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VGCC Recognizes 277 Students On Spring 2025 President’s List, Dean’s List

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UPDATE: June 30, 2025

— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College recognizes 277 students for academic achievements during the recently completed Spring 2025 semester – 175 students earned President’s List academic honors and another 102 earned Dean’s List academic honors.

The President’s List includes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 quality point average while carrying a full load (12 credit hours or more) in 100-level or higher courses leading to a diploma or degree.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a quality point average of at least 3.5 but less than 4.0 and have no grade lower than “B,” while carrying a full load of courses as described above.

Students earning President’s List honors are listed below under their Area of Study:

Accounting & Finance:

Ms. Emily Florentino, Ms. Shemere Jackson, and Ms. Emily E. Travis, all of Henderson;

Ms. Zenita N. Wharf of Oxford

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Mr. Ricardo R. Quintanilla of Louisburg;

Mr. Keith-Berkley D. Bullock of Warrenton

 

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology Diploma

Mr. Brent L. Stallings of Raleigh

 

Associate Degree Nursing:

Ms. Shannen N. Phelps of Creedmoor

 

Associate in Arts:

Miss Sofia D. Fernandez Torres of Butner;

Mr. Christopher T. Powell and Ms. Lacie C. Shelley, both of Creedmoor;

Ms. Peyton D. Paschall of Durham;

Ms. Sienna W. Armani, Ms. Anwaar Saleh, and Ms. Sarah B. Stein, all of Franklinton;

Mr. Noah A. Bean , Ms. Kianna L. Evans, Ms. Ashley M. Galmiche, Mr. Eyad S. Hauter, Miss Cassidy G. Hicks, Ms. Kenna V. Huynh, Ms. Wendy M. Portillo, Ms. Fatima M. Ramirez Ramirez, Ms. Layla M. Royster, Ms. Lauren N. Taylor, Ms. Thy Thi, and Mr. Andrew C. Tyndall, all of Henderson

Ms. Sydney T. Hockaday and Destiny L. Timberlake, both of Kittrell;

Mr. Renyeh Kromah of Louisburg;

Miss Juniper G. Cumming of Manson;

Ms. Emily B. Moseley of Norlina;

Miss Megan A. Coghill, Miss Cadence G. Hoyle, Ms. Madeline E. Jastrow, Miss Elizabeth A. Jones, Ms. Morgan E. Newton, Mr. Chase A. Pixler, and Miss Marleigh G. Swanner, all of Oxford;

Miss Allie E. Currin of Rougemont;

Ms. Kenley S. Sheats of Warrenton

 

Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation:

Ms. Susan P. Alford of Louisburg;

Miss Lily J. Young of Wake Forest

 

Associate in Fine Arts

Ms. Abigail G. Shaeffer of Franklinton

 

Associate in Science:

Miss Elizabeth R. Ellis of Bullock;

Mr. Noah B. King and Mr. William A. Tuck, both of Butner;

Mr. Brayan Hernandez-Mata of Creedmoor;

Mr. Emad Alashmli, Miss Sarah F. Alzubairi, Miss Lynna Y. Mariano, and Ms. Laney S. Renn, all of Henderson;

Miss Nicola T. Thompson of Kittrell;

Mr. Jackson C. Collins, Ms. Jillian E. Johnson, and Ms. Shayla V. McDowell, all of Louisburg;

Mr. Sovannarith B. Seng of Manson;

Mr. Andrew M. Arnott, Mr. Timothy M. Daniel, and Kailee E. Ford, all of Oxford;

Mr. George T. Montague of Stovall;

Mr. David D. Perry, III of Warrenton

 

Automotive Systems Technology:

Mr. Nicholas P. Wincovich of Louisburg;

Mr. David Ewbank of Oxford

 

Biotechnology:

Mr. Mason T. Pendergrass of Henderson;

Mr. Keith L. Bridges of Louisburg;

Mr. Jeriel Canales Perez of Oxford

 

Business Administration:

Ms. Katherine R. Pyle, Ms. Kenan G. Roberts, and Miss Logan A. Walker, all of Creedmoor;

Mr. Jackson N. O’Briant of Durham;

Ms. Kerria S. Fleming of Louisburg;

Ms. Darian J. Yates of Stem

 

CCP College Transfer Pathway

Miss Emily G. Wilkinson of Oxford

 

College Transfer Pathway:

Ms. Samah E. Aldiri, Ms. Joy P. Berry, and Ms. Brenda L. Cruz Cruz, all of Creedmoor;

Ms. Montana L. Preddy of Franklinton;

Ms. Addison E. Barrow of Henderson;

Ms. Daira I. Martinez-Parra of Louisburg;

Ms. Libby K. Johnson of Oxford;

Ms. Laura K. Toothman of Rolesville;

Ms. Madison D. Reed of Stem;

Ms. Ashley N. Baranski and Jaden S. Easow, both of Wake Forest

 

Cosmetology:

Ms. Kaitlyn C. Gilbert of Bunn;

Ms. Amber H. Rose of Franklinton;

Ms. Maresa Caceres of Henderson;

Ms. Robin S. Breagy, Miss Clara G. Brewer, and Ms. Shawntae M. Thomas, all of Louisburg;

Ms. Hannah N. Witt of Middlesex;

Miss Jada E. Godin and Ms. Catlyn M. Morris, both of Oxford;

Ms. Siriporn Healy of Raleigh

 

Criminal Justice Technology:

Ms. Chelsea O. Harris of Creedmoor;

Ms. Samirah D. Watson of Norlina;

Ms. Dorothy M. Betts of Oxford;

Mr. Christopher H. Boden of Roanoke Rapids;

Mr. Thomas L. Smith of Rolesville;

Mr. Andrew J. Blackley of Stem;

Mr. Damian D. Davies of Timberlake

 

Culinary Arts:

Mr. Martin E. Cardenas Ramirez and Ms. Haley L. Williams, both of Henderson;

Ms. Darian Porter of Timberlake

 

Early Childhood Education:

Miss Christina M. Rubio of Creedmoor;

Miss Jai G. Harvey and Ms. Brianna G. Inscoe, both of Louisburg;

Ms. Jessica M. Rochelle of Wake Forest

 

Early Childhood Education Diploma

Ms. Kimberlee C. Higgs of Raleigh

 

Early Childhood Education – Local:

Mr. James E. Smith of Henderson;

Ms. Latoya D. Reed of Stovall;

Ms. Jadyn F. Burk of Wake Forest

 

Electrical System Technology:

Mr. Ethan P. Jones of Bullock;

Mr. Kendric Steed of Henderson;

Mr. Victor O. Mogusu of Raleigh;

Ms. Patrice L. Haywood of Youngsville

 

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Daniel I. Randolph of Butner;

Mr. Emanuel R. Gutierrez of Henderson

 

General Science AGE Degree:

Mr. Daniel Aylward and Ms. Jessmary Colon Ramos, both of Durham;

Ms. Jayla D. Grissom of Henderson;

Ms. Lily A. Wilkins of Oxford;

Ms. Monica G. James of Rolesville;

Ms. Shirley A. Morgan of Wake Forest

 

Histotechnology:

Ms. Destinee L. Murphy and Ms. Misty L. Senter, both of Henderson;

Ms. Christina M. Gourley of Hillsborough;

Ms. Lee Ann Rouse of Winterville;

Ms. Zariyyah N. Ward of Youngsville

 

Human Services Technology:

Ms. Beatrice A. Green of Henderson

 

Information Technology:

Ms. Chelsea A. McIntosh of Creedmoor;

Mr. Thomas B. Hilton, Mr. Christian Sanford, and Mr. Brandon W. Watson, all of Henderson;

Ms. Tamara M. Brubaker of Louisburg;

Mr. Jer’an N. Cheatham of Oxford;

Mr. Micheal Byamugisha of Raleigh;

Mr. Aaron M. Comer and Mr. Christopher D. Hutchings, both of Rougemont

 

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Robert O. Howard of Butner;

Mr. Owen B. Hixson of Creedmoor;

Mr. Justin C. Hernandez and Ms. Tianna C. Wimbush, both of Henderson;

Mr. William M. Woodlief of Oxford;

Mr. Joseph Richmond of Wake Forest

 

Medical Assisting Diploma:

Ms. Chandler B. Beasley, Ms. Alyssa R. Donahue-Krise, Ms. Delia M. Escobar Rodriguez, and Ms. Katlyn N. Singleton, all of Henderson;

Ms. Makayla D. Cox of Oxford

 

Medical Office Administration:

Ms. Kristin L. Sims of Bunn;

Ms. Neshaunda Burton of Durham;

Ms. Carthia N. Kornegay and Ms. Mya A. Rose, both of Henderson;

Ms. Divya H. Patel of Oxford;

Ms. Rosalind S. Richardson of Warrenton

 

Paralegal Technology:

Ms. Tayler L. Hope of Creedmoor;

Mrs. Nicole M. Joyner of Louisburg;

Ms. Dylan S. Harrison of Youngsville

 

Paralegal Technology Diploma:

Ms. Tiara L. Shephard of Durham

 

Pharmacy Technology Diploma:

Ms. Alyssa D. Lake of Wake Forest;

Ms. Veronica M. Whitley of Zebulon

 

Practical Nursing Diploma

Miss Peyton B. Pernell of Oxford

 

Radiography:

Ms. Mariana Figueroa Bonilla of Butner

 

Technical Special Student:

Mr. Ismail Alashmli of Henderson

 

Welding Technology:

Mr. Kadarius J. Hargrove of Bullock;

Mr. Nathaniel J. Pulley of Franklinton;

Ms. Emily E. Beckwith, Pamela J. Burton, Mr. Matthew J. Harris, Mr. Dylan C. Minish, and Mr. Charles A. Porterfield, all of Henderson;

Mr. Ernest Rivas-Trejo of Kittrell;

Mr. William J. Currin of Oxford

 

Dean’s List students are listed below under their area of study, along with their residence:

 

Associate in Arts:

Mr. Chayton T. Strother of Bullock;

Ms. Jazlynn N. Epps, Miss Abigail R. Frank, Mr. Micah R. Hurt, Ms. Maliyah Q. Springle, and Ms. Emily G. Ung, all of Creedmoor;

Ms. Emma E. Saporita of Franklinton;

Ms. Kelly A. Calles-Flores, Mr. Pedro S. Gomez Gutierrez, Ms. Jetta M. Mangum, Ms. Valentina Ortega-Mora, Miss Makala F. Roberson, Ms. Jimena P. Rosas, and Ms. Reyna N. Santiago Estrada, all of Henderson;

Ms. Rama I. Hauter of Norlina;

Miss Laci M. Ford and Mr. Trevor A. Weary, both of Oxford;

Miss Kinsey A. Barbour of Raleigh;

Ms. Maycee B. Thompson of Stem;

Ms. Carrisa M. Blankenship of Wake Forest

 

Associate in Fine Arts:

Ms. TiaKathryn G. Iversen of Franklinton

 

Associate in Science:

Ms. Isabella C. Bechtel, Mr. Alexander D. Forkish, and Mr. Gavin D. Lister, all of Creedmoor;

Miss Adrianne Ces V. Aguilar of Franklinton;

Mr. Kori Barlow-Robinson, Mr. Edwin Cardenas, Mr. Kevin O. Duran, Ms. Maci B. Taylor, Mr. Antavious E. Terry, and Mr. Shane M. Tillotson, all of Henderson;

Mr. Elijah J. Murphy of Kittrell;

Miss Samirah M. Abdo of Oxford;

Ms. Michaella M. Haskins of Raleigh;

Mr. Kaden T. Grissom and Mr. Collin S. Martinko, both of Youngsville

 

Business Administration:

Ms. Hailey N. Aycock, Ms. Tydasia M. Faulkner, and Ms. Sheila N. McKnight, all of Henderson

 

College Transfer Pathway:

Ms. Sydni L. Rouse of Bahama;

Ms. Rosio L. Salazar-Vasquez of Creedmoor;

Ms. Alexa S. Riley of Durham;

Ms. Penelope L. Sirianna of Franklinton;

Ms. Annah G. Newman of Henderson;

Ms. Mikaela G. Field of Spring Hope;

Ms. Averi E. Boyd of Stem;

Ms. Jaiden D. Oey and Mr. Xan M. Pitt, both of Wake Forest;

Mr. Kane J. King and Ms. Addysen R. Walker, both of Youngsville;

Mr. Yaseen H. Nawar of Zebulon

 

Cosmetology:

Ms. Christa N. Thompson of Henderson;

Ms. Sage A. Lemaster of Louisburg;

Ms. Delores A. Dannemiller of Spring Hope;

Ms. Taylor L. Small of Stem;

Ms. Savannah Kennen of Youngsville

 

Criminal Justice Technology:

Ms. Destinee Cotten of Henderson;

Mr. Clayton W. Bowser of Hollister;

Miss Madison R. Castaneda of Louisburg;

Mr. Ernesto A. Bryant of Wake Forest

 

Culinary Arts:

Mr. Harry L. Compton of Stem

 

Early Childhood Education:

Ms. Danielle D. Monaco of Castalia;

Ms. Sharon Harris of Oxford

 

Early Childhood Education – Local:

Ms. Torronna L. Parham of Henderson

 

Electrical System Technology:

Mr. Caleb J. Morrisette of Franklinton

 

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Logan R. Lloyd of Creedmoor;

Mr. Conall M. Desmarais of Henderson

 

General Science AGE Degree:

Ms. Taushua J. Alston Eaton of Butner;

Ms. Haven M. Ayscue and Ms. Khadijah M. Hardy, both of Franklinton;

Ms. Marinda T. Daye, Ms. Jasmin A. Gaines, Ms. Christie J. Tant, Ms. Nakeya D. Terry, and Ms. Taylor N. Vass, all of Henderson;

Ms. Brooke A. Chabala and Ms. Michelle Elvira, both of Stem;

Ms. Lamey’k K. Black and Ms. Jessica L. Hamill, both of Youngsville

 

Histotechnology:

Ms. Sherri R. Miller of Creedmoor;

Ms. Brittany T. Miller of Henderson

 

Human Services Technology – Substance Abuse

Ms. Hayley J. Holmes-Jones of Henderson

 

Information Technology:

Mr. Donald W. Weaver, Jr. of Creedmoor;

Mr. Nathan O. Daniel of Durham;

Ms. Leigh E. Matthews of Henderson;

Ms. Daniel S. Sema of Youngsville

 

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Matthew K. Beck of Butner

 

Medical Assisting:

Ms. Moriah Hall of Zebulon

 

Medical Assisting Diploma:

Mr. Simon J. Hildreth of Louisburg

 

Medical Office Administration:

Ms. Amy W. Roghelia of Creedmoor;

Ms. Nelldine S. Scotland of Oxford

 

Office Administration:

Miss Morgan N. Fightmaster of Wake Forest

 

Public Safety Administration:

Mr. Delson S. Kearney of Creedmoor;

Mr. Sam M. Coleman of Spring Hope;

Mr. Bradley J. Parkstone of Stem

 

Radiography:

Mr. Daniel A. Alexander of Durham;

Ms. Mauren V. Echeverry of Franklinton

 

Welding Technology:

Mr. Brett A. Freeland of Creedmoor;

Mr. Davin G. Pickrel of Franklinton;

Mr. Brandon T. Pernell of Henderson;

Mr. Dylan M. Newcomb of Oxford;

Mr. Hunter T. Wise of Youngsville

 

— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College is proud to announce that 151 students earned President’s List academic honors and another 83 earned Dean’s List academic honors during the spring 2025 semester, which ended in May. Congratulations to these students for all their hard work!

The President’s List recognizes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 quality point average while carrying a full load (12 credit hours or more) in 100-level or higher courses leading to a diploma or degree.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a quality point average of at least 3.5 but less than 4.0 and have no grade lower than “B,” while carrying a full load of courses as described above.

Spring 2025 President’s List honorees are listed below by program of study.

The Dean’s List follows the President’s List.

Accounting & Finance:

Ms. Emily Florentino
Ms. Shemere Jackson
Ms. Emily E. Travis

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology:

Mr. Ricardo R. Quintanilla

Associate Degree Nursing:

Ms. Shannen N. Phelps

Associate in Arts:

Ms. Sienna W. Armani
Mr. Noah A. Bean
Miss Megan A. Coghill
Miss Juniper G. Cumming
Miss Allie E. Currin
Ms. Kianna L. Evans
Miss Sofia D. Fernandez Torres
Ms. Ashley M. Galmiche
Mr. Eyad S. Hauter
Miss Cassidy G. Hicks
Ms. Sydney T. Hockaday
Miss Cadence G. Hoyle
Ms. Kenna V. Huynh
Ms. Madeline E. Jastrow
Miss Elizabeth A. Jones
Mr. Renyeh Kromah
Ms. Emily B. Moseley
Ms. Morgan E. Newton
Ms. Peyton D. Paschall
Mr. Chase A. Pixler
Mr. Christopher T. Powell
Ms. Fatima M. Ramirez Ramirez
Ms. Layla M. Royster
Ms. Anwaar Saleh
Ms. Abigail G. Shaeffer
Ms. Kenley S. Sheats
Ms. Lacie C. Shelley
Ms. Sarah B. Stein
Miss Marleigh G. Swanner
Ms. Lauren N. Taylor
Ms. Thy Thi
Destiny L. Timberlake
Mr. Andrew C. Tyndall

Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation:

Ms. Susan P. Alford
Miss Lily J. Young

Associate in Science:

Mr. Emad Alashmli
Miss Sarah F. Alzubairi
Mr. Andrew M. Arnott
Mr. Jackson C. Collins
Mr. Timothy M. Daniel
Kailee E. Ford
Mr. Brayan Hernandez-Mata
Ms. Jillian E. Johnson
Mr. Noah B. King
Miss Lynna Y. Mariano
Mr. George T. Montague
Mr. David D. Perry, III
Ms. Laney S. Renn
Mr. Sovannarith B. Seng
Miss Nicola T. Thompson
Mr. William A. Tuck

Automotive Systems Technology:

Mr. David Ewbank
Mr. Nicholas P. Wincovich

Biotechnology:

Mr. Keith L. Bridges
Mr. Jeriel Canales Perez
Mr. Mason T. Pendergrass

Business Administration:

Ms. Kerria S. Fleming
Mr. Jackson N. O’Briant
Ms. Katherine R. Pyle
Ms. Kenan G. Roberts
Miss Logan A. Walker
Ms. Darian J. Yates

College Transfer Pathway:

Ms. Samah E. Aldiri
Ms. Ashley N. Baranski
Ms. Addison E. Barrow
Ms. Joy P. Berry
Jaden S. Easow
Ms. Libby K. Johnson
Ms. Daira I. Martinez-Parra
Ms. Montana L. Preddy
Ms. Madison D. Reed
Ms. Laura K. Toothman

Computer Information Technology:

Mr. Aaron M. Comer
Ms. Chelsea A. McIntosh
Mr. Christian Sanford

Cosmetology:

Miss Clara G. Brewer
Ms. Kaitlyn C. Gilbert
Miss Jada E. Godin
Ms. Siriporn Healy
Ms. Catlyn M. Morris
Ms. Shawntae M. Thomas
Ms. Hannah N. Witt

Criminal Justice Technology:

Mr. Andrew J. Blackley
Mr. Christopher H. Boden
Mr. Damian D. Davies
Ms. Chelsea O. Harris
Mr. Thomas L. Smith
Ms. Samirah D. Watson

Culinary Arts:

Mr. Martin E. Cardenas Ramirez
Ms. Darian Porter
Ms. Haley L. Williams

Early Childhood Education:

Miss Jai G. Harvey
Ms. Brianna G. Inscoe
Ms. Jessica M. Rochelle

Early Childhood Education – Local:

Ms. Jadyn F. Burk
Ms. Latoya D. Reed
Mr. James E. Smith

Electrical System Technology:

Ms. Patrice L. Haywood
Mr. Ethan P. Jones

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Emanuel R. Gutierrez
Mr. Daniel I. Randolph

General Science AGE Degree:

Mr. Daniel Aylward
Ms. Jayla D. Grissom
Ms. Shirley A. Morgan
Ms. Lily A. Wilkins

Histotechnology:

Ms. Christina M. Gourley
Ms. Destinee L. Murphy
Ms. Lee Ann Rouse
Ms. Misty L. Senter
Ms. Zariyyah N. Ward

Human Services Technology:

Ms. Beatrice A. Green

Information Technology:

Mr. Micheal Byamugisha
Mr. Jer’an N. Cheatham
Mr. Christopher D. Hutchings
Mr. Brandon W. Watson

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Justin C. Hernandez
Mr. Owen B. Hixson
Mr. Robert O. Howard
Mr. Joseph Richmond
Ms. Tianna C. Wimbush
Mr. William M. Woodlief

Medical Assisting Diploma:

Ms. Chandler B. Beasley
Ms. Makayla D. Cox
Ms. Alyssa R. Donahue-Krise
Ms. Delia M. Escobar Rodriguez
Ms. Katlyn N. Singleton

Medical Office Administration:

Ms. Neshaunda Burton
Ms. Carthia N. Kornegay
Ms. Divya H. Patel
Ms. Rosalind S. Richardson
Ms. Mya A. Rose

Paralegal Technology:

Ms. Tayler L. Hope
Mrs. Nicole M. Joyner

Paralegal Technology Diploma:

Ms. Tiara L. Shephard

Pharmacy Technology Diploma:

Ms. Veronica M. Whitley

Radiography:

Ms. Mariana Figueroa Bonilla

Technical Special Student:

Mr. Ismail Alashmli

Welding Technology:

Ms. Emily E. Beckwith
Pamela J. Burton
Mr. William J. Currin
Mr. Kadarius J. Hargrove
Mr. Matthew J. Harris
Mr. Dylan C. Minish
Mr. Charles A. Porterfield
Mr. Nathaniel J. Pulley
Mr. Ernest Rivas-Trejo

Spring 2025 Dean’s List honorees are listed below by program of study.

Associate in Arts:

Miss Kinsey A. Barbour
Ms. Kelly A. Calles-Flores
Ms. Jazlynn N. Epps
Miss Laci M. Ford
Miss Abigail R. Frank
Mr. Pedro S. Gomez Gutierrez
Ms. Rama I. Hauter
Mr. Micah R. Hurt
Ms. Jetta M. Mangum
Ms. Valentina Ortega-Mora
Miss Makala F. Roberson
Ms. Jimena P. Rosas
Ms. Reyna N. Santiago Estrada
Ms. Emma E. Saporita
Ms. Maliyah Q. Springle
Mr. Chayton T. Strother
Ms. Maci B. Taylor
Ms. Maycee B. Thompson
Ms. Emily G. Ung
Mr. Trevor A. Weary

Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts:

Ms. TiaKathryn G. Iversen

Associate in Science:

Miss Samirah M. Abdo
Miss Adrianne Ces V. Aguilar
Mr. Kori Barlow-Robinson
Ms. Isabella C. Bechtel
Mr. Edwin Cardenas
Mr. Kevin O. Duran
Mr. Alexander D. Forkish
Ms. Michaella M. Haskins
Mr. Gavin D. Lister
Mr. Antavious E. Terry
Mr. Shane M. Tillotson

Business Administration:

Ms. Hailey N. Aycock
Ms. Tydasia M. Faulkner
Ms. Sheila N. McKnight

College Transfer Pathway:

Ms. Averi E. Boyd
Mr. Kane J. King
Mr. Yaseen H. Nawar
Ms. Annah G. Newman
Ms. Jaiden D. Oey
Mr. Xan M. Pitt
Ms. Sydni L. Rouse
Ms. Rosio L. Salazar-Vasquez
Ms. Penelope L. Sirianna
Ms. Addysen R. Walker

Cosmetology:

Ms. Delores A. Dannemiller
Ms. Sage A. Lemaster
Ms. Taylor L. Small
Ms. Christa N. Thompson

Criminal Justice Technology:

Mr. Clayton W. Bowser
Mr. Ernesto A. Bryant
Miss Madison R. Castaneda
Ms. Destinee Cotten

Culinary Arts:

Mr. Harry L. Compton

Early Childhood Education:

Ms. Sharon Harris
Ms. Danielle D. Monaco

Early Childhood Education – Local:

Ms. Torronna L. Parham

Electrical System Technology:

Mr. Caleb J. Morrisette

Electronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Conall M. Desmarais
Mr. Logan R. Lloyd

General Science AGE Degree:

Ms. Brooke A. Chabala
Ms. Marinda T. Daye
Ms. Michelle Elvira
Ms. Jessica L. Hamill

Histotechnology:

Ms. Brittany T. Miller
Ms. Sherri R. Miller

Information Technology:

Mr. Nathan O. Daniel
Ms. Leigh E. Matthews
Mr. Donald W. Weaver, Jr.

Mechatronics Engineering Technology:

Mr. Matthew K. Beck

Medical Assisting:

Ms. Moriah Hall

Medical Assisting Diploma:

Mr. Simon J. Hildreth

Medical Office Administration:

Ms. Nelldine S. Scotland

Office Administration:

Miss Morgan N. Fightmaster

Public Safety Administration:

Mr. Delson S. Kearney
Mr. Bradley J. Parkstone

Radiography:

Mr. Daniel A. Alexander
Ms. Mauren V. Echeverry

Welding Technology:

Mr. Brett A. Freeland
Mr. Dylan M. Newcomb
Mr. Brandon T. Pernell
Mr. Davin G. Pickrel
Mr. Hunter T. Wise

Food Bank Teaming Up With Schools, Henderson Family YMCA For Summer Food Distribution During July

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The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is partnering with Vance County Schools and the Henderson Family YMCA to provide food to children during the summer.

Two food distribution sites will be set up throughout the month of July – Wednesdays at Vance County Middle School and Fridays at the Henderson Family YMCA – to provide a week’s worth of shelf-stable breakfast and lunch items for any child 18 years and under who resides in Vance County.

The Wednesday dates are July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Vance County Middle School, located at 293 Warrenton Rd.

The Friday dates are July 11, July 18 and July 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Y, located at 380 Ruin Creek Rd.

Participants may visit one site per week; the program is open to any child in Vance County.

Along with the food items, children and families will be able to pick up other items and get connected with other community resources.

Click Play!

N.C. Attorney General Investigation Into PowerSchool Breach Continues

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— information courtesy of the office of N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson

A security breach of the company many public school districts have used as their data management system has affected about 4 million teachers, students and parents in North Carolina. N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson said he is demanding that the company, PowerSchool, disclose more information about exactly how the breach happened and how it affected as the investigation continues.

Students and staff affected by the data breach have until July 31, 2025, to enroll in free identity protection and credit monitoring (offered for adult students and educators) here. You can also find out more about setting up a free security freeze here.

Vance County Schools was part of the security breach. Visit  https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/about/powerschool-data-breach for the most current information about the breach.

“Last year’s data breach compromised the personal information of teachers, public school employees and families across North Carolina,” Jackson stated in a press release.  “I’m demanding more information from PowerSchool about how this breach happened and who it affected, and what we learn will drive our next steps.”

Jackson issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to PowerSchool that legally requires it to provide to him the following information:

·          The exact number of North Carolinians impacted by the 2024 data breach.

·          Details about PowerSchool’s cybersecurity measures that were in place to protect users’ personal information leading up to the breach.

·          Which security flaws may have contributed to the breach.

·          Information about PowerSchool’s response and actions in the immediate aftermath of the breach.

·          Steps PowerSchool has taken to address the cybersecurity failures that contributed to the data breach and strengthen data protection methods.

·          PowerSchool’s work to communicate with and assist consumers affected by the breach.

PowerSchool sells software products used by schools across the country, including public schools across North Carolina. In December 2024, a hacker gained access to that software, potentially exposing Social Security numbers, addresses, names of minors, and medical and disciplinary information. The breach impacted more than 62 million people across the country. PowerSchool later paid a ransom to the hacker to delete the information that was stolen, but a hacker then tried to extort North Carolina public school districts again.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice charged 19-year-old Massachusetts college student Matthew Lane with hacking PowerSchool’s system and facilitating the 2024 data breach. Lane entered a plea deal with the federal government in May. Lane pleaded guilty to cyber extortion conspiracy, cyber extortion, unauthorized access to protected computers, and aggravated identity theft.

Telessie McGhee Honored By Prince Hall Grand Lodge Masonic Group Aug. 9

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Telessie McGhee is being honored by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of North Carolina & Jurisdiction, Inc.

A celebration of service and testimonial is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Durham Hilton, 3800 Hillsborough Rd., Durham.

Tickets for the event are $60.

Contact the hotel at 919.383.8033 to make a lodging reservation. Mention “PGWP McGhee Testimonial” to receive a special room rate.

The following web address (https://mwphglnc.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Telessie-McGhee-Testimonial-2025.pdf) has a QR code for tickets to the testimonial dinner.

220 Fundraiser Monday, June 30 To Help Local Magistrate, Family After House Fire

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A 220 Fundraiser will take place on Monday, June 30 to support Vance County Magistrate Mike Massenburg and his family, who lost their home and its contents in a house fire.

Take-out plates will be available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 220 Seafood, 1812 N. Garnett St.

Plates are $10 and you can just drive up and purchase without having purchased a ticket in advance.

Tickets had been available for purchase for the past few weeks from the Vance County Clerk of Court’s office or magistrate’s office, 156 Church St., Suite 101.  Anyone who purchased tickets in advance is asked to bring them Monday when you pick up your plates.

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Adopts $66M Budget; Tax Rate Stays The Same

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted the $66 million FY 2025-26 budget Monday afternoon – it’s bigger by about $1.4 million than was first recommended by County Manager C. Renee Perry, but it includes more money for county school district teachers and classified staff. The budget figure Perry mentioned at a June 16 budget work session is $66,383,251, with $4,068,875 coming from the general fund to balance the budget.

Commissioners Valencia Perry and Dan Brummitt voted against the budget.

“I just feel that this budget – it’s an increase of almost 11 percent – and this is on the backs of our taxpaying citizens. I think at some point we’ve got to look at cutting expenses rather than generating new revenues,” Brummitt said. “It’s just something that we need to focus on, and hopefully this coming year, we’ll do something different that we can work towards that.”

Other items contributing to the increase in the budget are insurance costs and cost-of-living adjustments for county employees. Manager Perry told commissioners at a June 16 budget work session that health insurance costs rose by $1.2 million and $750,000 was needed for COLA costs for county employees – both of which are necessary expenditures. The commissioners were united in their support for Vance County Schools’ certified and classified staff getting more money – another $1,000 for teachers and a 2 percent salary increase for classified staff – although it wasn’t the full amount the school district had requested.

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TownTalk: Pathways 2 Peace Workshop Takes Aim At Root Causes Of Violence, Violent Crime

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In its very title, the Data-To-Action workshop that took place earlier this month clearly states the mission: We have a lot of data – now, what do we do about it?

Over the course of a day and a half, close to 20 participants from a cross-section of the community shared stories, analyzed data and listened to different perspectives, all in an effort to do something about the rising rates of violence in Henderson and Vance County.

Several of the participants came to the WIZS studios Thursday to share some takeaways from that workshop and to talk about what the future holds as the newly formed nonprofit Pathways 2 Peace continues to gather momentum.

Charles Turrentine, Jr., P2P’s founder, along with Dispatch editor Gary Band and local business owners Tasha Fritz and Roy Brown, Jr., said the workshop was a way to hear from a variety of people and to try to get to the root of problems that lead to violence and violent crimes.

The workshop took place at Vance-Granville Community College on June 6 and 7 and was led by facilitators who guided participants through activities that ultimately produced three root causes that contribute to violence and violent crime in the area, Turrentine said: poverty, broken homes and absenteeism.

“Poverty and broken-down families intertwine with substance abuse, feeding the cycle,” he said.

These factors may be easily identifiable, but what actions to take to reverse the trends is what P2P is focusing on now.

As part of the workshop, the group produced an action plan – concrete ways to address the problems.

As far as a timeframe goes, Turrentine was quick to respond. “The timeframe is now,” he said, mentioning an upcoming Community Read-In, a collaboration with Perry Memorial Library that will take place on June 25.

But P2P has plans to do more, from providing mentorship opportunities and peer support for people struggling to hosting other listening sessions to hear what people want and need.

“That’s where Pathways 2 Peace can help,” Turrentine said. “We’re changing the narrative,” he said, connecting agencies and resources with the people who need them. “We’re not in silos, we’re inviting people to come out,” he said.

“We want to change the mindset,” Turrentine said. A feeling of embarrassment may have a hand in people not asking for help, he said. “It’s ok to need help if you want to do better.”

Ultimately, P2P hopes to have a physical location where people can just walk in and ask for help in finding resources, Fritz said.

Fritz is a creative professional and leads The Savvy Sisters, LLC, a local faith-led company that specializes in branding, marketing and design.

For the past 14 years, she has been working with small businesses to build websites, create logos and more.

She said she had intended to attend the workshop for a few hours, mainly because she had committed to being there.

“I went, I showed up with the attitude of ‘Let’s see what this is all about,’” Fritz said. “Once I got there…it became that much more interesting to me. The facilitators brought everything together, she said. “It turned out to be an extremely powerful session.”

From her perspective, Fritz said it’s a matter of pushing people to believe in themselves. “If we want better, we have to do better…uplift instead of tearing each other down.”

As owner of 2 Kings One City Media Co., Brown said he attended the workshop not just as a member of the business community, but as someone who has seen firsthand some of the struggles people face. Through his work offering peer support, Brown said he believes some of the problems “can be nipped in the bud” if people’s needs can be identified and addressed so they can get their lives back on track.

Connecting people to existing resources is a critical component to addressing those needs, everything from finding clothing or household items when money is tight to accessing mental health agencies or substance abuse treatment programs.

Turrentine said he wants people to be able to access resources when they need them to help them get to their destinations – it’s a temporary support that isn’t designed for long-term dependence.

“The system is not designed to be an enabler,” he said, rather, it’s “designed to help you get off the system.”

Band said he witnessed “energy, enthusiasm and engagement” during the workshop, and participants seemed to be laser-focused on the issues that are negatively affecting the city and county.

The community doesn’t necessarily need more programs, he said, but more connections.

“If we can recognize where those resources exist,” Band said, and be able to approach and engage people, the work will pay dividends.

There’s a new website that is offering just such a listing of resources called Connect to Henderson. Agencies and organizations can submit information about the services and programs they provide. The website is https://www.connect-to-henderson.com/

Turrentine said P2P is developing a board now that will create a solid foundation of like-minded people willing to work to improve those three key root causes that were identified: poverty, broken families and absenteeism.

It’s going to take strong leadership – and funding – to make sure P2P is sustainable.

“We want to sustain ourselves,” he said. “While we’re doing the business, we’re doing the work. We’re going to still continue to do the work.”

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Vance County Schools’ Certified, Classified Staff Could Benefit In FY 2025-26 County Budget

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When the Vance County Board of Commissioners convenes next week to adopt the FY 2025-26 budget, teachers and classified staff in Vance County Schools will be among those listening closely to learn whether they will be getting a bigger supplement or – in the case of classified staff, a bump in pay.

The commissioners discussed increasing the amount the school district gets from the county for this purpose at a budget work session on Monday, June 16.

It will add about $1.2 million to the total county budget, which stands now at more than $66 million.

VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett said local funding provides vital support for areas not covered by federal or state sources. Teacher supplements is one such area.

Bennett told WIZS News that certified teaching staff currently get a supplement of $2,500 – that amount hasn’t gone up since at least 1999 – that’s 25 years.

In its funding request to commissioners, the Vance County Board of Education had asked that the supplement be doubled, and that classified staff get a 10 percent salary supplement.

Commissioners discussed providing $1,000 for certified staff and a 2 percent increase for classified staff.

“This supplement is funded through local appropriations and is included in the annual budget approved by the Vance County Board of Commissioners,” Bennett said. “Though the amount of teachers has decreased with fewer students in the district, expenses have increased in many areas, most notably insurance rates, state-mandated pay raises for locally funded positions, and increased payments to charter schools,” she stated.

Bennett acknowledged the collaboration between the school district and county leaders with regard to educator compensation, calling it “an encouraging step in the right direction.”

She said she and school leaders “remain hopeful that additional support will be appropriated, inclusive of our classified staff.”

Local supplements help attract and retain teacher talent, Bennett said. School districts in larger counties can offer larger supplements, making it difficult for smaller districts to keep teachers.

Bennett said that once the county has approved its budget, 30 percent of the money appropriated to Vance County Schools is distributed to charter schools. “Currently, there are 21 charter schools who receive funding from these appropriations for 2,113 students,” Bennett said.

Data from 2023-24 shows Vance County ranks 101st among the state’s 115 Local Education Agencies In North Carolina for local per-pupil expenditure, with $1,748.12 per pupil.

Granville County ranks 33rd at $2,918.94 per pupil, Warren County ranks 21st at $3,405.61 per pupil and Franklin County is 52nd at $2,531.59 per pupil.

This information comes from the N.C. Public Schools Statistical Profile, found in the following link: http://apps.schools.nc.gov/ords/f?p=145:34:::NO:::

TownTalk: Keeping Teen Drivers Safe

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Teens are four times as likely to be in a car crash and three times as likely to die in a crash, according to information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit organization that conducts research on crash testing and safety tests on vehicles, and rates them according to those results. The IIHS is fully funded by the automobile insurance industry and provides information to policy makers and departments of transportation about how to make roadways safer.

Joe Young, IIHS director of Media Relations, cited four main – and familiar – factors that contribute to car crashes: distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and failure to use seatbelts.

Now that most schools are out for the summer, there’s a greater likelihood that more teen drivers are on the road, and they’ve got friends or family as passengers.

“Looking nationwide, we see about 30 extra teens dying each month in crashes” during the summer, Young said.

“In North Carolina, we do see crash deaths are a little bit above (the national) average,” he said.

They may be driving to places they’re less familiar with – like the beach or other vacation spot, Young said on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day has become known as the 100 deadliest days of the year, Young said, for the simple fact that more cars are on the road, and some of those cars are being driven by inexperienced drivers. Throw in one or more of those four factors and it all adds up to be a more dangerous driving environment, Young said.

And while awareness plays a role in reducing car crashes, Young recommends several additional tangible steps for parents and teens to take. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Choose a safe vehicle for your teen to drive. Keep them out of the smallest vehicle that may not offer great protection, and out of the largest vehicles that may prove more difficult to handle out on the road. A mid-size “boring” car that provides good crash protection is ideal, Young said.
  • Vehicles get safer every year. Don’t put teens in an older vehicle, he said, acknowledging the fact that parents may think that an older model may be a good option for the pocketbook.
  • Keep a teen driver out of a vehicle that has a lot of power, like a “muscle” car or even a new EV choice.
  • Parents are in charge and can set rules above and beyond what state laws require. North Carolina has a graduated driver license that places limits on when a new driver can drive, among other things.

“Our reminder to parents is to get to know the laws in your state, but feel free to make your own rules,” Young said.

“And set a good example” for teen drivers. “They’re always watching.”

Visit www.iihs.org to find a list of cars for drivers of all ages based on safety considerations. Download a teen driver contract template as well.

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TownTalk: Commissioners Expected To Adopt $66M Budget Monday, June 23

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt the FY 2025-26 budget at a meeting to be held at 4 p.m. on June 23. At a budget work session on Monday, June 16, commissioners discussed increasing teacher supplements, skyrocketing insurance costs and cost-of-living adjustments – all of which contributed to $3.1 million in new expenses that caused the budget to be about 10 percent more than last year’s approved budget.

County Manager C. Renee Perry said the 2025-26 budget stands at $66,383,251, which is $1.4 million more than the budget that she presented to commissioners in May.

Perry said $4,068,875 will come from the general fund to balance the budget.

With $1.2 million for health insurance, $1.2 million in additional funds to the school system and $750,000 in cost-of-living adjustments for county employees, the budget had no way to go but up.

Vance County Schools will use the extra $1.2 million to cover a supplement increase to $1,000 for certified teachers and a 2 percent adjustment for classified staff. “This will be recurring annually and it’s three pennies of the tax increase from last year,” Perry told WIZS News Tuesday morning.

During the budget work session, Commission Chair Carolyn Faines vocalized support for teachers. Despite decreasing enrollment, school consolidation and fewer teachers working in the district, Faines said, “Teachers are still teaching…it’s not about how many students or how many teachers.”

Commissioner Leo Kelly advocated for the supplement increase to show “we support you and we’re doing everything we can to keep you,” Kelly said. “I support giving them as much as we can.”

Property and liability insurance rates also climbed by $85,000, Perry said, because of the situation with the Department of Social Services child welfare liabilities takeover by the state and the ongoing issues at the detention center. And Perry Memorial Library Director Patti McNally asked for an additional $63,000 for library employees’ health insurance.

The rates had not been released when the library budget request was submitted, Perry said, so that’s why it was not included in the original request. Library employees are included among those who get health insurance from the county.

“At some point, we have to have discussions on how to possibly reduce our budget,” Perry stated to commissioners, “but also increase our tax base with economic development – we have to.”

About 20 minutes into the work session, Commissioner Tommy Hester asked where the county could look to decrease the budget.

“I’m going to bring up a touchy subject and I might as well bring it up now while we’re looking at a decrease,” Hester said.

He continued by stating that the Vance County Rescue Squad has received more than $785,000 in the past 35 months – that’s about $25,000 a month, he figured.

How much money would the county save if the rescue squad functions were placed under the umbrella of the Vance County Fire Department?

Addressing commissioners, Fire Chief Marvin Harrison said it would be a matter of millions, over 15 or 20 years’ time.

The current contract with the rescue squad ends on June 30, 2025, and commissioners agreed that a 90-day extension would allow for adequate discussion. Faines said she would like to have rescue squad representatives come to the July meeting.

Perry told WIZS News Tuesday that “the rescue squad would be funded for 90 days while Vance County Fire Department purchases equipment and apparatus needed to provide the same service that the rescue squad offers. “A lot of people in this community think that because it’s in Vance County that that’s part of the county. It is not,” Hester emphasized.

Harrison told commissioners that the county has sufficient staff trained for rescue to be successful if a consolidation occurs. Perry confirmed that statement Tuesday. “The county fire department has staff trained currently as well as other volunteer fire agencies trained to assist if needed.”

What the county lacks is the equipment necessary to do the job properly.

Harrison said the rescue squad is supposed to provide the services of heavy rescue, water rescue and another service that he didn’t specify.

Brummitt said the rescue squad assists firefighters on calls. “They…provide air bottles when they’re on scene, they refill air bottles when they’re fighting fires.”

Harrison said it would cost roughly $150,000 – a one-time cost – to purchase the equipment needed to perform the rescue services.

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