N.C. Community College System president to speak at VGCC Commencement
Dr. James C. “Jimmie” Williamson, the president of the North Carolina Community College System, will be the principal commencement speaker for Vance-Granville Community College’s graduation exercises on Friday, May 12.
Colton Hayes of Epsom, president of the VGCC Student Government Association, will be the student speaker.
Approximately 490 students are scheduled to be honored during ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. at the gazebo by the lake on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. For those unable to attend the event in person, VGCC will broadcast a live video feed from the ceremony online at www.vgcc.edu.
Williamson became the eighth president of the 58-institution North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) on July 1, 2016. Before assuming his role at NCCCS, he served two years as President and CEO of the South Carolina Technical College System. His insight into workforce development is informed by both his 20 years in the South Carolina system – rising through roles from registrar to dean to two college presidencies and then to System President – and by his six years in a leadership position with Agapé Senior, a healthcare-related industry in South Carolina.
Dr. Williamson holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Winthrop University, as well as a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Hayes is graduating with an Associate in Arts degree. Later in May, he will graduate from Franklin County Early College High School. Hayes will continue his education in the fall at North Carolina State University, where he plans to study computer science. He was elected president of the VGCC Student Government Association for the 2016-2017 year, and, in that capacity, also served as the student member of the VGCC Board of Trustees. He is the first early college high school student to serve in those leadership roles in VGCC history. Hayes has been named twice to the VGCC President’s List.
Students serving as graduation marshals will be Brenda Ellis of Durham; Mya Wilson of Franklinton; Taylor Anderson, Victoria Inscoe and Evan O’Geary, all of Henderson; Pamela Campbell of Littleton; Mark Meinhart of Louisburg; Betsy Mason of Macon; Briana Barnes of Manson; and Austin Smith of Oxford.
–VGCC–
Got to Be NC Festival offers agricultural fun May 19-21
RALEIGH – The Got to Be NC Festival, a family-friendly celebration of agriculture, food and fun, returns to the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 19-21.
“The Got to Be NC Festival offers something for everyone, including farm animals, antique tractors, bluegrass competitions and a barbecue cook-off,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We encourage everyone to come celebrate the state’s $84 billion agriculture industry as we kick off the start of the growing season.”
One of the festival’s highlights is the Homegrown Fare presented by Lowes Foods. Visitors can sample and purchase food, wine and beer from about 100 N.C. companies in the Expo Building. Admission is $3 for ages 12 and older, but guests can receive two free admission tickets by presenting their Lowes Foods loyalty card at the door.
This year, the Got to Be NC Festival will have an expanded music lineup inside Dorton Arena, featuring 11 free musical acts from North Carolina. On Saturday, May 20, bluegrass fans can enjoy the Carolina Bluegrass Battle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The competition will include eight local bluegrass bands vying for prize money and a chance to perform at the N.C. State Fair and PreddyFest 2017. The contest will be hosted by The Church Sisters, who also will give two special performances before and after the competition.
Also on Saturday, Masonic lodges from across the nation will take part in the annual Carolina Pig Jig barbecue cook-off. Starting at 11 a.m., visitors can sample barbecue, chicken and side dishes, and place their vote for the People’s Choice award. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 7-11, and free for children under 7. All proceeds benefit the Masonic homes for children in Oxford.
The festival also includes one of the largest displays of antique tractors and farm equipment in the Southeast. Guests can see the antique tractors in action during the tractor parade daily at 1 p.m. In addition, visitors can see farm animals ranging from baby chickens and goats to longhorn steers and alpacas.
Other attractions include more than 30 carnival rides and games for all ages. Tickets are available for $1 each, 14 tickets for $12, or 30 tickets for $20. On Friday and Sunday, visitors can take advantage of a special Ride All Day Wristband for $20.
New attractions include the Pig Patch Birthing Center, with daily pig births beside the midway; the State Fair Flyer, a chairlift ride that debuted at the 2016 N.C. State Fair and offers panoramic views of the fairgrounds; original sand sculptures by artist Ed Moore; Kids’ Tractor Pedal Pulls on Friday and Saturday in the grandstand; the Bulldozer Sandbox featuring construction demonstrations with working excavators and bulldozers; and more.
Admission and parking at the festival are free, but certain attractions have a separate admission charge. Gates are open Friday from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.gottobencfestival.com.
Vance Charter School Gearing up for Family Fun Day
Vance Charter School’s Family Fun Day
Dear Parents and Students,
Vance Charter School’s Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, from 11 am-2:30 pm. This will be a time for fun, food, and festivities for all VCS students, families, and alumni.
There will be prizes for everyone as well as a raffle of valuable gifts! Tickets for the games are $0.25 each while tickets for the raffle are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. You can purchase tickets in advance at the VCS Spirit Store from 8 am- 5 pm Monday- Friday, May 1-5; tickets will also be on sale at the Family Fun Day. The raffle for the incredible prizes will be held at 2 p.m.
The VCS Girl Scout Troop will kick off our day of fun at 10 a.m. with a teacher field day competition named the “Battle of the Halls,” and the rest of our fun, food, and activities will begin at 11 a.m. There will be lots of food and drinks for sale including hot dogs, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream, popcorn, and lemonade.
To make this event successful, we will need many volunteers to serve food, man a booth, or run a game. We also need various supplies, especially cakes for the Cake Walk. If you are willing to help work, donate supplies, or make other contributions, please click this link to sign up:
www.signupgenius.com/tabs/1357FD600A0C9E8C60-family
One of the biggest needs we have is obtaining prizes for adult and kid bingo prizes. If you have items you can donate or re-gift, please do: they make GREAT prizes! If you are a business owner, please consider donating an item or service as a prize; if you work at a business that would be willing to donate an item, service, or gift certificate, we’ll accept the donation gratefully!
If you are interested in making a donation, please use the link to let us know:
www.signupgenius.com/tabs/1357FD600A0C9E8C60-family
Note: Don’t forget to keep your receipts! Donations totaling $30 equal one volunteer hour; this may be a quick and easy way for those who find meeting their volunteer hours a challenge! Donations may also be tax-deductible.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa Bender, Capital Campaign Coordinator, at either 431-0440 ext. 118 or lisa.bender@vancecharterfoundation.org .
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE SUPPORT.
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT FAMILY FUN DAY!
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra Comes to McGregor Hall
HENDERSON, N.C. (April 27, 2017)—On May 5th, The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, a 17-piece Big Band from Savannah starring Jeremy Davis Clay Johnson, will perform live on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center in Henderson, N.C.
“All across America, audiences have fallen in love with these two sophisticated Southern gentleman and the high-energy show that is Davis & Johnson Present the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra,” said Tommy Deadwyler, Executive Director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center. “We are honored that they are making a stop here in North Carolina.”
Along with the greatest songs, the best original arrangements and phenomenal musicianship, these two bring their rich friendship and charm to the stage. Fashioned in the style and swagger of the legendary entertainers lead by Frank Sinatra, Davis and Johnson are putting their own stamp on the Great American songbook, graced with a touch of Motown, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Elvis and more, offering a freshness and relevance that speaks to every soul.
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performs at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center on Friday, May 5th at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C.
Anthony Pope Named Vance County Schools’ Volunteer of the Year
Anthony Pope, a dedicated volunteer at the Vance County Early College High School, was named the Vance County Schools’ Volunteer of the Year for 2016-2017 at the school system’s annual Volunteer/Business Partner Recognition Reception on April 27.
The event was attended by about 160 volunteers and business partners with our schools, as well as school administrators and staff members. The reception was held in the multipurpose room at Clarke Elementary School.
Pope was chosen as the district’s Volunteer of the Year from an outstanding group who volunteer at our 17 local schools. The others honored as each school’s Volunteer of the Year included: Amanda Gill of Aycock Elementary; Marion Perry of Carver Elementary; George Davis of Clarke Elementary; Jack Richardson of Dabney Elementary; Emma Finch of New Hope Elementary; Deborah Sykes of Pinkston Street Elementary; William Brodie of E.M. Rollins Elementary; Cedric Hinton of L.B. Yancey Elementary; Optimist Club of Henderson for E.O. Young Jr. Elementary; Kim Pulley of Zeb Vance Elementary; Valerie Hill of Eaton-Johnson Middle; James Black of Henderson Middle; Joanna Whittacre of both STEM Early High and Northern Vance High; Sylvia Rae of Southern Vance High; and Melissa Elliott of AdVance Academy at Western Vance High.
School officials also recognized an additional 74 individuals, groups and businesses as outstanding business partners for the school year. They were honored in the categories of Shining Moment Partners, Champions of Education and Friends of Education. The Henderson Family YMCA and Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department again were recognized for being named co-recipients of the school system’s Shining Moment Award as the top business partners for this school year. They were presented with the award in late January.
All of the award recipients were presented their honors by Superintendent Anthony Jackson, Assistant Superintendent Trixie Brooks and Crystal Richardson, Clarke Elementary principal and the district’s Principal of the Year.
The Clarke Elementary Chorus also provided musical entertainment at the event.
AdVance Academy Earns AdvancED Accreditation
The AdVance Academy at Western Vance High School this week completed a thorough two-day review by a team of educators and as a result earned prestigious national accreditation from AdvancED.
AdvancED is the leading educational accreditation agency in the nation.
The school’s accreditation is effective for five years.
Principal Stephanie Ayscue led her staff and students through the accreditation process. The team of national educators who visited the school met with Ayscue and all school staff members. They visited classrooms extensively during their review and also talked with students and parents.
Areas closely studied by the accreditation team included the school’s teaching and learning impact, leadership capacity and resource utilization. A major focus of the review involved the overall teaching and learning environment of the school. The AdVance Academy was rated highly in the major categories reviewed.
The school joins Northern Vance High School in earning the five-year accreditation over the last several weeks. Southern Vance High School will have its accreditation review by AdvancED this fall.
