Vance County Schools recognized outstanding educators and administrators Thursday at its annual Excellence in Education event. The district’s principal and teacher of the year were announced, as were beginning teacher of the year and assistant principal of the year, according to information from Aarika Sandlin, VCS director of communication and marketing
Dr. Tim Hall, a high school social studies and history teacher at Vance Virtual Village Academy, was named the district’s Teacher of the Year.
The Beginning Teacher of the Year is Elizabeth Moore. Moore teaches 9th grade World History at Vance County High School. She is in her second year of teaching.
Principal of the Year honors go to Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal at Pinkston Street Elementary. Assistant Principal of the Year is Dr. Regina Miles of Zeb Vance Elementary.
Congratulations to these educators for their dedication to school children and to education.
Hall is in his second year with Vance County Schools, but he has been in education for 25 years. In addition to social studies and history, Hall teaches AP classes in US history, psychology and sociology. Hall has a degree in history from Elon College, a masters degree in history from East Carolina University and a PhD in interdisciplinary studies in humanities and society from Union Institute and University.
In a written statement, Hall said he appreciates the support from the school family and said VCS “is innovative in its efforts to meet the needs of all students in the county with V3A being an excellent example of educational transformation in practice.”
He subscribes to Nelson Mandela’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. “I believe him,” Hall said. “I want to help create a better world without oppression, racism, prejudice, and discrimination. I want everyone to reach their highest potential as human beings. And I want to be part of the work that makes those beliefs a reality.”
Moore, also in her second year with VCS, said she is honored to receive the beginning teacher award. The Pennsylvania native has a degree in history from California University of Pennsylvania and a masters degree in teaching, learning and curriculum from Drexel University.
“It makes me feel good that so many people value what I say, and it motivates me to keep teaching every week,” Moore stated.
Batchelor-Crosson has been an educator in VCS for 20 years, and has experience teaching kindergarten, 3rd grade, as well as administrative positions within VCS. She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University, earning her undergraduate degree in sociology. She continued her education at the University of Phoenix, earning a masters in school administration and a doctorate of education.
“To be nominated and recognized by your peers is such an honor,” she said. “The extreme joy comes with knowing that the work that you do every day has an impact on someone else that feels that you are deserving of such recognition.”
Miles is a Henderson native who began her career in education as a teacher assistant and bus driver at Dabney Elementary and continued as a 4th grade ELA teacher at Carver Elementary before moving on to assistant principal roles at Clarke Elementary and now Zeb Vance. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in elementary education, and holds a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University and a masters degree in school administration from N.C. State University.
“I love being an educator in VCS because we are given the autonomy to do whatever it takes to motivate our staff, learn and apply new strategies to be successful, and to do all of this with grace and understanding. Students are my biggest ‘why,’ allowing me to be able to shape the lives of our youth through academics. It is truly an honor to see teachers become leaders based on my support – it is simply amazing.”
Colton’s Adventure Features Spaghetti Dinner, Silent Auction On Sept. 17
/by Laura GabelThe 4th annual Colton’s Adventure fundraiser is set for Friday, Sept. 17. Come out to Kerr Lake Country Club between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. for eat-in or take out, according to Kelsey Maddox, Colton’s mother.
They’ll be serving up a spaghetti meal, complete with salad, bread and dessert. Tickets are $9. Beverages are served for dine-in patrons.
There also will be a silent auction, so come prepared to browse the items available.
Maddox said plate delivery to businesses also is available.
All proceeds go to Colton’s direct medical care, she said.
Last year’s event sold out right at the stopping time, Maddox said, and they were able to purchase a special wheelchair called a Zip Zak.
This year’s goal is to sell 800 plates.
Colton was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia, and his medical team is still searching for a genetic diagnosis, Maddox told WIZS News Friday.
“The diagnosis he was given is Chondrodysplasia Punctata Tibia Metacarpal type,” Maddox wrote in an email. “It is amazing the words that you learn when having a medical complex child,” she added.
In his short life, Colton has undergone 34 surgeries and endured countless hospital stays. This year alone he has been hospitalized several times – and he turned four years old during one hospital stay. He’s hospitalized now for RSV, she said.
He has been able to resume therapy sessions five days a week, which were put on pause last year during COVID-19 restrictions.
All told, Colton’s medical team consists of 21 physicians in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, as well as Wilmington, Delaware.
Maddox said about 40 items will be in the silent auction, including a UNC basketball autographed by Coach Roy Williams, a Texas Roadhouse gift basket that includes 2 free dinners every month for one year, and signed sports items from the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kerr Lake Country Club is located at 600 Hedrick Drive, Henderson, NC 27537.
Local Restaurant Salutes First Responders With Breakfast ‘On The House’
/by Laura GabelThe law enforcement presence around JR’s Restaurant 39 this morning shouldn’t have alarmed passers-by – J.R. Stainback and his staff WANTED those firefighters and all other first responders to come by for a free breakfast to say “thank you” for their service.
In addition to all those uniformed first responders in attendance were other city and county officials who were providing well-wishes to Stainback during a ribbon-cutting to recognize the restaurant as a new member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.
Stainback spoke with WIZS News Monday morning and told Trey Snide that this is the second annual Community Servant Breakfast to honor all first responders, from volunteer firefighters to 911 operators and everyone in between who serves as a first responder in Vance County.
“This year is extra special,” Stainback said, given that the country has just marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
“We’re remembering all the people from 9/11” as well,” he said. But Stainback said he is so appreciative of the community support that he and his restaurant staff have received over the past couple of years during the uncertainty of the pandemic.
“For us to be able to do this, is a testament to this community…2020 was horrible, but the community stuck by us,” he said. When dine-in wasn’t an option, people ordered take-out plates. “The community has really rallied around us,” he said. This breakfast is a result of all that support. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the wonderful support of the customers.”
During the ribbon-cutting, Stainback reiterated the importance of that customer support. “From all of us, from all the customers who support us every day…(this breakfast) is an offering of thanks for everything y’all do,” he told those first responders.
Michele Burgess, Chamber president, and Dr. Levy Brown, chairman of the Chamber board, thanked Stainback for participating in the Chamber
“We want you to know you will continuously have the Chamber’s support,” Brown said, wishing Stainback continued success.
Local city and county officials also were on hand for the event, including Board of Commissioners Chairman Dan Brummitt, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, Police Chief Marcus Barrow and Sheriff Curtis Brame.
“Where would we be without our first responders?” Brame wondered aloud after the ceremony. “I’m just grateful to be a part of such an awesome team here in Vance County,” he added.
He said it’s not often that all the staffs in the various law enforcement agencies get to spend time in fellowship with one another and the community service breakfast provides that opportunity. “We’re so busy…doing our own jobs – we only see each other at crime scenes, accident scenes – to be able to sit down and break bread together is awesome. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of people that showed up,” he said.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 09-13-21 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Composting With Worms
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
VCS Names Teachers, Principals Of The Year During Annual Excellence In Education Event
/by Laura GabelVance County Schools recognized outstanding educators and administrators Thursday at its annual Excellence in Education event. The district’s principal and teacher of the year were announced, as were beginning teacher of the year and assistant principal of the year, according to information from Aarika Sandlin, VCS director of communication and marketing
Dr. Tim Hall, a high school social studies and history teacher at Vance Virtual Village Academy, was named the district’s Teacher of the Year.
The Beginning Teacher of the Year is Elizabeth Moore. Moore teaches 9th grade World History at Vance County High School. She is in her second year of teaching.
Principal of the Year honors go to Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal at Pinkston Street Elementary. Assistant Principal of the Year is Dr. Regina Miles of Zeb Vance Elementary.
Congratulations to these educators for their dedication to school children and to education.
Hall is in his second year with Vance County Schools, but he has been in education for 25 years. In addition to social studies and history, Hall teaches AP classes in US history, psychology and sociology. Hall has a degree in history from Elon College, a masters degree in history from East Carolina University and a PhD in interdisciplinary studies in humanities and society from Union Institute and University.
In a written statement, Hall said he appreciates the support from the school family and said VCS “is innovative in its efforts to meet the needs of all students in the county with V3A being an excellent example of educational transformation in practice.”
He subscribes to Nelson Mandela’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. “I believe him,” Hall said. “I want to help create a better world without oppression, racism, prejudice, and discrimination. I want everyone to reach their highest potential as human beings. And I want to be part of the work that makes those beliefs a reality.”
Moore, also in her second year with VCS, said she is honored to receive the beginning teacher award. The Pennsylvania native has a degree in history from California University of Pennsylvania and a masters degree in teaching, learning and curriculum from Drexel University.
“It makes me feel good that so many people value what I say, and it motivates me to keep teaching every week,” Moore stated.
Batchelor-Crosson has been an educator in VCS for 20 years, and has experience teaching kindergarten, 3rd grade, as well as administrative positions within VCS. She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University, earning her undergraduate degree in sociology. She continued her education at the University of Phoenix, earning a masters in school administration and a doctorate of education.
“To be nominated and recognized by your peers is such an honor,” she said. “The extreme joy comes with knowing that the work that you do every day has an impact on someone else that feels that you are deserving of such recognition.”
Miles is a Henderson native who began her career in education as a teacher assistant and bus driver at Dabney Elementary and continued as a 4th grade ELA teacher at Carver Elementary before moving on to assistant principal roles at Clarke Elementary and now Zeb Vance. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a degree in elementary education, and holds a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University and a masters degree in school administration from N.C. State University.
“I love being an educator in VCS because we are given the autonomy to do whatever it takes to motivate our staff, learn and apply new strategies to be successful, and to do all of this with grace and understanding. Students are my biggest ‘why,’ allowing me to be able to shape the lives of our youth through academics. It is truly an honor to see teachers become leaders based on my support – it is simply amazing.”
Local CV19 Update as of Sept 10
/by John C. Rose— information courtesy of Granville Vance Public Health
In the past 7 days, there have been 167 new cases in Vance County, a 9.2% increase from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Vance County is 8.7%.
In the past 7 days, there have been 138 new cases in Granville County, a 26.2% decrease from the previous 7 days. The percent positivity rate in Granville County is 5.8%.
Granville County has a total of 93 deaths as a result of CV19 and Vance County has a total of 92 deaths.
In Vance County, 61% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their CV19 vaccine and 55% are fully vaccinated.
In Granville County, 67% of those over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their CV19 vaccine and 62% are fully vaccinated.
67% of the adult population in NC is at least partially vaccinated and 62% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.
Franklin County Begins Process To Redraw Districts For Commissioners, School Board
/by Laura GabelFranklin County is beginning the process of redrawing existing districts for the board of county commissioners and the board of education, based on the recently released 2020 Census results.
As this process gets underway, the county’s management team is creating a resource for information for residents to stay informed and involved, according to a press release from Franklin County Manager Kim Denton.
All redistricting information can be found at https://www.franklincountync.us/commissioners/franklin-county-redistricting-alternatives.
This resource contains various information including instructions on how to submit suggested district maps for consideration.
Denton suggests that interested persons monitor the county government’s webpage at https://www.franklincountync.us/commissioners/franklin-county-redistricting-alternatives for updates and next steps, including dates for any scheduled upcoming public hearings.
To learn more, contact Denton at 919.496.5994.
SportsTalk: Louisburg High Football To Play Two Games In Four Days
/by Bill HarrisLast year one of the best high school teams in our area was Louisburg High School. Finishing the season at 6-3, Louisburg managed to make to the third round of the state playoffs before being eliminated by Tarboro. This year the Warriors are off to solid start winning the first game of the season by an impressive 54 -0 score over Rocky Mount Prep. Tonight the Warriors are on the road as they take on Warren County. Despite losing to Vance County in the opening game, Louisburg head coach Dontae Lassiter says he has great respect for a strong Eagles team. “Tonight will be a good gauge to see where our team is,” Lassiter said.
Perhaps Monday may prove an even better test. There is no rest for the weary when it comes to football for Louisburg. They will have to hit the practice field again tomorrow because they will be back on field Monday night to take on 0-1 Kip Pride. “They are huge; Monstrous up front,” Lassiter said after observing film. To top it off, Kip Pride will have had a week to rest up before traveling to Louisburg to face the Warriors who will have had only two days rest. “We’ll figure it out. Our team is just as talented if not more so than last year,” Lassiter said of the Warriors. “We are doing the best wc can with what we can,” Lassiter continued.
Covid has caused these scheduling issues and the team had players who were quarantined although did not test positive. In regards to the impact of Covid this season, Lassiter said this year is by the seat of the pants. “Everybody has to be ready to go every day. Not every week, but every day,” Lassiter said of the team’s preparation this season.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 9-10-21 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
SportsTalk: Vipers Hope To Keep Winning Once They Return To The Field
/by Bill HarrisThe life of football coach can be filled with great joy and equally great frustration. Vance County High School Head Football Coach Wilbur Pender has seen both in the last three weeks. After winning the opening game of the season against Warren County, the Vipers were shut out by Roanoke Rapids but rebounded last Friday night with a 47 – 36 victory over Durham Riverside in what turns out to be the team’s first win over a 4A school. With quarterback Nazir Garrett dialing up 5 Touchdown passes and the ground game chewing up 200 years, the Vipers were looking forward to Friday night’s game against Northern Durham. Did we mention frustration? Yes, and that frustration is, of course, due to Covid. A Covid exposure will push the Northern Durham game back to a bye week and the following week’s game against Jordan has been cancelled.
“We can only control things we can control,” said coach Pender on Thursday’s SportsTalk with Trey Snide. While the coach might not be able to tackle Covid, he can be pleased with his team’s performance this past Friday night and he feels the Roanoke Rapids loss is what paved the way for the win over Riverside. “That loss helped focus the team,” Pender said. After an excellent week of practice Pender said the team was confident and executed the prepared game plan paving the way for the victory.
“I’m never going to say I’m satisfied. I’m always looking for improvement,” Pender said of his team. He doesn’t feel the team has hit its stride yet, particularly on defense. His defensive team is young with quite a few freshmen and those players are making freshmen mistakes. Pender says they need to work on tackling and creating more turnovers so his offense has more opportunities.
With Covid in the picture Pender says his biggest worry is that the team will have a fall off once they return to the field. “It’s like building a plane as you are flying it,” Pender said of the challenges of his first year coaching the Vipers. Hopefully, the remainder of the season will see more of the joy and less of the frustration once the Vipers are back on the field.