Head Start program in Sterling welcomes special visitors as guest readers

STERLING – Representing state Reps. Brad Fritts and Tony McCombie, respectively, Stacy Flanagan and Connie Marney paid a visit Thursday to the Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start program at Wallace School in Sterling.

They toured the facility, learned about what Head Start does and read a story to the students.

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Wallace School acting director Amber Stavenger (left), Stacy Flanagan and Connie Marney speak with students Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, during lunch hour at the Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start program in Sterling. Flanagan, filling in for state Rep. Brad Fritts and Marney, for state Rep. Tony McCombie, toured the school to learn about the workings and needs of the Head Start and Early Head Start program. (Alex T. Paschal)

Flanagan, who is Fritts’ chief of staff, and Marney, district director for McCombie, talked with school acting director Amber Stavenger and TCOC Head Start Director Rachael DeSpain about what the school offers and the success it’s seen.

The program provides comprehensive child development, school readiness, and family support services to expectant parents and children from newborn to five years old, DeSpain said. Parents and children benefit from Head Start as it helps families struggling with poverty achieve goals for education, employment and housing, and children in the program are able to learn, play and have regular meals.

After a tour of the facility, the visitors read a book to the children and were then treated with gifts.

Both Republicans, Fritts of Dixon represents the state’s 74th House District while McCombie of Savanna represents the 89th House District.