Just short of a red carpet, Davie County Early College High School (DCECHS) rolled out a welcome at an open house for the newly renovated Helen C. Gantt Building on the Davie Campus of Davidson County Community College (DCCC).  
Student ambassadors greeted visitors and provided tours to elected officials, community leaders, and supporters of the Early College. Among the guests were Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and N.C. Rep. Julia Howard.
Davie Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrin Hartness and DCCC President Dr. Mary Rittling addressed guests and recognized Davie County commissioners, DCCC trustees and members of the Davie County Board of Education for their support of the school, the partnership, and the renovation of the building for the use of the Early College.
The facility was built in 2000 as a child development center and was funded through donations to honor Helen Cline Gantt.  The childcare center brought Mrs. Gantt’s love of children and her passion for education together. She was an educator at heart and felt each child deserved opportunities to expand their horizons with a strong educational foundation.  
According to son and daughter, Scott and Kelly, “Although the center has changed in regards to the programs or entities it has housed since its inception, minds are once again being challenged and further developed. The Early College brings together students who are driven to succeed and willing to take on challenges and identify solutions.”  
Earlier this spring, commissioners approved spending $1.2 million to renovate and add on to the Gantt Building. The renovation, which provided three classrooms, a computer lab, and office space, was completed just in time for the early school calendar start the first of August …