WELDON – Representatives from East Carolina University were at Halifax Community College on Wednesday to detail a $1.2 million grant that will benefit students in both Northampton and Hertford counties.

Northampton County School Superintendent Dr. Kathi H. Gibson and Weldon County School Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy III were featured speakers at the Roanoke Valley Leadership Conference that was attended by educators from throughout the region.

Richard Dell, Executive Director of Advanced Vehicle Research Center of North Carolina along with Ron Preston, Chair of the Science and Math education department at ECU, explained the concept of the National Science Foundation grant, which is designed to help students realize how math and science are used in real life business situations.

The program seeks to prepare rural high school students to meet the growing demand for technologically skilled workers.

More on this story in Saturday’s News Herald.