HENDERSON, NC (April 29, 2024) — There’s still time to register for the region’s most anticipated golf event! Vance-Granville Community College’s 40th Annual VGCC Foundation Golf Tournament will take place May 6 and 7 at Henderson Country Club. The event invites golfers and non-golfers alike to unite in support of the college and its impact on the four-county service area.

The VGCC Foundation (VGCCF) awards hundreds of scholarship endowments to full-time students—more than any program of its kind in North Carolina. As one of the college’s primary annual fundraisers for The Foundation, this tournament provides crucial resources to fund student scholarships and support the greater mission of the college, including the food pantry used by students and employees alike. Enhancing and expanding need-based aid promotes equitable outcomes for all learners, setting them up for a brighter future.

“Community colleges do more than just impact students on campus; they are key to a community’s economic viability,” noted VGCCF Executive Director Tanya Weary. “We would like to accomplish greater growth this year and offer even more individuals an opportunity to pursue their educational dreams—but we can only achieve this if we acquire more support from the community.”

Hitting the course as a golfer is not the only way to support The Foundation’s mission. A range of sponsorship opportunities are still available to businesses looking to promote their brand and back a worthy cause.

Anyone interested in participating as a sponsor or as a golfing team is asked to sign up on the event’s webpage by Wednesday, May 1. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu/golf or call 252-738-3264.

Those wishing to donate to the event may visit the event webpage or simply email foundation@vgcc.edu.

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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 or 252-738-3484

OXFORD, NC, April 29, 2024 – Granville Health System has announced its first quarter winner of the DAISY award. Dawn Poythress, BSN, RN was awarded The DAISY Award® on April 17, 2024. Dawn, a nurse in our Women’s Services department, was nominated for the DAISY Award by a patient.

“Dawn was my day shift nurse for two days while I was on the labor and delivery floor. I came in for an induction on Monday night with the intention of having my baby on Tuesday sometime. On Tuesday, Dawn began to show how dedicated she was to patient care. She explained what steps the doctor was planning to take and ensured I understood. She helped me make decisions regarding pain management leading up to the doctor breaking my water. I was so scared of being in pain. She drew upon her clinical experience and passionate patient care experience to help me chose the right moment for my epidural. While waiting on the anesthesiologist, she ensured that I was comfortable and answered any questions or concerns I had. She stood with me and comforted me throughout the procedure. As the day progressed, Dawn ensured that I was comfortable. She came in and continued to change my positions to help my labor progress. As her Tuesday shift drew to a close, I was seven centimeters and we felt labor would begin soon. Dawn considered staying past her shift to see the labor process through. The next day, Dawn jumped right in to ensure that my positioning was conducive to dilation, and called the doctor and sat me up to labor down while we waited. Once the doctor arrived, Dawn stayed by my side to coach me through my labor. I even caught her pushing a little with me. Ultimately, I had to go down for a c-section. While I knew I had to, I cried because I was scared, and I caught Dawn tearing up with me. I knew she truly cared about my outcome. While I waited to go down for the c-section, Dawn came in and comforted me. She explained what would happen before, during, and after the procedure. She reassured me that she would be there as well. During the procedure, Dawn brought my baby over to me and allowed me to see him and kiss him. She began to give the same care to my baby that she had given to me. Dawn is more than deserving of this award. Her patient care truly made a difference in the experience I had in labor and delivery. She anticipated my needs. She ensured that my concerns were answered and addressed. She provided care that will stay with me for a lifetime.”

The Award is part of The DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize nurses for the extraordinary, compassionate care they provide patients and families every day. Granville Health System is among many healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program.

“It is my honor to present this well-deserved DAISY Award to Dawn,” said Ann Marie Holtzman-Wheeler, Chief Nursing Officer, Granville Health System. “Her unwavering dedication to providing compassionate nursing care shines brightly, and we deeply appreciate her tireless efforts and commitment to the communities we serve, and the patients entrusted to our care.”

Nurses are nominated by patients, families, and colleagues from Granville Health System. To submit an online nomination form, click here, or visit the GHS website at www.ghsHospital.org.

About Granville Health System:

For over a century, Granville Health System has been at the forefront of quality healthcare. To cater to the evolving needs of its community, Granville Health System has extended its services throughout Granville County, ensuring convenient medical care access for its residents. The Granville Health System main campus can be found at 1010 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina. For more details, visit GHS online at www.ghsHospital.org.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lauren B. Roberson

919-690-3180 lbroberson@granvillemedical.com

The 26th Annual Teen Court Statewide Mock Trial Summit Competition, hosted by the North Carolina Teen Court Association, took place in Concord, NC from April 19th to 21st. Granville County Teen Court's youth volunteers were among over 200 participants from across North Carolina, engaging in an educational weekend showcasing their skills and knowledge through mock trial competitions.

Seven dedicated student volunteers from Granville County represented the Teen Court, assuming roles such as attorneys, clerks, bailiffs, and defendants, competing against teams from various counties across the state. Representing Granville County in this year's event were: Defense Attorneys Cristina Portillo-Martinez and Jazlyn Usher, Prosecutors Joydan Johnson and Jermaine Puryear, Jr., Clerk of Court Iesha Landis, Bailiff Cassie Peele, and Defendant Caitlynne Horton.

These students dedicated weeks of diligent practice to perfecting their roles leading up to the competition. Amidst their regular schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and ongoing Teen Court responsibilities, they carved out time to come in for extra sessions on evenings, Saturday mornings, and even during school breaks to prepare thoroughly. Their perseverance paid off immensely as the team emerged victorious, claiming 1st place in the state competition! Additionally, two members received special recognition for their outstanding performance in the courtroom. Jazlyn Usher was honored with the title of "Best Attorney Courtroom A" in the Defense's trial, while Jermaine Puryear, Jr. received accolades as "Best Attorney for Courtroom B" in the Prosecution's trial, as well as the prestigious title of "Best Overall Prosecuting Attorney" across all courtroom trials.

Apart from the Mock Trial competition, the objectives for the three-day event encompassed several key goals: assembling volunteers from all Teen Courts across North Carolina; enhancing volunteer effectiveness in the courtroom; gaining practical experience through the Mock Trial Competition; fostering friendships; and exchanging information and experiences. On Friday night, youth engaged in a team-building workshop. Following a tense morning of mock trial competition, students were treated to much-needed stress relief and fun at the Great Wolf Lodge water park. On Saturday night, they enjoyed a Dinner Theater presentation titled, “The Douglas-Lincoln Debates, A One-Act Play and Discussion Event.” The play centered on the authentic and sometimes awkward humanity and vulnerability of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The final day concluded with a presentation by Glenn Smith, Executive Director of Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc., where he discussed the significance of restorative justice and the advantages of diversion programs like Teen Court.

Following this presentation was the awards ceremony, a moment filled with excitement and celebration for Granville County.

Ontic, a leading licensor and manufacturer of complex engineered parts for the global aerospace and defense industries, has announced Jack Karapetyan in the newly created role of Vice President and General Manager of Global MRO Operations in an exciting new direction for their manufacturing, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations.

Effective immediately, this internal move for Karapetyan, who was previously joint General Manager of Ontic’s Chatsworth, CA site alongside Terry Streb, signals a stronger strategic focus on MRO for Ontic. Focused on operational execution throughout his career, and having overseeing a number of operational improvement programs at Ontic’s Chatsworth site, Karapetyan will take the sum of his and the wider organization’s learnings to improve existing operations and win new MRO business for the company.

His primary responsibilities will be to assess the existing MRO operations, ensuring a cohesive and global approach to MRO within Ontic, and ultimately growing this part of the business.

Congratulating him on the new role, Brian Sartain, Chief Operating Officer at Ontic, said: “I’m excited to welcome Jack to this newly created role. Creating this strategically significant position will enable us to focus more on our MRO customers, improving existing operations and setting us up for future success.

“We are ambitious about this new direction and I look forward to working with Jack to make Ontic the service benchmark other MRO companies are marked against.”

Commenting on his new role, Karapetyan said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this new challenge at Ontic. There’s a lot of work to do and I’m already in conversation with some customers. MRO is a cornerstone of our industry and I’m looking forward to expanding our operations in this area.”

Terry Streb will take full responsibility of Ontic’s Californian site as Vice President and General Manager of Chatsworth following Karapetyan’s move.

Boeing continues to expand its exclusive distributor partnership with Ontic. Through a new 10-year distribution agreement, Boeing will add to its offerings the TRAS (thrust reverser actuation system) and PECU (propeller electronic control unit) product lines – approximately 1,000 actuation and propulsion system products across multiple aircraft platforms.

“We are thrilled to announce this significant milestone in our partnership with Ontic.” said Travis Sullivan, vice president and general manager, Boeing Distribution. “This collaboration not only expands our product offerings, but also reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class support to our engine operators.”

The TRAS product line supports the following engines and aircraft platforms: GE CF6-50/80 –A300/310/330, B747/767, DC10, KC10, MD11, VC-25A, C-5M, C-2; GE CF-34 – CL600/CRJ Series; Rolls Royce RB 211 – 747-400; and Rolls Royce Trent 900 and GE GP700 – A380.

The PECU is a critical LRU for the Dowty R408 series propeller system, for the De Haviland Canada DHC-8/Q400.Boeing’s distribution portfolio for Ontic also includes fuel controls, actuation, MWD (memory wheel device), lighting, interior electronics and wipers product lines, and business and general aviation displays for a range of civil and military aircraft platforms.

“As we continue to grow our product-line portfolio, we need a partner that can grow with us. Boeing’s breadth and depth of network ensures our customers will get the right part at the right time,” said Brian Sartain, Ontic’s chief operating officer. “Delivering parts to our airline customers on time and ensuring the highest level of quality is our highest priority. Boeing is a trusted partner in the aftermarket with customer relationships that span the globe.”

Boeing has a diverse and expansive portfolio that includes more than 15 million parts, chemicals, services and tailored solutions that reduce cost, risk and complexity through a global network with localized support. Boeing supports defense, commercial, rotorcraft and business and general aviation customers with their production and aftermarket needs, and provides 24/7 e-commerce access to parts and supplies via shop.boeing.com.

Ontic is a leading global aerospace OEM, providing complex engineered parts and repair services for?established aircraft in the defense and commercial market.

HENDERSON, NC (April 17, 2024) — Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is proud to welcome Representative Frank Sossamon to deliver the keynote address at its 55th annual commencement ceremony.

Rep. Sossamon serves the NC House of Representatives’ District 32, covering Vance and most of Granville County. He is a member of several House committees, including Education K-12, Appropriations, Appropriations Education, Transportation, and Commerce, as well as an interim member of the House Select Committee on Substance Abuse and the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee.

A native of Concord, NC, Rep. Sossamon learned the value of hard work, respect, fairness, and helping others from his parents. After graduating high school as a multisport athlete, he pursued an associate degree in mental health from Western Piedmont Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies from East Coast Bible College, a Master of Ministry in church growth and church planting from Southwestern Christian University, and a Master of Divinity from Houston Graduate School of Theology. He served as a pastor for more than four decades, including 36 years at the South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Rep. Sossamon is an active member of his community. He started the Chaplain Program at Maria Parham Health and served on the Ethics Council at the hospital; he also served as chaplain for the Vance County Sheriff Department for 24 years. He has been on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for Vance County for 35 years. Rep. Sossamon has been an active member of local Crime Stoppers groups for over three decades, serving as president of both the Henderson/Vance and Granville County chapters in turn. He has initiated a number of local community task forces in an effort to better the community.

Rep. Sossamon has been no stranger to VGCC during his freshman congressional term. Last year he spearheaded the effort to secure an $11.5 million allocation in the 2023-2024 State Budget for the College to construct a new center for advanced manufacturing. More recently, he played a key role in launching VGCC’s Funeral Service Education partnership with Fayetteville Tech, advocating for the program to support locally-owned businesses.

Vance-Granville Community College’s 2024 commencement will honor several hundred students who completed graduation requirements over the last year. The ceremony will take place Friday, May 10, on the grounds of the College’s Main Campus in Henderson. All members of the community are invited to attend.

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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