VGCC Graduates 45 From Nursing Program
-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
Vance-Granville Community College presented pins to 45 graduates who earned their associate degree in nursing recently.
The May 10 event was held in the Civic Center on the Main Campus, with friends and family of the graduates in attendance.
The pinning ceremony was opened by ADN Program Head Dr. Anna R. Seaman, followed by welcoming reflections from Dr. Kim Sepich, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement, & Success, CAO. Cortney Ragan, 2021 ADN graduate and former class president, offered remarks from the perspective of a recent graduate of the program.
Nursing instructor Jamie Davis presented cords to students who participated in the VGCC Student Nurses Association. Davis also recognized students graduating with honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher): Ashley Allen, Mariama Boye, Eunice Mwicigi, and Henry Nkenchor. Sierra Lewter was recognized as the graduate with the highest program-specific GPA.
Nursing instructor Kassie Felts shared the story of the VGCC nursing pin to the graduates and guests. Following the story, Davis announced each graduate, including their future plans related to job acceptance as a Registered Nurse and career/educational goals. As each name was announced, Seaman presented each recipient with his or her pin. After Brande McIlroy read the story of the nursing lamp origins, the graduates joined her to recite the Nursing Pledge (written by Beverly Hansen O’Malley, RN) by candlelight. Finally, Seaman presented the class as official graduates of VGCC’s ADN Class of 2023.
Most often associated with the nursing profession, pinning ceremonies serve to welcome Health Sciences students into their new professional community. The tradition of getting a token like a pin when starting a medical career can be traced back to the Middle Ages; the modern ceremony is modeled after one honoring Florence Nightingale in the 1860s.
Red Cross and Local Y Team Up To Offer Babysitting Training Session
Older siblings often have to look after their younger brothers or sisters when Mom or Dad has an errand to run. Kids looking forward to summer vacation may also be looking for ways to earn a little spending money while they’re out of school.
Whether you’re watching the neighbors’ kids or members of your own family, it’s important to know what to do if an emergency arises and you’re the caregiver.
The American Red Cross and Henderson Family Y are teaming up to offer a babysitting training session on Monday, May 29 at the Y, 380 Ruin Creek Rd.
Topics include infant and child care, safety standards, emergency care, age appropriate activities, behavioral recognition and babysitting business basics.
This training session costs $50 and is designed for youth between the ages of 11 and 15. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration ends May 28. Participants should bring a bag lunch.
Register at https://www.hendersonymca.org/events/american-red-cross-baby-sitting-course or call 252.438.2144 to learn more.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 05-24-23 Noon
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Home And Garden Show
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Scout your garden at least twice a week for insects and disease
- Be cautious with weed killers that provide several months of control. They can damage trees and shrubs through root uptake. Check the instructions and stay the recommended distance away.
- Keep up with your weeding. Small weeds are much easier to control.
- Harvest herbs frequently.
- Attention: Beekeepers You may want to construct electric fence to protect hives from Bears
- For cut flowers, harvest early in the day, keep cool, place in water ASAP, select newest fully expanded blossoms.
- Honey bees are still swarming if you see a swarm call Cooperative extension 252-438-8188
- Protect yourself from ticks and mosquitos.
- Keep your garden journal updated. You are getting busier each day in the garden and you need to record what you have done in the garden each day.
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TownTalk: Celebrating 100 Years Of South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church
South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church is preparing to celebrate its centennial anniversary and Pastor Mark Richardson extends an open invitation to the community to the June 4 service for a special look back at the first 100 years of the church.
Richardson was a guest on TownTalk Wednesday and said the celebration kicks off that first Sunday in June and will continue all month long.
Back in 1923, Henderson was the site of a five-month long tent revival, a very successful way to “plant” churches for the Pentecostal Holiness Church back then, Richardson said.
The revival took place mostly on what is now Southerland Street in Henderson, although it did travel to other spots in the town. And at the end of that five months, the seeds for a new church were planted.
Richardson was himself a member of the church beginning in 1996. He had various roles and was on the Pastor Frank Sossamon’s staff from 2003-2007. He spent 14 years at a church in Siler City before returning to Henderson. He’s been back as pastor for almost two years.
The present church building was constructed in 1980, and Richardson said the sanctuary has been undergoing a pretty big facelift in preparation for the 100th anniversary celebration.
There’s been lots of painting going on, new carpet installed and the newly covered pews should be installed soon. There’s a new sound system and a new LED projection screen that Richardson referred to as a wall.
“We’ve updated our sanctuary to bring it more of an up-to-date and modern look,” he said.
“We saw the new screen come to life for the first time” recently, he said, which is nothing short of amazing.
And church leaders may just roll out that new projection screen at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 4 when they show pictures of the first 100 years of the church – from then until now.
There will be coffee and donuts to enjoy as the slide show rolls on and viewers can remember and celebrate the people of the church during its first century.
“We’re celebrating our past and preparing for the future,” Richardson said. “We’re not finished writing the story of what South Henderson Pentecostal is trying to accomplish.”
Visit https://www.shphc.org/ to learn more about the church and its programs and services.
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Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives In The Four-County Area
The Memorial Day weekend kicks off the unofficial start of summer, when people’s thoughts turn to vacations and relaxing a bit from normal routines. But the American Red Cross is asking for blood donors to keep appointments on their calendars, especially during the summer months and especially near holidays.
Type O blood donors are especially needed.
Blood donations are critical for people waiting for lifesaving care. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) to schedule a time to give.
As a small thank you, the Red Cross is giving Red Cross beach towels to all donors (while supplies last) through May 31. May donors also will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2023 MLB All-Star game in Seattle. The prize includes two tickets to the game, round-trip airfare, four-night hotel stay, $750 gift card and more.
Those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Plus, they’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package including a projector and screen, projector tripod, smokeless firepit, Adirondack chair set and a movie night snack package.
Here’s a list of upcoming blood drives in the four-county area between now and June 15:
Vance
Henderson
5/30/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 2574 Ruin Creek Rd.
6/8/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.
Granville
Creedmoor
5/26/2023: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave.
Warren
Macon
6/1/2023: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Macon Baptist Church, 159 Church St.
Franklin
Louisburg
6/3/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd.
How to donate blood
To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
‘NC Forever Farms’ Program Preserves Farmlands
-information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Farmland Preservation Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced new initiatives to celebrate farmland preservation efforts across the state.
NC Forever Farms is a program that recognizes family farms that have taken the ultimate step in protecting precious working lands that are vital to the future of agriculture in North Carolina. Through permanent agricultural conservation easements, these NC Forever Farms will always be protected from development and the threat of conversion.
Additionally, a new award has been established to recognize the exemplary efforts of individuals and groups that advance farmland preservation efforts in North Carolina. The NC Friends of Farmland Award will be given annually to “an individual or group that delivers exemplary service in the preservation of working lands in North Carolina and provides extraordinary efforts to foster the growth, development, and sustainability of North Carolina family farms.”
The inaugural NC Friends of Farmland Award was presented to Dewitt Hardee on May 19. Hardee, a Johnston County native, served as the first Farmland Preservation Director for NCDA&CS from 2006 until his retirement in 2021. Over the course of his tenure as Farmland Preservation Director, Hardee coordinated the preservation of nearly 30,000 acres of farmland.
Hardee’s farmland preservation work continues as he is now a Johnston County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. He also works with the N.C. State Grange on farmland preservation and agricultural programs, and seeks for his farm to become an NC Forever Farm.
“A special thank you goes to the farmers, foresters, and landowners that have committed to keeping their land as a natural resource that will benefit future North Carolinians,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.
“Please join me in congratulating Dewitt Hardee as the inaugural recipient of the North Carolina Friends of Farmland Award. Farmland Preservation in North Carolina requires the partnership and cooperation of many farmers, landowners, government entities, and nonprofit organizations, and there is still much work to be done.”
Landowners interested in preserving their working farm or forest can visit https://www.ncadfp.org or call 919.707.3071 for more information.
Town Talk: Vance County Schools Enjoy Success at Recent Robotics Competition
Elementary and middle school students traveled to Salisbury over the weekend to participate in a competition and they brought home several awards for their efforts.
The six teams that made the trip for the Brick Master State Level Competition had to earn their spots at a local competition on May 6 called RoboVANCE. That’s right, this competition is for students who design, create and compete using robotics.
“Robotics in Vance County Schools have been in design for the last three years,” said Destiney Ross-Putney, VCS director of instruction and innovation. District leaders wanted to provide opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students to learn about robotics, whether in an after-school Legos club or through a high school elective or an extracurricular group.
School officials opened it up at the beginning of the year and Ross-Putney said they were “blown away” by the number of students who showed interest.
Some schools had multiple teams, who met weekly with coaches/advisors to work on the coding and design of the creations.
The adult advisors didn’t necessarily have a background in coding or robotics; rather, they coached the students in problem-solving and working together as a team to complete their projects. The program is completely student-centered, Ross-Putney explained.
“We want to give them experiences that prepare them for the future,” said Aarika Sandlin, VCS communications coordinator.
The Salisbury competition was for elementary and middle schoolers and VCS sent six teams who advanced from the local competition, which included nine K-2 teams, 17 3-5 teams and five 6-8 teams.
The teams who traveled to Salisbury were the Zeb Vance Magical RobotZ, the Carver Electric Eagles, the Dabney Rockets, the VCMS Master Tech Builders, the STEM Card Sharks 3, the STEM Card Sharks and the L.B. Yancey Robotics #1.
The Dabney Rockets won first for elementary coding and the STEM Card Sharks #3 – an all girls team – won the coding competition for its grade level.
For the robotics portion of the competition, teams had four assignments, along with a mystery task. Students had to program their robots to complete a variety of challenges with scenarios that were based on alternative energy sources. VCMS Master Tech Builders took 4th place at the competition for the middle school division.
School leaders couldn’t be happier at the results, especially for the first time ever competing at this level.
“Our robotics program has been hard work since the beginning of this school year, with both staff and students meeting and practicing weekly.” Ross-Putney said. “To watch these programs develop from the ground up and take state level recognition is a testament to their commitment to problem solving and teamwork.”
Parents and students can learn more about RoboVANCE for next year during the August Open House.
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TownTalk: Vance Co. Venom Win Initial 7 On 7 Cup
7-on-7 football is a bit different, but according to Vance Venom coaches Theo Perry and Trenton Ware it’s still football. “It’s the same strategy. We look to take advantage of the other team’s weakness,” according to Ware. On Sunday, May 21st, the Vance Venom hosted the First Annual Carolina Cup with teams from Warrenton, Knightdale and Goldsboro participating. The Venom were victorious in what Perry and Ware hope will be a yearly event with more teams.
Perry and Ware, who both appeared on WIZS TownTalk, say that one of the goals is to help develop players age 7 to 18 in the Vance, Granville and Warren County areas. “We want to give the kids something to do. Keep them off the streets and the right path, doing something positive,” Perry said.
This season focuses on high school kids, but Perry and Ware hope to expand next year and have more players who are younger so the Venom will be able to field more teams organized by age group. Ware said many of the younger players this year look up to the older kids who play for the Vance County High School Viper team. “Those kids are well coached and want to learn,” Ware said of the Viper players who play with the Venom.