On Wednesday, January 17, Headmaster Trip Darrin honored Assistant Headmaster for Co-curricular Programs Vinton Bruton for his ten years of service to Blue Ridge School. Mr. Darrin explained that naming Mr. Bruton Assistant Headmaster “…was one of the best decisions I’ve made as Headmaster.”

Among Vinton’s many accomplishments in and out of the classroom, most notable is his creation and leadership of the School’s Character Education Program, which is giving BRS a competitive edge over other independent schools.

Vinton graduated magna cum laude from Wake Forest University in 1997 with a major in History.

In 1998, he joined the United States Marine Corps, going on to serve this country for an almost ten-year term.  His service featured deployments in the Pacific Rim, the Middle East and parts of Africa. He was a Marine infantry officer, a captain whose final post was as Weapons Company Commander, during which he was responsible for the training, welfare and tactical employment of 170 U.S. Marines and directly oversaw training exercises in Kenya, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.

At Blue Ridge, Vinton created and runs the Outdoorsmen Program, part of the Outdoor Program afternoon offerings. The Outdoorsman Program provides an opportunity for boys to learn the skills it takes to survive in the outdoors – skills ranging from building a fire to learning to hunt with arrows and rifles. Students learn about the natural environment and their place in nature as well.

Mr. Darrin concluded his remarks by saying, “Mr. Bruton, I am grateful for your service to our country and for your ten years of service to Blue Ridge School.