Community News

FIRST SUSAN HELSABECK SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED AT ANNUAL NIGHT OF THE STARS EVENT

Alicia Cruz-Ortega and Natasha Hamlet were named the first two recipients of the Susan Helsabeck Scholarship for Early Educators at the Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC) annual Night of the Stars event, held last night at AVS Banquet Centre. Ortega is an early educator at Precious Memories Preschool in Asheboro and is attending Randolph Community College (RCC). She is working on an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Hamlet is an early educator at Liberty Early Childhood Center located at Liberty Elementary School. She is currently attending Guilford Technical Community College. She is also working on an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. The scholarship program is a new addition to the Night of the Stars celebration. The Susan Helsabeck Scholarship was established to provide financial support to early educators in Randolph County enrolled in degree programs in the field. The scholarship was created in memory of RPC’s beloved colleague Susan Harris Helsabeck, who served as professional development specialist from December 2015 to January 2021, when she unexpectedly passed away. Her husband, Oliver Helsabeck, presented the scholarships at the event. “Susan was deeply committed to ensuring children were well-cared for and that they had every opportunity to thrive and flourish,” Helsabeck said. “We deeply miss Susan and her infectious smile and caring heart. It’s our hope that this scholarship will not only benefit the recipients, but also keep alive Susan’s belief in the importance of advancing higher education for our county’s early educators, who are caring for our youngest citizens.” RPC Board President Jerry Moore took a moment to recognize longtime staff member Andee Edelson at her final Night of the Stars in her role as director of early care and education at RPC. She plans to retire December 31. “While Andee would say, ‘let’s keep the attention on our graduates,’ we all want to salute you, Andee, for your amazing leadership and vision for a special blend of Randolph County early education that brings together elements of Reggio, outdoor learning environment transformations, collaboration instead of competition within our local early education community, evidence of quality programs far beyond rating scales, and so much more,” Moore said. Serving as emcee for the evening was Larry Reid, station manager for WKXR and WZOO. He announced the theme for the evening, which was storytelling. He introduced RCC President Dr. Robert S. Shackleford, Jr., who delivered the keynote address. “I think it’s a wonderful theme selected for tonight— storytelling,” Shackleford said. “People underestimate the power of stories.” After explaining he would have told stories even if it hadn’t been the theme, he told stories from his childhood and his career to demonstrate the impact storytelling has when we use it to teach. Twelve early educators were recognized for earning degrees in early childhood education and related fields this year, including six who earned Associate Degrees and six who earned Bachelor’s Degrees. Graduates honored for earning an Associate Degree were Victory Burger, an infant teacher at Randleman Enrichment Center; Kasey Holcomb, a preschool teacher at Connie Redding Head Start; Cheyenne Lambeth,

a toddler teacher at Victory Baptist Child Care Development Center; Johnetta Lilly, a preschool teacher at Asheboro City Schools’ Early Childhood Development Center; Brooklyn Marley, a preschool teacher at Beacon Child Development Center; and Meredith Smith, an infant teacher at Randleman Enrichment Center. Graduates honored for earning a Bachelor’s Degree were Jennifer Miller, preschool teacher at Harmony Place; Alyson Poole, Preschool Teacher at Asheboro City Schools’ Early Childhood Development Center; Kim Radcliffe, Public Education & Early Literacy Assistant at RPC; Mary Vuncannon, a preschool teacher at Shepherd’s Way Dayschool; Karen Williams, a preschool teacher at The Children’s Center of Asheboro; and Stephanie Yarbrough, preschool teacher at Level Cross Elementary School NC Pre-K. Each year, months of planning go into the Night of the Stars event. Members of the RPC Professional Development Committee, who worked to plan this year’s event, include Taylor Dawkins of Beacon Child Development Center, Ann Williams of Beacon Child Development Center, Teryn Millikan of Randleman Enrichment Center, Tonya Shore of Randleman Enrichment Center, Elizabeth Mcleod of Southmont Elementary School NC Pre-K, Jamie Perez of Teddy Bear Child Care Center, Stephan Rietschel of RCC, and Andee Edelson, Patty Sullivan, Kristy Umfleet, and Scarlet Welborn of RPC. Members of the Professional Development Committee extend sincere appreciation to door prize donors and those who provided centerpieces for this year’s event. Door prize donors included Aloette (Jennifer Miller), Cardinal Rose Tattoo, Central Bakery, Hamilton’s Steakhouse, Lakeshore, Nella’s Boutique, Jamie Perez, Positano, Kim and Peter Radcliffe, RCC, and Margie and Paul Trogdon.

Oliver Helsabeck with scholarship recipient Natasha Hamlet

Centerpieces were provided by Beacon Child Development Center, Asheboro City Schools’ Early Childhood Development Center, It’s A Kid’s World, Precious Memories Preschool, Shepherd’s Way Dayschool, Teddy Bear Child Care Center, The Children’s Center of Asheboro, The Growing Place Child Care Center, and Trogdon’s Daycare.

About the Randolph Partnership for Children: Since 1999, the Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC), a non-profit organization, has positively impacted the lives of Randolph County’s young children. As the community’s lead organization for young children and their families, RPC works with and through diverse agencies, individuals, organizations, and communities to ensure all children enter school healthy and ready to succeed in school and life. RPC is a United Way agency. For more information, visit www.randolphkids.

COMMUNITY NEWS

RCC GRADUATE SANCHEZ FINDS FOREVER CAREER AS MEDICAL ASSISTANT

Denisse Sanchez loves giving people shots. It’s just one of the many hats she gladly wears as a Medical Assistant at White Oak Family Physicians in Asheboro. She wouldn’t be wearing those hats, however, without her degree in Medical Assisting from Randolph Community College — or without her children. “I get compliments,” Sanchez said. ‘You’re a good shotgiver.’ I say, ‘You have no idea how many I do.’ I always tell my patients, ‘I’m going to give you a shot the way I’d want someone to give me or my children a shot.’ I’m always going to take it easy because I know how it can be.” Sanchez always knew she wanted to work in the medical field, hoping to one day be a pediatrician. Fate, however, took a turn and she became a mom at 19 after graduating from Asheboro High School. Sanchez was a stay-athome mom until a friend and classmate suggested they attend RCC together and earn Medical Assisting degrees. Not sure what exactly Medical Assisting was, the two researched it online. “We thought, ‘It’s two years. It might not be exactly what we want, but let’s start here,’ ” Sanchez said. The friends ended up being a part of the second class of Medical Assisting students in school history, helping the College go through the accreditation process. Sanchez smartly got her prerequisites out of the way, so she wasn’t taking a large load of classes her first semester. She graduated in 2014 with two babies in tow — and the “start” turned out to be a career for both graduates as they are still medical assistants. “To graduate, finally, and get a degree made me feel

Sanchez works closely with Family Nurse Practitioner Meredith Mitchell

good,” she said. “Because of [my kids], I decided to get my career. I’ve always wanted to understand, when you go to the doctor’s office — what are they listening to? And I’m a people person — I’ve always wanted to work with the public.” Sanchez has another tool in her toolbox as well — she is bilingual. “I’ve been to doctor’s appointments with my parents,” she said. “I’ve seen how people struggle to get their point across. I want to teach my kids that being bilingual will not just help you, but also help other people feel comfortable.” Sanchez started at White Oak in February 2015 — sixth months after graduating as she was still trying to get into a routine with her young children. “I started handing out my resumé — I just took it everywhere,” she said. Sanchez started as a “float nurse” and then worked with a pair of doctors. When they retired, she returned to float nurse duties. For over a year, she has worked with Meredith Mitchell, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), who has become a like family for Sanchez. “We have respect for each other on a professional level, but we’re really good friends,” Sanchez said. “She dog sits for me. She knows my kiddos. We know each other’s families. My husband helped her do remodeling on her house.” At the office, Mitchell knows she can rely on Sanchez. “Denisse takes initiative,” Mitchell said. “She does that with patients she’s on the fence about. She has that critical thinking. She’s great. I’m very blessed.” As a Certified Medical Assistant, Sanchez not only has to think on her feet, but also do everything from blood pressure to blood work to EKGs to home health visits. The main thing she does, though, is give people steroid, antihistamine, or pain-relieving shots, which means that her patients aren’t always in a good mood when they see her. “It’s always the males who faint,” Sanchez said. “We’ve gotten to the point where we ask them if they’ve had anything to eat. If not, we get them a snack. I try to comfort them — sometimes I’ll have them lie down instead of standing. It’s about making people feel better. “I learn new things every day, and I feel comfortable enough to ask Meredith if I don’t feel confident in what I’m doing. That level of respect between me and her — it’s big.” Like all healthcare workers, Sanchez and her coworkers have been through a global pandemic. “It’s been a huge adjustment,” she said. “It probably made a lot of people not want to do this.” But that’s part of the job, along with dealing with difficult patients and criticism. “There’s always going to be something,” Mitchell said. “Years ago, it was the flu, it was the measles, it was polio. There’s always going to be a new virus, a new strain. That’s what they do. They change, they mutate. You have to be OK with following protocol with patients and making yourself safe. You have to be comfortable with the idea that change is inevitable. “You have to be a people person. You have to like people, and you have to be OK with the nuances of different personalities that come in. You have to be very flexible. You have to be OK with change. That’s huge. Not that I’ve had to give [Denisse] a ton, but you have to be OK with constructive feedback to take care of the patient and get the job done efficiently. Just the willingness to learn.” Sanchez has some advice for those considering a career in the medical field. “I would definitely say, ‘Just go for it. Give it a shot,’” Sanchez said. To learn more about RCC’s Medical Assisting program, visit https://www.randolph.edu/academics/collegemajors/medical-assisting/index.aspx.

COMMUNITY NEWS BARR, OWENS AMONG THOSE HONORED WITH RCC ACADEMIC AWARDS

Shawn Barr of Asheboro was chosen as Randolph Community College’s Academic Excellence Award winner for 2022, while Devin Owens of Randleman was RCC’s nominee for the 2022 Dallas Herring Achievement Award. Barr, who is studying Advertising and Graphic Design and graduated in May, was one of 58 students from each community college in North Carolina who were recognized in April for academic excellence. AEA selection requirements are consistent with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society criteria. Students must be currently enrolled, must have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program, and must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of no less than 3.25. A committee at RCC selected the final recipient based on faculty recommendations. Barr’s interest in Advertising and Graphic Design started when he was little, spending endless hours drawing. When he was in eighth grade, he discovered an illustration program on his science teacher’s laptop that sparked him to create designs for his friends and family. The program and watching how-to videos built a strong foundation but made it so he had to unlearn a lot of what he thought he knew once enrolled in RCC’s program during his senior year in high school. Still, he persevered and took off, not only in the classroom (and the youngest person in the class to boot), but also in his work as a contract designer at Vintage Church. Hard-working, respectful, and reliable, Barr took time at the end of the Summer 2021 semester to learn a new design program the class would be using the next semester. That extra effort meant that Barr graduated just one year after finishing high school. “Under piles of work and stress, Shawn remained adaptable, empathetic, and genuine,” a classmate said in a recommendation letter. “He was never willing to sacrifice his relationship with his team for a more comfortable position in a project. Shawn was always willing to share knowledge and translate constructive criticism with humility and respect. To be talented is one thing, but to be talented and have good character is what makes a leader.” The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the System. The award is given annually to a current or former community college student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy. Owens is a third-year apprentice with Apprenticeship Randolph, working toward his Manufacturing Technology/ Mechatronics degree, while also working full-time at Energizer. As if that wasn’t enough, Owens secured financial aid last summer to take online Information Technology classes in addition to his already heavy load. Owens’ goal is to graduate with an associate degree in both departments. “He is able to do this through hard work, determination, and long hours completing online assignments,” Owens’ recommendation letter said. “Devin gets rave reviews from his mentor at Energizer, who says his work ethic is second to none. He is a leader among his apprentice peer group – always jumping in to help others in need.” RCC also recognized student achievement with its annual Academic Awards and Curriculum Awards. The Academic Award is based on the highest GPA in the degree and diploma program of study. Students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms; have completed at least 40 credit hours at RCC in a degree program, 10 of which are major courses in their current program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program; and have a program GPA of 3.5 or higher. The Curriculum Award goes to a student in each degree and diploma program who is both outstanding in their academic achievement and has potential for success in the field they have chosen. To be eligible, the students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms; have completed at least 40 credit hours at RCC in a degree program, 10 of which are major courses in their current degree program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program; have a program GPA of 3.0 or higher; have demonstrated

expertise in their field of study; and have participated in departmental, campus, and community activities that promote the College. (All cities are in N.C. unless otherwise indicated.) Academic Award winners (listed with their program areas) are: Archdale: Noah Deese Jones, Information Technology/Network and Cyber Security Specialist. Asheboro: Patty Jean Williamson, Accounting and Finance; Scott A. Belus, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology; Rhonda B. Moffitt, Information Technology/IT Support Specialist; Jonathan Page Mroczkowski, Mechatronics Engineering Technology. Denton: Maxine Nicole Loflin, Welding Technology. Greensboro: Rachel Byrd, Business Administration; Emily M. Bennett, Business Administration/Human Resources Management. High Point: Jesse Osborne, Manufacturing Technology/ Mechatronics. Kernersville: Logan Ritter McNeill, Welding Technology. Ramseur: Susan Dawn Wright, Computer-Integrated Machining. Randleman: Georgia Elizabeth Smith, Agribusiness Technology; Michael Robert Young, Welding Technology. Seagrove: Austin Reed Atkins, Manufacturing Technology/ Machining. Siler City: David Stecher, Computer-Integrated Machining. Sophia: Chance Ian Summey, Automotive Systems Technology; Madison Marie Hayden, Business Administration. West End: Bradley Scott Taylor, Electrical Systems Technology. Devin Owens, RCC’s nominee for the 2022 Dallas Herring Achievement Award

Curriculum Award winners (listed with their program areas) are: Asheboro: Luke Asher Gaskins, Automotive Systems Technology; Michael Lee Martinez, Computer-Integrated Machining; Brenda Martinez-Santaolaya, Industrial Systems Technology; Jonathan Page Mroczkowski, Mechatronics Engineering Technology. Denton: Megan Ree-Ann Sexton, Business Administration/Human Resource Management. High Point: Jesse Osborne, Manufacturing Technology/ Mechatronics. Randleman: Brittany Faith Jones, Accounting and Finance; Georgia Elizabeth Smith, Agribusiness Technology; Jeremy Ethan Kandies, Information Technology/IT Support Specialist; Daniel Sherwood Faucette, IT/Network and Cyber Security Specialist. Trinity: Pamela S. Todd, Business Administration. West End: Bradley Scott Taylor, Electrical Systems Technology.