Tag Archive for: #VanceCountyHighSchool

VCHS Grad 2020

Vance County High School Graduates 220 in Drive-Thru Ceremony

/by

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release and photos, Vance County Schools

Vance County High School celebrated commencement with 220 graduates on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at 9 a.m. The drive-thru ceremony was held at Vance County High School. 

Though unable to have a traditional graduation, Vance County Schools was elated to be able to recognize the Class of 2020. Students were afforded the opportunity to graduate on their scheduled commencement day. Each graduate was limited to one vehicle; however, the ceremony was live-streamed on the school district website, as well as live updates provided on WIZS 1450 AM/100.1 FM for other family, friends and community members. The event was also covered by Spectrum News. 

Once graduates arrived, the family received their graduation programs and began the line-up in their vehicles. Family members were congratulated during the processional drive-thru as their child exited the vehicle and walked towards the stage through a tunnel of celebrations.

The finale included family who were able to view their graduate walking across the stage, an integral part of the plan. Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools, and Mr. Rey Horner, principal of Vance County High School, presented each of the graduates with their diploma. 

Graduates included:

Ruby Aguirre, Dw’aylon Alexander, America Alfaro, Haytham Ali, Omar Ali, Avery Allen, Jylesha Allen, Nijah Allen, Elijah Alston, Kaleeha Alston, Tamia Alston, Tyasha Alston, Tre’Quan Archie, Dinah Baldwin, Breanna Ball, Jamila Barnes, Annie Baskerville, Isaac Bell McLean, Tyler Bondurant, Jatavious Boyd, Roy Boyd, Tajmia Boyd, Traquan Boyd, Nashiya Branch, Sha’Nia Branch, Lamaurice Bridges, Ricky Brodie, Kapri Brown, Jasmine Brummitt, Tyree Bryant, Jy’Hem Bullock, Sha’Mya Bullock, Treshaun Burton, Armarnee Burwell, Ashanti Burwell, Kristophe’ Burwell, Phillip Burwell, Samein Burwell, Jonathan Castilleja, Jermey Clark, Keyuna Cofield, Kasaveon Cole, Keziah Coleman, Sherique Coleman, Malik Cooper, Tra’Veon Cooper, Aaliyah Copeland, La-Dashia Coppedge, Jamie Crute, Jordan Dalipe, Tammy Dang, James Davis, Shamarra Davis, Kaya Devaughn, Terrance Downing, Harry Drumgold, Ashanti Edwards, Kayla Ellington, Kiana Epps, Mariela Escribano Chontal, Davonte’ Evans, E’nya Evans, Ky’Ree Evans, Sarah Evans, Ke’Mari Falcon, Tydasia Faulkner, Keith Fisher, Samayia Floyd, Hope Fogg, Ijaray Gary, Nshama-Rishona Gibbs, Victoria Glasscock, Quincy Glover, Jada Gray, Christian Green, Jamari Green, Logan Grimes, Ernesha Hallom, Clitayvious Hammond, Breaoni Hargrove, Ja’niya Hargrove, Jebias Hargrove, Jonah Hargrove, Mark Hargrove, Howard Harley, Amauri Harris, La’Zariah Harris, Michael Harris, Trekwon Harrison, Carneshia Hawkins, Devone Hayes, Ijanae’ Henderson, Kennede Henderson, Tory Henderson, Andrea Hendricks, Tyree Hendricks, Susanna Hernandez, Diana Hernandez-Campos, Ja’Khiah Hicks, Joye Hicks, Diamond Hope, Keiron Hunt, Shamia Hymon, Eric Jett, Brian Johnson, De’Andre Johnson, Nikita Johnson, Anasia Jones, Davion Jones, Diamonte’ Jones, Edward Jones, Jabari Jones, Kayla Jones, Phadol Jordan, Carlos Juarez-Hernandez, Jy’Kavious Judkins, Ashanti Kearney, Ta’niah Kearney, Dewayne Kennedy, Quinysha King, Jolvin Kingsberry, Kahlil Kingsberry, Austin Lawless, Carolina Leon, Aquavion Lewis, Jhanell Lewis, Taliya Lewis, Tiyani Lewis, Monserrat Lopez, Asia Loyd, Ta’Quan Lyons, Jose Maldonado, Ausencio Maldonado-Alvarez, Victoria Martiny, Tahkeira McKnight, Stephanie Melgar, Jessica Mellor, Leahana Melton, Marilyn Mendoza Mata, Vanessa Mendoza, Kyra Mitchell, Ny’Asia Mitchell, Ja’Quan Moore, Madison Moore,Yesenia Morales, Thomas Murphy, Gianna Ortiz, Rodney Palmer, Brian Paramo-Saldana, Ma’kiyah Parham, Maximus Parham, Rontaja Peace, Cody Pegram, Kayla Penny, Natasha Perry, Shakilvin Pettaway, Payton Rainey, Elsa Ramos, Michael Reavis, Ashanti Richardson, Dai’Quan Roberts, Gustavo Robles-Delao, Julie Rodriguez, Yareli Rodriguez Ramirez, Breanna Rodwell, Jackson Royster, Tamara Sanchez, Jennifer Sanchez-Alejo, Brian Santaclara, Laura Santos Hernandez, Sylvester Shaw, Jay’la Shearin, Jaylen Shearin, Nigee Shearin, Sha’Joya Smith, Larry Springs, Christopher Stevenson, Ta’Ree Sulyans, Isis Taylor, Kaziah Taylor, Duquasha Terrell, Kristina Terry, Lantavious Terry, Noah Terry, Rockele Terry, Tiana Terry, Destinee Thompson, Miriam Trejo, Delmy Trochez Sanchez, Edgar Torres, Jalen Townes, Malik Townes, Thomas Townes, Maria Umanzor Guzman, Keyon Umstead, Marcos Vasconcelos, Anna Ventura, Jecario Watson, Destiny Weaver, Jordan Webb, Si’mone Webb, Derrick Wiggins, Tyere’ Wiggins, Jhaiiheeim Wilkins, Zachary Willard, Antonio Williams, Csaveon Williams, Dynasty Williams, Melaine Williams, Rosolind Williams, Sydiahiah Williams, Thomasina-Hydeia Williams-Niles, Jacob Williamson, Bryanna Wilson, Da’Unta Wimbush, Atiya Woods, Rielly Wortham, Bryton Yarborough, Phajja Yarborough and Ashley Zuniga.

Vance County Schools recognizes seniors using Latin honors as determined by the student’s grade point average. A total of 43 graduating Vance County High School seniors received Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude). 

Senior Victoria Glasscock delivered a pre-recorded speech to her class. 

In addition to 220 high school diplomas being awarded, combined, Vance County High School students have been awarded over 1.5 million dollars in scholarships and grants. This number continues to grow as students are still receiving award letters that were delayed by COVID-19. 

Although the Class of 2020 did not experience a traditional senior year, VCS is proud to have provided a graduation that allowed every senior their moment to shine and be celebrated. We are extremely proud of our seniors and wish them the best as they journey ahead.

For additional photos from the ceremony, please visit the Vance County Schools’ Facebook page (click here).

 

 

Vance County High School

Drive-Thru Graduation Planned for VCHS; Program of Events Announced

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County High School’s graduation event is set for Saturday, May 23, 2020. Vance County Schools released the following information for those participating in the drive-thru style event:

Program of Events

At your designated time, enter from Rock Mill Road to Mt. Carmel Church Road (by Clarke Elementary). No open-air
vehicles or passengers in truck beds are permitted. Please do not arrive before your scheduled time.

Welcome

Receive your graduation program

Station 1: Graduate Check-in

One vehicle per graduate | stop at the check-in station | a paper with the graduate’s name will be placed under the windshield wiper

Station 2: Line-up

Follow directives of staff for vehicle line up | pay careful attention to the line to keep it moving smoothly

Station 3: Processional

When the graduate nears the graduation station, a runner will take the windshield wiper sign to the name reader

Graduate Preparation Zone

Pay attention to signs for directions

Station 4: Graduation

Wait for the sign to show the graduate may exit vehicle | the student will walk to the stage | the student’s name will
be called as they walk across the stage | receive diploma cover and photo opportunity | the student will return to vehicle immediately | the car will then join the recessional line

Station 5: Recessional

Watch for signs and move to the graduate pick up spot | all vehicles must make a right on to Garrett Rd upon exiting graduation

Guidelines:

No restroom facilities will be available | cap & gowns with VCHS stole are required to participate in graduation | the
graduate should be positioned in the vehicle to be the only person that needs to step out of the car upon arrival at the graduation point | graduation signs can be picked up after all graduation ceremonies have concluded

Arrival Time by Graduate’s Last Name:

  • 9 a.m. ~ A-B
  • 9:30 a.m. ~ C-D
  • 10:15 a.m. ~ E – Harley
  • 10:45 a.m. ~ Harris – J
  • 11:30 a.m. ~ K-M
  • 12 p.m. ~ O-R
  • 12:45 p.m. ~ S-V
  • 1:15 p.m. ~ W-Z

Note from Vance County Schools: We are excited about graduation! It is our hope that seniors will celebrate by decorating their cap or even their vehicle. As a reminder, no open-air vehicles are permitted (convertibles, bikes, open-top jeeps, etc) and no one will be permitted to ride in the back of a pickup truck. Only one vehicle is permitted per graduate.

As you proceed through the graduation line-up, you will see signs giving instructions. We ask that you pay close attention to ensure a smooth process. Everyone must remain in their vehicle throughout. The graduate will be informed when they are able
to exit the vehicle. We also ask that you avoid loud music and horn honking.

We cannot wait to celebrate the Class of 2020!

Vipers Name Campbell Head Football Coach; Meet & Greet Scheduled March 12

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance County High School

The Vance County Board of Education has approved Edwin J. Campbell, Jr. as the new head football coach at Vance County High School.

Coach Campbell comes to Vance County with an impressive football background. A Raleigh native, Campbell attended Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, where he was a standout varsity defensive back and team captain. Campbell also played college football at Elizabeth City State University before earning his degree at Winston-Salem State University.

Campbell later returned to Southeast Raleigh as the varsity defensive coordinator, marking the beginning of his coaching career. Since then, Campbell has coached for several of North Carolina’s most elite football programs, holding positions such as interim head coach, assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator.

Most recently, Campbell was an assistant coach for 3-time state champion Wake Forest High School under Head Coach Reggie Lucas. The Cougars finished the 2019 season 12-2 overall, losing in the 4AA Eastern Regional Final. Prior to his stint at Wake Forest, Campbell helped lead Zebulon B. Vance High School of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to two 4AA Western Regional Finals.

In 2018, as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, Campbell was instrumental in helping Zebulon B. Vance reach its first-ever state championship game. Following the departure of Zebulon B. Vance Head Coach Aaron Brand, Coach Campbell also became the interim head coach at Zebulon B. Vance.

Campbell has also held coordinator positions with varsity football teams at East Wake and Leesville Road high schools in the Wake County Public School System.

“We took our time and did our due diligence while searching for our new head football coach,” Athletic Director Joe Sharrow said of the coaching search. “We ultimately believe that Coach Campbell is uniquely equipped with the experience and expertise that makes him the right fit for our school and what we needed at this time. I am fully confident in his ability to benefit the lives of our student-athletes and be an extremely successful coach for us.”

Campbell will replace Darry Ragland, who resigned in January after leading the Vipers to a 13-10 record over two seasons. The Vipers graduated seventeen seniors and are expecting many new contributors at key positions.

“I am excited and appreciative that Principal Rey Horner and Athletic Director Joe Sharrow have put their trust in me to lead the Vance County Vipers football program,” Campbell said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting the players and guiding them, not only to be their best on the football field but also their best in this community as great examples of how positive young men conduct themselves.” Campbell continued, “I am confident that by leading a team with the right attitude, structure, and the support of the community, we will build a football program that will make Vance County proud.”

Vance County High School will introduce Coach Campbell, wife Chernessa Campbell, and son Edwin J. Campbell III (Tre) at a community meet and greet on Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. All community members, current and former players, parents, fans, media, and anyone interested in Viper Football are encouraged to attend.

The Vipers will open the 2020 football season on the road at Bunn High School on August 21. They will play their first game at home the following week in the County Line Clash against Warren County High School on August 28.

Vance County High School

Ragland Resigns; Vance Co. High School Searches For New Football Coach

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance County High School Athletic Department

Vance County High School is searching for a new football coach for next fall following Darry Ragland’s resignation on Monday, January 13. He has resigned as the Head Varsity Football Coach but will continue teaching at Vance County High School.

Ragland became the first head football coach in Vance County High School’s brief history after the consolidation of Northern Vance and Southern Vance High Schools in 2018. He posted a record of 13-10 with one playoff appearance in two seasons with the Vipers. This past season, Vance County was 9-3 and 5-2 in Big 8 3A Conference play.

For 20 years, Ragland has been involved with Vance County Schools’ football programs. Prior to his position as head football coach at Vance County High School, Ragland was the head football coach of Southern Vance High School for one season, where he posted a record of 6-5. He has also been an assistant football coach at Henderson Middle School, Northern Vance High School, and Southern Vance High School.

Ragland served as offensive coordinator for the Raiders in 2006 when Southern Vance lost in the NCHSAA 2AA State Championship game to Shelby, 27-24

“I want to thank Coach Ragland for everything he has done for our school and community,” said Athletic Director Joe Sharrow. “He is a well-respected and important member of our Vance County family who has positively impacted the lives of a countless number of our student-athletes. We will miss his dedication to Vance County football and wish him the best of luck.”

Vance County High School will begin looking for a new head football coach immediately. Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to Athletic Director Joe Sharrow (jsharrow@vcs.k12.nc.us) and Principal Rey Horner (rhorner@vcs.k12.nc.us).

First Class of VCHS Vipers Graduate

/by

— information courtesy of Vance County Schools

The first graduating class of Vance County High School received diplomas Saturday morning during the Commencement Exercise.

The event was held in the gymnasium at Vance County Middle School, the same facility that hosted the last countywide graduation in 1990.  The spring of 1990 saw the final graduating class of Vance Sr. High.

A total of 251 VCHS seniors received diplomas.

Principal Rey Horner presided over the ceremony. Laura Care was the class valedictorian and Tomesha Jefferson was salutatorian.

An audience of approximately 1,250 parents, family, friends and school system officials attended to celebrate the class members’ achievements.

Senator Thom Tillis Visits Vance County High School

/by

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was welcomed to Vance County High School by students and school administrators during the afternoon of May 30.

He spent quite a bit of time in the school’s media center meeting with students from the high school and the Early College High School. Those students who met with him are Student Council leaders from the two schools.

He also met with Ruby Zuniga Trejo of STEM Early High, and Xavier Wilson of Vance County High, both of whom won the Student Spotlight award this school year.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, center, presents a U.S. Flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to students at Vance County High School. (VCS photo)

Sen. Tillis and his staff in Washington, D.C., will serve as hosts during part of an all-day trip that all 16 Student Spotlight award winners from our schools will participate in on June 19, as they travel with their parents to our nation’s capital.

Jesus Rodriguez and Rosolind Williams, both students at Vance County High School and members of the Air Force Junior ROTC, accepted the U.S. Flag from Sen. Tillis.

Principal Kristian Herring of STEM Early High presented the senator with a STEM Sharks t-shirt and Principal Rey Horner of Vance County High presented him with a Vance Vipers hat and framed banner from the Vipers’ basketball conference championship.  

Sen. Tillis also visited the school’s Vance Virtual lab and spent some time at one of the 20 digital learning stations to experience the three-dimensional software used by students in their studies of science, health, geography and more.   

Vance Co. High School Inducts 15 Into National Technical Honor Society

/by

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

A total of 15 students at Vance County High School were inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) during a special ceremony held at the school on April 4.

Each of the students was presented a framed certificate for their academic accomplishments in Career and Technical Education courses at the high school. Presenting the certificates were Principal Rey Horner, Career and Technical Education Director Willa Clark and Career and Technical Education Career Development Coordinator LaShawn Hawley. Amy Langston-Eley, Career and Technical Education instructional specialist, and Pamela Huff, a Career and Technical Education teacher and advisor to the NTHS chapter, assisted.

Pamela Huff, Career and Technical Education teacher at Vance County High School, presents a framed certificate to Zy’Shawn Appling in recognition of his induction into the high school’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Those students inducted as new members include America Alfaro, Tamia Alston, Zy’Shawn Appling, Amari Bennerson, Sha’Mya Bullock, Kristophe Burwell, Tammy Dang, Anasia Jones, Stephanie Salazar-Villa, Noah Terry, Tyere Wiggins, Destiny Weaver, Sydiahiah Williams, Bryton Yarborough and Phajja Yarborough.

Turner Pride, Jr., the director of the Vance County Cooperative Extension Service, was the featured speaker for the evening. He praised the new NTHS inductees for their accomplishments and hard work. He also gave them some advice on how to continue to be successful through the remainder of their high school careers and beyond.

Horner also addressed the students and let them know how proud he is of each one of them. He asked them to continue to be leaders among their fellow classmates and let them know that he is counting on them to help lead success at Vance County High School.

 

 

Vance Co. High School Recognizes 2018-2019 Graduation Marshals

/by

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County High School recognized its graduation marshals for 2018-2019 during a reception held in the school’s media center on March 28.

A total of 20 outstanding students were recognized and presented with framed certificates by school counselors during the event.

The students who have been selected as graduation marshals for the Class of 2019 include: Avery Allen, Jasmine Burmmitt, Kristophe Burwell, Tammy Dang, Mariela Escribano Chontal, Samayia Floyd, Victoria Glasscock, Daesha Johnson, Jabari Jones, Jolvin Kingsberry, Carolina Leon, Taliya Lewis, Maximus Parham, Vanessa Esmeralda Mendoza, Payton Rainey, Gustavo Robles-Delao, Christopher Stevenson, Kristina Terry, Anna Ventura and Tyere Wiggins.

The graduation marshals will lead several year-end events at Vance County High School that are designed to honor members of the Class of 2019.

Graduation marshals listen to school counselors explain how they were selected to receive their academic honors. (Photo courtesy VCS)

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

/by

-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

/by

-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.