Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company endows VGCC Scholarship

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Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, which has a major manufacturing and distribution facility in Oxford, recently established a new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College.

For the company, headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the scholarship marks an enhancement of its partnership with the community college. The company was the presenting sponsor of VGCC’s 33rd annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament in May, which set a new record for fundraising success.

Mike Little, president of Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, said his company values VGCC’s important role in economic and workforce development. “It’s important for us at Santa Fe to be involved in our community and supportive of our community,” Little said. “In addition, if we can help prepare people for professional life who might work for us one day, that’s a win-win.” He added that VGCC, particularly through its Continuing Education division, has been helpful to his company. “Vance-Granville has already provided us with great training that has deepened the skills of many of our employees, and we look forward to continuing that partnership,” Little said. 

The “Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Academic Achievement Award” will be the company’s first endowed scholarship at a community college, according to Little. His company is a subsidiary of Reynolds American, which, Little noted, is also interested in philanthropy and supporting higher education. In awarding the new scholarship, preference will be given to students enrolled in programs that help meet the employment needs of manufacturers, such as Welding Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Business Administration.

“Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company is a strong community partner and supporter of Vance-Granville,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “We are grateful to them for investing in our students and in the future of our region.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,800 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–

Vance County Schools Update 06/19/17

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Vance County School of Excellence Program 2017

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— courtesy Vance County Schools

A total of 28 rising sophomores who attend six different high schools in Vance County have completed the week-long Vance County School of Excellence Program.

The students attended the program, June 12-16, with each day’s session beginning at Vance-Granville Community College.

Students participating in the School of Excellence for 2017 included: Robert Hopper and Jabrial Steed, both of Vance County Early College High School; Dinah Baldwin, Daniel Clemente, Victoria Glasscock, La’Zariah Harris, Chris Stevenson, Kristophe Burwell, Ava Eahart, Samayia Floyd, Daesha Johnson, Payton Rainey and Ashley Zuniga, all of Southern Vance High School; Terrance Downing, Christian Green, Thomas Murphy, Maximus Parham, Jennifer Sanchez, Nigee Shearin, Kali Wiggs, Tyere Wiggins and Bryton Yarborough, all of Northern Vance High School; Austyn Abbott and Natalie Stone, both of Kerr-Vance Academy; Margaret Bobbitt and Chris Harp, both of Vance Charter School; and Alexis Cruz and Ian Simmons, both of Henderson Collegiate.

Front row from left: Thomas Murphy, Ian Simmons, Payton Rainey, Alexis Cruz, Jabrial Steed, Dinah Baldwin and Victoria Glasscock. On the second row, from left, are Maximus Parham, Bryton Yarborough, Margaret Bobbitt, Robert Hopper, Chris Harp, Nigee Shearin and La’Zariah Harris. Students on the third row, from left, are Austyn Abbott, Chris Stevenson, Jennifer Sanchez, Natalie Stone, Ashley Zuniga and Daniel Clemente. On the back row, from left, are Kali Wiggs, Daesha Johnson, Kristophe Burwell, Terrance Downing, Tyere Wiggins, Christian Green and Samayia Floyd. Ava Eahart was unavailable for the photo.

This was the 30th year of operation for the School of Excellence. The leadership program is designed for students who have completed their first year of high school and are the top academic achievers in their respective classes.

Students participate in five all-day sessions that include a community service day, a team building day, an industry day when they visit five local businesses, a day featuring educational opportunities at Vance-Granville Community College and a visit to Kerr Lake, the Vance County 911 Center, the Vance County Courthouse and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center. On their final day, the students heard a presentation by Whitney Espinosa, a 2014 graduate of Northern Vance High School, that focused on how to overcome personal obstacles.

This year the students participated in their community service day by assisting volunteers with Rebuilding Hope to repair wheelchair ramps at local homes. Their team building day was held at Keats Point Farm, owned and operated by the family of John, Angela and Andrea Hyson. Students interacted with trained horses on the farm to solve problems and meet challenges posed to them. On the industry day, they toured Franklin Brothers Nursery, Mars Pet Care, the Walmart Distribution Center, Carolina Country Snacks and Vulcan Materials’ Greystone Quarry.

Vance County Schools Honors Latest Retirees

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

June 13, 2017

Vance County Schools held its annual Retirement Banquet for those educators and support staff members who retired during the 2016-2017 school year.

The event was held in the McGregor Hall Gallery with approximately 150 people in attendance.

There were 36 school system associates who were honored for their many years of dedicated service to our students and schools.

Dr. June Atkinson, former state superintendent of Public Instruction, was the keynote speaker for the evening. She encouraged all of the retirees to enjoy the time they have earned for their years of hard work. She also urged each of them to find new interests and not be afraid to take on new challenges.

Ethel Hunter, who retired from Vance County Schools last year as a long-time teacher at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, also spoke to the retirees and audience from a retiree’s perspective. She told them to truly treasure their additional free time and to occupy their time with things about which they are passionate.

Jaylen Webb, who just graduated from Northern Vance High School, sang a special musical tribute to the retirees and members of the Aycock Elementary School Chorus, under the direction of Jan Vaughan, entertained everyone in attendance by singing three songs.

Each retiree was recognized by their principal or department director and presented with a special gift.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson concluded the evening by recognizing the 36 retirees had a total of more than 900 years in working in education. He led everyone in giving the retirees a standing ovation and loud cheers.

Those retirees honored were Darlene Ayscue of E.M. Rollins Elementary; Fermon Bostic of Aycock Elementary; Johnny Bullock of L.B. Yancey Elementary; Vivian Bullock of Curriculum and Instruction; Gloria Burrell of Southern Vance High; Millie Camacho of Clarke Elementary; Mary Clements of Southern Vance High; Andrew Crews of Dabney Elementary; Shirley Duke of Southern Vance High; Nathaniel Elam of E.O. Young Jr. Elementary; Marilyn Faines of Zeb Vance Elementary; Jacquelyn Gill of Southern Vance High; Annette Gooch of Dabney Elementary; Grace Griffin of Henderson Middle; Ann Hancock of New Hope Elementary; Vicki Heath of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Susie Jordan of Zeb Vance Elementary; Anne Joyner of Curriculum and Instruction; Jill Kearney of Finance; Magaret Key of E.M. Rollins Elementary; Judith Long of Clarke Elementary; Trudy Lowry of Testing and Records; Wil McLean of Human Resources; Waverly Mills of Pinkston Street Elementary; Dorothy Moss of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Margaret Moss of Dabney Elementary; Clyda Nicholson of Zeb Vance Elementary; Brenda Poole of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Peggy Price of Pinkston Street Elementary; Suzanne Reeves of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Lillian Richardson of L.B. Yancey Elemenentary; Margaret Shupe of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Lola Turner of Southern Vance High; Sharon Turner of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Letitia Vass of Exceptional Children; and Ellaweed Yancey of E.M. Rollins Elementary.

Home and Garden Show 06/13/17

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NCCU and VGCC Launch Program for Early Childhood Teachers and Specialists

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DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Department of Human Sciences and Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) have signed an agreement to offer two education-related bachelor’s degree programs on the community college campus in Henderson, N.C.

NCCU will provide the second two years of study at VGCC for students with Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as provide support services and access to NCCU’s resources, such as the Shepard Library on campus. VGCC will recruit qualified students for the two programs and provide classrooms, labs and other resources as needed on campus.

The new offerings include a bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, which typically leads to a teaching certificate for working in preschool and kindergarten programs in North Carolina. The bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family Relations focuses on child development and prepares graduates to work in a variety of settings, including individual and family counseling programs, youth centers, social services, child care agencies and others.

NCCU and VGCC have had an existing partnership for criminal justice majors called Eagle Voyage that started in 2016.

“We are excited about this opportunity to form an additional partnership with Vance-Granville Community College,” said NCCU Interim Chancellor Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye. “Preparing students to educate the youngest and most vulnerable among us is important work. We look forward to seeing these students soar to graduation, so they can begin to educate and inspire the newest generation of North Carolina citizens.”

“We are proud to be expanding our successful partnership with North Carolina Central University to provide new opportunities for our graduates to continue their training as educators and earn a bachelor’s degree here in our community,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “Providing clear academic pathways from the community college to the university level is one important way in which we support our Vanguards so that they can achieve professional success.”

Research has shown that high quality preschool and kindergarten experiences are instrumental in giving children, especially those from economically challenged backgrounds, a better chance to succeed in upper grades and throughout life. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2015 found the ability to master social-emotional skills in kindergarten was linked to adult performance in areas such as educational attainment, employment, criminal activity, substance use, and mental health.

Students who graduate from the four-year Early Childhood Education program must take the N.C. Teaching License exam to work in public schools with preschoolers or kindergarten classes. Prior to graduation, all students must have a directed teaching experience in a public-school kindergarten or a state or nationally accredited early childhood education program.

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Flagship programs include science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, nursing, education, law, business and the arts. Founded in 1910 as a liberal arts college for African-Americans, NCCU remains committed to diversity in higher education. Our alumni are among the nation’s most successful scientists, researchers, educators, attorneys, artists and entrepreneurs.  Visit www.nccu.edu.

 

Kerr-Vance Academy Honors State Champs

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On May 25, Kerr Vance Academy held a banquet to honor the 2017 NCISAA state champion baseball and soccer teams.  After dinner, both teams were recognized and coaches presented individual awards.

 

Varsity Women’s Soccer Awards

Emma Pelfrey – Outstanding Senior

Ashley Dickerson – MVP

Caroline Hoyle – MVP

Emma Hogge – MVP

Riley Short – Coach’s Award

Lorena Negron – Coach’s Award

Bonnie Evans – Outstanding Defensive Player Award

Meagan O’Leary – Coca Cola Academic Award

Nicole Dunkley – CIC Conference Player of the Year

Raz Tegean –  CIC Conference Coach of the Year

CIC All Conference Team Selection: Nicole Dunkley, Riley Short, Caroline Hoyle, Bonnie Evans

CIC All Conference Honorable Mention: Emma Pelfrey

All State Selection: Nicole Dunkley, Riley Short

Varsity Men’s Baseball Awards

Banks Conde – Outstanding Senior Award

Jabe Montgomery – MVP

Wil Short – Golden Glove Award

Cam Murphy – Golden Glove Award

Colby Wilkerson – Silver Slugger Award

All-State Baseball – Jabe Montgomery, Colby Wilkerson

CIC All-Conference – Jabe Montgomery, Colby Wilkerson, Cam Murphy, Wil Short

Honorable Mention CIC All-Conference  – RJ Johnson

JV Baseball Awards

RJ Johnson – Silver Slugger Award

Tom Echols – Most Valuable Utility Player Award

Cole Merritt – Most Improved Award

Wyatt Humphries – Most Improved Award

Chance Murphy – Golden Glove Award

VGCC to offer Enrollment Day on June 29

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Vance-Granville Community College will hold “Enrollment Day” on Thursday, June 29, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., at all four of its campuses.

During those extended hours, VGCC admissions, financial aid and advising staff members will be ready to assist anyone who is interested in enrolling at the college for the Fall 2017 semester, which starts on Aug. 14.

Students are encouraged to pre-register at www.vgcc.edu/enrollmentday.

Refreshments and free VGCC t-shirts will be available for incoming students on Enrollment Day while supplies last.

VGCC’s Main Campus is located on Poplar Creek Road in Vance County (about midway between Henderson and Oxford) at the intersection with Interstate 85 (Exit 209).

The Franklin County Campus is located just west of Louisburg on N.C. 56.

South Campus is on N.C. 56 between Creedmoor and Butner.

The Warren County Campus is located at 210 West Ridgeway Street (U.S. 158 Business) in Warrenton.

Registration for classes at VGCC is ongoing, through Aug. 10. For more information on enrolling for the fall, call (252) 738-3234 or visit any campus.

–VGCC–

Southern Vance High School Graduation

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— courtesy Vance County Schools

The commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017 at Southern Vance High School honored the accomplishments of 170 seniors on the afternoon of June 10 at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson.

The graduating class members marched into a packed auditorium at McGregor Hall with the presentation of arms by the Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard. The Color Guard also led the presentation of flags right before Kaitlyn Tant, a graduation marshal, sang an amazing rendition of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Principal Rey Horner welcomed the graduates and the audience of almost 1,000 people, consisting of parents, other family members, friends and distinguished guests. Horner took time to pay special tribute to Stephanie Ayscue, who until this school year had served as the principal of Southern Vance for many years. Ayscue is now the principal of the AdVANCE Academy at Western Vance High School.

Luis Amaya-Villa, the class salutatorian, first gave his speech of thanks to everyone in attendance. His remarks were followed by Gavin Eutsler, who as the top academic achiever in the graduating class, was the valedictorian. Eutsler also thanked a large number of people who supported the graduates through their four years at Southern Vance.

Ayscue then joined Horner in presenting diplomas to each of the graduates as they walked across the stage. Additional officials involved in the diploma presentations were Darlynn Oxendine, vice chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education; Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent; Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent; Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent; and Jennifer Bennett, assistant superintendent.

There are 20 graduates among the top 10 percent of academic achievers in the Southern Vance senior class. They are, in addition to Eutsler and Amaya-Villa, Yasmene Clark, Dalton Elliott, Daniel Faulkner, Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, Cynthia Harrington, Kendall Harris, Anna Hernandez, Brandon Lawrence, Carrington Matias, Antonia Loyd Jr., Angelica Montano, Vianey Nonato, Tyler Patrick, Jaslin Renteria, Heidy Reyes Morozumi, Yarelic Picaz, Logan Waite and Autumn Wortham.

Well over 70 percent of the graduates will go on to attend a four-year college or university, community college or join a branch of the U.S. Military. Among the graduates, they have earned over $3 million in scholarships to attend college.

Northern Vance High School Graduation

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— courtesy Vance County Schools

A total of 178 seniors at Northern Vance High School received their high school diplomas during their commencement ceremony held in the morning on June 10 at McGregor Hall in Henderson.

A packed audience of approximately 1,000 parents, other family members, friends and invited local officials watched the graduates receive their diplomas. Almost 300 more guests watched the ceremony live in the overflow area in the McGregor Hall Gallery. The commencement was streamed live over the Internet, as were all local high school graduations.

Principal Andrew Markoch led the commencement ceremony. Markoch announced that members of the graduating class have received a total of $2.4 million in scholarships to attend college beginning in the fall.

The Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard at Northern Vance presented arms as graduates processed into the auditorium. They also presented the flags at the beginning of the ceremony. Graduate Jaylen Webb sang a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Connor Pendergrass was the valedictorian for the Class of 2017 as the top academic achiever among the graduates. Bailey Shelton (in second photo) was the salutatorian as the second highest academic achiever. Both presented inspirational speeches to their classmates and the audience.

Pendergrass and Shelton led the top 10 percent of academic achievers in the graduating class. Other seniors who are top academic achievers include: Megan Andrews, Jared Bennett, Brooks Falkner, Charlie Chiem, Tamiya Davis, Holly Hilliard, Sarah Howarth, Hannah Mason, Shadi Nagi, Michelle Pham, Penny Phan, Jo’el Royster, Deriana Scott, Nathaniel Stevenson, Turner Roberson, Imani Simmons and Jeffery Zheng.

High school diplomas were presented to each graduate. Assisting in the diploma presentations, in addition to Markoch, were Darlynn Oxendine, vice chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education; Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent; Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent; Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent; and Jennifer Bennett, assistant superintendent. Lemondre Watson, an assistant principal at Northern Vance, introduced each of the graduates as they came across the stage to receive their diplomas.