130 Vance Co. Educators Expected to Attend State Rally; Schools Closed May 1

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Educators and school staff from across North Carolina will gather at a planned protest in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

The N.C. Association of Educators’ Rally for Public Education participants will ask legislators for increased funding for the hiring of additional support staff, the reinstatement of retirement health benefits and advanced degree compensation and an increase in the minimum wage for hourly employees.

A high number of leave requests for the day led some local school systems, including Vance and Franklin County, to declare May 1 a holiday for students and an optional workday for teachers.

Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools, told WIZS that of the school system’s 900 employees, 130 requested leave to attend the rally. While rally participants account for only 14% of overall staff, Hedrick said, “Those asking off are in classrooms and are vital to student instruction.”

In a recent press release, Vance County Schools stated that Superintendent Anthony Jackson recommended the school day change and the Vance County Board of Education approved the holiday in an effort to support public school educators.

The missed instruction day for students will not be made up.

The VCS press release explained, “While it is always important for students to be in school and learning, school system officials believe that our extended school day times at all grade levels this school year will be sufficient for student instruction even with the missed day on May 1. The school day was extended for the 2018-2019 school year by about 15 minutes at the elementary, middle and high school levels.”

Hedrick stated that the majority of employees at the system office will be at work tomorrow – including Dr. Jackson – and do not currently have plans to attend the “Day of Action” rally.

In a message sent to NC public schools earlier this month, State Superintendent Mark Johnson encouraged educators to find alternative ways of voicing their concerns.

His message read, in part:

“I encourage discussions about different ideas and opinions. Your voice is crucial. I want you to know why I cannot agree with one group’s proposal to encourage schools to close on May 1.

Weather hit us hard this year, and I do not want to encourage any more students missing any more school days. It’s not good for students’ academic and nutritional needs, or for our bus drivers and some other non-certified staff, who may miss scheduled work hours and, as a result, pay.”

As an alternative, Johnson suggested that educators take action on a day when schools were not in session, such as the week of spring break. Spring break for many NC schools concluded last week.

Vance County Board of Education member Ruth Hartness expressed her support for local educators participating in the rally.

“They have an issue and they have to voice it in some way,” said Hartness. “I agree with them. I see no harm in it and it may do some good. Hopefully, the legislature will listen to these folks and something will come through that will be to their liking.”

In the meantime, Hartness said she believes the school system does a good job of educating the community with its current resources.

“The answer to many of the issues is more money from the legislature for schools. We are doing the best we can with the money that we have been given.”

Vance Co. Schools Honors Over 275 Volunteers/Business Partners

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools honored the over 275 school volunteers and business partners who are involved in supporting our 15 public schools for the 2018-2019 school year at the annual Volunteer/Business Partner Recognition Reception held on April 24. The event was held at the Henderson Country Club. 

During the event, Jack Richardson, a long-time volunteer at both Dabney and Pinkston Street elementary schools, was named the school system’s Volunteer of the Year for 2018-2019. Richardson was presented with the district volunteer award by Dr. Michael Putney, principal of Dabney, and Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal of Pinkston Street.

Jack Richardson, center, holds the plaque he received as the Vance County Schools Volunteer of the Year after it was presented to him by Dr. Michael Putney, principal of Dabney Elementary School, left, and Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal of Pinkston Street Elementary School, right. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Richardson has volunteered at both of the elementary schools for almost 15 years. He goes into the schools two to three days each week to tutor children in reading and mathematics. Both principals praise Richardson for his dedication to the children and his determination to have children adopt a love for reading and confidence in their math skills. 

In addition to Richardson, 10 more school Volunteers of the Year were honored during the event. They were each presented with plaques by Dorothy Gooche, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education and Superintendent Anthony Jackson.

School Volunteers of the Year include: Betty Jo Pernell of Aycock Elementary School; Johanna Ragland of Carver Elementary School; JoAnne Allen of Clarke Elementary School; Eboni Terry of New Hope Elementary School; Susan Freeman of E.M. Rollins Elementary School; Rev. Ronald Regular of L.B. Yancey Elementary School; Richard Brand of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School; Cedric Hinton of Zeb Vance Elementary School; Leslie Walthall of STEM Early High School; and Norma Moore of Vance County Middle School. 

There were 43 more outstanding volunteers and business partners recognized with awards by our schools during the reception.

The most outstanding business partners include those nominated for the school system’s Shining Moment in Education Award. Those partners honored were First United Methodist Church, which earned the prestigious Shining Moment Award as the top business partner for the school system. Other Shining Moment partners include Clearview Baptist Church, Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Flat Rock United Methodist Church, Henderson Family YMCA, Henderson Toyota, I Believe God Outreach Church, Optimist Club of Henderson, South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church and St. Paul United Church of Christ.

Reminder: Arts Alive! to Showcase Student Talent at McGregor Hall This Weekend

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The third annual Vance County Schools’ Arts Alive! event will be held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson this Saturday, April 27, 2019. The showcase will feature student talent in a variety of art forms including painting, drawing, dancing, singing and performance. All grade levels will be represented.

Parents, students, family, educators and community members are invited to view over 200 pieces of student artwork that will be displayed in the McGregor Hall Gallery beginning at 3 p.m. Gallery viewing is free of charge.

In addition to the art gallery, approximately 20 performing acts ranging from large to small groups of vocalists, musicians, dancers and more will entertain on McGregor Hall’s stage beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Arts Alive! show are available for purchase at McGregor Hall’s box office beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for adults and children are $5 each; all seating is general admission.

New this year will be a series of “master classes” offered in singing, dancing and musical instruments the morning of the event. Classes will be offered by Hill’s Music Shoppe, Ballet Arts All Stars and Wolf Trap Education.

Master classes are free of charge and will either be offered at McGregor Hall or across the street at First Baptist Church in Henderson.

For more information on each class, locations or to register, please visit the Vance County Schools website by clicking here.

Vance Co. Schools: May 1 Declared Student Holiday, Optional Teacher Workday

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

After consultation with school system leadership and the Vance County Board of Education, Superintendent Anthony Jackson has recommended, and the Board of Education has approved, a change in our school calendar to accommodate the N.C. Association of Educators’ Rally for Public Education planned for Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in Raleigh.

The day will be changed to an optional teacher workday in all Vance County Schools and a holiday for students.

This decision has been made because of the large number of educators in our schools who have asked for the day off to participate in the public education rally. The missed day of instruction will not be made up for students.

School system employees who want to be out of work on May 1 must use annual leave time or, if they don’t have available leave time, must take the day off without pay or report to work.

Education Veteran to Address VGCC Basic Skills Grads

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College will hold commencement exercises dedicated exclusively to new graduates of Adult Basic Skills programs on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Those being honored will include students who have completed either the Adult High School Diploma program or the High School Equivalency program in the past year.

Rev. Dannie T. Williams, a longtime leader in education, will deliver the principal commencement address at VGCC’s Adult Basic Skills graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 2, 2019. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

Rev. Dannie T. Williams, a longtime leader in education, will deliver the principal commencement address. Williams is a Franklin County native and a GED High School Equivalency graduate himself. He went on to graduate from Shaw University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, along with a minor in Sociology and Public Administration, from Christian Bible College in Rocky Mount with a Master of Theology, and from North Carolina State University with both a Master’s in School Administration and an Ed.S. in School Supervision and Administration.

Most recently, he has completed all required coursework for his doctoral degree (Ed.D.) and is currently working on his dissertation.

Williams has had numerous experiences in the field of public education. He began his career as a teacher assistant/bus driver. After receiving his Lateral Entry teacher certification, he taught the subjects of Social Studies, Science, Mathematics and English, and served at times as a basketball coach and coordinator of character education. He has served as a member of the Board of Education in Franklin County.

In administration, he was an assistant principal, principal, executive director for human resources and auxiliary services and is currently the chief of human resources with the Franklin County Schools.

Rev. Roberta Egerton will speak on behalf of graduating students at VGCC’s Adult Basic Skills graduation. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

In addition, Williams is a Christian educator. He served as the Minister for Church Life and Education for the Southern Conference, United Church of Christ (UCC), and currently is the President of the Board of Directors of the Southern Conference, UCC. He has been the Senior Pastor and Teacher of the Melfield UCC in Haw River, N.C., for 23 years and has over 43 years of ministry experience.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating students during the ceremony will be Rev. Roberta Egerton of Louisburg. She completed her High School Equivalency earlier this year after attending classes on VGCC’s Franklin County Campus. She is also a Monmouth Bible Institute graduate and an ordained Baptist minister.

Egerton has enrolled in curriculum classes at VGCC with plans to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.

LaRocca, New Director of Communications, Encouraged by VGCC’s ‘Fresh Approach’

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Christopher LaRocca, director of communications for Vance-Granville Community College, was the guest of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

LaRocca, who joined the college in March after 15 years with Duke University, said his own experience as a graduate of North Country Community College in Saranac Lake, New York made the possibility of working for VGCC appealing.

“Vance-Granville is giving me another opportunity to give back to the community college system that gave so much to me,” LaRocca said. “I gained valuable tools learning how to manage my time, learning how to focus academically, and then using those skills at a four-year college and in my career.”

In addition to Duke University, LaRocca’s career includes stints with the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and USA Basketball Men’s National Team.

While LaRocca believes his educational path was the key to success in his career, he agrees that everyone must define success in their own terms – an opportunity readily offered by the community college system.

“I’m a big proponent of education. I’m a big advocate of getting a four-year degree and even going on to get a master’s degree; however, I’m also aware that college isn’t for everyone. Sometimes getting a two-year degree in a skill or trade is enough to be successful,” stated LaRocca.

While less than two months into his new position, LaRocca said he is encouraged by the positive growth he has already witnessed under the leadership of VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. Desmarais, who previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, joined VGCC as the institution’s seventh president in January.

“I love the new, fresh approach at the college. Dr. Desmarais has some wonderful ideas in terms of restructuring and her view on where the college could be in the next few years.”

In a recent Town Talk interview with WIZS, Desmarais explained her vision promoted economic turnaround by helping the four-county area transition “from tobacco and old-style manufacturing into healthcare and biotech innovation.”

Part of that vision, according to LaRocca, is promoting new programs at the college to ensure students have the skills needed to be eligible for emerging career opportunities in the local area.

Two of VGCC’s newest programs – Healthcare Informatics and Cyber Security – will be offered as certificate and associate degree programs through the Information Technology Department beginning fall 2019.

“We are making strides to create new programs so there is something available for everyone. I encourage the community to check out our website frequently (www.vgcc.edu) for updates,” said LaRocca.

LaRocca also invites the community to attend upcoming events at VGCC, including:

To hear the Town Talk interview with LaRocca in its entirety, click here. LaRocca’s portion of the interview begins at the 10:00 mark.

VGCC Names 134 Students to Fall Semester Dean’s List

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 134 students earned Dean’s List academic honors for the fall 2018 semester.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student had to earn a GPA that was at least 3.5 but less than 4.0, and have no grade lower than “B,” while carrying a “full load” (at least 12 credit hours) in 100-level or higher curriculum courses.

*WIZS posted the list of VGCC fall President’s List recipients on Thursday, April 18 (click here).

Fall Semester Dean’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.

Accounting & Finance:

Jason A. Murphy of Franklinton;

Trina M. Leapley of Louisburg.

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Ernest F. Hill, III, and Tyrell Terry, both of Henderson;

Zavious D. Oakley of Oxford.

 

Associate in Arts:

Clay T. Boyd, Christyn M. Campbell, Sarah J. Jones and Brandi M. Umstead, all of Creedmoor;

Rebecca K. Middleton and Kimberly Ross, both of Franklinton;

Viridiana Chavez, Emani’ D. Foster, Viviana Hernandez, Sarah E. Howarth, Henry Huynh, Kristyn M. Medlin, Josie M. Roberson, Daquan M. Southerland, William A. Strickland, Hannah D. Wells, Corey K. Williams, Jr., Haley L. Williams and Al-Leain I. Young, all of Henderson;

Tiffany M. Frank, Rebekah L. Varker and Gracey R. Vaught, all of Kittrell;

Robert J. Holovnia of Louisburg;

Christy L. Beasley, Sherman I. Booker, Savannah L. Brogden, Laci A. Davidson, U’lia K. Hargrove, Asmaa Kassim, Kristie Lumpkin, Erin P. Whitt and Alexander C. Wilkinson, all of Oxford;

Kamiyah E. Wiggins of Townsville;

Josiah A. Trotter of Youngsville.

 

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Dakota M. Chabala of Franklinton;

Carly M. West of Littleton;

Vlada Balalova of Louisburg;

Kylie M. Blackwell of Timberlake;

Robyn N. Perry of Zebulon.

 

Associate in Science:

Astrid Portillo-Granado of Creedmoor;

Jacklyn C. Stanley of Durham;

James Geary and Kayla D. Romig, both of Franklinton;

William Z. Egerton, Shawn A. Faulkner and Evin F. Swilley, all of Henderson;

Maggie E. Dickerson and Brooklyn F. Fuller, both of Oxford;

Lindsay Fenlason of Wake Forest;

Quavion C. Basyden of Willard;

MacKenzie S. Clifford of Youngsville.

 

Automotive Systems Technology:

Brandon M. Sparrow of Creedmoor;

Justin T. Reavis of Henderson.

 

Business Administration:

Syreeta D. Scott-Jernigan of Franklinton;

Jennifer S. Crabtree of Kittrell;

Adero B. Bullock of Louisburg.

 

Cosmetology:

Megan L. Sandell of Creedmoor;

Hunter M. Boykin and Bridgett N. King, both of Franklinton;

Shelly C. Benson, Angel N. Bradford and Irina Z. Letts, all of Henderson;

Megan L. Twisdale of Kittrell;

Ashley J. Bennett of Louisburg;

Logan B. Breedlove of Oxford;

Jazmin L. King of Rougemont;

Rachel A. Savage of Wake Forest;

Danielle K. Hargrove and Brittney Wray, both of Warrenton;

Sydney G. Sakoman of Youngsville.

 

Criminal Justice:

Carly J. Minor of Butner;

Salvador I. Manjarrez Moli of Creedmoor;

Amali N. Elayah, Kalin D. Jackson, Keyla Lewis and Dylan Sanford, all of Henderson;

Brooke T. Bendel of Louisburg;

Sherese L. Hicks of Macon;

Abdon A. Silva and Matthew A. Smith, both of Oxford;

Addison U. Dinglasan of Youngsville.

 

Early Childhood Education:

Courtney Crute of Bullock;

Milena F. Nelsen of Franklinton;

Rochelle D. Williams of Henderson;

Melissa C. Ayscue and Ellen M. Young, both of Louisburg.

 

Electrical Systems Technology:

Jacob I. Mitchell of Oxford.

 

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Dakota L. Hodnett of Oxford.

 

Histotechnology:

Rawia Dafalla of Raleigh.

 

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Gloria J. Chavis of Butner;

Grace A. Ohlandt of Franklinton.

 

Information Technology:

Christian E. Colon and Cody R. Hassell, both of Creedmoor;

Koty R. Glover, Colin Hope and Andrew M. Watkins, all of Henderson;

Spencer B. Duncan of Louisburg;

Emily Durling of Oxford;

Courtney L. Faison of Wake Forest.

 

Medical Assisting:

Ashley R. Hill of Henderson;

Crystal C. Williams of Louisburg.

 

Medical Office Administration:

Caroline P. Williamson of Bullock;

Savannah N. Jones, Kaitlyn T. Pojman and Galesia E. Williams, all of Durham;

Margaret Avery, Anna D. Davis, Cassidy J. Grissom, Raeann Johnson, Maryjo M. Parks and Shirley B. Spivey, all of Henderson;

Holly R. Heston of Louisburg;

Lisha T. Harris and Keshonda A. McMannen, both of Oxford;

Amy C. Hildebran of Warrenton.

 

Paralegal Technology:

Emari N. Ragland of Henderson;

Evelyn Nolasco of Louisburg.

 

Pharmacy Technology:

Jane M. Jones of Franklinton;

Fnu Monika of Roanoke Rapids.

 

Radiography:

Frantz Alexis of Chapel Hill;

Matthew S. Battistel, Dwayne D. Huneycutt and Paige D. Snider, all of Creedmoor;

Brooklyn Rooker of Henderson;

Rubi J. Coyote Baizabal of Roxboro;

Sabrina E. Bedard of Wake Forest;

Megan T. Whitman of Youngsville.

 

Welding Technology:

Michael D. Perry of Bunn;

Edmund M. Goulet of Oxford.

VGCC Names 79 Students to Fall Semester President’s List

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 79 students earned President’s List academic honors for the fall 2018 semester.

The President’s List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) while carrying a “full load” (at least 12 credit hours) in 100-level or higher curriculum courses.

*WIZS will post the list of VGCC fall Dean’s List recipients on Friday, April 19.

Fall Semester President’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.

 

Accounting & Finance:

Alicia D. Hinton of Castalia;

Abigail S. Pruitt of Oxford.

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Christian A. Dockum and Ethan D. Hughes, both of Creedmoor.

 

Associate in Arts:

Austin M. Councilman of Creedmoor;

Joshua I. Horton of Franklinton;

Kaitlyn M. Harris, Dylan T. Jackson, Jadyn M. Jones, Josiah Jones and Caroline A. Nutt, all of Henderson;

Wesley T. Beach and Matthew D. Varker, both of Kittrell;

Pamela R. Campbell of Littleton;

Jacob N. Carver, Ker’Telian S. Fields and Calli S. Massey, all of Oxford;

Lily R. Averette of Rougemont;

Conner G. Bryant of Warrenton;

Taylor N. Wagaman of Youngsville.

 

Associate in General Education – General Science:

Victoria K. Swain of Durham;

Kyra E. Corrigan of Wake Forest.

 

Associate in Science:

Shadi M. Nagi of Henderson;

Rewees A. Ebrahim of Oxford;

Kayla M. Blue of Stem;

Heather L. Gwin and Heidy Labra-Franco, both of Warrenton;

Emily J. Bauer of Youngsville.

 

Automotive Systems Technology:

David D. Bragg of Franklinton;

Toby J. Bradsher, III, of Henderson;

Branden S. Lilley of Louisburg;

Cesar L. Vazquez of Oxford;

Xavier Durham of Warrenton.

 

Business Administration:

Charlene A. Kearney of Creedmoor;

Holly R. Buchanan of Henderson.

 

Cosmetology:

Kandace N. Rutter of Creedmoor;

Jennifer H. Bruner, Jamie L. Moody and Samantha B. Williamson, all of Franklinton;

MacKenzie D. Hutson, Chelsea L. Jones, Dasha S. Kearney and Skylar N. Mulhollen, all of Henderson;

Anna M. Wood of Louisburg;

Monet L. Faucett of Norlina;

Kathleen R. Feinman of Rolesville;

Samantha J. Tackema of Wake Forest;

Janice P. Shehata of Warrenton;

Kelley R. Oakley of Youngsville.

 

Criminal Justice:

Tanya Beal Smith of Butner;

Adrianna M. De Nuzzia of Creedmoor;

Alexis R. Lincoln of Franklinton;

Gricel Arroyo and Kimberly R. Smith, both of Louisburg;

Andrew L. Ayscue of Youngsville.

 

Culinary Arts:

Dominique A. Winters of Creedmoor;

Sonya K. Jackson of Franklinton.

 

Early Childhood Education:

Brittaniana M. Channell and Stephanie L. Griffin, both of Creedmoor;

Lakee’ D. Steed of Henderson;

Catherine A. Mendell of Oxford.

 

Histotechnology:

Melissa B. Anderson of Butner.

 

Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:

Allyson D. Dellea of Kittrell;

Kelly F. Yarborough of McLeansville;

Tiffiney Whitt of Roxboro.

 

Information Technology:

Douglas Boulia of Creedmoor;

Joseph T. Hedgepeth of Henderson;

Ebony Thomas of Kittrell;

Brandon Vestweber of Wake Forest.

 

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Herbert H. Davis of Henderson.

 

Medical Office Administration:

Kimberly C. Cagney of Creedmoor;

Kelsey B. Ivey of Henderson;

Danielle N. Enright and Elizabeth L. Wiggins, both of Louisburg.

 

Office Administration:

Mia N. Wireman of Creedmoor.

 

Practical Nursing:

Mary W. Wanjiku of Cary.

 

Radiography:

Kacie L. Gann of Durham.

 

Welding Technology:

Lacy E. Hidalgo-Gato of Franklinton;

Matthew K. Hamilton of Louisburg.

 

 

VGCC Alumnus: Acting in Dinner Theater ‘Feels Like Coming Home’

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College holds a special place in the heart of Spencer Nunn, who has returned to his alma mater as a member of the cast of the college’s upcoming Dinner Theater production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy, “Company.”

When the former Warrenton resident first enrolled at VGCC, he planned to complete an Associate in Science degree and transfer to a four-year university to study Marine Biology. As it turned out, his experience at the community college changed his career plans and, in fact, his life – dramatically.

“When I got to Vance-Granville, I was already into acting, since finding theater in my freshman year of high school,” Nunn recalled. “But I thought of theater as a hobby.”

Vance-Granville Community College holds a special place in the heart of Spencer Nunn, who has returned to his alma mater as a member of the cast of the college’s upcoming Dinner Theater production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy, “Company” on April 25 & 26. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

One semester, he considered auditioning for VGCC’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” but a Biology lab session conflicted with the audition time, so he missed it. “Fortunately, I knew one of the cast members and found out that somebody had dropped out of the play,” Nunn said. “I was just in the right place at the right time. I auditioned and got the part.”

Many more VGCC productions followed, including the first four Dinner Theaters. Nunn attended school part-time, while also working part-time. That meant he was enrolled for more semesters than some students, and he had more chances to appear in VGCC plays. “I might be the most prolific actor in Vance-Granville history,” he reflected with a laugh.

Along the way, after spending time studying with VGCC Theatre Arts instructor Betsy Henderson, something clicked for him. “I thought after a while, ‘this makes me happy,’ and I decided to pursue the theatre as a career,” Nunn said. His new plan was to transfer to a four-year university to complete a degree that would allow him to teach drama.

Nunn graduated from VGCC in 2016 and enrolled at William Peace University in Raleigh, where his professors marveled at the amount of college-level stage experience he had. He is set to graduate from WPU with his bachelor’s degree in Theatre Education, and a minor in English, on May 4, not long after the VGCC Dinner Theater. “Later, I’d like to get my master’s and teach at the college level,” Nunn said. “I was not on that course when I started at VGCC.”

There is another significant aspect to Nunn’s experience at the community college: the lasting relationships he formed. In addition to making many friends and gaining a mentor in Betsy Henderson, Nunn started dating one of his fellow student actors, Rachel Pottern, after they appeared together in “Zara Spook and Other Lures.” He proposed marriage to her in front of an awe-struck VGCC Civic Center audience at the conclusion of a Dinner Theater production, “Smoke on the Mountain.” She said “yes,” and they eventually wed in 2016. “So that’s something else I owe to Betsy Henderson and the college,” Nunn remarked. They even had their wedding on the VGCC campus. Originally set to take place in the gazebo outside, the ceremony moved into the Civic Center because of Hurricane Matthew.

His wife is an accomplished thespian herself and graduated from William Peace University right before he enrolled there. Among the four plays in which Nunn has acted at WPU, one was directed by Rachel. He has submitted a proposal to direct a play at the university after he graduates, just as she did.

Appropriately enough, in the new production of “Company,” Nunn plays “Paul,” a young man who is about to get married to “Amy,” played by Rachel. Nunn describes Paul as “a young banker in New York City; he’s very optimistic and overly affectionate at times, but he’s genuine, kind-hearted and loving.”

Spencer and Rachel Nunn are the only cast members in this year’s seventh annual Dinner Theater who were also in VGCC’s first such production (“Our Town”) back in 2013. Their involvement in the show as alumni is in keeping with the celebration of the community college’s 50th anniversary.

“The cast of this show is a lot of fun,” Nunn said. “The music is really challenging. Sondheim is known for complex music. If the cast was not so determined and ego-free, it could be frustrating, but we are all so supportive of each other.” In addition to Betsy Henderson directing and co-starring, Nunn noted that the production benefits from “a fantastic music director, Joanna Li; I feel I understand musical theater so much better after working with her.”

“Coming back to do this show feels like coming home,” Nunn added. “I never regretted going the community college route. I am 100% positive I would not be in the position I am, mentally, emotionally or in terms of maturity if it wasn’t for Vance-Granville.”

His heart, he said, “is at peace knowing I am doing theater because I realized how much it meant to me at Vance-Granville, and now, I want to get on a career path to be able to give that back. Going to the college is one of the best things I ever chose to do, and so many blessings have come from it.”

The dinner theater is scheduled for the evenings of Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. each evening in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus near Henderson. Tickets are available for $30 each through the VGCC website at www.vgcc.edu/dinnertheater.

Vance Co. Schools: Early Release Day, Spring Break Reminders

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

April Reminders:

Friday, April 12, 2019, is an early release day for Vance County schools. Elementary schools dismiss at 12 p.m. and middle and high schools dismiss at 12:15 p.m. Early College follows its regular schedule for Friday.

Spring break for students is April 15 – 19. All Vance County schools and school system offices are closed on Friday, April 19 in observance of the Easter holiday.