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

NC State Farmers Market to host annual Blueberry Day June 15

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RALEIGH — The State Farmers Market will celebrate its annual Blueberry Day Thursday, June 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Guests can enjoy free samples of blueberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream prepared by the State Farmers Market Restaurant. In addition, there will be plenty of recipes and the opportunity to purchase fresh local blueberries.

Blueberry Day will be held in the event area, which is located between the N.C. Seafood Restaurant and the garden section of the Farmers building. The event is sponsored by the N.C. Blueberry Council, the State Farmers Market Restaurant, the State Farmers Market and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

North Carolina is the sixth-largest producer of blueberries in the nation, yielding nearly 50 million pounds in 2016, with about 8,000 acres of blueberries grown in the state.

The State Farmers Market is one of four state-operated farmers markets located across North Carolina. The market offers seasonal produce, fresh meats and seafood, and a large variety of specialty products seven days a week. The market is also home to Market Imports, Super-Sod and three restaurants. More information about Blueberry Day and other special events is available at www.statefarmersmarket.org.

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–

H/V Chamber Celebrates I Got U Bail Bonds Grand Opening

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Henderson businesses take note:  On Thursday, June 8th, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for I Got U Bail Bonds, LLC.

I Got U Bail Bonds believes in professionalism. Being founded by Rosa Ferguson, who also founded their sister company, Power Surety Services, they strive to accompany every client with the best service possible. As a family built business, I Got U has been helping families get their love ones back home for over 15 years. With the best rates they can help on almost any budget.

I Got U Bail Bonds proudly serves all 100 counties in North Carolina, by licensed agents, who are professional and have great hospitality.  Rosa’s motto for I Got U is “we are a family and we will do everything we can to get your family back to you.”

Not only do they specialize in bail bonds but they believe in giving back to the community. Throughout the years they have held events for the children in the community. Each year they have an annual back to school give away and cookout for kids in need. They do holiday parties too. Family is everything and so is their community.

They are located at 337 N. Chestnut and can be reached 24hrs a day 7 days a week or by phone at 252-430-7711.

Corbitt Preservation Association Looking for Donations for Military Exhibit

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Good morning everyone, it sure is a beautiful day here in Henderson, NC and I hope it is where ever you are too. Just to fill you in on the happenings of the Corbitt Preservation, we are in the process of creating a Military Exhibit for the Military show to be held at the NC Transportation Museum located in Spencer, NC on July 1st and 2nd. This material will become part of a permanent exhibit in the space the Museum is going to provide us to display Corbitt material and a few vehicles.

This is a great way for all the folks in NC to see the roll Corbitt played in the transportation world.

As you know all this takes money and not a whole lot but yet it does take out of our operating budget, there fore we are asking for donations to help with the cost of the exhibit. At this point we are looking at around $500 to start.

When we are told the amount of space to fill in the future I will let everyone know about what we are looking at in cost. We are just asking for you to do what you can if you can, a little money from all of us can get this done very easily. The membership dues alone are not enough to do projects like this as you well know. Please do what you can to help out, this is going to be something all of us can be proud of and a great opportunity for the Preservation so show our Corbitt spirit.

We have 2 shows coming up at the NC Transportation Museum one on the 24th of June which will be a fire truck show and our fire truck will be there as well.

The other is the military show July 1st and 2nd we will have lots of John Hedgepeth’s vehicles on display then.

Come join us in the fun and help out at the booth all help is welcome.

All donations can be mailed to:

The Corbitt Preservation Association (CPA)

PO BOX 74

Henderson, NC 27536

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Ken Stegall

Archivist and Treasurer

The Corbitt Preservation Association

News 06/12/17

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Franklin County Approves Budget with Tax Reduction 

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Franklin County, June 9, 2017: With a unanimous vote Thursday night, Franklin County Commissioners voted to lower its ad valorem tax rate by three-cents. The 2017-2018 General Fund budget of $78,921,255 sets the new rate at 89.5 cents per $100 valuation from 92.5 cents.

The approved budget addresses the Board’s priorities of education, health and human services and public safety. Budget highlights include full funding of the Board of Education’s request and three-percent cost of living adjustment for county employees effective January, 2018.

On behalf of the Board, Chairman Cedric Jones thanked commissioners, county management and staff for working together to create a spending plan that provides tax relief while maintaining quality county government services for citizens.

For additional information, please contact Angela L. Harris, Franklin County Manager, at (919) 496-5994.

Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.

News 06/09/17

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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–