Applications Now Being Accepted for STEM Early High School

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

March 3, 2017

 

Applications are now being accepted for enrollment in the STEM Early High School for the 2017-2018 school year.

This grades 6-8 middle school has a focus on project based learning with instructional emphasis in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.

The STEM Early High School is located on the campus of Northern Vance High School.

Information sessions are now being held by STEM Early High administrators in local elementary schools. Applications for the school are available during these sessions. They also are available through the school counselor at each elementary school. Applications and additional information also can be obtained on the Vance County Schools website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

Completed applications to the STEM Early High School must include two recommendations from educators or adult mentors and must be received by the elementary school counselors or at the STEM school by March 30.

News 03/03/17

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Horse/Equine Vote March 8th

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Paul McKenzie is the Agricultural Extension Agent for Vance and Warren Counties.  McKenzie wrote the following for WIZS News:

Horse and other equine animal owners/lessors will vote across the state on March 08, 2017 to determine whether to continue to voluntarily assess themselves four dollars ($4.00) per ton of commercial horse feed in order to provide funds to promote the interests of the horse industry.

Morris White, County Extension Director, says the vote in Vance County will take place in the County Extension Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Any North Carolina resident who has reached his/her 9th birthday as of January 1, 2017 and who has complete or partial ownership or lease of an equine (horse, pony, mule, donkey or hinny) is eligible to vote.  Individuals must sign a statement certifying eligibility at time of voting.

Since many horse owners work away from home during business hours, a provision has been made for absentee voting. Between the dates of February 20–March 08, horse owners may visit or phone the County Extension Center and request a ballot and absentee registration form. These must be turned in to the Extension office by March 08, and will be counted along with others on March 09.

If the vote is favorable on March 09, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will continue to receive the assessment funds from manufacturers and/or distributors of horse feed, and will remit the money to the NC Horse Council.  The Horse Council has indicated that the funds will be used for 4-H and other youth and educational programs, trails advocacy, equine research, representation of horse interests in government, marketing programs, enforcement of horse laws, and improved public awareness of diseases and other threats to horses’ well-being.

Many other agricultural commodities have similar voluntary assessment programs.  Horsemen may receive a refund of the assessment by writing to the NC Horse Council within a year of purchase and including proof of purchase.

The Bell Ringers of The FBC Pancake Supper

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The Bell Ringers of The First Baptist Church are having a pancake supper. Pancakes will be served Tuesday, March 21, 2017 between 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. This youth handbell choir hopes to see you in the fellowship hall of First Baptist located at the corner of Wyche and Winder Streets downtown. Tickets available at the door.

News 03/02/17

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HPD Crime of the Month: Individual injured after drive-by shooting

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Press Release: March 1, 2017

On February 25, 2017 at approximately 11:50 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to Maria Parham Health in reference to a shooting into an occupied vehicle. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Nakiya Cheek who stated that while at a stop sign at Davis and Nicholas Street a vehicle drove pass and a subject opened fire into her vehicle. As a result Cheek sustained injuries from broken glass.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

HPD Crime of the Month: Bullet Hole Found in Rear Window of Parked Car

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Press Release: March 1, 2017

On February 27, 2017 at approximately 8:45 AM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 84 Ranes Drive in reference to property damage to a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Kelly Puryear who stated that she found a bullet hole in the rear window of her vehicle.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Get M.A.D. and Make A Difference

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The local Henderson Family YMCA wants you to get M.A.D. in March and Make A Difference in the life of a child.  Per information below from the YMCA, you can help and participate in a number of ways.

Ryan Beckham Davis, daughter of Kim Davis, our Youth Programs Director, LOVED camp at the Henderson Family YMCA!  She began participating in Y Programs as soon as she could at age 4.  For two years Ryan was involved in girls basketball, spring soccer, T-ball, fall soccer, swimming lessons and after school and summer day camp.  Unfortunately, Ryan’s life was cut way too short in 2004 in an ATV accident.  The YMCA staff wanted to honor Ryan’s life and began the Ryan Davis Memorial Endowment Fund in 2005. The Endowment funds scholarships for Summer Day Camp and applications are made available to the public every year prior to the beginning of camp.  The recipients are selected by an anonymous committee.  Since the Endowment began, over 65 children have had the opportunity to experience the Best Summer Ever at Camp Splash-n-Dash.

To fund the endowment each year, the Y holds an event to raise money in memory of Ryan.  There have been Spin-a-thons, Fitness Frenzy’s and Zumbathon’s to name a few.  This year we are asking the entire membership and community to join us in getting M.A.D…making a difference in the life of a child by participating in any or all of the following activities:

March 1-31 – COIN drive (containers will be placed throughout the building)
March 6-10 – Membership Special (In lieu of joining fee make a donation of $50 for individual or $62.50 for family to the endowment)
March 11 – Basketball Shootout beginning at Noon (‘shooters’ are asked to represent their businesses and organizations & get their ‘FAN CLUB’ to help sponsor them for $100 and see who the best ‘shooter’ is in our area)
March 17 – Bake Sale (baked goods individually wrapped ready for sale are welcome)
March 18 – Pickleball Tournament beginning at 9:00 A.M. – $10 for members and $20 for non-members to participate.
March 25 – M.A.D. Move-a-thon – Matilda and various Zumba Instructors will lead classes from 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. in the Gym while Willie, Chris and Rob will lead an Outdoor Madness on the field from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. – $10 for members and $20 for non-members
March 31 – Flick-n-Float in the pool at 6:30 P.M. Join us for an age appropriate movie for families while floating in the pool. $5/person.

To participate in the activities during GOING M.A.D. IN MARCH, please register at Member Services. We will have buttons for staff to wear to help promote the campaign. Our goal is $10,000 in March to help send 10 or more deserving children to the best summer ever at SPLASH-N-DASH!

Volunteers are needed! If you know of anyone that would like to help with any of the activities, please let Julia know or offer a volunteer application because all volunteers must apply and have background checks.  We can get our membership excited about all of it if we let our enthusiasm lead the way so GET M.A.D. IN MARCH and Make A Difference in the life of a child!

News 03/01/17

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Famed Virginia State University Chorale to Visit McGregor Hall

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The VSUAA-Greater Triangle Alumni Chapter (NC) is proud to present the renowned Virginia State University Gospel Chorale in concert on Sunday, April 2, 2017 in concert at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 3.30 p.m.

The Mistress of Ceremony will be Ms. Phyllis Coley CEO/ Publisher of Spectacular Magazine and Former Host/ Producer of Spectacular Magazine Radio Show, both of Durham, North Carolina. Various acts will open the concert: The South Warren Elementary School  Visual & Performing Arts Group from Warrenton, NC under the direction of Mr. Cameron Eaton and Mrs. Morgan Perry; Mr. Joezell Charles, a saxophonist, who is Band Director at Eaton-Johnson Middle School, Henderson, NC; Mrs. Sandra Gibson,Mrs. Black NC 2011/ Smooth Jazz-R&B Vocalist, Apex, NC.

Among The Virginia State University Chorale’s numerous accolades and accomplishments are the following: 2016 National College Choir Competition Winner; 2015 Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards- Best Church Choir; 2013 America’s Got Talent- Season 8 Quarter Finals; 2012 Verizon’s “ How Sweet the Sound”-DC Regional People’s Choice Award Winner.

Advance tickets for the event are $10 each, online tickets are $10 each with nominal processing fee ( https://vsugospel.bpt.me ), and at door tickets are $15 each. For more information and/or advance tickets, please contact the following: Henderson area- DeAnna Lewis at dlewis@warrenk12nc.org, Dennis M. Snead at 1906rbl@gmail.com, Cicily Marsh at missceecee@gmail.com, Taylor Whitehead at mrknowitall91@aol.com ; Raleigh area- Anita Jackson at Tlcanj@gmail.com, Orlando Conner at ozat@bellsouth.net ; Durham area- Faye Watkins at fayewatkins75@gmail.com,  Vivian Lewis at  vivianlewis30@hotmail.com .

Chartered in 2016 as the 46th chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association (VSUAA), Greater Triangle Area Chapter (NC) Inc., is actively working to support students who live in our area and aspire to attend our Alma Mater.

 

The Virginia State University Gospel Chorale History, Achievements, and Highlights

 Founded in 1971 by Ms. Jackie Ruffin (formerly of the Richard Smallwood Singers) and Mr. Larry Bland as the Larry Bland Gospel Ensemble. The name was later changed to the Virginia State College Gospel Choir.

 Recorded its first album, “Everyday with Jesus,” in 1977. After the success of this album, the choir then recorded a second album, “He’s Able,” in 1978. The choir recorded its third CD, “Virginia State University Gospel Chorale: Live in Concert,” in 2003.

 Has participated off-and-on in a number of competitions. The most notable competition was the National Black Music Caucus Gospel Competition in New York City, where the choir won first place in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1996, and 2003, and second place in 1985 and 2006.

 Has toured nationally in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Alabama, Maryland, Connecticut, and Washington, DC. Has toured internationally (most recently in 2013 and 2015) in U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Europe (Italy, Hungary, France, Switzerland, and Romania), performing each time at the annual Pope’s Vatican Christmas Concert.

 Has performed on the same stage as gospel-recording artists Cheryl “CoCo” Clemons of R&B group SWV, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Earnest Pugh, Hezekiah Walker, JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise, and poet Nikki Giovanni.

 Made history in September 2012 by competing in How Sweet the Sound, a Verizon experience. Out of the thousands of video entries submitted, the choir was one forty-two choirs, and only one of four college choirs, to compete in the regional competitions around the country. Although the choir did not advance to the grand finale, it would go on to win the 2012 DC Region’s People Choice Award and garner local, regional, and national acclaim.

 Made history again in January 2013 by being selected to perform at the DC Citywide Interfaith Food Drive, which was part of President Obama’s National Day of Service. This was part of the official Presidential Inauguration Activities.

 In probably their biggest accomplishment to date, was a quarterfinalist is season 8 (2013) of “America’s Got Talent.” This not only garnered national and international exposure for the Chorale, but for the University as well.

 Performed at the historic Virginia gubernatorial inauguration of Terence “Terry” McAuliffe in January 2014.

 In February 2014, travelled to Bridgetown, Barbados by special invitation to perform as special guest at their Black History month festivities.

 Winner of the 2015 Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards’ Best Church Choir.

 Winner of the 2016 National College Choir Explosion.

 The VSU Gospel Chorale is currently listed under the word “choir” in the Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Additionally, the Chorale is included in two music appreciation textbooks in the gospel music sections.

 The choir is currently blessed to have approximately 100 choir members and five musicians – a colorful mix of races, nationalities, and geographical backgrounds. The Chorale is under the leadership of Mr. James Holden Jr. (Faculty Advisor), Perry Evans II (Director), Mr. Michael Rainey (Business Manager), and Mr. Mark Johnson (Musical Director).