Education
Smoky Mountain News
HCC machining program gets new equipment One of the key components of preparing students for the workforce is ensuring that they have access to the most current equipment in the industry. For students in Haywood Community College’s Computer-Integrated Machining program, this access has improved greatly over the last few months. With the addition of three new pieces of equipment, HCC’s machining students will have a leg up on the competition when they finish the program and start looking for employment. In addition, it will save employers time and money to know that these students have already had experience and training on equipment that they may very well end up using every day. These new additions include a Boss Laser Engraver that allows users to engrave wood, leather, glass, metal and cardboard. With a rotary axis, students can also engrave on round stock. Using a computer program, students complete the design work and then transfer the information to the machine to see the work completed. The final new addition is a forklift that was bought for the program with proceeds from HCC Foundation’s Gala.
High school sports schedules delayed The North Carolina High School Athletic Association recently announced a schedule for school sports for the 2020-21 school year. Skill development may begin on Monday, Aug. 24. All seasons will be shortened with fewer games/matches/events as follows: football by seven; cross country, track and field and swimming by 10 and volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, golf, tennis, wrestling, softball, and baseball by 14. First practice for sports seasons are as follows: ■ Cross Country and Volleyball: Nov. 4 – Jan. 8 ■ Swimming: Nov. 23 – Jan. 30 ■ Basketball: Dec. 7- Feb. 19 ■ Men’s Soccer and Lacrosse: Jan. 11- March 12 ■ Football: Feb. 8 - April 9 ■ Golf, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Soccer, and Softball: March 1- April 30 ■ Baseball, Women’s Tennis, Track, and Wrestling: April 12 - June 11 ■ Cheerleading Invitational: May 1 “This is great news from the NCHSAA,” said Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte. “COVID-19 has had a significant physical and emotional impact on all of us. This is another important step in helping our students, schools, and community return to more normal activities. We will share additional details as they develop.”
Libraries ready to help students As schools open again for both in-person and online learning, Fontana Regional Library locations have tools to help students of all ages. Libraries are open by appointment, and anyone 12 and up can call to schedule a time to come inside to browse books, use a computer, or use a study room. (Younger children are also welcome, but a parent must make the appointment.) Time slots are 45 minutes in length, although longer sessions can be allowed. Masks or other face coverings are required. Wi-Fi is available immediately
outside each building 24/7 as well as inside during library hours. Curbside pick-up service is also still available at all locations. All public school students in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties have access to online resources like eBooks and research databases through the StudentAccess program, which gives students library accounts automatically, without a separate card. Ask your local library for details. Visit www.fontanalib.org.
ConMet scholarship started at HCC ConMet’s local Canton plant recently established a scholarship through Haywood Community College’s Foundation for students in the college’s Computer-Integrated Machining, Industrial Systems or Electrical Engineering programs. ConMet supplies injection molded, structural foam, gas counter pressure and highly decorative plastic products in a wide range of press sizes from 250-Ton to 4,000-Ton machines. The Canton facility produces products primarily for the heavy truck industry. The scholarship will be awarded to full-time students to cover a combination of student expenses such as tuition and fees, books, childcare and transportation. Students in these business and industry programs are taught through hands-on applications and receive training on machines that mimic what they will encounter when entering the workforce. For more information, call 828.627.4544 or email pahardin@haywood.edu.
WCU revamps Title IX policies Following a recent regulatory overhaul of federal Title IX civil rights legislation by the U.S. Department of Education, Western Carolina University has revamped its Title IX-related policies and procedures. The university adopted Policy 129 “Title IX
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notified SCC officials that Bestcolleges.com put Southwestern at No. 1 in its listing of “The Best Community Colleges & Trade Schools of 2020.” Although this is SCC’s debut atop a nationwide ranking, it marks the fourth time in the last 13 years that SCC has been included among the Top 10 colleges in the U.S. Washington Monthly placed Southwestern at No. 4 (in 2007) and No. 9 (in 2010), and WalletHub had SCC at No. 7 in 2015.
HCC program ranked in top 5
Sexual Harassment” on Aug. 4. Taking effect Friday, Aug. 14, the policy is designed to provide an independent policy and framework to protect employees, visitors and students from sexual harassment within any education program or activity, said Ivy Gibson, WCU’s associate general counsel and Title IX coordinator. Important aspects of the new policy include a uniform complaint and grievance hearing process, options for informal resolution when both parties agree, and a 60-day processing timeframe absent good cause for extension, such as unavailability of one or both of the parties. For more information, review University Policy 129 or contact the Title IX Coordinator Ivy Gibson at 828.227.7116 or igbson@email.wcu.edu.
Macon 4-Hers compete in state horse show While this year has been very different for Macon County 4-Hers, many have gone the extra mile to show off their show animals and projects. Natalie Owens and Courtney Weeks recently competed with equine youth from across the state in the first virtual NC 4-H State Horse Show. Competitors submitted a recorded competition riding pattern to be judged online. Congratulations to our riders for placing among 219 statewide competitors: Natalie Owens — second in Senior Hunter Showmanship, fourth in Senior Western Horsemanship, fourth in Senior Western Showmanship and third in Senior Hunter Equitation; Courtney Weeks — ninth in Senior Hunter Hack, 10th in Senior Hunter Showmanship and 10th in Senior Hunter Equitation.
SCC top national ranking from bestcolleges.com More than 1,100 community colleges currently offer education and training in the United States and one ranking service considers Southwestern Community College to be the very best. The N.C. Community College System office
According to Medicalassistantadvice.com, Haywood Community College’s Medical Assisting program has been ranked No. 5 in North Carolina for the year 2020. The ranking is based on factors such as graduation rate, full-time retention rate, admissions rate and average net price. HCC’s medical assisting program prepares graduates to be a key component in keeping busy medical offices and clinics running smoothly. Perhaps the most versatile of all allied health professionals, medical assistants have a great amount of variety in their job duties and are cross-trained to perform administrative, clinical and laboratory duties.
Scholarships awarded to WNC students The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina recently approved scholarships totaling $510,250 to 94 WNC students in 57 schools in 21 counties. MaKenzie Caldwell and Keely Cherry of Tuscola High School, Brenda Laney of Lincoln Memorial University and Zachariah Mull, Chloe Parris and McKenzie Squires of Pisgah High School were awarded. Scholarship endowments can have broad eligibility criteria or can be focused on a particular school or county, offered to students pursuing a degree in a stated field or available to those who will attend a designated college or university. Learn more at www.cfwnc.org.
Macon names ‘Teacher of the Year’ Rachel Alford has been named Macon County Schools 2020 Teacher of the Year. Alford currently teaches high school math at Union Academy. She will now move forward to the regional competition. Here are the finalists for the Teacher of the Year Award from each school in the district: Macon Middle School- Scott Burns; East Franklin Elementary School - Cieara Gregory; Highlands School - Dave Cashion; Mountain View Intermediate School - Jennifer Nation; Cartoogechaye Elementary School - Katrin Rholetter; Iotla Valley Elementary School - Sheena Hughes; Nantahala School - Jenny McMahan; South Macon Elementary School - Christy Passmore; Franklin High School - Bob Kuppers and Macon Early College - Gary Brown.
