VCS Student Spotlight Winners

/by

 — information courtesy of Grace Herndon, VCS Communication & Innovative Support

Vance County Schools recognizes two elementary school students for Student Spotlight honors in November. Kaylor Cross from Dabney Elementary and Ireana Tuck of New Hope Elementary each demonstrate strong leadership qualities and make exceptional contributions at their respective schools.

The Student Spotlight program, sponsored by Vance County Schools in partnership with the Vance County Public School Foundation, highlights students who go above and beyond and who embody qualities like kindness, dedication and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.

Kaylor Cross, 4th Grade

Kaylor is an excellent student who shows leadership skills and kindness at Dabney Elementary. Her teachers Justin Wrenn and Ginger Glover nominated Kaylor because of her dedication to learning, her positive attitude and the impact she makes on those around her.

Kaylor shines academically, especially in her favorite subject – math – which she enjoys for its challenges and fun. She recently loved learning about the Middle Ages through CKLA. Her self-motivation and maturity make her a model student, always eager to help classmates with their work and foster positive relationships. Kaylor is active in the AIG program and has previously participated in Robotics.

She spends her free time playing basketball, being outdoors and engaging with Girl Scout Troop 245. She also enjoys comic books, Hello Kitty, and Despicable Me. Kaylor dreams of becoming a math teacher or basketball player and credits her parents as her biggest inspirations, valuing their encouragement and support.

If given a superpower, she would choose to fly and travel anywhere. Her dream trip would take her to New York City to shop and visit the Statue of Liberty.

Kaylor’s advice to others is simple yet meaningful: “Work hard, focus, and be kind.” Congratulations, Kaylor, on being an exceptional leader and learner!

Ireana Tuck, 5th grade

Ireana stands out as a leader and role model. As president of the Beta Club and a member of the Robotics Club, Ireana is a shining example of commitment and excellence. Math is her favorite subject because it comes naturally to her, and she loves a good challenge—like recently mastering how to convert improper fractions to mixed fractions. Outside of school, Ireana cheers for Champions in Motion, sings at Huntsville Baptist Church, and enjoys making colorful bracelets.

Her kindness shines in everything she does, from helping her dad build bunk beds to supporting her classmates when they need assistance in class. Her future goal is to become a small-animal veterinarian, inspired by her love for helping others. She is very fond of animals, including her four dogs.

Ireana credits her family for teaching her to “do right by people” and her teachers, especially Mrs. Broughton, for making school a welcoming place. If given a magic wand, she would wish for money to support her family—a true reflection of her selfless nature. Ireana’s advice to others? “Do good things for others and lead by example.” With her leadership, positivity and drive, she is a true Spotlight Student!

Both students are exemplary representatives of Vance County Schools and the Student Spotlight program. They embody the values of kindness, dedication and a commitment to learning. They inspire others and are a source of pride for their school communities and the district.

TownTalk: Youth Mental Health First Aid

/by

An upcoming workshop at Henderson City Hall is designed to help participants recognize signs that a young person may be experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as offer ways to step in to connect them to agencies and resources that can help.

The all-day mental health first aid workshop will be held Saturday, Dec. 7 and is a partnership between the city of Henderson and Vaya Health, according to information from Enriqueta Arroyo, Vaya’s youth mental health first aid instructor and community training specialist,

There are still some open slots, Arroyo said. Please contact her via email at Enriqueta.arroyo@vayahealth.com or by phone at 919.633.8769 to get registered no later than Friday, Dec. 6.

Early intervention is key, and Arroyo said the workshop will share strategies about how to reach out to someone who may be in crisis, how to listen in a non-judgmental way and how to refer to an agency for assistance.

The class is an 8-hour session, running from 8 a.m.  to 5 p.m. and participants must attend the entire class to receive their certification. The training is free of charge. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

CLICK PLAY!

Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Vance County Board Of Commissioners Reorganization Meeting

/by

The Vance County Board of Commissioners elected Sean Alston to chair the 7-member board and Carolyn Faines was elected as vice-chair at the regular monthly meeting Monday night.

In other action, the commissioners added June 19 – Juneteenth – to the list of county-observed holidays and approved dates for its regular monthly meetings, which will remain the first Monday of each month, the exception being Mar. 10, 2025.

The chair and vice-chair elections took place just after the newly elected and re-elected commissioners were sworn in for their four-year terms.

Faines bested challenger William Heitman in the only contested race in the Nov. 5 election to retain her District 1 seat. Commissioners Yolanda Feimster and Leo Kelly ran unopposed for their seats in Districts 6 and 5, respectively.

And newcomer Valencia Perry, who beat Archie Taylor in the March 2024 primary, was sworn in to the District 2 seat.

In an interview back in February as part of WIZS’s election coverage, Perry said her focus is on education, school funding, mental health services and the county jail. A Vance County native, Perry has a background in accounting and is an ordained minister.

As a commissioner, she said she will be “a fresh set of eyes” to help make “long-needed change in Vance County.”

Her work on the Vance County Housing Authority Board helped her realize just how critical financial responsibility is, she said at the time. “I had a chance to help people move forward and not stay stuck,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of great things and I feel good about it,” she said of her work with the housing authority.

Another need she sees in the county is a diversion center for those in crisis because of mental health or substance abuse issues. “It is so important,” Perry said, that people have “somewhere they can be safely cared for by professionals who know what to do.”

CLICK PLAY!

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Perry Memorial Library Gears Up For Christmas

/by

If you see kids filing in to Perry Memorial Library Wednesday evening in their pj’s and slippers, don’t be alarmed. They’re just following instructions from Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters – it’s Pajama Storytime at the library!

With temperatures more in line with what it’s supposed to feel like in early December, the kiddos may want to choose footie pajamas to keep their toes toasty warm for the half-hour program, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Can’t make it to the Wednesday Story Time? Then head out to the Vance County Regional Farmers Market Saturday morning for a cookie-themed story time and program.

The library is pulling out all the stops for Saturday afternoon’s Christmas Parade in downtown Henderson, Peters said.

‘We have a float this year!” she exclaimed, to extend the library’s centennial celebration into the holiday season. It’s a professional float called “The Peppermint Princess,” she said.

“I thought we should celebrate (the 100th anniversary)  a little bit more,” Peters said, and a professional float is sure to be a hit along the parade route.

A part of the library will be transformed into a movie theater at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in response to demands to bring back a favorite Christmas flick, The Polar Express.

“People love to watch the big movie on the big screen,” she said. Pajamas optional, and there will be hot chocolate and cookies for refreshments.

The final make-and-take workshop of 2024 will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be something for all ages to create, Peters said. Teen volunteers will be stationed beside a festive holiday backdrop to snap photos of the whole family.

Find time to make some holiday reading selections before the library closes Dec. 24-26 for the Christmas holiday.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to see a complete schedule of events and programs.

 

 

CLICK PLAY!

The Local Skinny! Holiday Fest Dec. 7 After Parade

/by

The first “Very Merry Henderson Holiday Fest” is set for Saturday, Dec. 7 following the Christmas parade that begins at 3 p.m.

The event will be held in the Breckenridge Street area from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will include activities for all ages, including horse-drawn carriage rides, a hot cocoa station, a S’mores booth and free photos with the Jolly Old Elf himself.

Trish Burroughs is one of the organizers, and she said it’s a way to bring the community together “to embrace the joy of the season.”

Mayor Melissa Elliott will kick things off at 4 p.m. with the lighting of the greens outside McGregor Hall, Burroughs said on Monday’s The Local Skinny!

With evening temps expected to be dipping into the 30’s by sunset Saturday, folks can enjoy the parade and then come to the Breckenridge area to enjoy the annual Festival of Trees in the McGregor Gallery, as well as a bouncy house, food trucks and music.

“It’s just going to be a great event,” Burroughs said.

The idea grew from suggestions about how to make the Christmas tree lighting more robust, said Gateway CDC Founder and President Heather Joi Kenney, another member of the planning committee.

Tracy Mosley, executive director of Helping All People Excel, said once the mayor got on board, she “called others to the table and it has become a beautiful collaboration of the city and citizens.”

Burroughs said anyone interested in being a volunteer, a vendor or a sponsor can contact her at 252.430.9057 and she will be happy to provide more information.

Visit the event’s website at https://sites.google.com/view/verymerryhenderson/home to learn more.

CLICK PLAY for Broadcast Audio!

Two Vance County Men Face Drug Charges In Stop On I-85

/by

— information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

Two Vance County men face a variety of drug charges following a vehicle stop on I-85 in Durham County.

The arrests took place on Thursday, Nov. 7 and were the result of a combined investigation by the Henderson Police Department, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and through assistance from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Cristopher Terry, Jr., 31, and Dakwane Jones, 32, both of Vance County, face charges that include trafficking cocaine and marijuana, among other charges, according to a press release Barrow issued Wednesday. The driver, Terry, initially refused to stop, but after a brief pursuit and subsequent foot chase, both suspects were arrested.

A search of the vehicle netted 1,291.26 grams of cocaine and 10.16 grams of marijuana.

Terry faces the following charges:

  • one count of felony flee/elude arrest with a motor vehicle
  • one count of trafficking cocaine
  • one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver marijuana
  • two counts of maintain vehicle/ dwelling place for a controlled substance
  • one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver cocaine
  • four counts of assault government official/employee
  • one count of aggressive driving
  • one count of resisting public officer

Jones faces the following charges:

  • one count of trafficking cocaine
  • one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver marijuana
  • one count of alter/steal/destroy criminal evidence
  • one count of resisting public officer
  • one count of possession drug paraphernalia

Both men were remanded to the Durham County Detention Center. Terry received a no bond and Jones was placed under a $750,000 bond.