He was among 29 of the state’s best school bus drivers who navigated a yellow school bus through an obstacle course that tested their skills in mastering a diminishing clearance, backing, making a tight turn and parallel parking.
The competing drivers had to place among the best in their school district’s roadeo and in regional competition to reach the state finals.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/VCS-Proud-Logo-050316.jpg280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-05 17:56:002017-06-05 17:56:00Vance County Schools Bus Driver Places 7th at NC School Bus Roadeo
MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017
THE KERR LAKE REGIONAL WATER PLANT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH ITS PUMPS. THIS ISSUE IS BEING ADDRESSED, BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW LONG IT WILL BE BEFORE IT IS BACK TO FULL CAPACITY. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM EXCESSIVE USE OF WATER DURING THIS TIME.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/hendersonlogo.png280453WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2017-06-05 17:20:192017-06-05 17:20:19Breaking News: City of Henderson Issues Mandatory Water Conservation
Teamwork is what got a group from Vance-Granville Community College onto the track at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway — not only the teamwork demonstrated by students and faculty from curriculum programs at the college, but also by a team of sponsors from the community who supported them.
For the first time, VGCC sent a team to compete in an event as part of the GreenpowerUSA racing series supported by Siemens and the Sports Car Club of America. GreenpowerUSA is a national organization that promotes education in sustainable engineering and technology by offering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single-seat, electric-powered racecar. The series is open to middle schools, high schools, colleges and corporate teams. After the University of Alabama dropped out of this year’s GreenpowerUSA program, VGCC was the sole remaining college at the Greenpower Grand Prix at Indianapolis on May 1.
The Indy race followed a 10-week period of intense work by VGCC students to design, procure parts, manufacture parts and construct the car. It’s obviously not a cinch to construct a car, for it is a really arduous and tedious process. And the limelight that comes after a really good model is made is completely well-deserving. For example, the Cybertruck Takes A Joy Ride Through Pop Culture right after it was unveiled and has already become popular with all celebrities. But anyway, after Mechatronics Engineering Technology students designed the basic layout, Welding Technology student Joshua Pfohl of Wilton, with assistance from classmate Jared Q. Siemers of Wake Forest, fabricated the frame of the car. From there, the Welding team worked with the Mechatronics students, including Jerry Pierce, Jr. of Stem, Thomas Boyd of Henderson, Kyle Painter of Berea and Charles Nordcliff of Creedmoor, to complete construction and start testing. The drivers for the team were recruited from among the VGCC student body. Driving the car and setting the driving strategy in the final race of the weekend were Jessica Baker of Wake Forest (a pre-Nursing/general education student), Alexa Clayton of Rougemont (Cosmetology) and Olivia Williamson of Oxford (Radiography). None of the students had raced before.
Faculty members leading the effort included Applied Technologies Department Chair Keith Shearon, Welding Program Head Rusty Pace and Engineering Technologies Program Head Wesley Williams.
A number of local business sponsors joined to support the effort, including PowerSecure of Wake Forest, Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of Henderson, Vance County Tourism/East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame, VanNess Chevrolet of Creedmoor, Duke Energy, Toyota of Henderson and Superior Tooling of Wake Forest. In addition, Action Graphics & Signs of Bullock affixed graphics representing the sponsors onto the sides of the car and provided some parts and expertise. The college’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant funded many of the components and raw materials for the collaborative project.
The Greenpower Grand Prix at IMS featured 27 teams from the United States and Britain coming together to race. The Indy event included two 90-minute races over the 2.6-mile MotoGP layout, during which pit stops were conducted for two driver changes. VGCC’s car placed 21st in the first race and came in 13th in the second. At the finish of the second race, the VGCC car was the fastest on the track. “For that car to have never run a race before, show up and run two races without failing during either, and to finish 13th in the second race, is a phenomenal feat,” Shearon said. He added that the drivers achieved faster speeds than he had expected. Being at the enormous speedway, student Jerry Pierce added, was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
GreenpowerUSA racecars are built to a specification that includes a single-sourced 24V DC electric motor and two specific 12V DC batteries that are meant to provide similar performance capability between teams, according to Shearon. Teams focus on the engineering problems of reducing friction, total driver/vehicle weight, increasing reliability, and improving aerodynamics. The largest technical challenges are chassis and bodywork design.
“The GreenpowerUSA program is a very good STEM catalyst,” Shearon said. “These projects promote science, technology, engineering and math to students through a hands-on experience as team members. GreenpowerUSA builds teamwork, releases creative energy and inspires confidence through personal achievement.” He added that the effort was “groundbreaking for VGCC, in the sense that we’re going way outside of our community and getting some recognition for our engineering and welding programs.” Shearon expressed his appreciation to the Welding and Mechatronics programs for collaborating so well, and to the local community sponsors for supporting the team.
Shearon said that the college plans to expand the program next year with more cars and hopes to encourage other local schools and colleges to compete. For more information on the TAACCCT grant program and participating in the next GreenpowerUSA project as a student, contact Zane Styers at styersz@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3342 or Keith Shearon at shearonj@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3256.
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Troy Glover of Youngsville recently made history at Vance-Granville Community College, when he became the first person to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam at the college’s Franklin County Campus.
According to VGCC Medical Assisting instructor Patrice Allen, the college has been working for the past several years to become an approved testing site that could administer the certification examination, which was established by American Medical Technologists (AMT). “We were finally able to begin the testing process this spring,” Allen said. “This is a set-up that can be offered not only to our students but also to students from other accredited medical assisting programs who would like to sit for the test here in lieu of going much further out of the area for that same process.” Several graduates from other schools have visited the campus to take the exam since Glover did.
By passing the exam, Glover, who graduated with his Medical Assisting diploma from VGCC in 2016, now holds the RMA title, which is less common in North Carolina than the title of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). “This will help me to stand in the job market,” Glover said. “I want to thank Mrs. Allen for all her encouragement.” He said that the exam was certainly difficult, but being able to take it at VGCC made the process easier. “It’s less stressful being in familiar territory,” Glover noted.
Glover retired after many years of working in the Wake County Public School System in the special programs and technology departments. “I had always wanted to work in health care after I had the experience of being an athletic trainer when I was a student at Louisburg College and later at East Millbrook Middle School,” he said. “I didn’t know what to do after retiring. I thought, why not do something I wanted to do a long time ago?” Now, Glover is taking his new certification into the job market. “There are lots of diverse job opportunities for a medical assistant, many of which I didn’t even realize,” he said. He is particularly interested in working in physical therapy. Glover said that although he has completed his medical assisting training, he is still coming to VGCC for a CPR class.
VGCC offers both a one-year diploma and a two-year associate degree in Medical Assisting, an allied health profession whose multi-skilled practitioners perform administrative, clinical and lab procedures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting continues to be projected as one of the fastest-growing occupations in America. As VGCC’s program is nationally accredited, graduates are eligible to sit for the AAMA certification examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.
For more information either about enrolling in Medical Assisting or about testing, contact Patrice Allen at allenp@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3631.
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Vance County Schools officials distributed Nook electronic reading devices to students at Clarke and E.O. Young elementary schools on June 1, as part of district’s Summer Reading Program.
The students can now download books onto the reading devices and read throughout the summer.
There were 16 students at Clarke Elementary receiving the Nooks and 14 students at E.O. Young Jr. Elementary getting the devices.
They join students at Pinkston Street, Carver and New Hope elementary schools with having the electronic reading devices for use during this summer.
The Nooks were purchased with a $2,000 grant from Duke Energy through the Vance County Public School Foundation and matching funds from the school system.
In the photo, students hold their new reading devices as they pose with their principals and media specialists.
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HENDERSON, N.C. (June 2, 2017) — Written and directed by regional Playwright Charley-John Smith, That Long Tobacco Road is making its way back to the stage after first being presented by the Louisburg (N.C.) College Players in 2001. Performed by local actors from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Wake counties, the 2017 musical will debut on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center in downtown Henderson, N.C., on June 16th and 17th at 8 p.m. each evening.
As the former Artistic Director of Theatre at Louisburg College, a position he held for 32 years, Smith saw great success with the musical during the start of the millennium. Playing to sold out audiences in Louisburg, the show became a regional success and was performed at the Fletcher Opera Theatre in Raleigh, N.C., for a two-week run.
“Warming the hearts and souls of audiences,, the musical offers comedy, romance and music to create a nostalgic trip back to the 1940s and a different way of life,” said Mark Hopper of McGregor Hall. “The characters Smith has created bring laughter and tears as the show takes us back to life on the farm.”
“That Long Tobacco Road is the story of a North Carolina family of tobacco farmers,” Smith explained. “The Sturdivants are struggling to harvest their crops in the 1940s.. Beset by natural disasters, human error and a vindictive opponent, the family finds itself in danger of losing their farm. It is a timeless story that portrays the challenges of farming life, and a story that most of us from the Carolinas and Virginias can relate to in some manner.”
Music for the performance offers a soulful mix of Gospel, Country and Bluegrass, Smith added. “Local musician and Musical Director Wayne Kinton wrote most of the music for the show and his award-winning band GrassStreet from Vance County will perform for the show.”
Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C. For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Mark Hopper at (252) 598-0662 or email him at markhopper@mcgregorhall.org.
NOTE: For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Mark Hopper at (252) 598-0662 or email him at markhopper@mcgregorhall.org. For interviews with Charley-John Smith, the actors and to arrange a preview exclusive during a rehearsal, contact Smith at charley-john@nc.rr.com.
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Kernahan presented each graduate with a nursing aide pin, certificate of completion and a single red rose.
Vianey Nonato received a different pin for her successful completion of requirements to become a certified nursing aide (CNA 1).
The graduates also received recognition for each completing over 270 hours of training and the distinction of graduating from an accredited program. Each nursing aide graduate trained extensively in the classroom and in local nursing home facilities.
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Vance-Granville Community College’s 33rd annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, presented by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, hit a new record total by raising $116,675 to help fund scholarships for deserving students and support the mission of the college. That result surpassed the $104,160 generated in 2016, in what was previously the highest-grossing golf tournament in VGCC history.
A total of 161 golfers formed 41 teams to play in either the morning or the afternoon round on May 2, 2017, at Henderson Country Club.
“We are so appreciative of all the golfers and sponsors who demonstrated their commitment to education and economic development again this year,” said VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams. “Such strong community support made this our most successful tournament ever and beat our previous fundraising record for the sixth consecutive year. Since 1985, VGCC golf tournaments have now raised more than $862,000, making a significant impact on our students and our college.”
At the dinner held to round out the day, players received trophies as they also took home an assortment of door prizes and participated in a silent auction. VGCC student Evan O’Geary of Henderson, who is also the reigning “Miss Henderson,” expressed her thanks to those who participated in the tournament.
In the morning round, the team of Jordan Peterson, Michael Patterson, Tim Gemmell and Billy Gillispie took home the “first net” trophy.
The team of Xavier Wortham, Cecil Lockley, Darryl Moss and Mike Bonfield won “second net.”
The “first gross” trophy went to the AAA team of Hal Finch, Kyle Holtzman, David Thomas and Blair Thomas.
In the afternoon round, the Union Bank team, which included John Burns, Gene Edmundson, Andrew Byrd and Carlston Harris, finished with the “first net” score.
The team of Jan Fletcher, Steve McNally, George Foster and Steven Brame won “second net.”
The “first gross” trophy in the afternoon went to the Institutional Interiors team of Tim Hill, Billy Stanton, Macy Foster and George Watkins.
Dennis Daniel took the longest-drive prize on Hole 1 in the morning round, while Tripp Watkins of the Rose Oil team had the longest drive in the afternoon.
David Rigsbee of the Durham Coca-Cola team won the closest to the pin prize on Hole 11 in the morning, and Chris Cheever of the MR Williams team took that honor in the afternoon round.
Numerous companies and individuals supported the VGCC tournament as sponsors. In addition to presenting sponsor Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, the “Premier Sponsors” included Ardagh; Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC; Bridgestone; Carolina Commonwealth; Coldwell Banker Advantage; Duke Energy; Durham Coca-Cola; First Citizens Bank Investor Services; Glen Raven; Maria Parham Health; Novozymes North America, Inc.; Private Wealth Management of N.C.; Robling Medical; Rose Oil Company; Union Bank; Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc.; and Wester Insurance Agency.
Platinum sponsors were Altec; CertainTeed; Granville Health System; HD Supply; Institutional Interiors; Inter Technologies Corporation; K-Flex; Kilian Engineering; MR Williams; Park Automation; Sullins Engineering; The Athlete’s Foot; Vanco Outdoor Equipment; and Variety Stores, Inc.
Gold sponsors for the tournament were Carolina Sunrock; Encore Technology Group; Golden Skillet; Ted’s Catering Service; and Winston International.
Green sponsors included 220 Seafood Restaurant; Backyard Retreat Pools & Spas; Barnett Real Properties, Inc.; Bearpond Fresh Market; Burger King; CEI – The Digital Office; Cleary & Spears, DDS, PA; Dr. Ben Currin; Greystone Concrete Products; H.G. Reynolds; MARS Petcare; Mast Drug Company; Mpact Training Solutions; Nick & Sons Truck Repair; Prim Development & Residential Rentals; RFR Metal Fabrication; Southern Laundry; Vescom North America; Wake Electric Membership Corporation; Watkins Plumbing; J.M. White Funeral Service; and Keith and Stelfanie Williams.
Silver sponsors were AAA Gas & Appliance Company and Circuit Technology, Inc.
Tee box sponsors were Ahner Security; ARC3 Gases; Dr. Angela Ballentine; Banzet, Thompson, & Styers PLLC; Brame Specialty Company; Brassfield Commercial Realty; C & P Body Shop; Carolina Country Snacks; Stacey Carter-Coley; Dave Carver; Century 21 Country Knolls Realty, Inc.; City Tire, Inc.; Clayton Homes-Oxford; Comfort Zone Designers; Cross & Currin Attorneys at Law; Dave, Kay and Alexandria Currin; Dabney Drive Animal Hospital; Alex Drake, DDS, PA; Early Insurance Services, Inc.; EarlyFalsom Properties, Inc.; Encore Technology Group; Eddie and Debra Ferguson; Flowers Funeral Home; Frazco, Inc. Insurance – Real Estate; Fred’s Towing & Transport, Inc.; Granville County EDC; Hight Warehouses, Inc.; Hopper, Hicks, Wrenn, PLLC; Innovative Green Builders; Medical Arts Pharmacy; Morton and Sherman Implement Co., Inc.; Mosely Plumbing Company, Inc.; Marsha J. Nelson; One Source Document Solutions; Pete Smith’s Tire and Quick Lube; Phillips Dorsey Thomas Waters & Brafford, P.A.; Professional Pharmacy-Oxford; REW Medical Wear; Riggs-Harrod; Robco; Sam Royster, Attorney at Law; Sherman & Boddie, Inc.; Skipper Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q; Southern Educational Systems; Stainback, Satterwhite & Zollicoffer, PLLC; Sunrise Biscuits of Oxford; The Daily Dispatch; Curtis and Joanne Thompson; Vance Construction Company; Vance-Granville Deans; VGCC Communications Department; VGCC Franklin Campus; VGCC South Campus; Waste Industries, Inc.; Whitco Bug Warriors; J.M. White Funeral Service; William L. Stark and Company; and WOW Wash on Wheels.
The following individuals and businesses made contributions or other gifts to support the tournament:
Ace Hardware of Oxford; Bamboo Garden; Bojangles; Carolina Country Snacks; City Tire; Cracker Barrel of Henderson; Fastenal; George’s of Henderson; Golden Skillet; Harvest; Bob Hubbard; Ichibar; Institutional Interiors Inc.; International Paper; Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse; Nan’s Young Fashions; Pino’s; Rose Oil Company; Schewels Furniture Company; Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q; Staffmark; Stella & Dot – Michele Burgess; Tarheel Vending and Wholesale; The Angus Barn; The Peanut Roaster; Tournament Promotions; Vance Furniture; Vanco Equipment Services; Variety Wholesalers/Roses Stores; Robert Winston; Jim Beck; Jim Crawford; Joe and Betty Jo Hamme; Ann Lee; John Nelms; Newton Instrument Company; Revlon; Tom Robinson, Jr., CPA; Tru-Green Landscaping; Linda Weaver; and Sara Wester.
Each year, the golf tournament is the major fundraising event for the VGCC Endowment Fund, through which more than 8,800 scholarships have been awarded to students since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.
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Vance County Schools supports Project Child Find, an effort coordinated by our schools and the Exceptional Children Division of the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
Project Child Find is designed to locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services. The project also seeks to inform parents and guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.
Those who qualify for assistance are children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.
Anyone who knows of a child or youth with disabilities who is not in school or receiving special assistance may contact Dr. Gloria Jones, director of the Exceptional Children’s Program for Vance County Schools, by phone at 252-492-2127 or in the schools’ Administrative Services Center at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson.
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The Student Council of E. M. Rollins Elementary, under the direction of Antoinette Ball, a teacher and Student Council adviser, spearheaded a year-long service project which raised over $3,000. The proceeds were donated to Rise Against Hunger, a non-profit humanitarian relief organization headquartered in Raleigh.
The partnership with Rise Against Hunger was the result of students wanting to learn by doing and wanting to demonstrate service leadership.
The project ended with the finale of a “Meal Packaging” event on May 20 in which over 10,000 meals were packaged with the help of over 80 volunteers from the Henderson and Vance County community. These packaged meals will be sent globally to help stop world hunger.
The accompanying photos show students, school staff members and volunteers as they packaged the meals.
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