Wilson: Vance Teacher of the Year

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Robin Wilson, a third-grade teacher at New Hope Elementary School, is the 2015-2016 Vance County Schools’ Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Wilson has a total of 41 years of teaching experience, with 30 years of teaching in Virginia. She is in her second year as a faculty member at New Hope after teaching for the previous nine years at E.O. Young Jr. Elementary School.

Mrs. Wilson was selected for the district’s teaching honor by a special selection committee, which interviewed Teachers of the Year from all 17 local public schools on August 27. She was chosen as the top teacher based on her enthusiasm and passion for teaching and because of the positive impact she has on the education for students in her class and overall in her school. Mrs. Wilson also serves as a mentor for several of her colleagues at New Hope and tutors students after school.

Robin Wilson (VCS teach of year)Superintendent Anthony Jackson is shown in the attached photo presenting Mrs. Wilson with balloons September 1, 2015 and sharing the announcement about her VCS Teacher of the Year award with her third-grade students.

Mrs. Wilson wrote the following about her philosophy for education.

“Sell, Sell, Sell!!!!!  I want every child and every support personnel for that child to buy into my product – my product being that of EDUCATION.  Education is power!!!!  Education is the  key to success!!!

“For my students to feel their own worth in this 21st century, I will teach them to the best of my ability exhausting all resources, strategies, learning styles, and methods available, diversifying where necessary for the child’s personal and measured success.

“I want to touch the student’s life in such a way that each child will grow beyond expectations. We, the student, the support personnel, and I, do not settle for less.  The loving guidance we administer will produce independent individuals who will become creditable members of our society.

“Educating a child is not just a job.  It is a way of life!  They all have potential, they all can learn, and they all can achieve greatness!!!”

Mrs. Wilson was chosen from an outstanding field of educators, who also were selected as their school’s Teacher of the Year. They include:

  • Stephanie Black of Aycock Elementary School
  • Sheila Brockers-White of Western Vance High School
  • Randolph Crews of Northern Vance High School
  • Gladys Evans of Southern Vance High School
  • Casey Hall of Early College High School
  • Amanda Hightower of Clarke Elementary School
  • Stephen Jones of STEM Early High School
  • Jessica London of Eaton-Johnson Middle School
  • Regina Miles of Carver Elementary School
  • Tracy Mills of Henderson Middle School
  • Renee Overby of Pinkston Street Elementary School
  • Janice Roswess-Chambers of L.B. Yancey Elementary School
  • Robin Sanders of E.O. Young Jr. Elementary School
  • Joshua Tilghman of Dabney Elementary School
  • Mary Landis of Zeb Vance Elementary School
  • Kathryn Wilson of E.M. Rollins Elementary School

Mrs. Wilson will be honored, along with all of the school Teachers of the Year, at the Vance County Schools’ Recognition Banquet on November 19. Congratulations to all of our schools’ Teachers of the Year!

The district’s Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year also will be honored at the November banquet. All nominees for these prestigious awards also will be recognized during the event.

2015 Ducky Derby Results

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Smart Start had a good Ducky Derby turnout with about 1,000 people attending the event this past Saturday, August 29. The event started at 10:00 A.M. and concluded after the big Duck Race at 2:00 PM.

Smart Start was a big winner raising about $5,500 for the Smart Start Program.

Other big winners were: 1st place in the Duck Race winning $1000.00, Jackie Cozart of Granville County, with 2nd place of $500.00 going to Terry Southhard of Franklin County, and the 3rd place winner in the Ducky race was Linda Tasadfox who won $250.00.  The winner of the last place Duck to cross the finish line and win $100 was Children’s Arts of Youngsville.

ACC Football Games Will Include Medical Observer

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – When Atlantic Coast Conference teams kick off their football seasons later this week, additional sets of safety-conscious eyes will watch intently from on high.

As announced by Commissioner John Swofford at the ACC Kickoff on July 20, the 2015 season will include assigned medical observers from each team at every game. Each observer will occupy a specified location in the press box to monitor any visual indicators of potential injury to a student-athlete from his or her team.

Medical observers will have communication access to their teams’ medical staffs on the sidelines. Upon a medical observer’s notification of a visual indicator of an injury, that sideline personnel shall act upon that information in accordance with their institution’s athletics medical plan.

“The team-specific medical observer will have the benefit of knowing the medical history of the players,” Swofford noted. “Each game that we play, there will be two people in the booth – one from each school – that will have the sole purpose of observing what’s taking place on the field that somebody on the sidelines might not be able to see.”

The ACC initiative was unanimously approved by the conference’s athletic directors.  In recent years, ACC member schools have taken the lead in concussion research and other player safety points of concern.

“In the areas of health and safety, I can’t say enough about our institutions,” Swofford said. “As a league, and personally as a former player, we are supportive and an advocate for making the game of football as safe as it can possibly be.”

Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson Honored

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August 31, Henderson — Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson retired Monday after 40 years of service. He became chief in 1999. A reception and dinner was held in his honor Monday afternoon from 4:00 PM until 6:30 PM at Central Fire Department on Dabney Drive. There were easily more than 300 people in attendance.

Wilkerson was all smiles at the event. He did not move more than a couple feet the entire two and a half hours as he shook the hand of each person in attendance.

As Wilkerson’s tenure wound down, he stood tall once again for his department as he has for so many years.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Cordell will serve as Interim Fire Chief during the application and selection process.

If you combine Danny’s total service and his father Ranger Wilkerson’s total time together, Henderson has been served by the Wilkerson family for 80 years.

Danny Wilkerson started as a firefighter on July 24, 1975.  On April 1, 1999, Chief Danny Wilkerson became chief as former Chief Ranger Wilkerson retired.  Ranger served 40 total years and 32 years as chief.  All together, their time protecting and serving has spanned 55 consecutive years.

Danny also served under contract as chief to Vance County through October of 2009.

Chief Wilkerson said, “We restructured the department some after he (Ranger) retired, and they may do that again when I leave, but the mission is still the same.”  He agreed that it was to protect and serve.

Wilkerson reflected to a time in 2009 when deadly fires occurred in Henderson almost back to back.  Several young people had perished.  He said, “I felt like we were doing something wrong.  That’s when we started our fire inspection program, and we haven’t had a fire death since then.  We try to get into every home in the city limits and do inspections, get the person a smoke detector and install it.”

It just hit him recently that it was time to retire.  “I’m not going home to just sit down.  I will do something.  Both my kids are out of college,” he said.  “It was just the right time.  It will give someone else a chance to be chief.  The department is in good shape, and the mission will be carried forward.”  Wilkerson spoke of how he was proud to work with the members of his department.

He said he would like to thank his family.  Sandra, his wife, and his children Reece and Abbey “have supported me all the way,” he said.  “Now I’m going to spend some more time with them.  I have missed a lot of my children growing up, and I wish I hadn’t, but that is part of the job.  I’m going to make it up now.”

The thing Wilkerson said he would miss more than anything — “I will miss the people in and around Henderson and the relationships.”

(Commentary:  WIZS Radio would like to thank Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson for helping us on the phone, helping us with the reports, and for being accessible to help us gather news.  He is a friend to this city and community, and he is a friend of local radio.  The Daily Dispatch newspaper wrote in its earlier coverage of his retirement that it was the end of an era.  It is indeed and a good one at that.  The foundation put down by the Wilkerson family in modern-day firefighting is promising for the next era to be bright as well.  Sincerely,  John Charles Rose)

 

New statewide agreement helps VGCC students transfer to private schools

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Vance-Granville Community College students will enjoy clearer pathways to completing a four-year degree, thanks to a new Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) between the N.C. Community College System and the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities.

Approximately 2,000 community college students transfer to one of North Carolina’s 36 independent higher education institutions each year. VGCC’s highly-regarded College Transfer program provides students with the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. College Transfer courses are offered at all four VGCC campuses and online.

On Aug. 27, Dr. R. Scott Ralls, the president of North Carolina’s system of 58 community colleges, and Dr. A. Hope Williams, the president of NCICU, signed the revised ICAA at William Peace University, one of the 22 private colleges and universities that have agreed to the standards of the new transfer plan.

The agreement better defines transfer options for students between the two systems, saving North Carolinians money and potentially shortening the time to bachelor’s degree completion.

“This signing, joined with our revised agreement with the UNC system in 2014, brings North Carolina’s higher education alignment to a new level,” said Dr. Ralls. “It means increased access and opportunity for our community college students and clearly defined pathways to success at both public and private higher education institutions in our state. I commend the NC Independent Colleges and Universities for proactively working toward this agreement for the benefit of both systems’ students and their families.”

The ultimate goal of the ICAA is to help a student transfer credits from a community college to an NCICU institution with minimal loss of credit or repetition of work.

The ICAA moves community college students toward their four-year degree goals by clearly defining transfer pathways and how earned credit hours fit into the requirements of signatory institutions. The ICAA:

  • Identifies foundational courses that will transfer to all signatory institutions to meet general education requirements;
  • Improves the success of transferring students through required coursework that ensures students will map their academic pathway to the desired independent institution; and
  • Encourages community college students to complete an Associate in Arts (AA) or an Associate in Science (AS) degree before transferring by guaranteeing entry as juniors with full transfer credit.

In 2014, the State Board of Community Colleges and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina system signed a similarly revised agreement, updating guidelines that have saved students and families both time and money, and that have stretched taxpayer-funded dollars. The ICAA is consistent with the University of North Carolina system agreement, meaning students will have the same transfer guarantees regardless of the type of senior institution in the state they attend.

In addition to the two comprehensive system-wide agreements, VGCC also has several bilateral articulation agreements with four-year schools (both public and private) that allow students to transfer credits in specific programs.

“This strengthened partnership between North Carolina’s public and private educational institutions is good news for Vance-Granville students, who will be able to achieve professional and personal success by completing a bachelor’s degree, in less time and at a lower cost,” said Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs.

The revised ICAA, updated from the previous articulation agreement signed in 2007, is effective for new college transfer students in the fall of 2015 at the signatory colleges and universities.

The institutions that have signed onto the new agreement thus far include: Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, Bennett College, Brevard College, Campbell University, Chowan University, Guilford College, Lees-McRae College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Livingstone College, Mars Hill University, Meredith College, Methodist University, Montreat College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Pfeiffer University, Salem College, Shaw University, St. Andrews University, University of Mount Olive, William Peace University and Wingate University.

Locals Serving at State Level

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Dr. Michael Putney, principal at Dabney Elementary School, and Dr. Larry Webb, principal at Northern Vance High School serve on the State Superintendent’s Principals’ Advisory Committee. Dr. Putney, seated at far right, and Dr. Webb, standing at far right, are shown with members of the committee during their meeting held in late July. Additional members include, seated from left, Amy Richardson; Steve Lassiter, who is the N.C. Principal of the Year; Robin Hamilton and Christopher Poston. Others shown are, standing from left, Dr. June Atkinson, state superintendent; Catherine Tahaney; Billie Berry; Shane Mace; Robin Calcutt; and Brad Breedlove. Dr. Putney is the president of the NCAE Division of Principals and Administrators and Dr. Webb was the Northeast Region Principal of the Year.State Superintendent Council

Father Dead, Son Arrested

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FROM THE OFFICE OF VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF PETER WHITE:

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at approximately 2:17 A.M., deputies responded to a call in reference to an assault at 47 Fulcher Farm Lane.

Upon arrival, they found a single-wide mobile home on fire, fully involved.  Shortly after arrival, it was discovered that the victim, Willie Ralph McAffee II, age 53 of this same address, was still inside and died in the fire.  No other injuries occurred.

The investigation revealed that Willie Ralph McAfee III, age 27, was involved in a physical altercation with Willie McAffee II (his father) inside the home and fled the scene.  He was apprehended a short distance away from the scene.

It appears that the fire was deliberately set.  However, it is unclear at this time whether the victim died from the fire or the altercation.  An autopsy will be performed on the body.

Willie R. McAffee III has been arrested and charges will be filed.

Golden LEAF Scholarships Awarded

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A group of students from Vance-Granville Community College recently received scholarships through the Golden LEAF Scholarship program for the North Carolina Community College System. The scholarship program, designed to help North Carolinians attend the state’s community colleges, is funded through a $750,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, fees, supplies, transportation and childcare related to attending classes during the 2014-15 academic year, and industry-recognized credential testing expenses that address skill gaps upon course completion. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and reside in rural counties that are tobacco-dependent and/or economically distressed. Scholarships for both occupational and curriculum students are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

The VGCC students who were awarded Golden LEAF scholarships for the summer 2015 term (with their respective programs of study) include:

Jerrell Branch of Norlina (School-Age Education);
Tanita Canty of Kittrell (Early Childhood Education);
Shakeeta Garland of Henderson (Nurse Aide I);
Jerri Hunter of Henderson (Nurse Aide I);
Diandra Hyman-Graham of Warrenton (Health Unit Secretary);
Amanda Lewis of Henderson (Nurse Aide II);
Brandy Lynch of Hollister (Pharmacy Technology);
Samantha Patrick of Henderson (Associate Degree Nursing);
Cheryl Reddrick of Henderson (BioWork Process Technician);
Callie Whittaker of Henderson (Nurse Aide I); and
Jasmine Williams of Henderson (Nurse Aide I).

“The Golden LEAF Foundation is proud to have awarded over 8,000 Golden LEAF Scholarships to help North Carolinians attend our state’s community colleges,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF President. “Our hope is that these scholarships will help build the talent, knowledge and skills of our current and future workforce, especially in the rural areas of our state.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina’s economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina’s funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,275 grants totaling more than $561 million since its inception. For more information, about the foundation, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

Students interested in applying for a Golden LEAF Scholarship should contact the VGCC Financial Aid Office at (252) 738-3280.

Rain Barrels and Tall Fescue

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Rain Barrel Seminar at Warren County
Thu, August 27, noon

Learn all you need to know about how to build, install and utilize a rain barrel! Rain barrels are a great way to supplement the water supply for your garden and landscape. To be presented by Paul McKenzie, Vance-Warren Agricultural Extension Agent. Please register by calling 252-213-6095 or e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

 

Tall Fescue Season Just Around the Corner!

Do you plan to over seed or re-seed your tall fescue lawn this year? Early to mid September is the preferred time to do so. When shopping for seed, look for a blend of at least three cultivars of turf-type tall fescue. Read the seed tag to get valuable information about quality (germination percent, weed seed, other crop seed, etc.). If you have compacted soil, you may want to aerate as well. A core type aerator that pulls plugs is best. Early September is also a good time to fertilize with a slow release type.

 

Do You Have Backyard Poultry? Please register
NC is at risk for an outbreak of Avian Influenza

In order to prepare for a possible outbreak of Avian Influenza (which affects POULTRY not people!) the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is asking all poultry owners to register their flocks. This includes “backyard” poultry flocks. Doing so will allow for a more rapid, comprehensive and effective response should this devastating poultry disease strike our state. For more information, including a link to an on-line registration form, visit https://www.ncagr.gov/avianflu/