– information courtesy of Vance County Schools
Family, friends, educators and community leaders watched proudly as 277 graduates representing the Vance County High School Class of 2025 received their diplomas, the first of two commencement exercises today for Vance County Schools.
The morning commencement took place Friday, May 23 at 9 a.m. in Viper Stadium, and began with the posting of colors presented by the Vance County High School proudly honored 277 graduates during its 2025 commencement ceremony, held Friday, May 23, at 9:00 a.m. in Viper Stadium. The event was a celebration of the accomplishments, perseverance, and bright futures of the Class of 2025.
Vance County Early College commencement will take place this afternoon beginning at 5 p.m. in the Wayne Adcock Auditorium, located in the Center for Innovation. This is a ticketed event.
The ceremony opened with the Posting of Colors presented by the North Carolina 81st Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard based at VCHS, followed by the National Anthem by Dr. Korwind Stokes, VCHS choral director at VCHS.
A special farewell address was delivered by Lia Machado, who offered a heartfelt send-off to the graduating seniors. She said, “In a world that often pressures you to conform or second-guess your worth, holding onto your values and beliefs becomes an act of quiet strength. It’s not always easy—there are moments of doubt and setbacks—but staying grounded in who you are lays the foundation for resilience and self-respect.”
Students received their diplomas from Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III, Superintendent Dr. Cindy W. Bennett, and Vance County Board of Education Chair Dorothy W. Gooche.
The Class of 2025 showcased exceptional achievement across academics, leadership, service, and postsecondary readiness:
○ 2 graduate earned Summa Cum Laude honors (weighted GPA 4.0+) ○ 4 graduates earned Magna Cum Laude honors (weighted GPA 3.6–3.9) ○ 12 graduates earned Cum Laude honors (weighted GPA 3.25–3.5) ● College and Career Readiness
○ 204 college credit hours earned by VCHS students
○ 2 graduates earned Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
○ 96 students earned WorkKeys certifications,
- Scholarships and Higher Education
○ The Class of 2025 has earned more than $1,343,872 in scholarships and grants
○ 138 students have been accepted to two- or four-year colleges and universities
○ 5 students recognized as North Carolina Scholars
○ 16 members of the National Beta Club
○ 7 members of the National Honor Society
○ 48 graduates completed the AVID (Advancement Via Individual
Determination) program
○ Awards included the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, the President’s Award for Achievement, and Music Honors
○ 12 graduates committed to serve in the United States Armed Forces, demonstrating their courage and commitment to our country.
Whitt delivered inspiring remarks, urging graduates to continue striving for excellence and to lead lives of purpose and impact.
As the Vance County High School Class of 2025 prepares to take their next steps into higher education, careers, military service, or other pursuits, the entire Vance County Schools community celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to the bright futures ahead.
Congratulations, Vance County High School Class of 2025!
Looking Ahead
The celebration at Vance County High School marks the beginning of a series of graduation events across the district:
- AdVance Academy – Friday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at the Center for Innovation ● Vance Virtual Village Academy – Friday, June 6 at 4 p.m. at the Center for Innovation
(Note: All events require a ticket for entry.)
SportsTalk: Minor League Baseball Update & Canes Are Still Alive
/by Scout HughesSportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis give an update on what happened in Minor League Baseball over the weekend with teams from North Carolina. The guys also talk about the Carolina Hurricanes Game 4 win in the Eastern Conference Finals and where they go from there.
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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Memorial Garden at VCRFM
/by WIZS StaffOn the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Michael Ellington:
Today’s segment highlights the Memorial Garden at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market and offers a reminder of an upcoming market advisory board meeting and pesticide training.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
SportsTalk: ACC Baseball Tournament Underway
/by Scout HughesUPDATE – FINAL SCORE FINALS
North Carolina 14 Clemson 4
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
UPDATE – FINAL SCORES SEMIFINALS
Clemson 9 Georgia Tech 4
North Carolina 7 Florida State 5
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
UPDATE – FINAL SCORES QUARTERFINALS
Georgia Tech 10 California 3
Clemson 7 NC State 6
Florida State 14 Duke 7
North Carolina 7 Boston College 2
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
UPDATE – FINAL SCORES 2ND ROUND
California 14 Wake Forest 12
Clemson 6 Virginia Tech 1
Duke 4 Pittsburgh 3
Boston College 12 Virginia 8
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th
Scout Hughes and George Hoyle speak about the ACC Baseball Tournament, which is already underway. That and much more on SportsTalk!
(Original Episode of SportsTalk Recorded on 5/21/25.)
Click Play!
Highway Patrol Reminds Drivers To Be Safe As Holiday Weekend Ushers In Summer Travel
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of the N.C. State Highway Patrol
An estimated 45 million Americans are expected to travel domestically this Memorial Day weekend with 87% of those people taking road trips, according to AAA. The State Highway Patrol is working to ensure residents and visitors to our state reach their destinations safely.
As the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol will utilize educational and enforcement efforts to reduce collisions from leading factors such as speeding, impaired and distracted driving, as well as reducing the severity of collisions through the enforcement of restraint laws.
Memorial Day also marks the start of the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers as the summer months historically see an increase in teen driving deaths. Parents and teens are encouraged to strictly adhere to North Carolina graduated driving requirements. For more information on the requirements please visit https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/
Additionally, the State Highway Patrol will be partnering with the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s Click It or Ticket campaign. This campaign involves two seven-day enforcement periods, with the first being May 19-25 and the second being May 26-June 1. The campaign emphasis is being placed on seat belt and child restraint violations.
Motorists can report dangerous driving behaviors to the State Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47).
Vance County High School Commencement First Of 4 Ceremonies To Be Held
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of Vance County Schools
Family, friends, educators and community leaders watched proudly as 277 graduates representing the Vance County High School Class of 2025 received their diplomas, the first of two commencement exercises today for Vance County Schools.
The morning commencement took place Friday, May 23 at 9 a.m. in Viper Stadium, and began with the posting of colors presented by the Vance County High School proudly honored 277 graduates during its 2025 commencement ceremony, held Friday, May 23, at 9:00 a.m. in Viper Stadium. The event was a celebration of the accomplishments, perseverance, and bright futures of the Class of 2025.
Vance County Early College commencement will take place this afternoon beginning at 5 p.m. in the Wayne Adcock Auditorium, located in the Center for Innovation. This is a ticketed event.
The ceremony opened with the Posting of Colors presented by the North Carolina 81st Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard based at VCHS, followed by the National Anthem by Dr. Korwind Stokes, VCHS choral director at VCHS.
A special farewell address was delivered by Lia Machado, who offered a heartfelt send-off to the graduating seniors. She said, “In a world that often pressures you to conform or second-guess your worth, holding onto your values and beliefs becomes an act of quiet strength. It’s not always easy—there are moments of doubt and setbacks—but staying grounded in who you are lays the foundation for resilience and self-respect.”
Students received their diplomas from Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III, Superintendent Dr. Cindy W. Bennett, and Vance County Board of Education Chair Dorothy W. Gooche.
The Class of 2025 showcased exceptional achievement across academics, leadership, service, and postsecondary readiness:
○ 2 graduate earned Summa Cum Laude honors (weighted GPA 4.0+) ○ 4 graduates earned Magna Cum Laude honors (weighted GPA 3.6–3.9) ○ 12 graduates earned Cum Laude honors (weighted GPA 3.25–3.5) ● College and Career Readiness
○ 204 college credit hours earned by VCHS students
○ 2 graduates earned Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification
○ 96 students earned WorkKeys certifications,
○ The Class of 2025 has earned more than $1,343,872 in scholarships and grants
○ 138 students have been accepted to two- or four-year colleges and universities
○ 5 students recognized as North Carolina Scholars
○ 16 members of the National Beta Club
○ 7 members of the National Honor Society
○ 48 graduates completed the AVID (Advancement Via Individual
Determination) program
○ Awards included the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, the President’s Award for Achievement, and Music Honors
○ 12 graduates committed to serve in the United States Armed Forces, demonstrating their courage and commitment to our country.
Whitt delivered inspiring remarks, urging graduates to continue striving for excellence and to lead lives of purpose and impact.
As the Vance County High School Class of 2025 prepares to take their next steps into higher education, careers, military service, or other pursuits, the entire Vance County Schools community celebrates their accomplishments and looks forward to the bright futures ahead.
Congratulations, Vance County High School Class of 2025!
Looking Ahead
The celebration at Vance County High School marks the beginning of a series of graduation events across the district:
(Note: All events require a ticket for entry.)
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-23-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Click Play!
Henderson Police: Two Arrested Following Searches That Yield Drugs, Guns In Separate Incidents
/by WIZS Staff— information courtesy of Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow
Over the past couple of days, Henderson Police have made arrests in two separate incidents that resulted in confiscation of drugs and weapons.
On Wednesday, May 21, officers responded to a call reporting individuals with firearms in the area of 925 Orange St., according to information from Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Upon arrival, officers observed a vehicle parked on the roadway and noted marijuana in plain view inside the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted, leading to the discovery of three fully automatic handguns—one of which was confirmed stolen—as well as approximately 670 dosage units of heroin, approximately 52 blue pills suspected to contain fentanyl and marijuana.
A 17-year-old juvenile was taken into custody and charged with the following offenses:
The juvenile posted a $165,000 bond.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, police officers, in collaboration with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence located at 936 Bridgers St.
As a result of the investigation and subsequent search, officers seized approximately 81 grams of crack cocaine, 5.2 grams of powder cocaine, and drug manufacturing equipment.
Richard Andrew Durham, 48, was arrested in connection with this investigation.
Durham has been charged with the following offenses:
Durham received a $200,000 secured bond and is currently being held at the Vance County Detention Center pending his next court appearance.
The Henderson Police Department remains committed to working with local and regional partners to combat illegal drug activity in our community.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-22-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Click Play!
Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Accountability Without Shame
/by WIZS StaffVance County Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
Maria Parham Oncology Director Kimberly Smith Honored With Mercy Award From LifePoint Health
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy of Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health is proud to announce that Kimberly Smith, RN, BSN, Director of Oncology, has been named the hospital’s recipient of the 2025 Mercy Award, the highest honor given to a LifePoint Health employee.
The Mercy Award, named in memory of LifePoint Health’s founding chairman Scott Mercy, recognizes one individual at each LifePoint facility who exemplifies the company’s commitment to making communities healthier through extraordinary compassion, dedication and service.
With nearly 20 years of service at Maria Parham Health, Smith has dedicated her career to caring for others, serving in multiple departments including Med/Surg, Labor & Delivery, Inpatient Rehabilitation, and most notably, Oncology—where her light shines brightest.
“Kimberly is the kind of person who makes an immediate impact wherever she goes,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “Her unwavering dedication to our patients, her team, and our entire community is truly inspiring. Kim doesn’t just show up to do her job—she lives out our mission every day. We are incredibly proud to recognize her as our 2025 Mercy Award winner.”
Kimberly is known for going above and beyond, making herself available to support not only patients but also their families and fellow employees. Outside the hospital, she is deeply involved in community outreach efforts, regularly organizing initiatives to provide food, clothing and resources to those in need.
She plays a key role in organizing the hospital’s annual Cancer Survivor’s Dinner, hosts awareness events focused on cancer education, and partners with organizations like the Henderson Fire Department’s Boot Drive and the Angel Fund to ensure patients receive both financial and emotional support during their treatment journey.
Those who work with Kimberly consistently describe her with words like “compassionate,” “committed,” “selfless,” and “kind” —qualities that reflect the very spirit of the Mercy Award.
Maria Parham Health congratulates Kimberly Smith on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for being a beacon of hope, healing and humanity within the hospital and beyond.
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