VGCC updates high school officials
— courtesy VGCC
Administrators and guidance counselors from area high schools recently met at Vance-Granville Community College to learn more about what the college offers, including new opportunities for students. Representatives of schools in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties were invited to attend the update meeting, held on Oct. 26 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus.
In welcoming remarks, VGCC Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Levy Brown thanked the educators for collaborating and communicating with the college. “I’m hopeful that we will continue to foster and strategically grow our partnerships to make postsecondary education attainment a reality for students in our four counties,” Brown said. “Ultimately, we desire for all of our students to be successful.”
VGCC Director of Admissions Spence Bailey addresses high school representatives. (VGCC photo)
VGCC Director of Admissions Spence Bailey followed with a presentation in which he traced his own journey from being a student at J.F. Webb High School in Oxford to attending VGCC for two years and then transferring to East Carolina University to complete a bachelor’s degree. “I’ve experienced firsthand what Vance-Granville can do for an individual,” Bailey noted. He encouraged the educators to think of VGCC as a “first choice” for their students, because of its affordability, its supportive environment that helps students succeed, and its engaging student activities that encourage leadership development.
Next, Kathy Ktul, VGCC’s registrar, gave attendees information on the new North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) and how it impacts college admissions. Jeremy Lambert, assistant director of financial aid, discussed various forms of assistance, including scholarships. The college’s new VanGuarantee scholarship program is designed to cover tuition, student fees and/or textbooks for eligible students in the four-county area whose financial needs are unmet by federal financial aid and other means of support.
In a similar vein, VGCC Dean of Arts and Sciences Cynthia Grissom-Young discussed the College Transfer program, which allows students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree without racking up large amounts of debt. She estimated, for example, that a North Carolina resident saves $34,126 by attending VGCC for two years rather than attending a state-supported university such as East Carolina University for his or her freshman and sophomore years. “It’s important for students to understand this and to stretch their education dollars as far as possible,” Grissom-Young said. She explained how the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) between the state’s community college system and the UNC System and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) between community colleges and private four-year institutions provide students with clear pathways to four-year degrees.
VGCC Fine Arts and Humanities Department Chair Betsy Henderson informed educators about the college’s new Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Arts degree. That program now has its own statewide articulation agreement, allowing VGCC graduates to transfer to seven public universities, where they can complete bachelor’s degrees in art or studio art. “We have so many talented young artists in our communities,” Henderson said. “Send those students to us, and they can start their arts education here with excellent instructors and affordable tuition.”
Reba Bullock, the college liaison for Granville Early College High School and point of contact for VGCC’s joint high school programs, discussed Career & College Promise (CCP), which allows eligible high school students to earn college credits through several different structured pathways, without having to pay tuition. Bullock said most pathways are for high school juniors and seniors, but some are available to ninth- and tenth-grade students, as well.
Students and parents interested in CCP should contact their high school counselors or the following VGCC staff: for Franklin County students, Evelyn Hall at halle@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3611; for Granville County students, Reba Bullock at bullockr@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3525; for Vance County students: Evangeline Mitchell at mitchelle@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3289; and for Warren County students: Faye Goode at goodef@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3594.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)
Great Season for South Granville Football
— by Jeff Jenkins, WIZS
The 2017 football season ended for the Northern Carolina Conference last Friday night with South Granville’s only loss of the season — a 35-19 disappointment to North Davidson in the 3rd round of the 2AA East playoffs. The number 3 seeded Vikings had successfully continued their bulldozing running attack into the playoffs until they finally met up with the #2 seed Knights — a former 4A team that had the right (or wrong) combination of tough defense and balanced offense. The Knight defense limited the Viking runners, especially in the second half, and accounted for one touchdown on a pick 6 interception, and South Granville’s mostly run-oriented defense gave up two touchdown passes to ND’s veteran QB and his stable of experienced receivers.
And so the curtain comes down on another local high school football season, but we at WIZS congratulate the Vikings for their 13-1 overall finish, and their perfect 8-0 NCC 2A championship season ! We also wish coach Hobgood a full recovery from the heart issue that sidelined him (briefly) during the latter part of this season.
City to Temporarily Close Marsha Ave. for Resurfacing
— courtesy City of Henderson
A City of Henderson Engineering Department memo sent to WIZS News states the following:
The City of Henderson has contracted with Carolina Sunrock to perform much needed street resurfacing throughout the City and Marsha Avenue from Fairway Drive to Cameron Drive is on the list. Due to the severity of its condition, much of the asphalt needs to be stripped and the sub-grade reworked and then the asphalt replaced. The extent of this work will take 2 days to complete and during this time the road will be closed to all through traffic. The City and its Contractor will work with the residents that live on the street to ensure daily access to their residence on Marsha Avenue, as well as first responder/emergency situations.
This work will begin Monday morning, at 8:00am on December 4th to Tuesday evening around 5:00 pm December 5, 2017. The City appreciates your patience and understanding during this temporary closure but the ultimate goal is to provide a more long term solution to repair and upgrade this section of pavement on a very highly traveled portion of the city’s streets.
New Solid Waste Director Selected in Franklin
— courtesy Franklin County
Brian Haynesworth will join the team in January, 2018
Franklin County, November 30, 2017: Franklin County Manager Angela L. Harris has named Brian Haynesworth Solid Waste Director. Mr. Haynesworth will assume the position January 2, 2018 following the retirement of current director John Faulkner. Mr. Faulkner retires today after 30 years of service in Franklin, 25 years as director.
Mr. Haynesworth has served as Solid Waste Program Manager for Durham County since 2007. In that role, he oversees solid waste and recycling collection programs that include recycling collection of 14,000 households and four solid waste and recycling convenient sites that receive over 250,000 visitors a year. He has managed litter control and investigation programs and county surplus property management as well. Mr. Haynesworth has also worked with the City of Durham as a Waste Reduction Coordinator and Environmental Specialist with the State of North Carolina.
Brian Haynesworth – Franklin County Photo
Mr. Haynesworth holds a Bachelor’s of Arts from Lincoln University and has pursued advanced studies in Public Health from the University of Tennessee. Additional certifications and training include SWANA Manager of Landfill Operations (NC), Carolina Recycling Association Annual Conference, FEMA-National Incident Management System and Certified Transfer Station Operator.
Mr. Haynesworth and his family currently reside in the Wake Forest area.
“We welcome Brian Haynesworth to our leadership team,” commented Mrs. Harris. “In his role as director, Brian will work in partnership with staff and the community to promote recycling, litter prevention, waste reduction and environmental stewardship.”
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.
Henderson’s McGregor Hall Transforms Into A Winter Wonderland
— courtesy mcgregorhall.org
Meet Santa & His High-Kicking Friends On December 5th For A ‘Branson-Styled’ Holiday Showcase
HENDERSON, N.C. — Get in the spirit of the holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 5, as the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center transforms into the North Pole to present CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND, a holiday spectacular.
On tour from its year-round performances at The King’s Castle Theater in Branson, Mo., CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND features a highly acclaimed song and dance troupe produced by Spirit Productions and David King of the mega-hit-musical Spirit of the Dance.
Doors will open for this family-family event at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
For this one-night-only show, the production will bring its full cast, sets and scenery to McGregor Hall’s stage. This includes 24 singers and dancers who will present more than 1,000 glittering costumes and more than a dozen holiday tunes.
Guest will enjoy more than a dozen holiday songs, including all the favorites from “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” to “Silent Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
“This is the type of high-quality, grand-scale production that McGregor Hall was built for,” said Mark Hopper, Vice President of the McGregor Hall Board of Directors.
“CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND is quite simply one of the most delightful and enchanting shows coming to this region during the holidays,” Hopper added. “From the glittering costumes, a dazzling cast and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the Mason-Dixon Line, your entire family can start Christmas in style as Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable nostalgic journey.”
Hopper also advised that seats are limited, suggesting that patrons purchase tickets in advance as the theater is expected to sell out.
Tickets are on sale for $35 or $30 plus sales tax. Group and student rates are available.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the McGregor Hall Box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Box Office is located at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. The Box Office can also be reached by phone by calling (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix. Online fees apply.
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(McGregor Hall is an advertising client of WIZS.)
