Southern Vance High School Graduation
— courtesy Vance County Schools
The commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017 at Southern Vance High School honored the accomplishments of 170 seniors on the afternoon of June 10 at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson.
The graduating class members marched into a packed auditorium at McGregor Hall with the presentation of arms by the Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard. The Color Guard also led the presentation of flags right before Kaitlyn Tant, a graduation marshal, sang an amazing rendition of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Principal Rey Horner welcomed the graduates and the audience of almost 1,000 people, consisting of parents, other family members, friends and distinguished guests. Horner took time to pay special tribute to Stephanie Ayscue, who until this school year had served as the principal of Southern Vance for many years. Ayscue is now the principal of the AdVANCE Academy at Western Vance High School.
Luis Amaya-Villa, the class salutatorian, first gave his speech of thanks to everyone in attendance. His remarks were followed by Gavin Eutsler, who as the top academic achiever in the graduating class, was the valedictorian. Eutsler also thanked a large number of people who supported the graduates through their four years at Southern Vance.
Ayscue then joined Horner in presenting diplomas to each of the graduates as they walked across the stage. Additional officials involved in the diploma presentations were Darlynn Oxendine, vice chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education; Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent; Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent; Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent; and Jennifer Bennett, assistant superintendent.
There are 20 graduates among the top 10 percent of academic achievers in the Southern Vance senior class. They are, in addition to Eutsler and Amaya-Villa, Yasmene Clark, Dalton Elliott, Daniel Faulkner, Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, Cynthia Harrington, Kendall Harris, Anna Hernandez, Brandon Lawrence, Carrington Matias, Antonia Loyd Jr., Angelica Montano, Vianey Nonato, Tyler Patrick, Jaslin Renteria, Heidy Reyes Morozumi, Yarelic Picaz, Logan Waite and Autumn Wortham.
Well over 70 percent of the graduates will go on to attend a four-year college or university, community college or join a branch of the U.S. Military. Among the graduates, they have earned over $3 million in scholarships to attend college.
Northern Vance High School Graduation
— courtesy Vance County Schools
A total of 178 seniors at Northern Vance High School received their high school diplomas during their commencement ceremony held in the morning on June 10 at McGregor Hall in Henderson.
A packed audience of approximately 1,000 parents, other family members, friends and invited local officials watched the graduates receive their diplomas. Almost 300 more guests watched the ceremony live in the overflow area in the McGregor Hall
Gallery. The commencement was streamed live over the Internet, as were all local high school graduations.
Principal Andrew Markoch led the commencement ceremony. Markoch announced that members of the graduating class have received a total of $2.4 million in scholarships to attend college beginning in the fall.
The Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard at Northern Vance presented arms as graduates processed into the auditorium. They also presented the flags at the beginning of the ceremony. Graduate Jaylen Webb sang a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Connor Pendergrass was the valedictorian for the Class of 2017 as the top academic achiever among the graduates. Bailey Shelton (in second photo) was the salutatorian as the second highest academic achiever. Both presented inspirational speeches to their classmates and the audience.
Pendergrass and Shelton led the top 10 percent of academic achievers in the graduating class. Other seniors who are top academic achievers include: Megan Andrews, Jared Bennett, Brooks Falkner, Charlie Chiem, Tamiya Davis, Holly Hilliard, Sarah Howarth, Hannah Mason, Shadi Nagi, Michelle Pham, Penny Phan, Jo’el Royster, Deriana Scott, Nathaniel Stevenson, Turner Roberson, Imani Simmons and Jeffery Zheng.
High school diplomas were presented to each graduate. Assisting in the diploma presentations, in addition to Markoch, were Darlynn Oxendine, vice chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education; Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent; Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent; Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent; and Jennifer Bennett, assistant superintendent. Lemondre Watson, an assistant principal at Northern Vance, introduced each of the graduates as they came across the stage to receive their diplomas.
AdVANCE Academy at Western Vance Graduation
— courtesy Vance County Schools
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017 at the AdVANCE Academy at Western Vance High School was held during the evening of June 9 at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson.
There were 56 seniors in the class who received their high school diplomas.
Principal Stephanie Ayscue presided over the commencement ceremony.
Kaitlyn Tant, a junior at Southern Vance High School, sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and also sang a song dedication for the graduates.
Dawn’Sha Smith, a member of the Class of 2017, made the valedictorian address to her classmates and those in the audience. Akayla Hawkins, another member of the graduating class, provided words of appreciation from the Class of 2017.
Those dignitaries presenting diplomas to the graduates were Principal Stephanie Ayscue; Assistant Principal Alice Hinson; Marsha Harris, counselor; Gloria J. White, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education; Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent; Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent; Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent; and Jennifer Bennett, assistant superintendent.
In addition to Smith and Hawkins, members of the graduating class included: Leshawn Alston, Joseph Archie, Skyler Ayscue, Adaiah Bradberry, Vincent Brown, Winfred Brown, Ubaldo Chavarin Flores, Shay’daza Daniels, Desmond Davis, Jabriel Davis, Shon’kale Davis, Ty’Jhane Davis, Zaria Davis, Aaliyah Daye, Dylik Downey, Anthony Elberson, Dajahnae Gilyard, Cassidy Godden, Loni Greenway, Joanne Hargrove, Terrance Hargrove, Leroy Hawkins, Mikel Henderson, Ricardo Hernandez, Donald Hunt, Rayquan Irving, Kiara Jones, Shikeim Jones, Ja’Qwasha Lewis, Juan Moreno-Ollis, Leonel Macedo, Alexus Palmer, Ty-Kerah Peace, Malek Perry, Tatianna Ragland, Rashad Rease, Alejandro Reyes, Rafael Rodriguez, Cindy San Juan, Michael Sanford, KyTavis Small, Qydarius Small, Mark’Quez Thomas, Seandarius Thorpe, Brianna Venable, Le’Creasha Venable, Jonas Wheeling, Batavious Wilkins, Antavious Williams, Antaza Williams, Treshon Williams, Ty’Quasia’ Williams, Star-Asia Wortham and Robert Wunderlich.
Franklin County Approves Budget with Tax Reduction
Franklin County, June 9, 2017: With a unanimous vote Thursday night, Franklin County Commissioners voted to lower its ad valorem tax rate by three-cents. The 2017-2018 General Fund budget of $78,921,255 sets the new rate at 89.5 cents per $100 valuation from 92.5 cents.
The approved budget addresses the Board’s priorities of education, health and human services and public safety. Budget highlights include full funding of the Board of Education’s request and three-percent cost of living adjustment for county employees effective January, 2018.
On behalf of the Board, Chairman Cedric Jones thanked commissioners, county management and staff for working together to create a spending plan that provides tax relief while maintaining quality county government services for citizens.
For additional information, please contact Angela L. Harris, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.
Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.
VGCC celebrates Male Mentoring students
The second annual PRIDE awards were presented as the Male Mentoring Success Initiative (MMSI) at Vance-Granville Community College recently held a ceremony to recognize outstanding students who have excelled in the program.
The ceremony, held May 3 at VGCC’s South Campus, began with welcoming remarks from the dean of that campus, Cecilia Wheeler. “Being involved in this program shows that you are leaders,” Wheeler told the students.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Male Mentoring PRIDE awards. As Anthony Pope, co-coordinator for the MMSI, explained, PRIDE stands for “Pin Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence.” Each honored student received a lapel pin and a certificate.
For their longevity being active in the program, Anthonie Mycal Elam of Warrenton and Jerry Pierce Jr. of Stem received the PRIDE Awards for Tenure.
PRIDE Awards for Engagement went to Johnathan Williamson of Oxford and Christopher Blue of Henderson for being active in the program and bringing in other students.
PRIDE Awards for Athletic Excellence went to three members of the Vanguards men’s basketball team, Christopher Pernell and NiQuan Cousins, both of Raleigh, and TyQuon Reid of Goldsboro.
Blue, Reid and Williamson also received PRIDE Awards for Leadership.
PRIDE Awards for Scholarship were presented to Williamson, Cody Boylorn and Tyler Boylorn, both of Franklinton, Osvaldo Hernandez of Stem, Brian Restrepo and David Restrepo, both of Youngsville,
Hadden Justice of Louisburg, and Francis Scotland of Oxford.
The event also featured by remarks by several students. Justice said he was enrolled in Automotive Systems Technology and became involved in the MMSI after finding out that the group would be taking a trip that included a tour of UNC-Charlotte. Taking the tour helped him decide to transfer to that university in the fall to study Motorsports Engineering after completing his VGCC diploma. Likewise, Scotland said that the MMSI trip gave him a closer look at UNC-Charlotte, where he may be continuing his education in engineering to the master’s level. Scotland recently graduated from the college with both an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science. He thanked Pope, Academic Skills Center Coordinator Jason Snelling, and the college generally for their support.
Former VGCC student mentee Harold Ragland, who is now a student at North Carolina Central University, returned to speak to the mentoring initiative’s current participants. “Be your own person, and be a leader in the community,” Ragland urged them.
Williamson, a Radiography student who has mentored some of the younger students in the program, said he appreciated the “opportunities for networking and learning” in the MMSI. “Some of the things you get here at VGCC you don’t get at the bigger universities, like the individual help and commitment,” Williamson noted. “We’ve learned in the mentoring program to represent ourselves and our school well.”
Several special guests who had participated in the MMSI speakers’ series during the year offered words of congratulations and encouragement to the students. These included former Harlem Globetrotter James “Twiggy” Sanders, attorney Roderick Allison (who also presented a solo on the trumpet), and attorney and former N.C. District Court Judge Quon Bridges.
In addition to the PRIDE awards, Anthony Pope presented a certificate to every student who actively participated in the program this year. In closing remarks, VGCC Dean of Enrollment & Outreach Jeffrey Allen thanked Pope and co-coordinator Michael Farmer for their efforts to support students.
Supported by a grant from the North Carolina Community College System, the MMSI at VGCC works to help male students stay in school and on track to graduate or transfer to a four-year university. For more information on the mentoring initiative, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395.
–VGCC–