conference Volleyball Tournament this fall, which will bring teams from Asheville, Hendersonville, Marion, and Landrum, SC to Clyde.

Healthy Haywood's grant award has the potential to impact over 500 children with physical fitness, individual hand-eye coordination skills, team leadership and cooperation skills, and all around fun. Volleyball requires a complete steel system, net, and balls, in addition to a 60-foot court surface. CHHS has a great facility, but without the equipment, there can be no volleyball. Both schools saw a great opportunity for Healthy Haywood to provide children of Haywood County and western North Carolina a great place for a great game.