You may have heard the phrase “once a Fluco, always a Fluco,” but that appears to be particularly true for senior Vinny Agee. Agee has returned to Fluvanna after a year furthering his academics and playing basketball for Virginia Episcopal School (VES).  Agee left Fluvanna County as a sophomore in 2012 and came back as a senior after he re-classed a grade for recruiting purposes (meaning that he filled out papers to be held back a grade to gain an extra year of eligibility).  Agee’s decision was tough for multiple reasons, but he knew he made the right decision when he stepped back into the halls at FCHS.

Agee–a small forward but a true scoring machine–was named the District Player of the Year in the 2012-2013 basketball season and led the team to Regionals that same year, where they fell short to John Handley.  He didn’t have the best grades here at Fluvanna, so going to VES gave him a chance to bring his grades up and be recruited to play basketball in the future. But one year was enough–while Agee liked the atmosphere at VES, he missed his Fluco friends.  So he returned to Fluvanna where he was born and raised.  “I came back to graduate with the boys I started with,” Agee said.

It may have been a tough decision for Agee, but nobody at FCHS is complaining.  “I’m happy he is back. We missed him last year and I can’t wait to have him on the team this year,” said senior Jake Mooney last month. He made his mark quickly, catching his first touchdown ever in the Flucos’ first game of the season against William Fleming. He is currently leading the Flucos in points for the season with three touchdowns.  When football ends, Agee will also be returning to basketball coach Munro Rateau, with whom he looks to pick up where he left off on the team, but with higher expectations. “I want to lead Fluvanna to States [in basketball] and win it this time and I believe that with the talent we have, we can win,” said Agee.

So how did VES differ from Fluvanna? “Classes were shorter and smaller compared to Fluvanna, sports were harder, and the dress code was completely different,” said Agee.  The students had to wear the same outfits every day: nice shoes, a blazer with a shirt underneath, a VES coat, and khakis for the guys, and dresses or skirts for the girls.  In addition, students lived in dorms rather than at home, allowing Agee to experience what a college atmosphere would be like.  “I liked the atmosphere and friends I stayed with, but I also missed home a lot and living in my own house and bed,” he said.

Agee had to make a few tough decisions in coming back, like what was more beneficial to him or what he actually wanted to do.  “There are some good perks about private schools that are hard to leave for a public school, one of which is the relationship with the teachers because classes are smaller. They can focus on their students more which helps them learn better and really get it through to their students,” he said.  But no matter how he benefitted from VES, Agee  knew he’d have more fun finishing his senior year out in Fluvanna.  “I’m glad I’m back because I missed my Fluco family,” he said.