#VANCECoProud Graduation Ceremonies
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy Vance County Schools
(#VANCECoProud Graduation Ceremonies)
Vance County Schools is pleased to announce graduation ceremonies for AdVance Academy, Southern Vance High School and Northern Vance High School.
All ceremonies will take place at McGregor Hall on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.
The AdVance Academy graduation is Friday, June 8, at 6 p.m. The Southern Vance High School graduation is Saturday, June 9, at 8 a.m. and the Northern Vance High School graduation is Saturday, June 9, at 12 p.m.
The doors will open at McGregor Hall for each of the ceremonies one hour prior to the beginning of the event.
The seating capacity of the McGregor Hall auditorium is approximately 960 people. The number of people admitted for each ceremony will not exceed the number of seats. For the ceremonies, tickets will be given to graduates for their family members to attend. Only those people with tickets will be admitted for the ceremony. Only young children will be allowed to sit in the laps of adults. There will be overflow seating for people in the McGregor Hall Gallery. However, these people also must have a ticket for admission.
No types of noise makers, signs, posters, banners, balloons, confetti or any other similar materials will be permitted at any of the graduation ceremonies.
Parking for the graduation ceremonies at McGregor Hall will be available along any of the surrounding streets, as well as the Perry Memorial Library parking lot, the city parking lot in front of the Henderson Police Department along Chestnut Street and the PNC Bank parking lot on Chestnut Street.
Anyone may view the graduations live via the internet from any location. The school system will live stream all of the graduations on the school system’s website.
Vance County Community Foundation Awards More than $7,000 in Local Grants
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Quinn E. Novels, Northern Piedmont Regional Director, North Carolina Community Foundation
The board of advisors of the Vance County Community Foundation announces $7,100 in local awards from its community grantmaking fund, according to Fagan Goodwin, board president.
This year the board will grant:
- $1,300 to the American Heart Association for the CPR in Schools: Training the Next Generation of Lifesavers program
- $1,000 to the Autism Society of North Carolina for 2018 Camp Royall program scholarships for Vance County children with autism
- $1,000 to the Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines for the Vance County Girl Scout Leadership Experience program
- $1,800 to the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission for downtown retail staging
- $1,000 to Prevent Blindness North Carolina for the Star Pupils Vance County program
- $1,000 to the Triangle Literacy Council for the Constructing Pathways to Prosperity program
Goodwin thanked the community for its support of the Vance County Community Foundation. “We are proud to support these nonprofit programs that are so important to our community,” she said. “We are grateful to the many generous individuals and organizations that have supported the Vance County Community Foundation and our work to inspire philanthropy across our community.”
For further information, contact NCCF Regional Director Quinn Novels at 919-256-6914, email qnovels@nccommunityfoundation.org or visit the NCCF website at nccommunityfoundation.org.
About the Vance County Community Foundation
The Vance County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, a resource for area nonprofits, a source of grants for worthy local causes and a partner for donors. VCCF is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of Vance County.
Whatever your means or charitable goals, the VCCF makes it easy to become a philanthropist. VCCF was founded in 1997 and is an affiliate foundation of the North Carolina Community Foundation.
In addition to Goodwin, board members include Anthony Adams (secretary), Sarah Baskerville, Anne Bunch, Kay Curin, Dorothy Gooche, Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, Terri Hedrick, Amy Russell and Sara “Bebe” Wester.
Tax-deductible contributions made payable to the Vance County Community Foundation can be mailed to:
North Carolina Community Foundation
3737 Glenwood Ave. Suite 460
Raleigh, NC 27612.
Contributions can also be made online at nccommunityfoundation.org
About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has administered more than $130 million in grants since its inception in 1988. With nearly $247 million in assets, NCCF sustains 1,200 endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, nonprofit organizations, institutions and scholarships.
The NCCF partners with a network of affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance across the state. An important component of NCCF’s mission is to ensure that rural philanthropy has a voice at local, regional and national levels.
For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @NCCF.
Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Meet Mon., June 4
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance
- The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, June 4, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson.
Items on the agenda include:
- Budget Hearing FY 2018-19 Economic Development Appropriations
- Budget Hearing FY 2018-19 Proposed Budget
- Appointment – Porcha Brooks, Tax Administrator – Untimely Exemption Applications
- Water District Board – FY 2018-2019 Water Budget and Monthly Operations Report
- Committee Reports and Recommendations a. Public Safety Committee – Fire Commission Guidelines – Fire Service Restructure b. Properties Committee – Triangle Literacy Council Partnership – Courthouse Carpet Replacement – Admin Building Door Access Controls
- Finance Director’s Report a. Surplus Property b. Authorization of Year-end Closeouts c. Auditor Engagement Letter – DSS Testing d. 2013 QZABs – School Consolidation e. Resolution – Electronic Payments
- County Attorney’s Report a. Uniform Guidance – Conflicts of Interest and Procurement Policies
- County Manager’s Report a. Fireworks Permit – City of Henderson b. Implementation of Salary and Classification Study c. DHHS Division of Social Services Memorandum of Understanding d. Sunday Hours at NC 39 North Convenience Site e. Budget Review and Finalization Discussion
- Consent Agenda Items a. Tax Refunds and Releases b. Ambulance Charge-Offs c. Monthly Reports d. Minutes
- Miscellaneous a. Appointments b. Voting Delegate and Alternate – NACO Annual Conference
- Closed Session a. Economic Development Matter b. Contract Negotiation
June’s agenda and previous agendas may be viewed on the County’s website by clicking here.
Happenings at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market – Sat., June 2
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Market Manager, Vance County Regional Farmers Market
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market’s selection of vegetables has increased this week! Visit us at 210 Southpark Dr.
Henderson, NC this Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
We will have beets, bak choi, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, garlic, greens, kale, lettuce, onions, swiss chard, squash, turnips and zucchini.
Our meat vendors will be in attendance with beef and pork.
Don’t forget the eggs!
Check out the wonderful crafts offered by our talented artists.
Breakfast served beginning at 8 a.m.
Anticipated Vendors
Adcock Farm – Canned goods & tomatoes
Backroad Farm & Vineyard – Squash, Zucchini, Beets, Kale, Hydroponic Lettuce, Cucumbers & Wine
Donation Station – Farmer Foodshare
Faulkner Family Farms – Meat – Pork
Gavin’s Grub Hub – Serving Breakfast @ 8 a.m.
Harvey Hills Farms – Plants, flowers & herbs
JASM Farms – Onions, Lettuce, Squash, Turnips, Broccoli & Radishes
JW Creek Farm – Meat – Beef & eggs
Kelly Lynn Photography – Photos, prints & tattoo art
Laureen’s Creations – Beautiful Wreaths
LouMag Ent. – Greens, Lettuce, Bak Choi & Beets
Master Gardeners – Gardening Advice
Pretty Tough Stuff – Jewelry
Stone Bridge Farm – Eggs, Swiss Chard, Garlic, Red & Savory Cabbage
Woodwick Designs – Homemade soy wax candles
***Beginning June 6th: The Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.***
Contacts:
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188
**VCRFM accepts and welcomes SNAP/EBT**
The Farmers Market building is available for rent. Contact Tracy Madigan for pricing and available dates.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Register Now for Annual Warren County Farm Tour
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties – NC Cooperative Extension
The annual Warren County Farm Tour will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
This year’s tour will feature produce processing, a well-established produce farm and also an up-and-coming operation. We will also have a few minutes to shop and meet the vendors of the Warren County Farmers Market.
Aspiring and experienced farmers will see what it takes to build a successful operation, and non-farmers will get a behind-the-scenes peek into the life of a farmer. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the farms that contribute so much to the community, and learn how they operate.
School-aged children are welcome to attend if accompanied by a supervising adult. The tour is made possible through the generous support of AgCarolina Farm Credit.
The day begins at 8 a.m. at the Warren County office of NC Cooperative Extension, concluding at 2 p.m. The cost is only $5 which includes lunch and transportation. Registration required by noon on Wednesday, June 13.
For details call 252-257-3640 or click https://go.ncsu.edu/wcfarmtour.

(Photo courtesy Paul McKenzie and NCSU)
Anniversary Celebration at Holy Temple UHCA – Sun., June 3
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Ola Cooper, Pastor, Holy Temple UHCA of Henderson
The Holy Temple UHCA will hold an anniversary celebration on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at 3 p.m. at the church located at 729 East Avenue in Henderson.
The Rev. Dr. George Horton, pastor of St. John UHCA in Zebulon, will preach the anniversary sermon and his choir will render the music.
The public is invited to share in this celebration.
VGCC Basic Skills Graduates Encouraged to Dream of Better Futures
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Graduates of Vance-Granville Community College’s Adult Basic Skills programs received a double dose of encouragement to dream of better futures and work to make those dreams come true at their commencement exercises on May 3.
The honorees were among those students who have completed either the Adult High School Diploma program or the High School Equivalency program in the past year.
The principal commencement speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Dorwin L. Howard, Sr., retired superintendent of Granville County Public Schools. The Oxford native followed at the podium a presentation by Jennifer Pascual of Henderson, speaking on behalf of the graduating students. A native of Vance County, Pascual completed her High School Equivalency in April after attending classes on the main campus.

Above: Retired Granville County Schools Superintendent Dr. Dorwin Howard of Oxford addresses VGCC Adult Basic Skills graduates. (VGCC photo)
“Do you have a dream?” Dr. Howard asked the graduates. “Do you have a vision of what your future could look like? If you’ve not begun to dream already, I urge you to do so right now. The truth of the matter is that you cannot afford not to dream.”
Citing his work as a school administrator, Dr. Howard recalled student-athletes who had size, speed, strength and a natural talent for athletics. Those attributes, however, were inadequate without an initiative to work, the discipline to practice and the humility to follow the guidance of coaches, he said. “Champions are not born. They are made,” Dr. Howard said, noting the process begins with a dream.
Citing Amos 6:1 from the Old Testament, Dr. Howard urged the graduates to apply themselves. “Woe unto you who will not apply yourself in order to make yourself better. Woe unto you who are looking for the easy way out,” he said.
“I dare you to dream tonight. Dream of entering the workplace. Envision yourself climbing the ladder of success. Dream of continuing your education to help you advance in your career. Dream of earning well. Dream of living well…. But note that dreams don’t become reality by chance. They don’t happen by luck. Dreams begin in your head and heart and become real as you work to make them come true.”
He encouraged the graduates to explore possibilities by reading about what they would like to become and do in life, to be willing to take risks to succeed and to continue to be diligent and work hard. “Dreamers make things happen,” he said.
“Like your parents, relatives and friends, like your instructors and counselors who worked with you and the administrators here at Vance-Granville Community College, I too believe in you and I believe that one day you will make your dreams come true,” he concluded.

Above: Jennifer Pascual of Henderson addresses her fellow VGCC Adult Basic Skills graduates. (VGCC photo)
Student speaker Pascual described for her fellow graduates what had not always been an easy road in life because of family and financial challenges. She described having a dream as a 12-year-old of being a pediatrician; however, that dream faded when her mother and father separated, her family faced the future without a father, her mother battled diabetes while working for 25 years in the tobacco fields, and a brother was deported.
“I gave up on my dreams. I also wanted to give up on life,” she said. “But then I had to think about my mother and what she would go through.”
“While it’s not been easy for my family, I’m glad I made it this far to get my High School Equivalency diploma. I didn’t think I would be able to graduate this year because of financial struggles,” she said. “This program got me focused on my future, a better future for myself and family…. As this program has come to an end for me, I want to make my dreams a new reality by becoming a registered nurse.”
She praised her instructors, including Glenn Alston whose teaching helped her “get the hang of math,” and the department chair for Basic Skills, Dr. Greg Nash, who encouraged her to pursue the curriculum nursing program at VGCC now.
“I now realize not to let fear stop me from pursuing my dreams,” she said. “If I can do this, you can, too. Dream big! Chase your dreams until you catch them!”
Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of academic affairs, announced a special incentive to the graduates to continue their education at Vance-Granville. “Commencement, as you know, does not mean an ‘ending.’ It means a ‘beginning,’ and that is especially true on this occasion tonight,” he said. “The diploma that you will receive will allow you to achieve your dreams wherever you may go.”
As an extra incentive for graduates to begin their collegiate studies, Dr. Brown announced that each graduate would receive a certificate worth free tuition and fees for one semester of courses in curriculum programs or continuing education courses at VGCC, absorbing costs not covered by federal financial aid. “This certificate for tuition and fees is our way of saying ‘congratulations’ and ‘keep going,’” he said.
In conferring diplomas to the graduates, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, praised the graduates and applauded the Basic Skills faculty for preparing students to succeed.
After Dr. Nash announced the candidates for graduation, Dr. Brown assisted Dr. Williams in presenting diplomas.
Also on the program were Tiffany Hunter and Owenwiston Raymond III, both 2018 HSE diploma graduates, who provided the welcome and introduced the student speaker, respectively; Michael Young, an instructor in Basic Skills, who introduced Dr. Howard; Dawn Michelle Tucker, dean of Continuing Education and Basic Skills, who offered remarks; and the Rev. Terry Huffines of First United Methodist Church of Henderson, who provided the invocation and benediction.
More photos: Check out VGCC’s album on Flickr!
Video from the Ceremony: Click here to watch the video on YouTube.