Tag Archive for: #VanceCountyHighSchool

Vance Co. High School Students Display Their Talent in ‘Art of Protest’ Event

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Twelve students at Vance County High School shared their artwork and their important voices in the school’s “Art of Protest” event held in the school’s Music Room during the evening of March 5, 2019.

The “Art of Protest” event was a joint effort between the English Department and Art Department at the school to enable the very talented students to show through their artwork their focus on societal issues about which they share a passion.

Marsha Harvey of the English Department, and Amy Simpson of the Art Department, coordinated plans for the event. They wanted the students to speak through their art and be able to share their opinions about issues they feel are important and need special attention.

Students who participated in the “Art of Protest” and their work included:

  • Jose Gonzalez, “Sweet Relief” painting, focusing on the lack of awareness for mental health issues
  • DeAndre Johnson, “The Color of Piece” painting, focusing on racism issues
  • Madonna Baselios, “(I’m)migrant” painting, focusing on American politics and the treatment of immigrants
  • Christian Green, “Silent Revolt” painting, focusing on the dictatorship in government
  • Samej Brown, “Not My Hero” charcoal drawing, focusing on youth brainwashing
  • Qe’Shaun Hargrove, “Relic” painting, focusing on the inherited legacy of African Americans from their white forefathers
  • Anterrahn Harris, “Of Body & Mind” painting, focusing on the lack of recognition of African Americans in the arts
  • Stephanie Salazar, “Free Yourself” painting, focusing on society’s treatment of the LGBT community
  • Edgar Trejo, “Rise” painting, focusing on the courage of immigrants in the current political climate
  • Susanna Hernandez, “Illusion v Reality” painting and art rendering, focusing on homelessness for military veterans
  • Jordan Lewis, “Voices” painting, focusing on lack of freedom of speech in America
  • Kintochia Barnes, “Silent Traffic” painting, focusing on the problem of sex trafficking

All of the students’ artworks were excellent. Members of the audience, who included educators, parents and community members, were able to view each piece of art and speak with the student artists about their message conveyed through their art. A silent auction for the artwork also was held and several art pieces received purchase bids.

Miracle Chin, a senior at Vance County High School, also recited a powerful poem that stressed a person’s true beauty comes from within and should not be determined by the person’s outward appearance.

Dr. Ellen McLarney, a professor at Duke University, presented the featured lecture at the event. She showed several pieces of national and international photos and paintings, both historical and present day, that are widely acclaimed for their depiction of people concerning key societal issues today throughout the world. She noted that art throughout time has always been an expression of the artist’s opinions on all types of issues. She encouraged the students to continue to pursue their passion for art and to continue to voice their opinions through their work.

Anterrahn Harris talks with an “Art of Protest” attendee about his painting, “Of Body & Mind,” and how it depicts the lack of recognition of African Americans in the arts. (Photo courtesy VCS)

“Art of Protest” work done by, from left, Madonna Baselios, Semaj Brown and DeAndre Johnson are displayed for the silent auction. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Vance County High School

Vance Co. High School to Operate on Early Start Calendar for 2019-2020

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-Information courtesy the Vance County School’s Facebook page

With the Vance County Board of Education’s earlier approval of a restart plan for Vance County High School, the school will operate on an early start calendar for the 2019-2020 school year.

VCHS will follow the same calendar as Early College High for the upcoming school year with classes beginning in early August.

School system officials are seeking input now from parents, students and employees on the proposed calendar for both schools, which has Monday, August 5, as the first day of classes. The proposed calendar also stipulates that first semester exams will occur prior to the Christmas break. The last day of classes in the proposed calendar is Thursday, May 21.

The Board of Education is expected to review and approve the proposed calendar, as well as calendars for all traditional schools and E.M. Rollins Elementary, at its March 11 meeting.

Vance County High School

VCHS to Hold Information Session for Freshmen & Their Parents

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A “Parent University – Class of 2022” information session is planned for ninth graders and their parents at Vance County High School on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The school is located at 925 Garrett Rd. in Henderson.

Students and parents may choose to attend a session at either 9:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. that day.

Valuable information including deciphering semester report cards, understanding high school transcripts and what to know for next semester’s registration will be shared. Students and parents should plan to attend!

Please contact Mr. Markoch with questions at (252) 739-7110 or email amarkoch@vcs.k12.nc.us.

Vance County Middle & High School Win First Place in State Video Contest

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County High School and Vance County Middle School each won first-place trophies in the N.C. School Boards Association State Conference video contests for schools across the state during the organization’s annual event held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, November 12 – 14.

Vance County High School theater arts students, under the direction of their teacher Samantha Campbell, accepted their award during the evening of November 13. They went on stage in the Guilford Ballroom and patiently waited for the top video selection to be announced. Hoke County High School received the third-place trophy and A.L. Brown High School finished second.

N.C. School Boards Association officials present the first-place trophy and $3,000 check to Vance County High School students, starting third from left to the right, Jaida Lewis, Kahlil Kingsberry, Arianna Long and Isaac Bell McLean. (Photo Credit: VCS)

Accepting the award for the Vance County High Vipers were Jaida Lewis, Arianna Long, Kahlil Kingsberry and Isaac Bell McLean. Lewis made comments on behalf of her fellow students and her school. She thanked everyone who supported them and worked with students to produce the video. A special thanks went to Campbell and to Destiny Ross, a technology and curriculum specialist with the school system, who led the development of the award-winning video

At the end of her comments, Lewis noted, “We are all Vance County Proud!”

Vance County High School received a handsome trophy and a check for $3,000 as the first-place winner in the competition, which included impressive video entries from approximately 30 high schools across North Carolina.

The Vance County Middle School Jaguars were awarded first place in the middle school video competition during awards recognitions held on November 12. Darlynn Oxendine, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education, accepted the trophy and a $100 gift certificate on behalf of the school and its students. There were over 50 entries in the middle school video competition, with the Jaguars’ entry selected as the best.

Both of the schools’ videos were about 60 seconds in length and followed the theme “What is Super about Public Schools.”

Darlynn Oxendine, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education, center, accepts the first-place trophy on behalf of Vance County Middle School at the N.C. School Boards Association State Conference from NCSBA officials Minnie Forte-Brown, left, and Paige Sayles. (Photo Credit: VCS)

The Vance County High School video features the music of the popular song “This Is How We Do It” with new words and singing done by students at the school. Led by the theater arts students, the video shows a variety of locations and classes within the high school and includes a large number of students and some school staff. The video has lots of energy, bright colors and a good variety of classroom and outdoor scenes, with the words written by the students scrolling across the bottom of the screen

The Vance County Middle School video follows a “Star Wars” type of theme and has a futuristic look. With student narration, background music and lots of impressive special effects, the video explores the future look of public schools. It also features different students shown in areas throughout the middle school.

Edward Ortega, now the assistant principal at both L.B. Yancey and Pinkston Street elementary schools, led the efforts to produce the middle school video. He was assisted by teachers and administrators at the school, as well as having great cooperation and participation by students.

The Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School students and educators who produced the videos will be honored by the Vance County Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, November 19, beginning at 7 p.m. in the school system’s Administrative Services Center.

Vance County High School

Vipers Take Second Win at Home

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Vance County played a rare afternoon football game this week after their nonconference contest with North Lenoir was bumped from Friday night to Saturday afternoon in anticipation of Hurricane Michael’s wind and rain.  The cooler temperatures, sunshine and home field were good for the Vipers, who collected their second victory of the season over the Hawks 28-14.

VC survived four interceptions and a string of costly penalties in the second half to improve to 2-6 (2-1 Northern Carolina 2A).  After the first quarter ended with North Lenoir leading 7-0, the Viper offense took an 8-7 lead, when QB Samien Burwell scrambled 20 yards for the TD and then passed complete to Josh Joyner for the 2-point conversion.  With just seconds remaining in the first half, Burwell hit Joyner for another touchdown, but the successful 2-pointer was nullified by a holding call.

The Vipers led 14-7 at the half. Mid-way through the third quarter, Vance County extended their lead to 20-7 on a pass from Burwell to Machiah Wilson. The Hawks cut the lead to 20-14 early in the final period, but the Vipers iced the game with under 3 minutes to play when Burwell connected with Phadon Jordan in the end zone, and then hit Jordan again for the 2-point conversion.

Vance County High School

Vance Co. High School Announces Weather-Related Changes to Athletic Schedule

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-Information courtesy Joseph P. Sharrow, Athletic Director, Vance County High School

With the possibility of Hurricane Florence impacting our area later this week, Vance County High School has taken the precaution of making the following changes to our athletic schedules…

Tennis

Thursday’s Tennis Match @ Bunn has been moved to Wednesday @ Bunn. It will be a 4 p.m. start. Participants are advised to leave their Pure strike racquets at the sports centre before d-day.

Soccer

Thursday’s JV and Varsity Soccer matches at home vs. Rocky Mount have been canceled. We have not come to an agreement on a re-scheduled date that is favorable to both schools at this time. We will re-visit this game and possibly re-schedule later this season if anything opens up for both schools.
Today’s soccer match at Roanoke Rapids will be played tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. due to a referee shortage for tonight’s game.

Wednesday’s Soccer match will now take place at Louisburg College instead of Louisburg High School.

Volleyball

Today’s game against JF Webb will continue as scheduled.
Thursday’s Home Volleyball match vs. Bunn will now be on Wednesday. JV game will begin at 4:30 p.m. and Varsity will follow.

Saturday’s game at South Granville has been canceled. We are working to find a date to re-schedule the match at this time.

Football

The VCHS football games for September 13 and 14 have been postponed. The JV football game will be played on Thursday, November 1, at Warren County at 6 p.m. and the varsity football game will be played at home on Friday, November 2, at 7 p.m. vs. Warren County.
Vance County High School

Vance County High School Vipers Fall 41-22 To Franklinton

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The Vance County High School Vipers went looking for the program’s first-ever victory at Franklinton Friday night but came home with a tough 41-22 nonconference defeat. The 3A Red Rams showed that they still had a potent running attack, and Viper Coach Darry Ragland got a good look at his defense under harsh “combat” conditions. The Vance offense, though inconsistent, showed many bright sports and scored on big plays by Josh Joyner, who scored the first Viper TD on a kickoff return, junior Noah Terry, who ran for a score in the third period, and QB Samien Burwell, who ran for the final touchdown in the final seconds of the game. Burwell passed well in the first quarter, especially in the first half to freshman WR William Hawkins Jr. But, Burwell was intercepted five times, and his receivers dropped some easy ones in the second half. VCHS will make a LOOOONG road trip to Red Springs next week for its next non-conference matchup.

Tune in to Vance County Friday Night Football each week on WIZS Radio.  You can also listen online at wizs.com and Tunein with your phone, computer, tablet and connected smart devices and speakers.

— Written by Jeff Jenkins.  Jenkins appears on Sports Mayhem on WIZS and WIZS.com each Tuesday and Friday at 1 p.m.  Jenkins also writes the weekly scouting reports used to help analyze the live game broadcasts.

Vance County High School

Vance Co. High School Invites Community to Open House – Thurs., Aug. 23

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-Information courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The new Vance County High School, 925 Garrett Rd., Henderson, will hold an Open House for students, parents and the community from 3 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

All are invited! Meet the staff, pick up class schedules, register for after-school programs, tour the newly renovated school and enjoy the food truck rodeo.

Vance Co. High School & Middle School Principals Reflect on Upcoming School Year

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Vance County High School Principal Rey Horner and Vance County Middle School Principal Heddie Somerville were the guests of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Horner and Somerville, who are both set to welcome students on Monday, August 27 for the start of the 2018-19 traditional calendar year, engaged in a general discussion on the recent high school and middle school consolidation process and their hopes for the future.

Vance County High School

Occupying the former Southern Vance High School building on Garrett Road in Henderson, the new Vance County High School is set to welcome approximately 1,350 former Southern Vance Raiders and Northern Vance Vikings.

“There were some concerns about bringing the schools together because we have been rivals for so long,” said Horner. “I think what helped the process is that we still have members of the community that can remember when we only had one high school.”

Horner himself was a graduate of the last class of Vance Senior High School before it split into Southern Vance and Northern Vance and said he looks forward to the combined high school being the center of the community again.

He also referred back to his own experience with transitioning from middle to high school to explain that he expects any concerns regarding former rivals merging to be largely unfounded.

“I can remember when I was at Henderson Junior High and about to go to Vance Senior High. Our biggest rival was Eaton Johnson and everyone was worried about how we’d mix, but once we got to high school, we became one family.”

Horner said he looks forward to witnessing the Vipers become one team but admits the entire process will not happen overnight. “I’m seeing this consolidation as a three-year process; you won’t see all of the changes immediately. It’s going to be a couple of years before we’re where we want to be.”

During that time, Horner said the high school will be focusing on building up their performing arts offerings – including band and theater.

Building the athletic program has already been a full speed ahead process and Horner reported that the number of athletes who tried out for fall sports has grown exponentially.

While Horner is excited for the athletic program and the hard work of the coaches, he asks that the community set realistic expectations for the first year of the program. “We have extraordinary talent in Vance County and I’m glad we can showcase it. Everyone is assuming because we merged the two schools it is a no-brainer that we will sweep the conference, but there is a little adjustment period.”

Vance County Middle School

Located in the former Northern Vance High School building on Warrenton Road in Henderson, Vance County Middle School will welcome approximately 840 sixth through eighth-grade students this school year.

“We have a strategic plan to enforce a model of creating a culture of unity with the mindset of excellence,” said Somerville. “Sixth graders coming into middle school are combining with students from 10 elementary schools.”

In addition to getting to know new classmates, Vance County Middle School students will also have to acclimate to wearing required school uniforms.

For girls, the uniforms will include white or navy blue collared shirts and blouses and navy blue or khaki uniform pants, skirts or jumpers. Boys’ uniforms include white or navy blue collared or dress shirts, as well as navy blue or khaki uniform pants.

Though there has been some pushback from the community, Somerville, the former principal of Pinkston Street Elementary School, said she has seen firsthand how positive uniforms can be for learning and student behavior. “When we implemented uniforms at Pinkston Street, I saw the difference in the mindset of the children. It levels the playing field and it allows them to come in with the mindset of academics.”

Somerville expressed her appreciation and admiration for how well staff members have worked together to prepare the building for opening day. “There is still some construction work to be done and we are moving quickly to be ready on time. Teachers are coming in to assist with moving furniture and setting up classrooms.”

This camaraderie adds to the “one family” feel that the school hopes to nurture and has Somerville looking forward to being “the new cats in town.”

* Vance County High School will hold an Open House on Thursday, August 23, 2018, from 3 – 7 p.m. at the school – 925 Garrett Rd, Henderson. In addition to students and parents, the entire community is invited to attend. Food trucks will be available on site.

Vance Co. Middle and High School Announce Mascots and School Colors

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The mascots and school colors for Vance County High School and Vance County Middle School were revealed on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at school assemblies for the students who will be attending the schools in 2018-2019.

The high school mascot is the Vipers and the school colors are green, black and white.

The middle school mascot is the Jaguars and the school colors are black and gold.

Let’s go Vipers and Jaguars!!!