Community - WIZS

Granville Teen Court Group Brings Home Top Honors At Competition

April 22, 2024/by WIZS Staff

– information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Members of the Granville County Teen Court walked away with top honors at the recent Teen Court Statewide Mock Trial Summit Competition held over the weekend in Concord.

Seven youth from Granville County joined more than 200 others from across the state to showcase their skills in the 26^th annual competition, hosted by the N.C. Teen Court Association. They assumed roles of attorneys, clerks, bailiffs and defendants to compete against other counties’ teams. Participants and their roles were: Defense Attorneys Cristina Portillo-Martinez and Jazlyn Usher, Prosecutors Joydan Johnson and Jermaine Puryear, Jr., Clerk of Court Iesha Landis, Bailiff Cassie Peele, and Defendant Caitlynne Horton.

These students dedicated weeks of diligent practice to perfecting their roles leading up to the competition. Amidst their regular schoolwork, extracurricular activities and ongoing Teen Court responsibilities, they carved out time to come in for extra sessions on evenings, Saturday mornings, and even during school breaks to prepare. Their perseverance paid off immensely as the team emerged victorious, claiming 1st place in the state competition. Additionally, two members received special recognition for their outstanding performance in the courtroom. Jazlyn Usher was honored with the title of “Best Attorney Courtroom A” in the Defense’s trial, while Jermaine Puryear, Jr. received accolades as “Best Attorney for Courtroom B” in the Prosecution’s trial, as well as the prestigious title of “Best Overall Prosecuting Attorney” across all courtroom trials.

Apart from the Mock Trial competition, the objectives for the three-day event encompassed several key goals: assembling volunteers from all Teen Courts across North Carolina; enhancing volunteer effectiveness in the courtroom; gaining practical experience through the Mock Trial Competition; fostering friendships; and exchanging information and experiences. On Friday night, youth engaged in a team-building workshop. Following a tense morning of mock trial competition, students were treated to much-needed stress relief and fun at the Great Wolf Lodge water park. On Saturday night, they enjoyed a Dinner Theater presentation titled, “The Douglass-Lincoln

Debates, A One-Act Play and Discussion Event.” The play centered on the authentic and sometimes awkward humanity and vulnerability of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Before the awards were given out, Glenn Smith, the executive director of Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc., gave a presentation to discuss restorative justice and the advantages of diversion programs like Teen Court.

Granville County Extension Director Charissa Puryear accompanied the group.

“This was an exhilarating moment for our youth volunteers,” Puryear said. “Throughout the year, they have dedicated themselves to serving the youth of Granville County through their teen court program. These young volunteers commit their time to offering an alternative for youth offenders in the county. The NCTCA summit provided them with the chance to showcase their skills among participants from across the state, and I am immensely proud of their dedication and achievements. As Granville County Teen Court marks its 15th anniversary this year, our volunteers continue to demonstrate their unwavering commitment and excellence.”

Granville County Teen Court gets funding support from agencies like Granville County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) and the County of Granville. The Granville County Sheriff’s Office also supports the effort, as well as the schools the students attend.

Key support comes from adult volunteers who play a crucial role in the Teen Court program, including Judge Katherine Burnette, S. Quon Bridges, and Lori Dutra, who provide invaluable support and feedback during Teen Court sessions, and who prepare youth for competitions throughout the year. Committed volunteers such as Tiana Jones, Nancy Pifer, Carol Wheeless, and Sonia Hernandez demonstrate unwavering dedication to supporting the youth and the program as well.

Read and Send In Public Service and Event Announcements

April 22, 2024/by WIZS Staff

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Vance-Granville Community College is planning to host a VGCC Graduate Career Fair & Mixer at VGCC Main Campus (Henderson, NC) on Thursday, April 25, 2024 10am until 4pm. This event will offer local and national employers the opportunity to meet and interview quality candidates by conducting on-the-spot and private session interviews for those who are seeking job opportunities. Not hiring at this moment? Space will be provided for employers to come and share information with prospective candidates. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Krystal Foxx, Director of Career Services, by phone at 252-738-3346 or by email at foxxk@vgcc.edu.

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Rebuilding Hope will have its Annual BBQ Chicken Plate sale on Friday, April 26^th from 11am until 7pm at their location in the old Coca Cola bottling building at 414 Raleigh Rd. in Henderson. No ticket is necessary, but you may call 252-438-5132 to reserve plates. Orders of five or more plates can be delivered. Eat in or take out.

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The City of Henderson Community Day Clean Up is Friday, April 26^th in participation with the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation’s Spring Litter Sweep program. If you church or business has volunteers interested in participating contact Cindy Norwood with the City of Henderson for volunteer materials at 252-430-5700.

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New Sandy Creek Baptist Church presents the Henderson Spectacular Saturday April 27th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Saddle Rock Farm, 1786 Weldon’s Mill Rd. in Henderson. It’s a free family fun day with lead line horse rides, hayrides, popcorn, snow cones, drinks, an illusion show, moon bounces, slides, games, puppets and the greatest story ever told. For more information about the Henderson spectacular contact Emily Parker at 919-690-5610 or e-mail emilybreedlove12@gmail.com.

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon is hosting forums to discuss the topic of child care in the area – choices, challenges and access to licensed child care facilities for working families. Featured speaker at the forums is Ariel Ford, director of Child Development and Early Education at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The first forum will be held Tuesday, Apr. 30 at Perry Memorial Library in Henderson; the second forum will be held Thursday, May 23 at The Grand at Oxford Days Inn & Suites, 913 Martin Luther King Jr., Ave., Oxford. The public is invited to attend the forum at 6 p.m.; there will be a session earlier – 1 p.m. – for individuals interested in opening a child care site.

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Vance County Early College is now accepting applications for high school transfers for incoming sophomores and juniors, ONLY. Applications open up on 04/09/2024 – 04/30/2024. Completed applications are to be returned to VCS district office by close of business on April 30, 2024; decision letters will be mailed out by May 15, 2024. Please visit the Vance County Early College website (vcec.VCS.k12.nc.us) for the application, which is posted under the School Events section.

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Maria Parham Health extends a warm invitation to all area cancer survivors to the Maria Parham Health Cancer Survivor Dinner, a celebration of courage, resilience, and hope. This special event will take place on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, located at 905 Americal Road, Henderson, NC. This evening is dedicated to honoring the strength and tenacity of cancer survivors within our community. It’s an opportunity to come together, share stories of triumph, and offer support to one another. We believe that by standing united, we can inspire and uplift each other in our journey towards healing and recovery. As a survivor, your presence at this event is invaluable. We encourage you to bring along one guest to join in the celebration. Together, let us embrace the spirit of solidarity and resilience that defines the cancer survivor community. To ensure ample accommodations for all attendees, Maria Parham Health kindly requests that you register or RSVP by calling 252-436-6485.

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The National Day of Prayer 2024 is Thursday, May 2. A Christian group headed up by Pastor Bruce LeGates will hold a Christian Prayer Gathering at noon at the Veterans Memorial in front of Oxford City Hall. This is the same location that has been used for many years. You are invited and asked to invite your church and Christian friends to gather, join together in faith, and thank God and pray for his gift to us of these Untied States of America. For more information ahead of time, call Pastor Bruce LeGates at 919-497-6427.

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The C.B. Walton Voices of Praise will be having their first anniversary since COVID on May 5th at 4:00 PM at Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church, 16 Big Ruin Creek Lane in Henderson. Appearing on the program will be the Torain Family, soloist Terrence Foster and the Melody Voices of Praise. The Men of Harmony and Mount Calvary United Christ Church Choir will also appear. For more information contact Dorothy Wimbush at 252-425-7366.

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The Vance Granville Community College Community Band will hold its spring concert on Monday, May 6^th at 7:30pm at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, 201 Breckenridge St. in Henderson. The concert is free and open to the public.

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The Kittrell Tent Revival will take place Monday, May 6^th through Thursday, May 9^th, 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Kittrell Community Center, 27 W. Main St. in Kittrell. Monday will feature Frank Sossamon with music by Freedom Life Church Choir, Tuesday will be Radford Frazier with music by Revive COG Choir, Wednesday features Eston Bailey with music by the Unashamed Quartet and Thursday will feature Ronnie Morton with music by the Greater Joy Spirituals.

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Save the date of May 6th and May 7th for the 40th anniversary Vance Granville Community College golf tournament and celebration. For more information about this golf tournament and celebration call 252-738-3264 or e-mail foundation@ vgcc.edu or visit them on the web at vgcc.edu/golf.

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From May to October, Union Chapel Church in Kittrell will resume the popular Cruise In For Christ events. Join for free food and fellowship every second Saturday (rain or Shine). Cruise In For Christ supports local causes with the donations received. The events happen from 4pm to 7pm at 415 Raleigh Road, Henderson. Enjoy a hot dog, some popcorn, a soda and ice cream. On May 11th, donations will support The Kittrell Tent Revival. On June 8th, donations will support Vance County Special Olympics. On July 13th, donations will support the Grace Ministries Addiction Program. Union Chapel Church invites you, your family and friends and the entire community to come fellowship.

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Deterring Elder Mistreatment: Making Our Community a Safer Place is next in the Community Information Series at Baskerville Funeral Home Chapel, Tuesday, May 14^th from 6 to 7pm. Kimberly Hawkins, MSW, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman with the Kerr Tar Area Agency on Aging will be the guest speaker. Baskerville Funeral Home Chapel is located at 104 S. Chestnut St. in Henderson. For more information call 252-430-6824 or 919-624-5752.

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Granville County will sponsor a household hazardous waste event on Saturday, May 18th from 8:00 AM till 12 noon at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center, 4185 US Hwy. 15 in Oxford. The event is open to Granville County residents only. No business or commercial waste is accepted. For more information and a list of accepted items and prohibited items visit granvillecounty.org or call 919-691-0928 or e-mail jason.falls@granvillecounty.org.

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Vance County Schools announce their graduation schedule. On Friday, May 24 at 9am, Vance County High School will hold its 2024 graduation at Viper Stadium on the school campus. Vance County Early College will also have their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24^th. This ceremony will be held at the Vance Granville Community College Civic Center that evening at 6pm. Both ceremonies will also be live streamed by Vance Co. Schools at VCS.K12.NC.US. Please remember that these are ticketed events.

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Blessed Trinity Ministries with Rev. Dr. Almice Floyd Gill will sponsor a Community Outdoor Revival May 27^th through May 31^st at Back to Eden, 475 Satterwhite Pt. Road in Henderson at 6pm nightly. There will be guest revivalists nightly.

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Vance Senior High Class of 1974 will be celebrating their 50th class reunion on Friday, June 7- Saturday, June 8, 2024. Please contact: Ernestine Bullock Brodie 252-432-9831, Jackie Perry Burton 252-213-0616, or Betty Tucker Boyd 252-432-3967 for information. Zoom meetings are being scheduled to finalize details.

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Vance County Schools announce their graduation schedule. On Friday, June 14 at 3pm, Advance Academy will hold its 2024 graduation at the Center for Innovation on Charles St. in Henderson. Vance Virtual Village will also have their graduation ceremony on Friday, June 14th. This ceremony will also be held at the Center for Innovation on Charles St. in Henderson that evening at 6pm. Both ceremonies will also be live streamed by Vance Co. Schools at vcs.k12.nc.us. Please remember that these are ticketed events.

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Project “ROLL ON” is now underway at Rebuilding Hope to gain support in acquiring much needed funds to repair the damaged pavement around our building. The parking lot and driveways are in real need of resurfacing to prevent damage to vehicles and allow proper drainage from the building. This project will require about $100,000 to complete it properly. Rebuilding Hope is funded solely from individuals, churches, and business entities, and they ask for help with continuing this good work. Please consider any gift to project “ROLL ON” when considering this year’s donations or budgeting a contribution for early next year. Donations may be made Online at rebuildinghopeinc.org. Select “Donate” on the home page, via mail to 414 Raleigh Rd., Henderson, NC 27536 or in person at 414 Raleigh Rd. from 9 – 3. Mon.-Fri.

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