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Mayland Community
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Mayland Early College High School Students Begin College Classes
According to Dr.William A. Nolen, “College is a place where a
student ought to learn not so much how to make a living, but how to
live.” Students enrolled in the Mayland Early College High School
has taken a giant first step in their college career and learning to
live. Beginning January 7, thirty-one students began their first two
college classes, ACA 111 College Student Success and CIS 110,
Introduction to Computers.
“Even high school freshmen know a great opportunity when they see
it,” said Liz Silvers, Mayland Early College Liaison and ACA 111
Instructor. “Generally, only in hindsight do college graduates
realize, in completeness the value and opportunity of a college
education. However, these MECHS students are already ahead of the
game.”
One of the first assignments in ACA 111 was to go through a
self-assessment to identify and examine the personal choices of the
successful student. As with most students, the assignment begins
with groaning and complaining. However, the students quickly got
down to work when they realize they must use this assessment to
complete their first three-page journal assignment.
“Surprisingly the students took this first assignment very seriously
and explored their personal choices and feelings,” said Silvers.
“This self awareness enables them make wise choices about what to
keep doing and what to change to be a successful college student.”
Fourteen year-old MCEHS student Victoria Riddle wrote, “I learned
that doing good in school is the best thing to do to get your life
started. But, I also learned that sometimes I learn things the hard
way, which helps me in life sometimes.”
According to MECHS student Greg Shepherd, he has to be
self-motivated so he can make good grades and be successful in life.
“I think back to when I was fourteen, college was the furthest thing
from my mind,” said Keegan Anderson, MCC computer instructor. “To
see these kids moving forward, growing and learning every day is a
remarkable thing. They are beginning to learn about personal
responsibility and the role that it plays in their college career
and life.”
According to MECHS student Jessica Phillips, she came to Mayland
Early College because she wanted to make a better future for
herself, get a good job, and live well.
“At first I didn’t want to come because I wanted to stay with my
friends at MHHS, but the more I thought about it I realized I wanted
to do more with my life,” said Phillips. “Now that I’m in Early
College, I am proud of myself and what I am doing to better my
life.”
Mayland Early College High School is already gearing up for next
year. Visits have been planned to each middle school in Avery,
Mitchell and Yancey Counties, with our current students available
for question and answer sessions. For more information or questions
about the Early College and its mission, please call (828) 765-7351,
ext. 301.
Certified Entrepreneurial Community
Mayland Community College employees, along with representatives from
education, private businesses, service industries, Mitchell County
Chamber of Commerce members, elected officials, capitol providers
and employees in the trade industry in Mitchell County are members
of the AdvantageWest Certified Entrepreneurial Community.
According to the
AdvantageWest website, this two year process was developed by
AdvantageWest “to create communities of entrepreneurial interest by
promoting public and governmental awareness of the need for
entrepreneurship through certifying governmental bodies and local
units of governments regarding their approach, strategy and state of
readiness with respect to entrepreneurship.”
Mitchell County
put together a team to participate, and developed a plan that
included the cooperation of Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties.
The Mitchell
County team worked on leadership and educational endeavors to
complete the certification program, and became a certified
Entrepreneurial Community last fall.
“The team’s primary focus was looking at entrepreneurship as a
viable means to stimulate the economy,” said participant and
Mayland’s Executive Assistant to the President/Secretary, Board of
Trustees Melissa Phillips. “We created educational opportunities for
people to learn how to start a business and have a chance to network
with others in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties.”
The team’s
mission was and is to support and encourage the continued
development of local and regional entrepreneurial and small business
enterprises using community, local heritage, and current technology
resources.
The group’s
goals also include increasing the awareness of business
opportunities in the Tri-County area, developing a website to
educate people on entrepreneurial prospects, and are working to
acquire more broad band Internet access for the three counties, thus
creating The Toe River Economic Alliance.
The Toe River
Economic Alliance, with members from the three counties, held
networking events during 2009 for local businesses in the building
and home trades. They are working with businesses and individuals on
developing a seminar on April 15 that will encompass a series of
speakers to discuss setting up for trade shows.
“We submitted
our project ideas for review by the AdvantageWest board and then
gave a presentation describing our plan of action for working on
business opportunities and education in the Tri-Counties to complete
the certification process,” said Phillips.
The Mitchell
County CEC Leadership Team presented their goal of bringing Avery,
Mitchell, and Yancey Counties together to develop entrepreneurial
experiences to a partial AdvantageWest board, which asked them to
return and give the presentation again to the full board.
“The Toe River
Economic Alliance’s plan has been carried as a model for what they
have accomplished,” said Mayland’s President Dr. Suzanne Owens.
To remain a
Certified Entrepreneurial Community, the Certified Entrepreneurial
Community group are required to participate in a recertification
process in two years.
State Employees Association Food Drive
State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) District 3
donated food items to the Shepherd’s Staff in Spruce Pine during
their recent monthly meeting.
The State Employees Association is a united body of 55,000 state
government employees and retirees working to achieve common goals
through group action. SEANC, SEIU Local 2008, is an affiliate of the
Service Employees International Union. The SEANC District 3 includes
members from Avery, Watauga and Mitchell Counties.
SEANC’s mission is to protect and enhance the rights and benefits of
current, retired, and future state employees.
The Shepherd's Staff now focuses on providing food assistance for
those in need. The organization has steadily increased the amount of
food they have given out since last year.

Scholarship Program
The Mayland Community
College Foundation Scholarship Program recently awarded Spring semester
scholarships to 37 deserving students. Pictured from left to right in back are
Jacquelyn Zeno, Holly Coffey, Bobby Day, Seth Johnson, and Stanley Hoover.From
left to right on the front row are Christina Dicks, Elizabeth Fox, Nalda
Rodriguez, Evelyn Vondenhuevel, Brittney Hagie, and Sandra Whitson. Pictured in
the second is Spring 2010 scholarship recipient Christopher McKinney. Not
pictured are scholarship recipients Emily Boone, Patricia Buesser, Pamela
Crowder, Jared Doan, Tonya Greene, Linda Harmon, Megan Hobson, William
Hollifield, Jennifer Jackson, Brittany Lindecamp, Diana Lyons, Melanie McMahan,
Jessica Morgan, Morgan Peterson, Sheila Proctor, Shanna Ray, Tina Ray, Stacie
Robinson, Carissa Teal, Leetah Townsend, Amy Turner, Courtney Vance, Kayla
Vinson, Robert Wyatt. The Mayland Scholarship Program is sponsored by the
Mayland Community College Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose
mission is to support, strengthen and advance the work of Mayland Community
College.
New Equipment for Fire Training
Mayland Community College’s Continuing Education
Department purchased a new piece of equipment for fire training. The
training product, The Inforcer, is a forcible entry-training
simulator for firefighters that allows hands-on scenerio to practice
forcible entry skills.
The Inforcer allows fire fighters to actually "force" a door open
multiple times.
The Inforcer door has the ability to replicate six forcible entry
techniques: an outward swinging door, bolt cutting, hinge cutting,
swinging door, dead bolt cutting, and padlock cut or breaking.
The door can be quickly reset for the next firefighter.
Fire Departments in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties will be
able to utilize this piece of equipment in their training.
MCC Announces Fall 2009 President’s List
Administrators at Mayland Community College recently announced the
names of students receiving academic distinction for Fall Semester
2009.
President’s List students are those who earned a perfect 4.0
grade-point-average (GPA) and completed at least 12 credit hours:
Nathaniel L. Avery, Savannah E. Baker, Justin A. Barnhill, Wanda A.
Battisti, Richard L. Beall, George A. Beauvais, Jr., Don W. Benfield,
Robert G. Branch, Sr, Chad C. Buchanan, Todd A. Buchanan, Dawn L.
Carmack, Lori D. Centeno, Heather N. Christian, Alecia D. Coffey,
Tammy R. Connor, Harvey L. Crawford, Dareicho L. Cunningham,
Brittany E. Daeges, Crystal G. Dellinger, Taylor S. Dellinger, Eric
D. Early, Travis W. Fisher, Brian E. Franklin, Jimmy D. Gibby,
Connie T. Gilpin, Raymond L. Goggins, Jr., Britney L. Hagie, Sarah
J. Hall, Julia B. Higgins, Jordan V. Horbart, Thomas R. Holland,
John W. Hopler, Carrie H. Hughes, Hannah E. Johnson, Tricia M.
Johnson, Brian S. Kelley, Jason V. Kinnison, Russell J. Lang,
Jennifer T. Laws, James T. Lawson, Jesse Z. Le Blanc, Edward G.
Long, Marjorie L. Mason, Brittany K. McCormick, Robert C. McDonald,
David S. McLintock, Ronald W. McMahan, Billy D. Michael, Juan A.
Miles, Sandra G. Parker, Timothy S. Parker, Kayla A. Pate, Joshua J.
Robinson, Steve R. Robinson, Wesley S. Robinson, Steven K Scharf,
Gregory L. Sellers, Robert W. Smithey, Robert G. Smothers, Mark L.
Spaugh, Robert J. Spicer, Ricky T. Stafford, Taylor W. Suggs, Frank
J. Szymelewicz, Frank L. Tollie, Beverly A. Ward, Phillip D. Wells,
Sandra J. Whitson, Melissa M. Winspear, Ashley N. Wiseman, Gaelle M.
Wolff, Cynthia L. Woody, Matthew D. Wooten, Ronald E. Youngblood,
Jr., Joann M. Zeigler, and Jaquelyn N. Zeno.
Dean’s List for Fall 2009
Administrators at Mayland Community College recently announced the
names of students receiving academic distinction for Fall semester
2009.
Dean’s List students are those who earned at least a 3.5
grade-point-average (GPA) and completed at least 12 credit hours:
Isaiah B. Aldridge, Stacie H. Allen, Tammy L. Anglin, Jessica N.
Atkins, Aaron J. Autrey, Anthony Balbuena, Clayton A. Banner, Erin
L. Benfield, Lindsey E. Berry, Stacy L. Berry, Rebecca J. Burleson,
Clint A. Carlson, Jessie L. Carver, Jessica K. Clark, Derek S. Cox,
Ryan A. Cox, Vince A. Custode, Bobby J. Davis, Carlos D. Davis,
Phillip B. Davis, Ricky G. Dillon, Jr., Daniel J. Edney, Paul M.
Edwards, Christopher L. Erwin, Larry E. Fuller, Shealeigh Garland,
Megan B. Gilley, Kristie D. Gross, Devin A. Holtsclaw, Randy G.
Huffman, Jeanie O. Ingram, Sandra J. Jablonski, David M. Jackson,
Timothy L. Jones, Joy K. Laws, Miguel A. Maldonado, Caleb E.
McIntosh, Thomas A. Nelms, Angelica M. Nichols, Charles A. Oaks,
Jr., Jeremy S. Ollis, Beth L. Enland, Jason Pestrikoff, Lesia M.
Phillips, Michael E. Proffitt, Larry D. Pryor, Nancy M. Ray, Fredric
D. Renolds, Ashley L. Robinson, Ramona G. Robinson, Justin D. Rose,
Denise D. Self, John H. Slaughter, IV, Mark A. Stewart, Darrell S.
Sullins, Zona C. Swann, Devin M. Teague, Leetah C. Townsend, Paul C.
Tumey, and Sam J. Vandenberg
Honor Roll for Fall 2009
Administrators at Mayland Community College recently announced the
names of students receiving academic distinction for the Fall 2009
semester.
Honor’s List students are those who earned at least a 3.5
grade-point-average (GPA) and completed at least 6-11 credit hours:
Kodie Aldridge, Jeremy C. Altimus, Nathan R. Ball, Candida R.
Balliet, Jessica L. Banner, Lea D. Barker, David R. Bass, Deborah P.
Beam, Makeda I. Benain, James W. Bentley, III, Sharon K.
Blankenship, Patricia L. Boone, Darin L. Bowers, Jerry R. Bowman,
Ashley M. Bradford, Michael E. Bradley, Jay F. Brake, Amber R.
Briggs, Angela D. Briggs, Amy E. Buchanan, Arthur A. Buchanan,
Cheryl L. Buchanan, Patricia J. Buesser, Crystal N. Buff, Stephanie
M. Byrd, David L. Calhoun, Chad E. Campbell, Desmond R. Canterbury,
Michael Capellupo, Johnathan S. Carpenter, Sheena R. Carpenter,
Calvin D. Carter, Darrell E. Clark, Christina A. Clawson, Talbert D.
Coatney, Sadie Cook-Fender, Kelly R. Cope, Crystal B. Crane,
Caroline L. Cribb, Stacy N. Curry, Levi D. Dale, Peggy S. Dale,
Joshua L. Daniels, Sarah Dewitt-Feldman, Misty P. Dotts, Austin W.
Duncan, Casey L. Duncan, Glenn C. Duncan, Alden Edwards, Bobbie F.
Ernst, Celeste Fender, Darrell D. Forbes, Jacob L. Fox, Silver
Frank, Corey J. Garland, Kelly D. Gibson, Michael E. Gill, Eric G.
Glasgow, Ashley M. Grogan, Rebekah L. Hagerman, James N. Halley,
III, Linda R. Harmon, Olivia C. Harris, Sabrina D. Hart, Justin C.
Haynes, Frances N. Henline, Scott J. Hill, Austin D. Hoilman, Marcia
A. Hoilman, Brandy N. Honeycutt, Cody S. Honeycutt, Teresa Y.
Honeycutt, Brittney N. Hopson, Sherry L. Hopson, Amber J. Horney,
Linda H. Hudgins, Janna R. Hughes, Paige L. Hughes, Jordan N.
Hutchins, Andy Huynh, Johnny R. Isaacs, Destiny H. Jenkins, Samantha
R. Johnson, Christopher L. Jolly, Amanda D. Jones, Dillion T. Jones,
Jacob G. Jones, Rebecca M. Jones, Anthony E. Kaylor, Montana J.
Keller, David M. Kerlin, Lauren F. Kern, Sarah E. Kneen, David T.
Knowles, Taylor C. Lacey, Shawn M. Lambert, Michael Lange, Carroll
G. Lawrence, Catalina Lehmann, Jay P. Lewis, Aubrey V. Libow, Lori
M. Lorenzo, Gerald W. Lyons, Jamielee P. Marks, Ferrell J. Massey,
Joshua A. Mathis, Mollie K. Mathis, James S. McClullen, Bertram N.
McElhiney, Jr., Derrick D. McFee, Edmund L. McGill, Jodie L.
McGuire, Karen A. McTaggart, Kemberly E. McWilliams, Autumn L.
Miner, Mark A. Mitchem, Alex E. Moore, Billy R. Mullies, Cynthia M.
Mullinax, Brittany D. Murdock, Alexis M. Nason, Melanie T. Nichols,
Darrah H. Noble, Heather M. O'Shields, Tony G. Osborne, Hershel A.
Parker, Thomas M. Pauley, Misty L. Peterson, Jerry W. Phillips,
Amber N. Potter, Kendrick S. Presnell, Shonda Presnell, Daniel D.
Price, Kendra M. Puckett, Allyson
S. Rathburn, Tina L. Ray, Anne E. Riddle, Crystal R. Riddle, Robert
C. Ritchie, Ryan A. Robertson, Sather D. Robinson-Waters, Kayla B.
Robinson, Marla J. Robinson, Stacie M. Robinson, Nina M. Rose, Linda
L. Semon, Samuel Serrano, Ashley Shaw, Brian P. Sheedy, Jennifer M.
Sheppard, Ashley N. Silvers, Jeffrey T. Smith, Candace M. Sparks,
Patrick R. Stafford, Rachel R. Stafford, Michael J. Stanton,
Stephanie G. Staton, Melissa M. Staubitz, Leila L. Stockwell,
Michael R. Stout, Morgan M. Stout, Carissa E. Teal, Nicholas F.
Thomas, Jasmine Thornton, Skylar M. Tipton, Steve M. Tolbert,
Michael R. Tye, Jr., Kameron T. Underwood, Courtney L. Vance, Linda
B. Vencill, Kayla M. Vinson, Courtney D. Wahlers, Erica J. Wahlers,
Stacy L. Walker, Rebecca C. Wallace, Richard V. Ward, Devin
Washington, Janessa E. Waterman, Kiley E. Webb, Raven Whitley,
Alison Whitson, Diane Williams, Jermaine F. Wilson, Michael E.
Wilson, Susan C. Wilson, Christy N. Woodby, Melonie M. Worley,
Jeffrey D. Wright, Brock B. Yackey, Austin W. Yelton, and Sara E.
Young
Avery Rotary Presents Scholarship Check
The Avery County Rotary Club presented its fifth scholarship to
the Mayland Community College Foundation for use by Mayland
students.
Martha Huskins, Foundation Assistant, accepted the scholarship check
in the amount of $500 at the Avery Rotary’s December meeting at
Bella’s Restaurant in Banner Elk.
Avery Rotary has been making this scholarship available for Mayland
since October, 2006. The scholarship will be presented to a
deserving student at Mayland’s GED graduation ceremonies in June.
“Funds that come to our students from our local civic groups like
Rotary represent a real investment in the communities we serve,”
said Laura Laughridge, executive director of the Foundation.
“Contributions like these truly create success for our students.”
Students are eligible to apply for the Rotary Scholarship upon
completion of Mayland’s GED/Basic Skills Program. After a semester
of academic success in a curriculum program at Mayland, students
with no grades lower than a B may apply.
The Rotary Scholarship recipient is selected based on outstanding
scholarship, loyalty to present and future community service,
dedication to strengthening family, church and school, evidence of
high moral character and a commitment to the betterment of mankind
at large.
For more information about scholarships at Mayland Community College
or how you can help, contact the Foundation office at 800-4-MAYLAND;
ext. 311 or 209 or visit
www.mayland.edu/foundation.
The Mayland Community College Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (c)
(3) corporation whose mission is to support, strengthen and advance
the work of Mayland Community College.
MCC EDITORIAL
By Dr. Suzanne Owens
Monday night, the Board of Trustees of Mayland Community College
approved a plan to reduce the enrollment of the Phillips-Gwaltney
Child Development Center.
Following much discussion the decision was made to decrease the
program’s capacity at Phillips-Gwaltney Child Development Center,
phasing out the infant – toddler program over the next six months.
This would allow the child care center to function as a
self-supporting, stand alone program with one preschool classroom
serving 18 to 20 children.
This action was based on financial issues that began to arise in
2008. For the first time, the Child Development Center held a
growing deficit. Within the new economy, Phillips-Gwaltney, and most
other Child Development Centers, began to see dropping enrollments
and parents unable to pay.
A Plan for Improvement of the financial situation was taken to the
Board of Trustees in May of 2009, with a review of the Plan within
six months. Even though closing December 2009 was on option, the
Board asked MCC’s administration to implement a series of cost
saving actions in an effort to make a financial turn-around. Such
cost saving efforts included gaining efficiencies in food services,
increased efforts to collect payments that were owed to the Center,
reduction of staff, PGCDC administrators spending more time in the
classrooms, combining age groups where appropriate, and changes in
personnel costs due to realignment within the College.
The Board of Trustees requested a review of the Plan for Improvement
which found that despite the cost saving efforts, the PGCDC
enrollment continues to decline to approximately 60% of capacity and
that the financial deficit remains.
When the Phillips-Gwaltney Child Development Center was built in
1994, there was a drastic need for private child care in the three
counties. Since then, the capacity in our region has grown. The
Consultant for the NC Division of Child Development has described
similar financial situations in centers with whom she works.
Therefore, the reduction at Phillips-Gwaltney will surely benefit
other child development centers in our service area.
The employees of Phillips-Gwaltney have been informed and a plan is
in place to continue service for all children through June 2010.
Parents have been informed and the Avery County Partnership for
Children has offered their assistance to parents in their planning
for child care.
While this decision is extremely painful, the spirit in which the
child development center was created will still remain. The Early
Childhood Associate program at MCC will not be affected as many of
the students work with area child care facilities to expand their
knowledge and experiences. The preschool classroom will continue to
be a model program for the state, offering excellent, quality
childcare to children ages two through four/five.
Please understand that this is not an easy choice for the
administration and Board of Trustees at Mayland Community College.
We look forward to a future of serving the community with higher
education opportunities.
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Branch Earns Level
III Certification
Robert
Branch, Small Business Center (SBC) Director at Mayland
Community College, was awarded the Level III Certification
as a Small Business Center Director.
Certification criteria for SBC Directors was introduced four
years ago as a way to insure quality Small Business programs
by Community Colleges across the state.
Three
levels of credential, Level One, Level Two, and Level Three,
are available. Level One is the minimum level of
certification and is required to be achieved by all SBC
Directors within one year after being hired for the job.
Level Three
is the highest certification possible and insures that a
director holding this credential has completed and
documented both on-the-job training and other additional
professional development programs to insure that the
director is both knowledgeable and skilled and providing
small business and entrepreneurial services to his or her
community.
Of the 64
SBC Directors in North Carolina, only 20 have achieved Level
III certification.
The SBC at Mayland helps to
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increase
the number of businesses and their success rate in Avery,
Mitchell, and Yancey Counties by providing business owners
and prospective owners with
information, training, counseling, and/or referral service,
as well as assistance in finding financing for new
businesses.
Branch has
been the SBC Director at Mayland since 1997.
Classes
concerning business related topics are also offered by
Mayland’s SBC. For more information on the center or classes
visit
www.mayland.edu and click on the Continuing Education
link or call 828-765-7351 ext. 249 to preregister for
classes or extension 227 for information about SBC services.
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Mayland 2009 graduates from left to
right Misty Biddix, Hazel Wilson, and Janet Banks were part of the
college’s SOAR Program. The goal of the program is to improve
students' persistence in school, academic standing, and the
completion of a degree.
SOAR Program Receives High Marks
Mayland
Community College’s SOAR Program, which began in 1998, received high
marks on its annual report from the Federal Government for 2009.
The SOAR
Program was developed from a TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of
Education in Washington, D.C. The Program is funded for five years
and when that time is expired the staff serving the Program writes a
grant to continue the program. Currently, SOAR is funded through
August 2011 and receives $316,213 per year.
The intent of
the program was to serve students who are first-generation college
students (neither parent graduated with a bachelor's degree),
students with low income, and students with disabilities.
The goal of
the program was to improve these students' persistence in school,
academic standing, and the completion of a degree. The SOAR Program
originally served 135 students and is now funded to serve 160
students. The services have expanded to include a transfer component
to assist students who want to pursue a bachelor's degree.
The SOAR
Program has helped me beyond words while attending Mayland Community
College,” said Mayland student Lori Centeno. “Starting school again
after 20 years and being disabled brought about much doubt and fear
in myself as a person as well as a student. If it had not been for
the Soar staff I currently would not be in school.”
81% of the Mayland SOAR students served in 2008-2009 continued
enrollment from the previous semester into the Fall 2009 semester,
or had graduated or transferred to a four-year school.
91% of all students served in 2008-2009 were in good academic
standing at the end of Summer 2009.
45.8% of students who were in the 2006-2007 cohort graduated or
transferred to a four-year school within 3 years.
Services include as part of the SOAR Program include academic,
personal and financial counseling, study skills assistance,
tutoring, transfer information and guidance, and cultural
enrichment. Students are assigned a counselor to work with in
addition to their academic advisor for more intensive assistance, as
needed.
“I love the
SOAR Program. Without SOAR I would not be where I'm at now,” said
Mayland student Ann Whitson. “They have helped me so much to believe
in myself to become a better person.”
SOAR students
have been identified as having the potential to succeed if given the
appropriate assistance,” said SOAR Program Director Nancy Godwin.
“Many of these students have either been out of an academic setting
for 5 or more years, dropped out of high school and earned their GED,
or are missing some writing, math or reading skills which could
prevent them from successfully getting a degree. Some may even have
the additional challenges of being single parents, having to work
while taking classes, or having family and personal issues that need
to be addressed. Our research over the past 21 years has shown that,
with support, these students can be very successful.”

Pictured from left to right top row:
April Jones-Youth Career Coach, Kayla Cook, Curtis Carpenter, Ethan
Ledford, Joseph Clark, and Allen Cook-Youth Career Coach. From left
to right bottom row: Shelby Sisk, Megan Mahoney, Amanda Carpenter,
and Crystal Hicks. Not Pictured: Courtney Austin, Dallas Blevins,
Daniel Branton, Chad Buchanan, Tiffany Burleson, Samantha Byrd, Tera
Colligan, Morgan Elliott, Brittany Franklin, April Greene, Erin
Henry, Reanne Henry, Symatha Hughes, Cody Hoilman, Angel Moore,
Brittany Murdock, Billy Shell, Caleb Sparks, William Whitsett, and
Melissa Woodby.
Get R.E.A.L. Program
This summer Get R.E.A.L. received stimulus money from the
American Recovery Reinvestment Act to sponsor the NC Summer Jobs for
Youth in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. This summer program
employed 68 youth at 44 different worksites.
Several of the youth who participated in the Get R.E.A.L. program
took the Career Readiness Certification test. Out of 28 of the youth
that received the Career Readiness Certification, 15 of those also
participated in the NC Summer Jobs for Youth.
Career Readiness Certification (CRC) is a national initiative to
insure that there are well prepared employees available for the
workforce. It is a series of three tests in Reading for Information,
Applied Mathematics, and Locating Information.
The tests are part of the ACT WorkKeys series. ACT has determined
that 85% of all jobs available in the United States require
competency in these three areas.
CRC is designed to be a portable credential meaning it is applicable
to most of the jobs in the workplace. It can also be used as a
career development tool by identifying student strengths and
weaknesses related to success in the workplace. Finally, it can also
be used to provide an advantage to students who are looking for a
job.
“Employers are quickly learning that if they have to choose between
two applicants for a job who are identical on paper in all aspects
and one of them as a CRC in addition, the person holding the CRC
will have the skills to do the job,” said Mayland’s dean of the
Small Business Center and Human Resource Development Programs Robert
Branch.
There are three score levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. A person
holding a Bronze certificate has the skills for about 40% of the
jobs available, a Silver has 65%, and a Gold has 85%.
Out of 28 youth who took the CRC exam, nine received a Gold
certificate, 13 received a Silver certificate, and six received a
Bronze certificate.
Get R.E.A.L. is a federally funded program through the Workforce
Investment Act housed at Mayland Community College with the
Workforce Development programs in Avery, Yancey, and Mitchell
Counties. This program provides youth age 16-21 with assistance in
obtaining and maintaining their career goals through college tuition
assistance, job training, work experience, and other trainings that
will help these youth become more prepared for the workplace and
their career.
For more information about Get R.E.A.L. you can contact April Jones
at the Yancey Joblink at 682-6618 ext 10 or Allen Cook at the
Mitchell Joblink at 765-7758 or at the Avery Joblink at 733-3901.

Scholarship Recipients
Scholarships were presented to two GED graduates during Mayland
Community College’s Basic Skills December GED graduation ceremony on
December 4.
Melissa Her was awarded “The Linda Butch Woody Memorial Scholarship”
because she is responsible, mature, courteous, and a good citizen in
her church, home, community, and school,
Her completed her GED in March of 2008, and is currently working on
an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting. After graduating from
Mayland, Melissa plans to continue her studies and work toward an
Registered Nurse (RN) degree. Upon completion of her RN, Melissa
hopes to work as a Hospice Nurse or a Long Term Healthcare Provider.
This past summer Her was one of nine NC women selected to
participate in the three week Lees McRae College workshop called the
New Opportunity School for Women.
“Learning has always come easy for me,” said Her. “I am determined
to continue with college and complete my four year degree. This
scholarship will greatly support some of my and my baby’s needs.”
Her and her two-year-old daughter Rhianna enjoy music, dancing,
Sundays in the park, and taking walks. She volunteers in her
community, and enjoys assisting her neighbor.
Her and Rhianna live in Spruce Pine.
The Linda “Butch” Woody Memorial College Scholarship Fund is made
possible by the family and friends of the late Linda “Butch” Woody.
The daughter of Annie Ellis Davenport and the late Scott Davenport,
Woody worked as Mitchell County Deputy Clerk of Court from 1973-1976
and served as Clerk of Court from 1986-1998.
Woody was married to Delaney Woody of Bakersville and had two
daughters Sandi and Renee, married to David Gouge, and two
grandchildren Thomas Gouge and Amber Johnson. Woody also had one
sister and brother-in law Betty and Allen McMurry of Spruce Pine.
Woody was a wise, compassionate, and vital member of her community.
She was an advocate for education, assisting Mayland’s Adult
Education Department with establishing the first GED class to serve
those who were locally incarcerated. This scholarship in honor of
Woody supports and continues her vision of education by encouraging
GED graduates to pursue an associate degree at Mayland.
Kayla Vinson, a single mother of three young children of Yancey
County, completed her GED at Mayland in 2001, earning impressive
scores at the top 6% of her graduating class.
After completing her GED, Kayla worked for two years at CNC Access,
where she served mentally challenged children.
“This was the most fulfilling job I ever had,” said Vinson. “My
mission was to give my clients the best quality of life possible.”
She also worked for Baxters Healthcare Inc. of McDowell County.
Vinson describes herself as the “casserole queen,” sharing her love
for cooking and the need to prepare fast yet nutritious meals for
her young family “on the go.”
Vinson and her children enjoy tent camping and fishing. Her two boys
are involved in basketball, football, and baseball, with Vinson
volunteering as a basketball coach for Yancey County Youth League.
At age 16, Vinson recalls the blessing she received when she went on
a mission trip to the Dominican Republic where she was privileged to
help lay the foundation for the first bilingual Christian school in
the country. There, she also had the opportunity to serve in Bible
School and medical clinic mission work.
“This experience was the most life changing experience I have ever
had,” said Vinson.
Vinson, who holds a 3.8 GPA in her pre-nursing classes at Mayland,
will begin in the Nursing Program in the fall of 2010, where she
plans to earn her RN and then continue medical training to become a
midwife.
Because she is a shining example, an outstanding successful college
student, a devoted mother of three, and an exemplary member of her
community, she was presented the Judith LaVeigne McAuliffe 2009
College Scholarship.
Friends and co-workers of the beloved forty-year education veteran,
Judy McAuliffe, sponsor the Judith LaVeigne McAuliffe College
Scholarship.
McAuliffe, her husband Richard, and their children moved to Yancey
County in the 1980s, where she still lives today.
McAuliffe taught in the public school system before teaching and
recruiting for Mayland’s Adult Education Program in the 1980s.
McAuliffe became the lead Basic Skills/GED instructor in Yancey
County until her retirement in November of 2009.
While teaching in Yancey County, McAuliffe earned the respect and
love of hundreds of students she encouraged and assisted in earning
their GED.
The scholarship in honor of McAuliffe offers financial assistance to
GED graduates who wish to continue their college education at
Mayland.

Honor graduates present at the December 2009 GED graduation ceremony
pictured from left to right are Kelly Bennett, Logan Burleson, and
Ryan Pate.
GED Graduation Ceremony
Mayland Community College’s Basic Skills Program held its
December GED graduation ceremony on December 4 at the college’s Sam
Center Auditorium on its Main Campus.
Since the June graduation ceremony, 149 individuals earned their GED
at Mayland.
The guest speaker during the ceremony was GED graduate Misty Biddix.
Born and raised in Avery County, Biddix a mother of a four and a
seven year-old, completed her GED at Mayland Community College in
2002 with outstanding scores. In 2008 she graduated from Mayland
with an Associate Degree in Human Services.
At present, she is enrolled at Gardener Webb University and is
working on a Bachelors Degree in Human Services. Her career plans
are to continue school and obtain a Masters Degree in Social Work
with a specialization in substance abuse.
Two scholarships were presented to GED graduates during the ceremony
including Kayla Vinson who received the Linda “Butch” Woody Memorial
Scholarship, and Melissa Her received the Judith LaVeigne McAuliffe
College Scholarship.
Mayland’s Basic Skills Chief GED Examiner, Brenda Peterson, was
presented with the Lighthouse Award for her work with the program
and GED testing.

The President’s
Choice in Mayland’s “Perfect Christmas Tree” contest, presented by
Mayland’s President Dr. Suzanne Owens, went to Mayland’s Global
Education Committee for their globally themed tree. Pictured at left
is Mayland instructor and Global Education Committee representative
Rhea Ormond and at right Mayland’s President Dr. Suzanne Owens.
Mayland’s
“Perfect Christmas Tree” contest
Mayland’s “Perfect Christmas
Tree” contest, sponsored by the Mayland Foundation in celebration of
Spruce Pine’s Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree, hosted eighteen
trees, each festively decorated in hopes of being the blue ribbon
winner.
The first place prize went to
the tree decorated by Mayland’s Basic Skills Department. The
President’s Choice, presented by Mayland’s President Dr. Suzanne
Owens, went to Mayland’s Global Education Committee for their
globally themed tree. Second place was presented to Mayland’s Early
Childhood Student Association’s decorated tree, and third place was
given to Mayland’s Bookstore for their tree.
Honorable mentions were
presented to Mayland’s Cosmetology Club, Mayland’s Student
Development Department, and Mayland’s Business Office for the trees
they decorated.
Local tree growers in the tri-county area donated the trees to the
Foundation. From Mitchell County, Roger Burleson donated tree, from
Avery County, James Pitts and David Pittman donated trees, and from
Yancey County Bill Young, Roger Young, and Terry and Pam Wilson
donated trees.
Winners were selected by a
majority vote, and donation of $.50. This fundraising event brought
in over $1400, and the proceeds will benefit the Scholarship Program
of Mayland Community College.
Gibson Releases CD
Kelly Gibson, professional musician and Mayland Community College student, has
released a new CD of piano music titled Ancient Airs.
On his new CD Gibson has taken melodies composed between the ninth and the
nineteenth centuries and performed them in a contemporary style on piano and
flute.
The CD is unusual, in that Gibson has mixed the sounds of nature recorded in
Mitchell County between some of the tracks.
This CD is available as well as Kelly's Christmas CD First Snow via
E-Mail-KellyG7775@aol.com

Mrs. Nicole in the four and five
year old classroom reads the ingredient list to make a pumpkin pie.
"Pies for Parents"
The Phillips-Gwaltney
Child Development Center hosted its annual "Pies for Parents" on the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
This event has
be come a tradition over the years for the children to make pies for
their parents. Each year the classrooms select what kind of pies
they wish to make, and together with their teachers they prepare the
desserts. This experience provides a setting to teach math, social
skills, and science to the children. During the afternoon parents
arrive just in time to share the finished product with their child.
Phillips-Gwaltney is located on Mayland Community College’s Main and
provides care for children six weeks to 12 years old. For more
information please phone 828-765-1401.

Mayland Early College High School (MECHS) held its first afterhour’s
activity: a masquerade ball signifying the end of their English I
study of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Early
College teachers Mr. Lahm and Mr. Lavoie dress for the masquerade.
Completion of Romeo and Juliet ends with Masquerade Ball
Mayland Early College High School (MECHS) held its first afterhour’s
activity: a masquerade ball signifying the end of their English I
study of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
According to MECHS Principal Angie Burleson, the young adults and
teachers were very excited about the completing their study of
Romeo and Juliet with a masquerade ball.
“For many of these kids, this was their first ever school related
social event,” said Burleson. “This event is just an example of one
of the core values adopted by our Early College High School…our
school’s primary role will be to personalize learning and
instruction.”
Mayland Early College High School is part of a high school reform
initiative called Learn and Earn launched by Gov. Mike Easley last
September. It was developed through a partnership between Mayland
and the Mitchell, Avery and Yancey public school systems. It is part
of the New Schools Project established in part with a grant from the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The curriculum design allows current ninth-graders to earn a high
school diploma and an associate's degree in five years.
“The students have been contained in two classrooms on the ground
floor of the Phillips building,” said Burleson. “During their first
semester, they have taken English I, Algebra I and Biology, plus a
student success block to prepare them for college.”
However, this will not be the case next semester. All thirty-three
students will be enrolled in two college classes, CIS 110
Introduction to Computers and ACA 111, College Student Success,
along with their high school blocks.
Liz Silvers, the new Mayland Early College Liaison, will be teaching
two sessions of College Student Success. “I am so thrilled to be
part of this wonderful program designed for students to succeed, not
only in high school but at the college level,” said Silvers. “The
opportunity to watch the students grow, change and mature into a
successful college graduate is one I embrace!”
After five years, the students will have the opportunity to
graduate with both their high school diploma as well as an Associate
in Arts. Mayland Early College High school currently has 33 students
enrolled this year, keeping the student to teacher ratio low. "Low
enrollment helps the kids to be successful," said Early College
Principal Burleson.
MECHS has three full-time instructors, a guidance counselor and a
school secretary / data manager. "So far things are going great and
we are learning and adapting as we go,” said Burleson. “Teachers
have targeted the students are academic levels and are forging new
territories. While the transition from middle school to high school
is a big one, the small setting eases some of that typical high
school anxiety.”
For more information concerning Mayland Early College High School,
call (828) 765-7351, ext. 301.
Local Citizens Honored at Open House
Mayland Community College’s Board of
Trustees honored individuals from Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey
counties in the area of Alumni, Service, and Citizenship on November
2, during an Open House event at the college’s Main Campus in Spruce
Pine.
Brandi Deyton of Mitchell County was presented with the Board of
Trustees Distinguished Alumni award. Deyton graduated Mayland with a
Business Administration degree and has put her education to work as
a legal assistant for the Mitchell County District Attorney’s
Office.
Deyton is the wife of Brett and the mother of Logan. She is a
lifelong member of Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church and enjoys
spending time with her family.
Jerry Duncan of Mitchell County was given the Board of Trustees
Distinguished Service Award.Duncan is the co-founder and former
President of Mayland Home Center. He also served as an Executive
Vice President of Northwestern Bank and owner of Duncan and Sons
Grocery. Duncan also invests his time in his community. He is a
member of Bear Creek Baptist Church and the Spruce Pine Vesper Lodge
as well as serves as a board member of the MAY Coalition, an
organization stimulating the economy by providing loans to start up
ventures and existing businesses. He is a former board member of the
Bakersville Medical Clinic, Mitchell County School Board, Chamber of
Commerce, Mitchell County Economic Development, the North Carolina
Manufactured Housing Board, and founding board member of First
Western Bank. Duncan and his wife Annette, are the parents of Van
and Jon Duncan.
Hal G. Harrison of Mitchell County was honored with the Mayland
Board of Trustees Distinguished Citizenship Award. Harrison is a
partner at the law firm of Harrison and Poore, P.A. and has served
Mitchell County and the surrounding area for over 31 years in the
areas such as civil and criminal litigation, real estate law,
juvenile law, domestic relations, and government law. He has also
served as a resident Superior Court Judge for the 24th Judicial
District of North Carolina. Harrison’s service, however, does not
stop there. He has also served as the Twenty Fourth Judicial
District Bar President, has been named an Outstanding Young Man in
America, been a member and past Master of the Vesper Lodge #554, and
served as a trustee for both Mayland Community College and Spruce
Pine Community Hospital.
Harrison and his wife Connie are the parents of Ben and Amber
Harrison.
The following were recognized for their outstanding and dedicated
service to their community Lynne Hensley of Yancey County and Fred
Stout of Avery County.Earl Young of Yancey County and Rachel Deal of
Avery County were also recognized with the citizenship award.
Mayland alumni recognized for their outstanding accomplishments and
success also included Shannon Nicole Deyton of Yancey County and
Mark McWilliams of Avery County.
Mayland’s President Dr. Suzanne Owens also recognized individuals
for their leadership and commitment to education through work with
the college’s Foundation. These recipients included Martha Guy, Paul
and Beatrix Hicks, Carolyn Munro Wilson, Read Marie Underwood, Cathy
Dobson, Will Shurley, Jim Morton, and John Keen.

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