Granville County Youth Leadership Council represent the crucial role that youth have in shaping the future. Particularly the youth voice in Granville County. The Council is a platform that empowers young minds to actively participate in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to community development. Members are not only representatives of youth civic engagement, but they are architects of change bringing new ideas and opportunities to the community. Comprising of talented and passionate young leaders, the Youth Council members are poised to make significant impacts and contributions to Granville County.

The GCYLC members were chosen from a pool of applicants comprised of students from High Schools across Granville County. The term of office runs from September 2023-June 2024. The new members joining the council for the 23-24 year are: Ana Black, District 4; Josef Black, District 4; Claire Glavin, District 7; Jacquelin Jose, District 4; Kaylee Overby, District 5; Dylan Roseman, District 5 and Nathanael Royster, District 7. These new members have hit the ground running and already involved in many activities.

GCYLC Members 2023-2024 Term
Jermaine Puryear, Jr., Chair, Board Liaison, District 3
Elaina Eley, Vice Chair, Board Liaison, District 6
Amber Necessary, Secretary, Board Liaison, District 6
Jaden Easow, Treasurer, Board Liaison, District 6
Iesha Landis, Social Events Chair, Board Liaison, District 6
Cassie Peele, Media and Public Relations Chair, Board Liaison, District 2
Vashti Pearson, Social Media/Content Creator, Board Liaison, District 5
Asia Abdul-Haqq, Board Liaison, District 5
Joydan Johnson, Board Liaison, District 6
Ana Black, Board Liaison, District 4
Josef Black, Board Liaison, District 4
Claire Glavin, Board Liaison, District 7
Jacquelin Jose, Board Liaison, District 4
Kaylee Overby, Board Liaison, District 5
Dylan Roseman, Board Liaison, District 5
Nathanael Royster, Board Liaison, District 7

The purpose of this council is to ensure that youth in the community have a voice, but most importantly, that their voices are heard, recognized and valued. During their tenure, they will gain invaluable leadership skills through their service on selected county boards, outreach, initiatives and youth-led projects. The members have already been hard at work, holding a strategic planning session retreat in November.

Members divided into committees where they worked diligently on plans for future initiatives. The day ended with some team building activities at Palace Pointe. The Council has ambitious plans for the future. From launching a Teen Clothing Closet, sponsoring a Teen Night, developing a mental health proposal for teens, and hosting community forums and discussions. These young leaders are determined to make a lasting impact. By fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation, the Youth Council aims to create a community where the aspirations of youth are not only acknowledged but actively supported. They will not only provide a voice to the County Commissioners, but they will actively serve on boards such as the HumanRelations Committee, Veterans Affairs, Board of Trustees with the Library, etc.

The Youth Leadership Council presented their annual report at the commissioners meeting on November 6, 2023. They discussed their accomplishments from the previous year and their plans for the future. If you would like to learn more about the Council and their activities, please visit their website at www.granvilleylc.weebly.com

HENDERSON, NC (November 9, 2023) — Get into the holiday spirit and give back to your community during the 2023 Festival of Trees Online Silent Auction, hosted by the VGCC Foundation! Bid on beautiful, pre-decorated holiday trees from November 12–19, available to take home before Thanksgiving. All fundraiser proceeds will benefit the VGCC Foundation and students in need—providing scholarships, emergency assistance, and more.

· Decorated trees will be on display at the VGCC Main Campus Civic Center (200 Community College Rd, Henderson, NC).

· View trees in-person November 13–17, 8 am–3 pm. Photos will also be available on the college’s Facebook Event page.

· Winners must pick up their trees by 5 pm on Tuesday, November 21.

Access the auction by visiting www.vgcc.edu/festival-of-trees.

In addition to supporting students, the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation supports a broad range of special projects involving education, training, and economic development in our community. Tax-deductible donations to VGCCF have often been used to honor a person, group, business, or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Festival of Trees auction or the VGCC Foundation, contact VGCCF at foundation@vgcc.edu or 252-431-5913.

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About Vance-Granville Community College: Established in 1969, VGCC is one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System. With a service area the size of Rhode Island, VGCC is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs.

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484

LOUISBURG, NC (November 7, 2023) — On October 27, Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin Campus welcomed students from Oxford’s J.F. Webb High School for a hands-on biotechnology demonstration.

The two dozen students who traveled to Louisburg and explored VGCC’s biotech laboratory became the first high school group to utilize some of the college’s latest equipment. Used for nucleic acid sequencing, the new lab equipment was funded by the U.S. Economic Development Association’s 2022 Build Back Better Regional Challenge award.

Dr. Andrew Pais, instructor for Bioprocess/Biotechnology, led the day’s in-depth DNA sequencing.

“In a matter of five hours, students experienced the entire process of identifying unknown samples from DNA, starting with the operation of lab equipment needed to process samples and ending with a computer workshop on how to convert physical DNA into a readable sequence,” Pais explained. “I’ve done plenty of science outreach in my academic career but never at this depth and scope of content covered.”

Students also had the opportunity to learn about biotech industry careers firsthand. During a lunchtime session, Stephanie Luther of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global lab equipment supplier, highlighted some of the many life-changing career opportunities related to the field of biotechnology. VGCC prepares students for such careers through programs that range from approximately two months to about two years, depending upon the level of credential desired.

“There has never been a more exciting time for students to be involved in biotechnology training programs at VGCC,” observed Stewart Lyon, Vance-Granville’s program head for Bioprocess/Biotechnology. “We are so fortunate to have great industry partners like Thermo Fisher Scientific who guide and support our biotech programs. Their involvement is testament to the amazing career opportunities that exist within biotechnology-related industries.”

The VGCC Bioprocess/Biotechnology program welcomes other school groups to plan field trips to the lab and expose their students to biotech activities and careers. If you are a school leader interested in planning a visit, or if you are searching for a great career path in this field, contact lyons@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3632.

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Caption for photo “VGCC welcomes JF Webb 10272023.jpg”: Dr. Andrew Pais, instructor for Bioprocess/Biotechnology at Vance-Granville Community College, guides visiting students during a lab exercise.

About Vance-Granville Community College: Established in 1969, VGCC is one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System. With a service area the size of Rhode Island, VGCC is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. VGCC offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as Continuing Education, High School Equivalency, and Adult High School Diploma programs.

Contact: Courtney Cissel, Public Information Officer • cisselc@vgcc.edu • 252-738-3484