2018 Vance Co. Relay for Life Only One Month Away!
With only a month to go until the 2018 Vance County Relay for Life, WIZS would like to remind the local community of important Relay information and upcoming events.
This year’s Relay for Life event will be held, for the first time, in downtown Henderson on Saturday, June 23, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Specifically, the event will be held in the square between the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and the Henderson Police Department.
The opening ceremony will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Cancer survivors will walk the first lap shortly after the opening ceremony concludes at approximately 11:30 a.m. with the caregiver’s recognition to follow.
In another departure from past years, the 2018 Relay for Life will not be an overnight event.
A new registration process will also be used for this year’s Relay event. Survivors, caregivers and walkers may register for Relay for Life online at www.RelayForLife.org/VanceNC or by calling 1-800-227-2345 and choosing option number two from the menu.
The survivor registration and t-shirt pick up will be held Thursday, May 31, 2018, from 4 – 6 p.m. in the front lobby of Maria Parham Health. Please call Hope Breedlove at (252) 436-1605 with any questions.
The theme for this year’s Relay is the yellow brick road from “The Wizard of Oz.” Yellow bricks may be purchased in memory or honor of a loved one. June’s event will feature all of the bricks laid out to form a “yellow brick road” of those who have fought cancer. Bricks will be hand painted by Relay volunteer Liz Catlett. To purchase a brick or for additional information, please call Liz at (252) 431-4389.
Between donations and fundraising events, organizers hope to raise at least $100,000 for cancer research this year.
Upcoming Fundraising Events for Relay:
- The Kerr Lake Cancer Crushers will hold a prime rib dinner and reverse raffle at Kerr Lake Country Club (KLCC) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018. The dinner will be catered by Gavin Jackson with Gavin’s Grub Hub. Tickets are $150 a piece and buy dinner for two with open bar and a chance to win several prizes, including a cash giveaway of $5,000. This event is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at KLCC or by calling (252) 492-1895.
- A plant sale will be held in the Tractor Supply parking lot, Dabney Dr., on Saturday, June 9 starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life.
- M.R. Williams, Raleigh Rd, will be hosting a quarter auction on Saturday, June 9 at the Church of the Holy Innocents on Chestnut St. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. with the quarter auction to follow at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 to get in the door and everyone is asked to bring at least two rolls of quarters to participate in the auction. Tickets may be purchased by calling Charlene Sanford at (252) 438-1153.
- North Henderson Baptist Church, Garnett St., will hold a pig-pickin’ on Saturday, June 16. Time is to be determined.
Student Spotlight Award Winners Honored
-Press Release, Vance County Schools
A total of 17 Vance County Schools students, who everyday display good character and compassion for others and who are committed to making the most of their educational opportunities, were honored during the evening of May 21 at the “Student Spotlight” banquet held at the Henderson Country Club.
Approximately 150 family members, school system administrators, local educators and local community leaders, attended the event to honor each of the award-winning students.
Jason Brown, a graduate of Northern Vance High School who went on to star in the National Football League, was the featured speaker for the event. He gave a passionate address to the students and guests that focused on overcoming personal obstacles and working hard to achieve your goals.
The banquet was presented by the staff of The Daily Dispatch, the newspaper in Henderson. Nancy Wykle, publisher of the newspaper, led the proceedings. The Daily Dispatch is the leading sponsor of the “Student Spotlight” recognition program, along with Vance County Schools. Additional sponsors for the program include: the Vance County Public School Foundation; Prim Development and Residential Rentals; Mako Medical Laboratories; and the Henderson Kiwanis Club.
Those who helped to fund the banquet are Duke Energy, Greystone Concrete Products Inc., H.G. Reynolds Inc., Judge Randolph Baskerville and Vance-Granville Community College.
Those students honored as “Student Spotlight” award winners for 2017-2018 included:
“Student Spotlight” award winners are shown and include, first row from left, Omar Saleh, Tanner Abbott, Jordan Glover, Jeremiah Williams, Catherine Cruz-Ochoa, Carley Walthall and Angela Ponce. On the second row from left, are LaKaiyah Miller, Jordon Hester, Christian Castillo, Eyana Hargrove, Emani Foster, Ja’Quavious Harris, La’Tina Crute, Kwaji Bullock and Madonna Baselios. (Photo: CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN / The Daily Dispatch staff)
- Tanner Abbott, a third grader at Aycock Elementary School
- Madonna Baselios, an 11th grader at Southern Vance High School
- Kwaji Bullock, a 12th grader at Northern Vance High School
- Christian Castillo, a seventh grader at Henderson Middle School
- La’Tina Crute, a fifth grader at Pinkston Street Elementary School
- Catherine Cruz-Ochoa, a fourth grader at Carver Elementary School
- Emani Foster, a 10th grader at Early College High School
- Jordan Glover, a sixth grader at Eaton-Johnson Middle School
- Eyana Hargrove, a 12th grader at AdVance Academy
- Ja’Quavious Harris, a fourth grader at Zeb Vance Elementary School
- Jordon Hester, a third grader at Clarke Elementary School
- LaKaiyah Miller, a fourth grader at New Hope Elementary School
- Angela Ponce, a third grader at E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
- Omar Saleh, a fourth grader at E.M. Rollins Elementary School
- Isreal Terry, a seventh grader at STEM Early High School
- Carley Walthall, a fourth grader at Dabney Elementary School
- Jeremiah Williams, a fourth grader at L.B. Yancey Elementary School
Franklin County Veterans to be Honored Sat., June 2
Press Release, Franklin County
Franklin County will pay special tribute to local veterans at an event scheduled Saturday, June 2, 2018, in Youngsville. The Franklin County Veterans Day of Honor and Remembrance will be held from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Youngsville Public Library located at 218 US 1-A South.
The event will include free food and giveaways including a grand prize drawing for a slat wood painted American flag.
Veterans and friends of veterans will share true stories and anecdotes about patriots that served our military branches and made Franklin County proud. Benefits information for veterans will also be available.
The event is sponsored by Franklin County Veteran’s Affairs, the Franklin County Library and Friends of the Library. The event is open to the public.
For additional information, please contact Holt Kornegay, Franklin County Library Director, at (919) 496-2111.
Remainder of Henderson City Council Budget Sessions Canceled
-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson
During the Public Meeting Budget Work Session on Monday, May 21, the Henderson City Council concluded its budget deliberations; therefore, the remainder of the budget work sessions have been canceled.
The City Council will formally approve the budget during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 11, 2018.
Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet Tues., May 29
-Information courtesy Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to Board of Education, Granville County
The Granville County Board of Education will meet in a called session on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at the Board of Education Central Service building, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford at 3 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting will be to review and approve bids for HVAC improvements to Butner-Stem Elementary School & Creedmoor Elementary School.
Granville Co. Budget Workshop Canceled for May 24
-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County
The budget workshop for the Granville County Board of Commissioners scheduled for Thursday, May 24, 2018, at 4 p.m. at the Expo Center has been canceled due to budget deliberation being finished at the May 21, 2018, regular meeting.
VGCC President Williams Resigns To Take VP Position At Duke
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, announced today that she has accepted the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13, 2018.
“It has been an honor and joy to lead and serve at Vance-Granville Community College,” Dr. Williams said. “I am proud of the success over these years, and I am confident that, with the fine faculty and staff and community support, the best is yet to come for the college.”
The announcement came today after the VGCC Board of Trustees voted to accept the resignation. “Dr. Williams has provided outstanding leadership for Vance-Granville Community College,” said Danny W. Wright, board chair. “Her vision and intellect, passion for student success, and commitment to community engagement will be assets to Duke University, and she will be missed dearly at VGCC and the surrounding communities we serve. Stelfanie is very deserving of this opportunity, and we are heartened to know that she will continue her great work and contributions in higher education.”
In an e-mail to VGCC trustees, faculty and staff members, noting their contributions to the college’s success, Dr. Williams wrote, “You all are an amazing group of professionals! Thank you for your commitment and great achievements over these years.”
Dr. Williams succeeded Randy Parker as the sixth president in the history of the college on Feb. 1, 2012. She came to VGCC from Central Carolina Community College where she last served as the vice president of economic and community development. A graduate of Duke University, she began her community college career at CCCC as an instructor for Basic Skills and progressed through several positions on the faculty and in administration at community colleges in North Carolina.
Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, announced that she has accepted the position of Vice President for Durham Affairs at Duke University, effective Aug. 13, 2018. Photo courtesy VGCC.
In her new position at her alma mater, Dr. Williams will lead and coordinate Duke’s diverse and innovative community efforts in areas such as economic development, affordable housing, early childhood, K-12 and workforce education, student engagement, neighborhood relations and community health, according to a press release from Duke. She will also continue building connections between Duke and Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University. She succeeds Phail Wynn, former president of Durham Tech, who is leaving after 10 years in the position.
“Duke’s commitment to public service and the unique attributes of the Durham community excite me about the bright opportunities ahead for thoughtful collaboration,” Dr. Williams is quoted as saying in the Duke release.
Among local and regional boards and commissions, Dr. Williams currently serves on North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s Commission on Sound, Basic Education and the MyFutureNC commission created to get more North Carolinians better educated.
Dr. Williams was named “President of the Year” by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges earlier this year. In 2014, she received the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leadership Award, named for the first president of the North Carolina Community College System, by North Carolina State University.
She was born in New York City, raised in Sanford and attended The Asheville School in Asheville, N.C. She attended Duke University, where she received bachelor’s degrees in Public Policy and Spanish, and Western Carolina University, where she earned a master’s degree in Project Management. In 2011, Williams completed her doctorate, an Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education, from NCSU.
For the selection process leading to Dr. Williams being named as VGCC’s president in December 2011, the college’s Board of Trustees appointed a Presidential Search Committee and a nationwide search was conducted. The board was assisted in that process by a search consultant from the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees.
Trustees Chair Wright added, “We will miss Dr. Williams, but we wish her the very best as she moves on to another opportunity for educational leadership at Duke University…. Over the next several weeks, she will be working with the board, college personnel, and community partners to prepare the institution for future growth.”