17 Vance County Schools Teachers Honored Feb 12, 2018
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools
For Immediate Release
February 14, 2018
There were 17 Vance County Schools teachers honored at the Vance County Board of Education meeting on February 12, for their students’ outstanding performances on state testing for the 2016-2017 school year.
Each of the teachers was presented a state bonus check for their outstanding efforts as part of an award program approved by the N.C. General Assembly.
The award program recognized the achievements of the teachers and their students in categories including third-grade reading, Career and Technical Education (CTE), high school advanced placement courses and grades 4-8 reading and math.
Those honored by the board included:
Susan Hughes, fifth-grade math teacher at Dabney Elementary School
Yolanda Pulliam, third-grade reading teacher at Dabney Elementary School
Susan Fletcher, third-grade reading teacher at Aycock Elementary School
Francis Brown, CTE teacher at Southern Vance High School
Dr. Lisa Webster, fourth-grade reading and math teacher at Zeb Vance Elementary School
Justin Wrenn, third-grade reading teacher at Dabney Elementary School
Hollie Powell, fifth-grade reading teacher at Aycock Elementary School
Iris Lacson, third-grade reading teacher at Clarke Elementary School
Bonita Williams, fourth-grade reading teacher at Clarke Elementary School
Debbie McCune Glanz, fourth-grade math teacher at E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School
Adith Williams-White, sixth-grade math teacher at Henderson Middle School
Randy Scarboro, eighth-grade math teacher at Henderson Middle School
Kevon Grant, fifth-grade reading teacher at L.B. Yancey Elementary School
Alona Chiong, fifth-grade math teacher at L.B. Yancey Elementary School
Estelle Mangum, fourth-grade math teacher at L.B. Yancey Elementary School
Tammy Pulliam, fifth-math teacher at Zeb Vance Elementary School
Colleen Tyburski, fourth-grade reading teacher at Zeb Vance Elementary School

Among the local teachers recognized and receiving state bonus checks was Susan Hughes, who placed among the top two-percent of math teachers in the state with her students’ achievements in 2016-2017. Hughes is shown second from left in the photo and is joined by colleagues, Yolanda Pulliam, center, and Justin Wrenn, beside Pulliam, in being honored. Joining them are Dabney Principal Michael Putney, far left, and Board Chairwoman Darlynn Oxendine and Superintendent Anthony Jackson, at far right.
VGCC names 257 students to President’s and Dean’s Lists
/by WIZS StaffFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VGCC names 257 students to President’s and Dean’s Lists
Vance-Granville Community College has announced that 114 students earned President’s List academic honors and another 143 earned Dean’s List academic honors for the fall semester that ended in December.
The President’s List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average (GPA) while carrying a “full load” (of at least 12 credit hours) in 100-level or higher curriculum courses. 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” of such courses.
Fall Semester President’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.
Accounting:
Jasmine K. Dunston and Sally J. Perry, both of Louisburg;
Katelynn J. Cheek and Abigail M. Smith, both of Oxford.
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:
Bobby C. Crabtree of Kittrell.
Associate Degree Nursing:
Matthew H. Grooms of Butner;
Kaylan C. Hoyle of Henderson;
Jeannie S. Adcock of Oxford;
Ashley N. Drake of Stovall.
Associate in Arts:
Tamiya R. Thomas and Jocelyn S. Williams, both of Creedmoor;
Joshua Jacobs of Durham;
Alexis M. Barton, Gavin C. Hardin, Joshua I. Horton and Mya D. Wilson, all of Franklinton;
Jessica P. Grissom, Samantha C. Hines and Destiny E. Stiles, all of Henderson;
Alexander C. Wilkinson of Oxford;
Caitlynn A. Taylor of Stem;
Edgar I. Arrieta-Reyes and Giovanni Reyes, both of Warrenton;
Brian S. Restrepo of Youngsville.
Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts:
Elizabeth N. Durand of Wake Forest.
Associate in General Education – General Science:
Jolina Anne Chiong and Amber D. Peoples, both of Henderson;
Timothy Grant of Louisburg.
Associate in Science:
Daniel Esquivel-Contreras of Bunn;
Ligaya Carissa Aguas, Lucas R. Hamrick and Fatima N. Hawter, all of Henderson;
Abiral S. Hamal of Louisburg;
Savannah L. Brogden of Oxford;
Kynleigh E. Holley of Wake Forest.
Automotive Systems Technology:
Owen M. Hernandez of Creedmoor;
LaQuad C. Holden and Jacob F. Mosley, both of Henderson;
Branden S. Lilley of Louisburg;
Kyle D. Hutchinson of Port Saint Lucie, Fla.;
Jeremiah E. Hatchett of Youngsville.
Business Administration:
Charlene A. Kearney of Creedmoor.
Carpentry:
Charles M. Kurz of Henderson.
Cosmetology:
Eillah Spivey of Bunn;
Christianne Combs of Durham;
Jennifer M. Lipscomb of Franklinton;
Hannah C. Beckwith and Micaela B. Crowder, both of Henderson;
Kristina M. Brantley and Anna M. Wood, both of Louisburg;
Kaela M. Wood of Oxford;
Kristina F. Graham of Raleigh;
Kathleen R. Feinman of Rolesville;
Chelsie A. Satterwhite of Stovall.
Criminal Justice:
Christopher L. Davis of Bullock;
Samantha A. Mangalam of Butner;
Adrianna M. De Nuzzia of Creedmoor;
Reginald T. Harris and Savannah C. Kelly, both of Oxford;
Andrew L. Ayscue of Youngsville.
Culinary Arts:
Tyneshia M. Brackett of Creedmoor;
Danielle N. Enright of Louisburg;
Ethel C. Fogg of Warrenton.
Early Childhood Education:
Jessica R. Bolton, Lakee’ D. Steed and Makala West, all of Henderson;
Charlie K. Vaughn of Oxford;
Deborah E. Burns of Youngsville.
Entrepreneurship:
Heather A. Henkel of Sanford.
Human Services Technology:
Fredesvinda C. Euceda-Colindres of Creedmoor;
Wendy Y. Boncek of Hollister;
Sarah H. Borden of Oxford.
Human Services Technology/Gerontology:
Pamela R. Campbell of Littleton.
Information Technology:
Mitchell L. Greene and Robert C. Hurt, both of Creedmoor;
Brandon J. Carver of Durham;
Andrew B. Benedict and Andrew M. Watkins, both of Henderson;
Cody R. Parrott and Ebony Thomas, both of Kittrell;
Michael A. Gokee of Louisburg;
Cameron P. Curtis of Manson;
Kassidy L. Holtzman of Norlina.
Medical Assisting:
Michelle D. Beckwith of Kittrell.
Medical Office Administration:
Lori M. Lorenzo of Burnsville;
Jessica C. Allgood, Tranita N. Brown, Samantha S. Hernandez, Tracy L. Spain and Jerri L. Wilson, all of Henderson;
Robin E. Dorsett, Holly R. Heston and Shalinda L. White, all of Louisburg;
Keshonda A. McMannen of Oxford.
Office Administration:
Courtney Crute of Littleton;
Betsy M. Mason of Macon.
Paralegal Technology:
Gabrielle J. Gilley of Creedmoor;
Katie L. Granger of Henderson;
Kelly D. Persinger and Barbara E. Sirucek, both of Louisburg;
Melissa J. Padgett of Stem;
Anne D. Genest and Monica N. Woodlief, both of Wake Forest.
Pharmacy Technology:
Tamika Everett of Creedmoor;
Malissa S. Chandler of Durham;
Tommy L. Hicks and Jane M. Jones, both of Franklinton.
Radiography:
Katie A. Weary of Bullock;
Mark J. Meinhart of Louisburg;
Ashley M. Rhew of Timberlake.
Simulation and Game Development:
Richard F. Reynolds of Stem.
Welding Technology:
Kaylee Gleason and Carrie E. Johnson, both of Henderson;
Andrew Lynam of Youngsville.
Fall Semester Dean’s List honorees are listed below by program of study and then by residence.
Accounting:
Ciara S. Lynch of Franklinton;
Jennifer M. Burton of Norlina.
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:
Cyrus Czar Jover of Henderson.
Associate Degree Nursing:
Valerie J. Strange of Bullock;
Guadalupe F. Duran and Christine M. Kingsley, both of Louisburg;
Jodie D. Carroll, Laura L. Murray and Crystal M. Satterfield, all of Oxford;
Halie C. Brooks and Shayne D. Gravitt, both of Raleigh;
Omar R. O’Brien of Wake Forest.
Associate in Arts:
Ryan V. Makueyi of Butner;
Andres M. Espino, Samantha J. Shannon and Davina L. Williams, all of Creedmoor;
Tyler B. Woods of Durham;
Destiny M. Quesenberry of Franklinton;
Ke’Moni M. Champion, Matthew S. Denton, Shaneisha L. Eaton, Lehman R. Ford, Zurisadai Guzman-Vazquez, Kaitlyn M. Harris, Brandon J. Hughes, Tim Jiang, Chase A. Parrish, Alexis M. Watson, Lauryn E. Williams, and Kianna A. Wills, all of Henderson;
Lillian D. Kanouff of Kittrell;
Nicholas E. Shearin of Louisburg;
Dana E. Brannock, Caleb R. Brauer and Matthew White, all of Norlina;
Kimberly M. Spence and Hanna L. Williams, both of Oxford;
Nicholas Henry and Toby Hoyle, both of Wake Forest;
Raina A. Mills of Warrenton;
Taylor N. Wagaman of Youngsville.
Associate in General Education – General Science:
Kacie L. Gann of Durham;
Katherine R. Harris, Jerry L. Tawney and Brittany N. Trivette, all of Oxford.
Associate in Science:
Shadi M. Nagi and Lindsey R. Perry, both of Henderson;
Monica A. Botros, Aivy B. Derry and Isaac A. Saleh, all of Oxford;
Tiffany N. Dalton and Taylor N. Williams, both of Warrenton.
Automotive Systems Technology:
Brandon M. Sparrow of Creedmoor;
Christopher R. Hernandez of Henderson;
Daniel Shaw of Wake Forest.
Business Administration:
Griselle M. Garcia of Franklinton;
Christie G. Ellington of Henderson;
Chance S. Hayes of Louisburg;
Jason D. Hester, Stacy T. Hicks and Latosha C. Hunt, all of Oxford;
Addie L. Brewer of Stovall;
Jacobi L. Affinnih of Zebulon.
Cosmetology:
Bridgett N. King and Samantha B. Williamson, both of Franklinton;
Nitianndra G. Boyd, MacKenzie D. Hutson and Chelsea L. Jones, all of Henderson;
Monet L. Faucett of Norlina;
Kadejah M. Bass of Oxford;
Alexa J. Clayton of Rougemont;
Megan L. Twisdale of Townsville;
Nicole Brueck of Wake Forest;
Danielle Seward, Gracie M. Turnbull and Donnicia A. Williams, all of Warrenton.
Criminal Justice:
Abdon A. Silva of Butner;
Tiffany R. Wilson of Durham;
Rebecka R. Paul of Henderson;
Cassie R. Gill of Norlina;
Azonte D. Hicks and Stephen B. Long, both of Oxford.
Culinary Arts:
Cassidy A. Young of Franklinton;
Niamani F. Dantzler-Sneed of Henderson.
Early Childhood Education:
Jacquella S. Jones of Henderson;
Hayley A. Fox of Kittrell;
Jennifer M. Russell of Louisburg.
Electrical Systems Technology:
Daniel C. Ohrt of Creedmoor.
Human Services Technology:
Delois Hart of Henderson.
Human Services Technology/Gerontology:
Caitlyn M. Rudd of Franklinton.
Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse:
Grace A. Ohlandt of Franklinton;
Tara E. Brame of Henderson;
Rachel H. Allen of Stem.
Information Technology:
Monica T. Greenwood and Steven T. Pearce, both of Franklinton;
Dustin L. Starnes and Darius T. Talley, both of Henderson;
Spencer B. Duncan of Louisburg;
Allen P. Jay and Austin H. Smith, both of Oxford;
Nathan L. Garrard of Stem;
Courtney L. Faison and Austin D. Pearce, both of Wake Forest;
Cody Brandenburg of Youngsville.
Mechatronics Engineering Technology:
Christopher E. Long of Norlina.
Medical Assisting:
Melissa C. Bridges of Creedmoor;
Jessica N. Ruffin of Kittrell.
Medical Office Administration:
Cynthia M. Black of Bunn;
Valerie A. Robinson of Butner;
Asha M. Grant and Kaitlyn T. Pojman, both of Durham;
Margaret Avery, Tamara F. Glover, Cassidy J. Grissom, Raeann Johnson, Roy A. Satterwhite, Melissa O. Simmons and Timmara D. Smith, all of Henderson;
Angela P. Pearson of Kings Mountain;
Kristy R. Lyon of Oxford;
Kaitlyn F. Wilson of Roxboro;
Thomas M. King of Wise;
Jessica M. Noll of Youngsville.
Office Administration:
Lastacey D. Burwell of Kittrell;
Tina M. Kreidler of Oxford.
Paralegal Technology:
Amali N. Hauter and Bratanya K. Simmons, both of Henderson;
Evelyn Nolasco of Louisburg;
Lauren E. Cash of Oxford.
Radiography:
Corinna Hutton of Durham;
James D. Bolton, Crystal C. Gill and Laurie A. Newton, all of Henderson;
Jan C. Maniace of Hillsborough;
Brittany N. Harmon of Norlina;
Marco A. Carmen-Vazquez, Gloria M. Hudnall and Aaron J. McNeill, all of Oxford;
Terrance M. Wesley of Raleigh;
Bethany Murphy of Youngsville.
Welding Technology:
Jordan Wynne of Creedmoor;
Galen D. Wilds of Stem;
Jonathan T. Gardner of Youngsville.
–VGCC–
9 SVHS Students Earn Masonry/Carpentry Certifications
/by John C. Rose
Congratulations to nine Southern Vance High School students who recently earned masonry/carpentry certifications.
Each has earned his/her certification in Core Curriculum and Green Environment in masonry/carpentry under the direction of teacher Ben Arrington, according to a press release from Vance County Schools.
They are shown in the accompanying photo and include, seated from left, Cody Patton, David Vargas, Haudtavis Cordell and Jaylen Shearin. Others, standing from left, are Jhaiiheeim Wilkins, Miliak Hudson, Tremecia Smith and Logan Boyd. Jesse Gupton also received his certification in both areas, but was unavailable for the photo. Arrington is standing at far right.
They earned their certifications through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
Applications for Special Learning Opportunities in Vance County Schools 2018-2019
/by WIZS StaffApplications for Special Learning Opportunities in Vance County Schools 2018-2019
— courtesy Vance County Schools
Applications for students to enroll in the Vance County Early College High School for the 2018-2019 school year are being accepted now, while applications for STEM Early High School and the STEAM Academy at E.M. Rollins Elementary School for 2018-2019 will be accepted beginning February 12.
The applications for Early College can be obtained from counselors at our middle schools, on the Early College website and at the school located on the third floor of Building 2 on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College. The deadline for receiving the applications is Friday, February 16.
Applications for STEM and E.M. Rollins will be accepted from February 12 to March 12. During the open window period, applications will be available on each schools’ website and at the schools.
Student applications for STEM and E.M. Rollins also will be available at the Innovative Schools Student Recruitment Expo scheduled for Thursday, February 22, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Vance County Schools Administrative Services Center at 1724 Graham Avenue.
Interested persons should call the schools with any questions regarding the application process.
Dr. Anthony Jackson’s School Consolidation Proposal
/by WIZS Staff— from Vance County Schools
As coverage continues of the Vance County Schools consolidation proposal, continued public input is wanted. If you would like to see the PowerPoint presentation from Dr. Anthony Jackson on the school consolidation proposal, it is now posted on the school system’s website.
PowerPoint presentation from Dr. Anthony Jackson – click here
Vance County Schools Re-Consolidation: What the Public Is Saying As of Jan 31, 2018
/by John C. Rose— by Jeff Jenkins, WIZS
Anyone in Vance County who has read the Daily Dispatch or listened to WIZS for the past three weeks already knows that the Vance County School Board is considering a proposal from Superintendent Anthony Jackson to consolidate the County’s two Middle Schools and two High Schools into one Middle School and one High School. When they received Dr. Jackson’s detailed proposal, the School Board immediately called for public reaction to the possible consolidation and set up a number of community gatherings for the public to express their support or opposition, questions and concerns. In addition to these meetings, citizens have been encouraged to e-mail feedback directly to central office.
WIZS has been discussing this issue – on the air during Sports Mayhem with Kemp Collins and on Town Talk – ever since the news broke on January 9, and WIZS news staff have attended some of the meetings and corresponded with the VCS central office. Some of what we found out is included in the posting on our website dated January 30 (click here); but what has the public been saying? Here is a brief summary of what we at WIZS have seen, heard and been told over the past three weeks:
Transportation, or “busing” of students — At the public gatherings, the VCS staff members have pointed out that, because of the small size of our county, and the fact that the two middle schools and two high schools are already lie within about 3 miles of each other, no middle or high school student would have travel more than a mile or two farther than he or she already does.
Teachers or staff losing their jobs — Even people who favor the consolidation in general are concerned about staff cutbacks, which seems logical, if there are two schools instead of four. But Dr. Jackson and his staff have made it clear that one of the reasons for recommending these big changes is that positions have been cut every year anyway, and that they have to recruit teachers every year to fill vacancies. They therefore expect that the 44 middle and high school positions to be cut as a result of consolidation would result in reassignment of duties, rather than layoffs of individual employees.
WHICH schools will be left vacant and which ones will house the “new” consolidated schools — VCS seems pretty far from deciding that. Dr. Jackson has shown each of the public gatherings calculations based on all the possible options, and how much money would be saved in each scenario. In terms of size, Henderson Middle School, with a room for 819 students, would come closest to accommodating the 826 estimated middle school students, without expansion of mobile classrooms, while Southern Vance’s 1475-student capacity could best handle the estimated 1329 high schoolers.
What do Dr. Jackson and the Board mean when they say that “all the money saved through consolidation would be put right back into the schools . . .” — Part of Dr. Jackson’s presentation at the public gatherings has included a sample “repurpose budget” for the $2.4 million per year expected to be saved by consolidation. In his example, he showed $200,000 per year extra going toward scheduled maintenance of buildings and equipment, and $500,000 for a “rainy day fund” for sudden, big-ticket repairs. Perhaps even more important, is the $200,000 that could be used to increase the long-standing $2,500 per year flat local supplement for our teachers, which is too low to keep our younger teachers from jumping to neighboring counties who offer two or three times as much. Finally, $200,000 per year extra appears on the “sample budget” for athletics at the two consolidated schools, along with an additional $100,000 per year for band and other music programs.
And speaking of sports — a majority of the feedback WIZS has heard is very positive toward consolidated high school sports teams, in light of the struggle both high schools have had fielding football teams, soccer teams, softball teams, JV teams of all kinds, and full marching bands. The idea of a consolidated Vance County high school returning to the athletic glory days as a competitive 3A or 4A power seems to fire the imagination of some “more mature” citizens.
The emotional factors were represented in the concerns voiced by some parents that their children, especially high school juniors and seniors would have difficulty making the change, in light of the rivalry, sometimes intense and negative, between NVHS and SVHS. The VCS staff members present at the gatherings have tried to address those concerns by pointing out that plans would be made for shifting the “new culture” of the consolidated schools away from existing school identities by team-building exercises and involvement of the students in choosing new team names, mascots, and colors.







