On a very sunny and warm December 19, 2024, FBRA community stakeholders gathered to celebrate groundbreaking on French Broad River Academy’s South Campus, soon to serve as permanent home for the FBRA Girls Program.
All Star Speaker Line Up
Girls Program Director Tricia Chan shared what this new building will mean for the FBRA Girls Program, as well as the larger organization — the first permanent, purpose-built academic space on our South Campus dedicated to our mission of building character and integrity.
Founding Girls Program teacher Liddell Shannon took us through the humble beginnings and phenomenal growth of the Girls Program, going back to the fall of 2015 at the YWCA and then Riverview Station, up to today with a vibrant community in need of more space to gather, work, learn, make music and art, lead, and more. Liddell gave a special shout out to other founding teachers who were in attendance at the ceremony: FBRA legends Jen Horschman and Emily Shanblatt.
We were also honored to hear from Woodfin mayor Jim McAllister, Woodfin Blueway/Greenway community leader Marc Hunt, FBRA’s Board Chair John Douglas, and FBRA’s Co-founder and Executive Director Will Yeiser.
Shovels Out for Groundbreaking, Kids!
Of course, no groundbreaking is complete without golden shovels and hard hats! All attendees had a chance to move some dirt in honor of the coming machines and construction crews that will dig and build our new academic building. We will keep you posted on how the project is coming along over the winter and spring!
