Smyrna resident Vetra Evans-Gunter will be joining the Smyrna Board of Education as a new board member.
Members of the school board voted on Nov. 23 to appoint Evans-Gunter to fill a vacant seat on the board. This vacancy opened up when former board member Ginger Barkley resigned from the position.
Evans-Gunter’s appointment will last for eight months. A special election for the final two years of this five-year term will be held in conjunction with the regular school board election in May, with the winner of the special election to be sworn in at a meeting in July.
Evans-Gunter, who works as a fraud investigator at WSFS Bank, is a 1979 Smyrna High School graduate. She is the daughter of Anna and the late Cummins M. Evans Jr. She has one child, Shayla Evans.
Q: What was your reaction to being appointed to the Smyrna School Board?
A: I was elated! I first stopped and gave all praises to God! I then called my oldest brother who has been my father figure since my Dad passed away in 2005. He was shocked and very happy telling me that Pops would have been very proud. I have not told anyone that I had applied for this position.
Q: What are your goals as a new board member?
A: My No. 1 goal is to get in there learn as much as I can. I have already received three manuals from [Superintendent] Mrs. Wicks.
Q: Could you please describe some of your community involvement and leadership experience?
A: Hosts (Help One Student to Succeed); International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators; Mentor Program Drew-Pyle Elementary School; Teach Kids to Save Day; VP of Cheer Smyrna-Clayton Pop Warner; Finance Secretary and Youth Leader at Centennial United Methodist Church; Safe Kids; Delaware Cheer Coaches Association; Meals on Wheels Volunteer; Delaware Association for Bank Security.
Q: At the next school board election in May, a special election will be held for the final two years of the term you will be filling for the next eight months. Are you planning to run for election at that point, or are you still undecided?
A: Still undecided.
