VGCC Student recognized for Academic Excellence

/by

Vance-Granville Community College has named student Elizabeth M. Caulfield of Louisburg as its recipient of the North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award for 2016. One student from each of the 58 colleges in the state system is honored with the award each year.

Caulfield will be officially recognized at Commencement in May, when she is scheduled to graduate from the college with an Associate in Arts degree. That same month, Caulfield will graduate from Franklin County Early College High School. She is the first student from an Early College high school to receive the Academic Excellence Award in VGCC history. The college partners with four Early College high school programs, one in each county of the VGCC service area.

Caulfield said that her high school experience has been “unorthodox” but “thrilling.”

“I would never change my decision to attend the early college,” she said. “With the help of counseling and advice from VGCC staff and teachers, as well as some tutoring here and there, I was recently accepted into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Looking back, I know my solid foundation at VGCC has set me up for success when I transition into university-level classes. I have learned to manage stress, stay organized, communicate with instructors, take notes, and above all, make the most of my college experience.”

Caulfield was inducted into the college’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society last year, and has made the Dean’s List and the President’s List. She has excelled in both her high school and college classes while also working part-time at a local restaurant and taking part in student organizations. At the high school level, Caulfield is a member of the National Honor Society and the Early College student newspaper staff. As a VGCC student, she has participated in the campus Earth Day cleanup for several years and is helping to establish the Equality Club. Outside of school, Caulfield has volunteered with the Franklin County Animal Shelter and Clearview Baptist Church.

She plans to major in Sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill.

“We are proud to recognize Elizabeth among the top students in North Carolina,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC. “She is an excellent representative of both Vance-Granville and Franklin County Early College High School, and we know she will continue to excel as she completes her baccalaureate degree.”

VGCC to hold 32nd Benefit Golf Tournament on May 3rd

/by

Vance-Granville Community College’s 32nd Annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, presented by Union Bank, will be held at the Henderson Country Club on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. All event proceeds support the mission of the college, the Endowment Fund and student scholarships.

With the support of numerous golfers and sponsors, the annual event has raised more than $650,000 since its inception in 1985. The 2015 tournament alone generated a record-breaking $100,318.

This year’s morning and afternoon rounds will begin with shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and at 1 p.m. The afternoon round is sold out, but there are openings in the morning round.

The format is four-person “Captain’s Choice Super Ball.” Golfers can form their own teams of four, or sign up and be put on a team. Teams will be handicapped based on handicaps supplied by each player. Trophies will be awarded for first through third place teams in both rounds. Other awards will be given for “closest to the pin” and “longest drive.”

A hole-in-one on Hole 9 will be rewarded with a 2016 Toyota Avalon, courtesy of Toyota of Henderson, while a player who hits a hole-in-one on Hole 16 will win a 2016 Mahindra 1533 Tractor with Loader, courtesy of Vanco Outdoor Equipment.

Other special bonus prizes for both holes-in-one include PING golf clubs and bag (Hole 4), an iPod Touch and gift card (Hole 9) and an HDTV (Hole 11). Even if there is no hole-in-one, there will be special prizes for the golfer who comes closest to the pin on these holes.

The cost for one golfer to enter the tournament is $150. In either round, that fee includes greens fees, cart, meals, gift bag, and practice balls.

A light breakfast, lunch, and dinner (immediately following the afternoon round) will be served in the HCC clubhouse. A silent auction and door prize drawings will be held in conjunction with dinner.

Businesses and individuals can take advantage of sponsorship opportunities at various levels. Businesses may also donate products or premium items featuring the company’s logo to be placed in golfers’ gift bags, or to be given as door prizes.

For more information, contact Kay Currin at currink@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3409.

Carnetta Thomas Earns Doctorate #VANCECoProud

/by

Congratulations to Carnetta Thomas, principal of L.B. Yancey Elementary School!  She has successfully completed work for her doctoral degree.

Thomas learned in early January that she had met all requirements to earn her doctorate in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She received her degree through the University of Phoenix with most work done online.

“I am really happy about this,” Thomas said. “I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It was not easy at all.”

Like most educators who seek their doctorate, Thomas was working full time when she began work for the degree in January of 2011. During the almost five-year period to complete the required work, Thomas became assistant principal for a year at Pinkston Street and was then assistant principal at Zeb Vance Elementary for two years before becoming the principal at L.B. Yancey this school year.

Her dissertation was about parent involvement in public schools with a focus on the need to develop partnerships with parents. Thomas interviewed 10 parents at Zeb Vance Elementary to do her research.

“I focused mostly on low-performing Title 1 schools and learned that we have to inform our parents,” Thomas added. “We have to look at our parents as a partnership for our schools. We have to communicate with one another. Many of our parents really don’t know what to do. We also have to make them feel warm and welcomed!”

Thomas also stated she received lots of support from colleagues, including Valerie Hairston, counselor at Zeb Vance, who was “a great reader,” and Dr. Jacqueline Crosson at Pinkston Street, who went through the doctoral process at the same time.

“I received so much positive support,” she noted.

(WIZS News received this information in a press release dated February 5, 2016.  While it was broadcast at that time on 1450 AM, this is the first time it has been published on wizs.com.)

April Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration

/by
Vance County Schools are offering parents a variety of opportunities to register their children for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes for the 2016-2017 school year.

Children who will be four years old on or before August 31, 2016, may apply for pre-kindergarten and children who will be five years old on or before the same date should register for kindergarten for next year.

For the convenience of parents, the school system will announce soon public locations for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration for next school year.

In addition, special registration events will be held at each elementary school in April. At each school, the registration sessions will be from 1 to 6 p.m. in a central location of the school. Parents who come to register their child or children are asked to bring: proof of the child’s age (birth certificate, medical record, baptismal record); immunization record; proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, official records); and proof of residence (utility bill, rental lease or mortgage statement). Parents who don’t have these documents can still begin the registration process.

The schedule for the special pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration events at the elementary schools includes:
  • Aycock Elementary: Tuesday, April 12
  • Carver Elementary: Monday, April 11
  • Clarke Elementary: Tuesday, April 12
  • Dabney Elementary: Wednesday, April 13
  • E.M. Rollins Elementary: Thursday, April 14
  • E.O. Young Jr. Elementary: Monday, April 11
  • L.B. Yancey Elementary: Tuesday, April 12
  • New Hope Elementary: Wednesday, April 13
  • Pinkston Street Elementary: Thursday, April 14
  • Zeb Vance Elementary: Monday, April 11

Parents also may go to the school located in the district where they live and register their children for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten at any time. All parents are urged to register their children as early as possible.

(VCS Press Release)

Southern Vance National Beta Club

/by
The National Beta Club chapter at Southern Vance High School has inducted 39 new members into the prestigious, academic organization.

Each new inductee was recognized during a special ceremony held in the school’s gymnasium on March 24.

They each were presented certificates and lapel pins by Principal Stephanie Ayscue and senior members of the National Beta Club chapter.

New members include: Hakeem Agbele, Zachariah Alexander, Jordan Alston, Nigoria Alston, Allison Ayscue, Carlos Barajas, Samaria Carter, Viridiana Chavez, Christian Clark, Katie Currin, Krystal Daye, Alyssa Dickerson, Christopher Dominquez, Chermella Durham, Cody Edwards, Adriana Evans, Lorenz Evans, Malayia Glover, Jemari Hargrove, Shatonii Hayes, Walter Hernandez, Janiy’er Hester, Destiny Hill, Jason Lowman, Brandon Loyd, Shamond Lyons, William Massenburg, Lizeth Nieto-Mata, Yahnae’ Quinn, Karen Sandoval, Bryanna Simril, Keyunia Smith, Jordan Thomas, DeSean Thorpe, Tiara Walker, Antoinette Watson, Brittany West, Destiny Williams and Joshua Williams.
VCS SVHS Beta 2016
(Press Release from Vance County Schools)

Home and Garden Show 03/29/16

/by

Former Dallas Cowboy addresses VGCC students

/by

A former NFL defensive lineman visited the Main Campus of Vance-Granville Community College on March 16 and spoke to students, faculty and staff about his experiences and the keys to success.

Greg Ellis spoke in the VGCC Civic Center for an hour-long presentation that was sponsored by the college’s Male Mentoring Program. That program’s co-coordinator, VGCC Academic and Career Coach Anthony Pope, was Ellis’ middle school football coach in Wendell, his hometown.

Ellis recalled that Pope “was the first coach who saw athletic potential in me” and that middle school was where his football career began. Ellis graduated from East Wake High School and went on to become an All-ACC player and second team All-American at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated as the school’s all-time sack leader, even surpassing Lawrence Taylor. He earned a degree in communications studies at UNC.

Drafted as the eighth pick in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Ellis was later selected for the 2007 Pro Bowl. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury that was thought to be a career-ender, but returned to the field and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2007. Ellis played his final season with the Oakland Raiders before retiring in 2010. Today, he is the father of three children and CEO of his Texas-based multimedia production company, Play Now Enterprises.

In his remarks to VGCC students, Ellis started by focusing on “RTP,” which for him stand not for Research Triangle Park, but for “Rules, Tools and Preparation.” He explained that we all must take the time to learn the rules that govern any endeavor in order to succeed. Second come the tools. “I believe that God has put tools in all of us that will allow us to be successful,” Ellis said. “It’s up to us to figure out what those tools are, and then be willing to develop those tools. You want to become a master at whatever you are doing.” Finally, success requires preparation. “Are you willing to prepare?” Ellis asked. “That’s where most people get lost. They’re not willing to put the time and effort into becoming a good football player or a good student or a good coach or whatever it is you want to do. Most people aren’t willing to pay the price.”

Ellis went on to outline for his audience the stages of motivation, inspiration and manifestation. “Motivation is not enough,” he said. “Motivation helps us to get started, but it won’t propel us to the end.” Motivation can turn into inspiration, he explained. “Inspiration means you sacrifice and work hard, and that’s what makes you successful,” Ellis said, citing the example of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “Jerry functions out of inspiration,” he said. “He’s a man who’s willing to burn the midnight oil.” Only through inspiration can anyone experience the manifestation of success, Ellis maintained.

One of his recent projects has been “Carter High,” a feature film based on a true story of a high school football team in Texas. Ellis was the executive producer of the movie, which stars Charles S. Dutton, Vivica Fox and David Banner. He played the film’s trailer for the VGCC audience. “It’s not just about football, it’s about making the right choices and the consequences of the decisions you make,” Ellis explained.

Supported by a grant from the N.C. Community College System, the VGCC Male Mentoring program involves an active, intensive, and engaging process of academic coaching and case management to help male students succeed. For more information on the mentoring program, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395, or Greg Nash at nashg@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3305.

Former Superintendent Shearin Has Died

/by
Dr. Norman Shearin served as Superintendent of Vance County Schools from January 2003 until his retirement in April 2011.

Public Information Officer Terri Hedrick released the information this morning by email.  Dr. Shearin passed away late Tuesday.

Hedrick said, “He indeed made his mark here in Vance County, including leading the re-establishment of Western Vance High as an alternative high school and the construction of Clarke Elementary.”

Visitation is scheduled at 12:00 pm, Friday, March 25th, at the Kure Memorial Lutheran Church followed by the funeral at 1:00 pm.  The church address is 117 3rd Avenue, Kure Beach, NC. Burial will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens, 306 Bradley Drive, Wilmington.

Condolences to the family at https://www.andrewsmortuary.com/ — Andrews Mortuary & Crematory Valley Chapel of Wilmington.

Dr. Shearin’s obituary can be found on the Andrews Mortuary web site or as it appeared in the Wilmington Star-News online.

VGCC holds Summer Term New Student Orientation sessions

/by

 Registration for classes and orientation sessions for new students have begun for the Summer 2016 term at Vance-Granville Community College, which starts Monday, May 23. Students who wish to enroll at VGCC starting in the Fall 2016 semester may also attend one of the orientation sessions for summer.

Attending an orientation session is required for all new students who wish to enroll in any of the college’s curriculum programs, and for students who are returning to VGCC after being away for three or more years. Students must also meet with an advisor or academic/career coach before registering for classes.

To attend an orientation session, a student must sign up in advance by visiting orientation.vgcc.edu.

VGCC now offers orientation in both an online and a traditional face-to-face format. In either format, orientation sessions help students learn where to find resources on campus or online, including how to register for classes through WebAdvisor.

Face-to-face orientation sessions are scheduled at VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County on Tuesday, March 29, at 9 a.m.; Tuesday, April 19, at 9 a.m.; Thursday, April 21, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, May 10, at 9 a.m.; and Thursday, May 12, at 2 p.m.

At the Franklin County Campus near Louisburg, orientation sessions are scheduled on Tuesday, March 29, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, April 12, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, April 19, at 5 p.m.; and Tuesday, May 3, at 9 a.m.

Orientation sessions are scheduled at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Creedmoor and Butner, on Wednesday, April 6, at 9 a.m.; Thursday, April 14, at 2 p.m.; and Wednesday, May 4, at 9 a.m.

Students who want to attend a face-to-face orientation session at the Warren County Campus in Warrenton should call (252) 257-1900 for more information.

Registration for summer classes is set to end on Thursday, May 19. College officials encourage students to apply for admission, attend orientation/advising, and register for classes as early as possible. Course schedules are now available online at schedules.vgcc.edu.

All summer curriculum courses are eight weeks in length and will end on July 25. The VGCC course selection for this summer’s term is more robust than in years past, including a variety of online and on-campus sections.

Summer term offers opportunities for eligible high school seniors to get a head start on college by taking courses through the Career & College Promise (CCP) program. University students may also use the summer to earn transferable credits while they are at home.

The tuition payment deadline is Thursday, May 19, by 5 p.m., if paying in person, or by midnight, if paying online through WebAdvisor.

For more information, contact VGCC at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3330, or visit any campus.

Home and Garden Show 03/22/16

/by