Tag Archive for: #VANCECoProud

Vance County High School

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Bunn at Vance County

Friday, October 5, 2018

7:00 PM kickoff; Airtime on WIZS 1450 AM / 100.1 FM and online at wizs.com will be at 6:45 PM

Vance County High School is back at home this Friday night against conference rival Bunn, the defending Northern Carolina Conference Runners-up.  Some Wildcats fans considered 2017 to be Bunn’s weakest season in a decade – but the ‘Cats finished 8-4 overall last year, after starting the season 1-2 under their first new coach in 35 years.

This year, Bunn has another first-year coach, and again started out 1-2, losing big to both Franklinton and Southern Nash for the second straight year.  Well, the Wildcats lost to the same two teams last season, and still ended up 8-4 and no. 2 in the league, along the way beating both Northern Vance and Southern Vance.  By this time last season, Bunn had beaten Warren County and J. F. Webb for a respectable 4-2 record.

They have done that again this year, but are just 3-2 due to weather cancellations/postponements.  The Wildcats offense put up over 500 rushing yards last week in their 57-27 thrashing of Warren County.

The Vipers offense, still averaging three touchdowns per game, should be able to score against Bunn, but the defense will have to play the run just as tough as they did at Roanoke Rapids to give VC a chance to win.

 

Vance County Schools Make Substantial Gains in 2017-2018

— courtesy of Vance County Schools

(The entirety of this post is also on the Vance County Schools web page – click here – and is published here with permission.)

Vance County Schools showed substantial improvements for the 2017-2018 school year based on accountability data released on September 5 by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, evidence of the accuracy of the district theme for the year, “Year of Breakthrough.”

The results were made public after the data was presented to the N.C. State Board of Education.

Superintendent Anthony Jackson noted, “It is with great celebration that we announce six Vance County Schools improved their School Performance Grade (SPG) by one letter grade in 2017-2018 and nine schools either met or exceeded student growth standards. The district has one “A” school, three “B” schools, six “C” schools and five “D” schools. We are beginning to see the results of our strategic focus on instruction, leadership, innovation and most importantly, children. The students in Vance County Schools are creative thinkers, have an innovative mindset and have a desire to chart their own course for their future.”

Those six schools improving by a letter grade were Pinkston Street Elementary, L.B. Yancey Elementary, Carver Elementary, E.M. Rollins Elementary, Henderson Middle School and Southern Vance High School.

The 2017-2018 results also show that the district’s grade level proficiency grew by 2.2 percent, continuing the steady trend to closing the gap in grade level proficiency between local students and students across North Carolina. Vance County Schools continues to search for innovations that will enhance opportunities and experiences for students.

The four-year cohort graduation rate for the district also improved to 82.1 percent in 2017-2018 from 81.9 percent in 2016-2017, with over $8 million in scholarships earned by students.

The outstanding student performances last year were the result of a lot of hard work by students, teachers, school support staff, administrators and parents. Academic improvements also occurred because of school administrators and support staff working with teachers to focus on specific areas in reading and math where students needed additional assistance to improve their skills. Classroom teachers used available data to follow the progress of students and provide extra instruction and interventions to help students improve and reach their goals.

For a third consecutive year, Vance County Early College High School earned a SPG of “A” and exceeded growth expectations. Based on the outstanding performance of students at the school, they earned an overall proficiency rating of 91 percent in end-of-course testing in Biology, English II and Math I. For the Biology and English II testing, Early College students were more than 94 percent proficient. The school’s overall proficiency rating was five points higher than in 2016-2017, another major milestone for the district.

Pinkston Street Elementary School led all elementary schools with a 17-point increase in its students’ proficiency in end-of-grade testing in reading and math in grades 3-5. The school’s overall proficiency in 2017-2018 was 74 percent, compared to 57 percent in 2016-2017. The outstanding results gave Pinkston Street a SPG of “B” and increase from the school’s “C” grade the previous year. Pinkston Street students also exceeded growth standards.

L.B. Yancey Elementary School also improved by a letter grade to a SPG of “B” last year. The school also exceeded growth for the year with a nine-point jump in its students’ proficiency on the end-of-grade assessment to 71 percent from 62 percent the previous year. Clarke Elementary School was the third “B” school in 2017-2018 with an overall proficiency rating of 72 percent, slightly higher than in 2016-2017, and its students met growth.

Carver Elementary School had an increase of 10 points in its students’ proficiency in reading and math as it exceeded growth standards and led local schools with a SPG of “C.” The improvements moved Carver up from a SPG of “D” in 2016-2017. Other “C” schools included: STEM Early High School with an overall proficiency of 68 percent; Aycock Elementary School with an overall proficiency rating of 67 percent; Dabney Elementary School with an overall proficiency of 61 percent, up by five points, and exceeding growth; Zeb Vance Elementary School with an overall proficiency of 61 percent and exceeding growth; and Southern Vance High School with an overall proficiency rating of 55, up by two points from the previous year.

STEAM Academy at E.M. Rollins Elementary School had a 13-point student proficiency increase in 2017-2018 from the previous year. Northern Vance High School, New Hope Elementary School, Henderson Middle School and E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School had increases in some areas. The only “F” school was Eaton-Johnson Middle School.

AdVance Academy, the school system’s alternative high school, is not included in the state accountability report. However, AdVance Academy for the 2017-2018 school year had a very success year graduating 157 total students who otherwise would not have received their high school diplomas. The school’s program is considered to be a successful alternative program in our state’s public schools.

“Data is trending in a positive direction,” said Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent for Strategic Planning and Student Services. “Continuing the laser focus on strategic planning, training, and instructional protocols will continue to enhance the overall student performance in Vance County Schools.”

“Our final performance results for the 2017-2018 school year derive from the intentional, focused hard work of administrators, teachers, students and parents,” added Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “This past year was a ‘year of growth’ across the district. Many schools in the district exceeded the state’s expectations for growth! I feel great about our trajectory towards a ‘year of breakthrough’ with student performance this year. ‘A Year of Breakthrough’ is this year’s theme and we are on our way! We have revised our Instructional Framework to make sure we define what teaching and learning looks like in our classrooms. We are committed to our students and their academic, social and emotional needs. Congratulations to all schools for a fantastic ‘year of growth!’ I am Vance County Proud!”

Vance County High School

VIPERS FALL TO RIVERSIDE IN DURHAM 33-6

VIPERS FALL TO RIVERSIDE IN DURHAM 33-6

After reaching the high point of their 2018 football season with a 36-6 victory over Roanoke Rapids last Monday, Vance County fell to a new low point just 4 days later.  The Vipers, who had scored at least three touchdowns in each of their first 5 games, were nearly shut out by 4A Riverside in Durham 33-6 on Friday night.

Even without their leading rusher, the Pirates’ running game proved too much for the Viper defense, which had some good stops – more than in their first four outings, but not nearly as many as they had against Roanoke Rapids.  Although still in the game at halftime, when Riverside led 14-0, the Viper passing game never really got off the ground, and the Pirate running game seemed to get stronger.

VC’s defense scored the sole Viper TD early in the third quarter on a fumble recovery and 50-yard scoring run by Noah Terry, narrowing the Pirate lead to 14-6, but Riverside dominated the rest of the game.  Vance County is now 1-5 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Carolina 2A, and they return to conference play at home against Bunn this coming Friday.

Next Broadcast of Vance County Friday Night Football will be this Friday (10-5-18) vs. Bunn Wildcats. Tune in right here at WIZS 100.1 FM / 1450 AM and streaming live anytime, anywhere at www.wizs.com.

Vance County High School

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

VIPERS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Vance County at Durham Riverside

Friday, September 28

7:00 PM

Vance County High School is back on the road this Friday night in a non-conference matchup with Riverside in Durham. When former Northern Vance coach Cory Lea took over the Riverside program in 2017, the 4A Pirates had not had a winning season in three years, and Lea’s predecessor was just 12-22 in those three seasons.  The Pirates got off to a good start last year, but they limped along to a 4-7 finish, after winning only one conference game.  Riverside’s rebuilding process, both on offense and defense, is continuing this season.  The Pirates are 1-2 so far 2018, with a big 51-6 win over Warren County to start the season, followed by losses to Cardinal Gibbons (48-0) and to cross-county rival Northern Durham (26-19), and their fourth and fifth games were rained out.

Vance County is coming off a stunning victory just this past Monday night a 36-6 conference win over Roanoke Rapids in which the Vipers showed improvement on both sides of the ball.  It was their first win but it got them out of the winless column to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Carolina Conference.  For what it’s worth, the momentum factor favors the Vipers on Friday.

Tune into Vance County Friday Night Footballs live coverage on WIZS 100.1 FM / 1450 AM and anytime, anywhere at www.wizs.com

Pregame: 6:45 PM

Gametime: 7:00 PM

Vance County High School

Vipers Football Preview: Vance County @ Roanoke Rapids

VIPERS  FOOTBALL  PREVIEW

Vance County at Roanoke Rapids

Monday, September 24, 2018

6:45 PM – Pregame

7:00 PM – Game Time

Vance County High School faces the Yellow Jackets of Roanoke Rapids tonight (Monday 9/24/18). They will be traveling to the far eastern edge of the Northern Carolina Conference.  After four difficult weeks playing against teams who literally ran all over them, the Vipers had an unscheduled break last week when Hurricane Flo blew every team in Eastern North Carolina off their playing fields; but whether this will help or hurt VC remains to be seen.

The weather did not allow any extra practice, but rest could be helpful at this point, with one-third of the Vipers’ inaugural season in the books, and Vance up against another hard-running offense this week.

Roanoke Rapids has been on a roll the past 4 years, thanks to Head Coach Eric McDaniels, who took over in 2014 and immediately turned the program around, leading them to a conference championship and 3 state playoff games that first season, and rolling up a 4-year record of 37-14.  BUT, this season looks like the Jackets’ toughest one under Coach McDaniel.  Undefeated in their first 7 games last year, RR is already 2-2 this year, their worst start since 2013.

Vance County High School

VIPERS FALL TO 0-3 AFTER LOSS TO BEDDINGFIELD

VIPERS FALL TO 0-3 AFTER LOSS TO BEDDINGFIELD

 

Vance County High School’s new football program has now, mercifully, finished their season-opening three-game road trip.  The Vipers limped home from Wilson Thursday Night after a lopsided 55-20 loss to the Beddingfield Bruins, a solid team with an impressive tradition of playoff appearances.

The Viper Offense, which improved over their first two games, came out strong, scoring the first touchdown of the game on their first possession, with Jr. Quarterback Samien Burwell connecting with Josh Joyner and William Hawkins Jr on a variety of passes that took VC to the Beddingfield 5 yard line. An 11 yard TD pass to Shaquan Allen capped the drive, and the 2-point conversion was good, giving the Vipers an 8-0 lead.  It only took Beddingfield 2 minutes to tie the game, though, then another 3½ minutes to take a 14-8 lead. They quickly extended the lead to 22-8 after a squib kickoff was mishandled by the Vipers.  Early in the 2nd quarter, Burwell scrambled for a second touchdown to keep his team within reach, but the Bruins led 42-14 at the half.

The Viper Defense had several good stops in the second half, forcing turnovers on down, but the offense never found its rhythm. Although Burwell did throw 1 interception, which makes his 6th interception of the season, in this game, his receivers repeatedly dropped balls that hit them in the hands or were within easy reach.  Finally, in an almost eerie similarity with the first two games this season, the Vipers, playing offense to the last, scored their third TD with under a minute left, when Burwell hit Josh Joyner with the final pass of the game.

Tune in every Friday night for Vance County Friday Night Football live coverage on WIZS and streamed live on WIZS.com.

 

Vance County High School

New VCHS Coaches Named

— Press release from Athletic Director Joseph P. Sharrow, Northern Carolina 2A Conference President

We have some exciting news for the Vance County High School Sports Program.

New VCHS Coaches are as follows:

  • Football: Darry Ragland (previously of SVHS)
  • Men’s Basketball: Wilton Baskett (previously of NVHS)
  • Women’s Basketball: Sheila Kearney (previously of SVHS)
  • Volleyball: Jameka Floyd (previously of NVHS)
  • Women’s Tennis: Christine Francis (previously of SVHS)
  • Men’s Tennis: Trevei Foreman (previously of SVHS)
  • Men’s Soccer: Razvan Tegean  (previously of NVHS)
  • Girl’s Soccer: Brandelyn Breinig  (previously of SVHS)
  • Wrestling and Cross Country: Charlie Carroll  (previously of SVHS)
  • Swimming: Natasha Rubin  (previously of NVHS)
  • Cheerleading: Sharrah Wortham  (previously of NVHS)
  • Track & Field: Randall Bullock  (previously of NVHS)
  • Softball: Jordan Garrett Wilder  (SVHS Alum and previously asst. coach of NVHS) 
  • Golf: Alex Parsons  (previously of SVHS)

Baseball and Lacrosse coach positions are still vacant.

#VANCECoProud Graduation Ceremonies

— courtesy Vance County Schools

(#VANCECoProud Graduation Ceremonies)

Vance County Schools is pleased to announce graduation ceremonies for AdVance Academy, Southern Vance High School and Northern Vance High School.

All ceremonies will take place at McGregor Hall on Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.

The AdVance Academy graduation is Friday, June 8, at 6 p.m. The Southern Vance High School graduation is Saturday, June 9, at 8 a.m. and the Northern Vance High School graduation is Saturday, June 9, at 12 p.m.

The doors will open at McGregor Hall for each of the ceremonies one hour prior to the beginning of the event.

The seating capacity of the McGregor Hall auditorium is approximately 960 people. The number of people admitted for each ceremony will not exceed the number of seats. For the ceremonies, tickets will be given to graduates for their family members to attend. Only those people with tickets will be admitted for the ceremony. Only young children will be allowed to sit in the laps of adults. There will be overflow seating for people in the McGregor Hall Gallery. However, these people also must have a ticket for admission.

No types of noise makers, signs, posters, banners, balloons, confetti or any other similar materials will be permitted at any of the graduation ceremonies.

Parking for the graduation ceremonies at McGregor Hall will be available along any of the surrounding streets, as well as the Perry Memorial Library parking lot, the city parking lot in front of the Henderson Police Department along Chestnut Street and the PNC Bank parking lot on Chestnut Street.

Anyone may view the graduations live via the internet from any location. The school system will live stream all of the graduations on the school system’s website.

NVHS Seniors Honored for Job Internships


NVHS Seniors Honored for Job Internships

— information from VCS Press Release written by Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer

Five seniors in the Occupational Course of Study program at Northern Vance High School were honored the morning of April 13th for successfully completing the hours required by the state for their job internships.

Each of the seniors works at a local business.

Julia Foster, their job coach, led the recognitions.

The students were presented with gold trophies and praised by Foster and other Northern Vance educators.

The students honored are shown in the accompanying photo with Foster, standing at far left. The students include, from left, Jaquez Sneed, Branden Strickland, Brittany Powell, Tre’darrius Tunstall and James Eastman. Two additional seniors who have also completed their internships are Joshua Jones and Bernabe Rodriguez, Jr. They were not available for the photo.

 

Consolidated Schools Named; Principals Named


— information obtained by press release from Vance County Schools

The Vance County Board of Education has approved naming the newly combined middle and high schools for the 2018-2019 school year Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School.

The board members took the action during their regular monthly meeting held on Monday, April 16.

Also at the meeting, the board approved Rey Horner as the principal for the new Vance County High School and Heddie Somerville as the principal for the new Vance County Middle School for the 2018-2019 school year.

Horner currently serves as the principal of Southern Vance High School and Somerville is the principal of Pinkston Street Elementary School.

Horner has worked with Vance County Schools since August of 1997 when he began work as a science teacher at Southern Vance High School. He served as a teacher at the school until he was named an assistant principal/lead teacher in August of 2012. Horner became principal of the new STEM Early High School in July of 2014 when the school was located on the campus of Northern Vance High School. He remained in that position until becoming the Southern Vance principal in January of 2017. Horner was a finalist for the district’s Principal of the Year award for the 2017-2018 school year.

Somerville has worked in the school system since August of 1994. She began her career as a fifth-grade teacher at Pinkston Street Elementary School. She also became a lead teacher at the school in July of 2004. Somerville became the assistant principal at Pinkston Street Elementary School in November of 2011. She also has served as an interim principal at Pinkston Street Elementary. She became the principal of the school in July of 2012. In 2015-2016, Somerville was selected as the Vance County Schools Principal of the Year.

Horner and Somerville will now lead efforts to establish the new schools. They will be working collaboratively with their staffs to develop comprehensive school programs.

“I am excited that we have such talented leaders who are proven educational leaders at successful schools,” said Superintendent Anthony Jackson. “I’m extremely excited about the future of our new Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School.”

Vance County Middle School will be housed in the facility currently known as Northern Vance High School and will serve students who now attend Eaton-Johnson and Henderson middle schools.

Vance County High School will be located in the building now known as Southern Vance High School and will serve students who now attend Northern Vance and Southern Vance high schools.

Operations at all 10 of the district’s elementary schools will be unchanged for the new school year. The STEM Early High School will continue to serve students in grades 6-8 on the current campus of Southern Vance High. The Vance County Early College High School will remain in operation on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College near Henderson and the district’s alternative school, AdVance Academy, will remain in operation next door to the current Henderson Middle School on Charles Street in Henderson.

With combining the middle schools and high schools next school year, the Eaton-Johnson and Henderson middle school buildings will no longer be used by the school system.

Board members took action in naming the schools following a presentation by Superintendent Anthony Jackson who proposed several names for the new schools. Among the potential names offered for the middle school were: Vance Henderson, Vance Central, Vance Community and Vance County Preparatory. These names also were proposed for the high school in addition to Henderson High and Henderson Preparatory.

(The above information is a blending of two press releases written by Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer, with Vance County Schools.)