AdVANCE Academy at Western Vance Graduation

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— courtesy Vance County Schools

The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2017 at the AdVANCE Academy at Western Vance High School was held during the evening of June 9 at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson.

There were 56 seniors in the class who received their high school diplomas.

Principal Stephanie Ayscue presided over the commencement ceremony.

Kaitlyn Tant, a junior at Southern Vance High School, sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and also sang a song dedication for the graduates.

Dawn’Sha Smith, a member of the Class of 2017, made the valedictorian address to her classmates and those in the audience. Akayla Hawkins, another member of the graduating class, provided words of appreciation from the Class of 2017.

Those dignitaries presenting diplomas to the graduates were Principal Stephanie Ayscue; Assistant Principal Alice Hinson; Marsha Harris, counselor; Gloria J. White, 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.

In addition to Smith and Hawkins, members of the graduating class included: Leshawn Alston, Joseph Archie, Skyler Ayscue, Adaiah Bradberry, Vincent Brown, Winfred Brown, Ubaldo Chavarin Flores, Shay’daza Daniels, Desmond Davis, Jabriel Davis, Shon’kale Davis, Ty’Jhane Davis, Zaria Davis, Aaliyah Daye, Dylik Downey, Anthony Elberson, Dajahnae Gilyard, Cassidy Godden, Loni Greenway, Joanne Hargrove, Terrance Hargrove, Leroy Hawkins, Mikel Henderson, Ricardo Hernandez, Donald Hunt, Rayquan Irving, Kiara Jones, Shikeim Jones, Ja’Qwasha Lewis, Juan Moreno-Ollis, Leonel Macedo, Alexus Palmer, Ty-Kerah Peace, Malek Perry, Tatianna Ragland, Rashad Rease, Alejandro Reyes, Rafael Rodriguez, Cindy San Juan, Michael Sanford, KyTavis Small, Qydarius Small, Mark’Quez Thomas, Seandarius Thorpe, Brianna Venable, Le’Creasha Venable, Jonas Wheeling, Batavious Wilkins, Antavious Williams, Antaza Williams, Treshon Williams, Ty’Quasia’ Williams, Star-Asia Wortham and Robert Wunderlich.

VGCC celebrates Male Mentoring students

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The second annual PRIDE awards were presented as the Male Mentoring Success Initiative (MMSI) at Vance-Granville Community College recently held a ceremony to recognize outstanding students who have excelled in the program.

The ceremony, held May 3 at VGCC’s South Campus, began with welcoming remarks from the dean of that campus, Cecilia Wheeler. “Being involved in this program shows that you are leaders,” Wheeler told the students.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Male Mentoring PRIDE awards. As Anthony Pope, co-coordinator for the MMSI, explained, PRIDE stands for “Pin Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence.” Each honored student received a lapel pin and a certificate.

For their longevity being active in the program, Anthonie Mycal Elam of Warrenton and Jerry Pierce Jr. of Stem received the PRIDE Awards for Tenure.

PRIDE Awards for Engagement went to Johnathan Williamson of Oxford and Christopher Blue of Henderson for being active in the program and bringing in other students.

PRIDE Awards for Athletic Excellence went to three members of the Vanguards men’s basketball team, Christopher Pernell and NiQuan Cousins, both of Raleigh, and TyQuon Reid of Goldsboro.

Blue, Reid and Williamson also received PRIDE Awards for Leadership.

PRIDE Awards for Scholarship were presented to Williamson, Cody Boylorn and Tyler Boylorn, both of Franklinton, Osvaldo Hernandez of Stem, Brian Restrepo and David Restrepo, both of Youngsville,

Hadden Justice of Louisburg, and Francis Scotland of Oxford.

The event also featured by remarks by several students. Justice said he was enrolled in Automotive Systems Technology and became involved in the MMSI after finding out that the group would be taking a trip that included a tour of UNC-Charlotte. Taking the tour helped him decide to transfer to that university in the fall to study Motorsports Engineering after completing his VGCC diploma. Likewise, Scotland said that the MMSI trip gave him a closer look at UNC-Charlotte, where he may be continuing his education in engineering to the master’s level. Scotland recently graduated from the college with both an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science. He thanked Pope, Academic Skills Center Coordinator Jason Snelling, and the college generally for their support.

Former VGCC student mentee Harold Ragland, who is now a student at North Carolina Central University, returned to speak to the mentoring initiative’s current participants. “Be your own person, and be a leader in the community,” Ragland urged them.

Williamson, a Radiography student who has mentored some of the younger students in the program, said he appreciated the “opportunities for networking and learning” in the MMSI. “Some of the things you get here at VGCC you don’t get at the bigger universities, like the individual help and commitment,” Williamson noted. “We’ve learned in the mentoring program to represent ourselves and our school well.”

Several special guests who had participated in the MMSI speakers’ series during the year offered words of congratulations and encouragement to the students. These included former Harlem Globetrotter James “Twiggy” Sanders, attorney Roderick Allison (who also presented a solo on the trumpet), and attorney and former N.C. District Court Judge Quon Bridges.

In addition to the PRIDE awards, Anthony Pope presented a certificate to every student who actively participated in the program this year. In closing remarks, VGCC Dean of Enrollment & Outreach Jeffrey Allen thanked Pope and co-coordinator Michael Farmer for their efforts to support students.

Supported by a grant from the North Carolina Community College System, the MMSI at VGCC works to help male students stay in school and on track to graduate or transfer to a four-year university. For more information on the mentoring initiative, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395.

–VGCC–

Spence Bailey named VGCC Director of Admissions

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Spence Bailey has been named the director of admissions at Vance-Granville Community College. As part of the college’s Enrollment and Outreach division, Bailey will lead a department that develops and maintains a student-centered process of admission, from engaging and recruiting prospective students to welcoming them to VGCC.

Bailey has been a member of the VGCC staff, as College Recruiter, since 2006. A resident of Oxford, he graduated from J.F. Webb High School and then started his higher education at VGCC. He then transferred to East Carolina University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in communications. Bailey then worked for WCTI-TV, the local ABC affiliate in the New Bern-Greenville area, first as a creative services producer and later as a news photographer before joining the staff at VGCC. He has since completed a web design certificate at VGCC and will soon complete a master’s degree in network technology at ECU. 

Bailey is a graduate of Leadership Granville, a program sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with VGCC and Granville County Schools, and now serves on the program’s steering committee.

“A VGCC alumnus, Spence has been a dedicated, innovative member of our staff for more than a decade, collaborating with other faculty and staff, as well as community partners, to recruit students and inform them about all the opportunities available at the college,” VGCC Dean of Enrollment & Outreach Jeffrey Allen said. “We look forward to his leadership as our Admissions team continues to inspire and support new Vanguards who are joining our diverse community of learners.”

Bailey and his team are currently enrolling students for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 14. For more information, apply for admission online at www.vgcc.edu or call (252) 738-3234.

–VGCC–

Creedmoor attorney speaks to Vance County Early College students

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Shortly before the recent spring semester ended, attorney Roderick Allison of Creedmoor spoke to Vance County Early College High School students as part of a spring speakers’ series sponsored by the Vance-Granville Community College Male Mentoring Success Initiative (MMSI). VGCC staff member Anthony Pope, co-coordinator of the MMSI, introduced Allison as a “triple threat,” not only an attorney but also a comedian and a musician. Allison has performed comedy and made motivational presentations to groups across the country.

Allison talked with the students, who were joined by some faculty and staff from both the high school and the college, about their dreams and the need for hard work to achieve those dreams. 

“Find out what you’re good at, and focus on that,” Allison advised the students. “Also, know what you’re not good at. Personally, I’m not good at math.” He recalled that in high school, “I made all A’s in math because I’m funny. I made the math teachers laugh and I was creative, and they gave me good grades for the effort!”

Everyone has potential, he emphasized. “In school, I was smart, but mostly, I worked hard and I developed my talents. I ended up being the valedictorian of my graduating class at North Carolina Central University, even though others were smarter than me.” Allison put that same work ethic to practice in comedy, repeatedly practicing a routine in his basement as a young man. He told the young students that they cannot wait until later to develop their talents and skills. “Prepare now for what you want to be,” he said.

Supported by a grant from the North Carolina Community College System, the MMSI at VGCC works to help male students stay in school and on track to graduate or transfer to a four-year university. For more information on the mentoring initiative, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395.

–VGCC–

VGCC students excel at SkillsUSA state competition

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Vance-Granville Community College students recently earned several awards at the 52nd annual SkillsUSA North Carolina State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held in Greensboro. A record 2,600 participants competed in 110 contests at the conference, billed as the largest showcase of career and technical education in the state.

VGCC Culinary Arts student Shirley Bennett of Durham took home second place in commercial baking, while her classmate, Marcus Brown of Henderson, placed third in the same competition, in which students had to produce cookies, bread and muffins on a large scale.

Two other Culinary Arts students, Hayya Wright of Louisburg and Tyneshia Brackett of Creedmoor, placed third and fifth, respectively, in the culinary arts competition. The contest challenged participants to think on their feet in a “mystery box” format, in which each student was given a box of ingredients and asked to prepare a soup and an entree in a limited amount of time.

Tonisha Chavis of Oxford, a Cosmetology student, placed fifth in the SkillsUSA nail care competition, which was held at the Greensboro Coliseum. The culinary and baking contests were held at Guilford Technical Community College.

VGCC students were accompanied to Greensboro by Culinary Arts instructor Jillian Whitlow and Cosmetology Program Head/instructor Tomeka Moss.

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. With 18,000 chapters and more than 335,000 active members, SkillsUSA is a national membership organization serving middle-school, high-school and college/post-secondary students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Among the benefits to VGCC students are opportunities to participate in competitions, which are designed by industry experts and showcase the nation’s top career and technical education students.

“We are very proud of our students for demonstrating that they are among the best in North Carolina,” said Steve Hargrove, VGCC’s Public Services department chair and lead advisor for the SkillsUSA chapter.

For more information on SkillsUSA at VGCC, contact Steve Hargrove at hargroves@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3467.

–VGCC–

Animal Kingdom Show 06/07/17

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Boys and Girls Club Recognizes 2017 Graduates

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Dre’ Terry will graduate with the Class of 2017, on June 9th, 2017 from Roanoke Rapids High School.  Dre’ will be graduating as a member of DECA and the National Honor Society.  Dre’ plays football, basketball as well as runs track, all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.  The talented football and basketball player will be majoring in Mathematics, with a minor in Coaching at Chowan University.  Dre’ has signed a letter on intent to play football for Chowan in the fall.  Dre’ has been a member of the Boys and Girls Club since he was in elementary school..  We are so very proud of Dre’.

Christopher Blue has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 7 years. As a member Chris has participated in all programs offered. Chris is a member of the 2016 & 2017 African American Quiz Bowl Team, the Keystone Club President, & the 2016 & 2017 Youth of the Year. Chris has earned a position at the Boys & Girls Club as an activity leader. Chris graduated from Vance Granville Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Science on May 12, 2017 and from Vance County Early College on May 26, 2017. Chris plans to attend Fayetteville State University pursuing a degree in Pre-Dentistry.

Timothy Terry joined the Boys & Girls Club on his 18th birthday and considers it the biggest mistake of his life. Tim regrets not joining the club at an earlier age. While at the Boys & Girls Club Tim worked hard not just at programs but being a leader. As a result of his hard work and leadership Tim earned a position as an Employee. As an employee Tim has created a program Called NBA at the Club. NBA @ The Club allows older members to mentor younger members using the sports of basketball and cheer leading. One of the main focuses is to teach the importance of being a student athlete. Tim graduated from Vance County Early College on May 26th and is on his way to Shaw University to major in Recreation Management and minor in Computer and Information Sciences.

Jaylil Majette has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 6 years. As a member Jaylil participated in various programs and Trips. Jaylil was a member of the first place 2015 and 2017 African American Quiz Bowl team. He was also a member of the 16-18 Boys & Girls Club traveling basketball Team. Jaylil is undecided as to where he will be attending this fall but has been accepted to Greensboro College, Pfeiffer University and is awaiting on acceptance letters from Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University. Jaylil will graduate from Vance County Early College on May 26, 2017.

Ileq Jones has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 9 years. As a member Ileq has participated in all programs offered. As Ileq got older his involvement in athletics took him away from the Club but he always kept up his membership so that he could attend when he could. Ileq will be graduating from Southern Vance High School on June 10, 2017 with plans to attend the North Carolina Central University pursuing a degree in Engineering. Ileq has recently been accepted into the Stem program for Engineers to get hands on experience and college credits starting in June.

Kristofer Taylor has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 9 years. As a member Kris has participated in all programs that the club has offered. Kris has been a member of the Keystone Club (leadership club), and traveling basketball team. Kris will be graduating from Northern Vance High School on June 10, 2017 with plans to attend East Carolina University pursuing a degree in Sports Medicine & Business.

Quincy Henderson has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 5 years. Standing 6’4” he is known as “Teddy” the Teddy Bear. Quincy has been the alternate for the 2016 & 2017 African American Bowl teams and one of the biggest cheerleaders for the 16-18 traveling basketball team. Quincy will graduate Southern Vance High School on June 10, 2017 with plans to attend Vance Granville Community College to pursue a trade in welding.

Lawrence Hodge an Army Vet and 911 first responder came to the Boys  & Girls Club Franklin County Unit as a volunteer looking to help mentor our youth and support Great Futures. While volunteering Lawrence was attending Vance Granville in pursuit of an Associates in Applied Science-Health and Human Services. Somewhere along the way a kitchen manager position at our Vance County unit opened up and Lawrence was the right person to fill it. Lawrence is responsible for preparing food everyday for 3 of our clubs in Vance, Granville, and Franklin counties.

On Friday, May 22, 2017 Lawrence graduated with an Associates in Applied Science-Health and Human Services and walked across the stage with his two children also graduating. We are so proud to have our staff member reach his fullest potential.

Lawrence Plans on pursuing his dream of educating the public about the Prevention, Intervention, and Education of Domestic Violence. He will use his knowledge and business “Real Men Against Domestic Violence”  to make a difference for victims everywhere.

Home and Garden Show 06/06/17

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Vance County Schools Bus Driver Places 7th at NC School Bus Roadeo

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

June 5, 2017

Keith Purnell, a school bus driver for Northern Vance High School and E.M. Rollins Elementary School, placed seventh in the state in the annual N.C. School Bus Roadeo held in Raleigh on May 25.

He was among 29 of the state’s best school bus drivers who navigated a yellow school bus through an obstacle course that tested their skills in mastering a diminishing clearance, backing, making a tight turn and parallel parking.

The competing drivers had to place among the best in their school district’s roadeo and in regional competition to reach the state finals.

The N.C. School Bus Roadeo was held on the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

VGCC team competes in electric car race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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Teamwork is what got a group from Vance-Granville Community College onto the track at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway — not only the teamwork demonstrated by students and faculty from curriculum programs at the college, but also by a team of sponsors from the community who supported them.

For the first time, VGCC sent a team to compete in an event as part of the GreenpowerUSA racing series supported by Siemens and the Sports Car Club of America. GreenpowerUSA is a national organization that promotes education in sustainable engineering and technology by offering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single-seat, electric-powered racecar. The series is open to middle schools, high schools, colleges and corporate teams. After the University of Alabama dropped out of this year’s GreenpowerUSA program, VGCC was the sole remaining college at the Greenpower Grand Prix at Indianapolis on May 1.

The Indy race followed a 10-week period of intense work by VGCC students to design, procure parts, manufacture parts and construct the car. It’s obviously not a cinch to construct a car, for it is a really arduous and tedious process. And the limelight that comes after a really good model is made is completely well-deserving. For example, the Cybertruck Takes A Joy Ride Through Pop Culture right after it was unveiled and has already become popular with all celebrities. But anyway, after Mechatronics Engineering Technology students designed the basic layout, Welding Technology student Joshua Pfohl of Wilton, with assistance from classmate Jared Q. Siemers of Wake Forest, fabricated the frame of the car. From there, the Welding team worked with the Mechatronics students, including Jerry Pierce, Jr. of Stem, Thomas Boyd of Henderson, Kyle Painter of Berea and Charles Nordcliff of Creedmoor, to complete construction and start testing. The drivers for the team were recruited from among the VGCC student body. Driving the car and setting the driving strategy in the final race of the weekend were Jessica Baker of Wake Forest (a pre-Nursing/general education student), Alexa Clayton of Rougemont (Cosmetology) and Olivia Williamson of Oxford (Radiography). None of the students had raced before.

Faculty members leading the effort included Applied Technologies Department Chair Keith Shearon, Welding Program Head Rusty Pace and Engineering Technologies Program Head Wesley Williams.

A number of local business sponsors joined to support the effort, including PowerSecure of Wake Forest, Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of Henderson, Vance County Tourism/East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, VanNess Chevrolet of Creedmoor, Duke Energy, Toyota of Henderson and Superior Tooling of Wake Forest. In addition, Action Graphics & Signs of Bullock affixed graphics representing the sponsors onto the sides of the car and provided some parts and expertise. The college’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant funded many of the components and raw materials for the collaborative project.

The Greenpower Grand Prix at IMS featured 27 teams from the United States and Britain coming together to race. The Indy event included two 90-minute races over the 2.6-mile MotoGP layout, during which pit stops were conducted for two driver changes. VGCC’s car placed 21st in the first race and came in 13th in the second. At the finish of the second race, the VGCC car was the fastest on the track. “For that car to have never run a race before, show up and run two races without failing during either, and to finish 13th in the second race, is a phenomenal feat,” Shearon said. He added that the drivers achieved faster speeds than he had expected. Being at the enormous speedway, student Jerry Pierce added, was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

GreenpowerUSA racecars are built to a specification that includes a single-sourced 24V DC electric motor and two specific 12V DC batteries that are meant to provide similar performance capability between teams, according to Shearon. Teams focus on the engineering problems of reducing friction, total driver/vehicle weight, increasing reliability, and improving aerodynamics. The largest technical challenges are chassis and bodywork design.

“The GreenpowerUSA program is a very good STEM catalyst,” Shearon said. “These projects promote science, technology, engineering and math to students through a hands-on experience as team members. GreenpowerUSA builds teamwork, releases creative energy and inspires confidence through personal achievement.” He added that the effort was “groundbreaking for VGCC, in the sense that we’re going way outside of our community and getting some recognition for our engineering and welding programs.” Shearon expressed his appreciation to the Welding and Mechatronics programs for collaborating so well, and to the local community sponsors for supporting the team.

Shearon said that the college plans to expand the program next year with more cars and hopes to encourage other local schools and colleges to compete. For more information on the TAACCCT grant program and participating in the next GreenpowerUSA project as a student, contact Zane Styers at styersz@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3342 or Keith Shearon at shearonj@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3256.

–VGCC–