Severe Thunderstorms Possible Sunday
According to Brian Short, Director – Vance County Emergency Operations, the National Weather Service in Raleigh has indicated the possibility of severe thunderstorms on Sunday.
The NWS noon briefing today (Friday, June 3) says, “The main thunderstorm threat will be damaging straight-line winds; however, a few isolated tornadoes are also possible.”
The briefing continues, “Several rounds of rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to move across central NC through the day (Sunday). The activity in the morning is expected to be mostly non-severe, although heavy downpours and lightning will be possible. The better risk for organized bands of severe thunderstorms is expected to occur during the early through late-afternoon hours. The strongest storms during this time may produce damaging straight-line winds, and isolated brief tornadoes will be possible. During the evening hours, one last band of thunderstorms may move through, but the worst of the storms are expected to occur with the earlier activity.”
#VANCECoProud Graduation Ceremonies Inside
Commencement ceremonies for members of the Class of 2016 at Northern Vance, Southern Vance and Western Vance high schools will be held in the schools’ gymnasiums this weekend.
Since each ceremony will be held in the gymnasiums, seating will be limited. Graduating seniors will be given tickets for their family members to attend. No one will be admitted to any of the commencement ceremonies without a ticket.
All three commencement ceremonies can be viewed live online through the Vance County Schools’ website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us. Those who want to view the ceremonies online should go to the school system’s website homepage and click on the appropriate school’s graduation live feed on the top left side of the page.
The decision to hold the ceremonies indoors was made due to excessive rain and the poor condition of the fields, as well as the forecast for possible thunderstorms and rainy conditions on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Western Vance High School will hold its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday. The commencement ceremony at Southern Vance High School will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the commencement ceremony at Northern Vance High School will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
(Information obtained in a Press Release from Vance County Schools.)
Benchmark Community Bank Holds Grand Opening
Henderson businesses take note: you now have a new local banking option.
On Wednesday, May 25, Benchmark Community Bank held a grand opening celebration at its new office on Graham Avenue across from Ribeyes Steakhouse. With the help of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Benchmark’s headquarters, Vice President and Business Banker, Kim Jordan, officially cut the ribbon and welcomed chamber members, Henderson officials, and area businesses.
The Henderson location is Benchmark’s second in North Carolina. In 2014, an office specializing in real estate loans was opened in Wake Forest. After a very successful first year, both the staff and the focus at that office were expanded. The decision to add a separate location in Henderson to serve the business community here quickly followed.
Although its physical presence in North Carolina is new, Benchmark has been helping North Carolina residents and businesses with their borrowing needs for many years. Established in 1971 in Lunenburg County, Virginia, the bank expanded into southernmost central Virginia starting in the late 1980’s with South Hill. Folks from across the border were among the early customers there. The Clarksville loan office, opened in 1998, saw an influx of North Carolinians seeking loans to buy or build on lake property. Then, in 2004, when a loan office was opened in South Boston, a number of Roxboro area residents were added to the client mix. With the establishment of full-service branches in each place, and the advent of Internet Banking, many North Carolina customers chose to open deposit accounts as well. While services are still limited in North Carolina, some of these customers can now tend to certain financial affairs here.
Jordan is an experienced business banker who has been deeply involved with the Henderson community for a number of years. Her expertise is in developing financial strategies that give businesses an edge in a highly competitive commercial world. She invites potential new clients to come talk with her. To learn more about Kim and Benchmark, visit www.bcbonline.com/nc or call 252-436-0051.
VGCC celebrates Male Mentoring students
The first-ever PRIDE awards were presented as the Male Mentoring program at Vance-Granville Community College recently held an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding students who have participated in the program.
The ceremony, held May 2 in the VGCC Civic Center, began with welcoming remarks from the president of the college, Dr. Stelfanie Williams. “I want you to know how important you are to us as male leaders in our college and in our community,” Dr. Williams told the students being recognized. “We are glad that Vance-Granville has played a part in your growth and development.
The highlight of the evening was the first presentation of the Male Mentoring PRIDE awards. As Greg Nash, co-coordinator for the Male Mentoring program and chair of the VGCC Adult Basic Skills department, explained, PRIDE stands for “Pin Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence.” Each honored student received a lapel pin designed by Nash.
The PRIDE Award for Engagement went to Computer Technology Integration student Bradley Gooch of Oxford and Vance County Early College High School/College Transfer student Christopher Blue of Henderson for being active in the program and making a concerted effort to keep in touch with their coaches (members of the VGCC faculty and staff) on a consistent basis. Gooch has served as vice president of the Male Mentoring Club this year, and Blue has served as recorder/treasurer.
For their longevity being active in the program, College Transfer student Moises Ortiz of Louisburg and Computer Technology Integration student Jordan Bunting of Rocky Mount received the PRIDE Awards for Tenure.
College Transfer student Benjamin Marshall of Butner received the PRIDE Award for Leadership for his work to share the program’s vision with others and helping with various events. Marshall has served as Male Mentoring team leader for VGCC’s South Campus.
The PRIDE Awards for Scholarship were presented to students who have completed at least 50 credit hours while maintaining a GPA of 3.2 or higher. The honorees were Warren Early College High School/College Transfer student Christopher Ford of Manson (who has served as president of the Male Mentoring club this year), Franklin County Early College High School student Sean Griffith of Wake Forest and Computer Technology Integration student Dajuan Harrison of Henderson.
Students and staff members presented highlights of Male Mentoring events and activities from the past year. Academic and Career Coach Seletha Pherribo discussed an educational trip to Washington, D.C., that included a White House tour. Academic and Career Coach Anthony Pope, co-coordinator for the Male Mentoring program, recounted a visit to Warren Early College High School by former Harlem Globetrotter James “Twiggy” Sanders that the program sponsored. VGCC Criminal Justice student Matthew Jaurique recalled another guest speaker, former Dallas Cowboy Greg Ellis. Tim MacNeil, assistant coordinator for the VGCC Academic Skills Center, talked about the “Math Matters” presentation by distinguished N.C. State University professor Lee Stiff. Student Christopher Blue recapped a presentation by Delores S. Eaton and what her story taught him about African-American history. College Transfer student Mikal Williams gave his perspective on the recent Male Mentoring trip to Atlanta, which included stops at several historically black colleges and universities. Donal Gooch, a student-athlete on the VGCC Vanguards basketball team, discussed a tour of the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner. The tour was designed to bring awareness to students of federal government career opportunities and to highlight the importance of developing strong critical thinking skills through education. Gooch’s teammate, Alcyone Moore, recalled a presentation by Psychology instructor Peter Metzner, “Relax Your Way to Better Grades.”
In addition to the PRIDE awards, Anthony Pope presented a certificate to every student who participated in the program this year. In closing remarks, VGCC Dean of Students George Henderson congratulated students on their success and thanked the coaches for making a difference in the lives of their mentees.
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.