Communities In Schools Recognizes Businesses

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In January of 2014, our executive director, Glendora Yarbrough, was given the opportunity to  recognize five businesses for contributions towards our organization.  As a nonprofit, our work among area learners would be crippled without the support of contributors, donors, funders, and volunteers — and we are ever grateful for those who find it in their hearts to contribute to our cause.  Together, we are making strides to impact the lives of Alexander County students, providing them with the tools necessary to succeed academically, and achieve in life.

(Left to Right) School Board Member David Odom, School Board Chairman Bridgette Rhyne, Duke Energy Representative Robin Nichols, CIS Executive Director Glendora Yarbrough, and School Board Member Milton Campbell.

Currently, our business partnership levels are as follows:
•    Honorary  – under $1,000
•    Silver – $1,000 – $2,000
•    Gold – $2,000 – $3,000
•    Platinum – $3,000 and above

The following businesses were those recognized for their contributions toward our work in Alexander County.

  1. Duke Energy (Platinum Partner)
  2. Craftmaster Furniture (Gold Partner)
  3. Hancock and More (Gold Partner)
  4.  HSM Solutions (Gold Partner)
  5. Foundation for the Carolinas / Shurtape Industries (Honorary Partner)
(Left to Right) School Board Member David Odom, School Board Chairman Bridgette Rhyne, Craftmaster Representative Kevin Mann, CIS Executive Director Glendora Yarbrough, and School Board Member Milton Campbell.

Kevin Mann accepted a plaque on behalf of Craftmaster Furniture and Robin Nichols accepted a plaque on behalf of Duke Energy.  The remaining plaques were distributed to the businesses unable to attend the meeting.

2012-2013 Expansions

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The previous school year held a host of changes for Communities In Schools of Wilkes County.  From our expansion into Alexander County, to a revision of our policies and procedures, to saying goodbye to five long-term board members – the year was eventful and emotional all around.

One change we were particularly excited to see was the addition of two sites in the Wilkes school system: Central Wilkes Middle and Moravian Falls Elementary.  For the first time, we were able to serve these two schools with site coordinators.

If you are unfamiliar with site coordination at CIS, these staff members act as liaisons to bring resources, services, business partners, parents, and volunteers into their schools. This collaboration fosters a proven community effort to help students succeed.

Students at Central Wilkes Middle worked with site coordinator Lora Davis this year, who brokered in services such as Smart Girls and Wise Guys – our teen pregnancy prevention program – and Girls on the Run.  She also organized special guest speakers for the students, such as Damon Nash who spoke on bullying prevention.

Working at Moravian Falls were Tiger Posey and Amie Rose, where students participated in our Friends of Youth and Lunch Buddies programs, as well as the physical and mental health program Let Me Run. The two also worked within the community to bring in volunteers and donations for the school, successfully securing a dance machine, grill, and over 500 English and Hispanic books through First Book.

The addition and continuation of these new sites was made possible through the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation.  In March of 2013, they provided CIS with $50,000.00 for salary support at the above two sites.

Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation is a supporting organization to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community.  This is one of six Communities of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, an international order of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1831.  The organization seeks to promote systemic change and assist individuals to empower themselves to improve the quality of their lives.

The foundation’s special heart for women, the elderly, and – specifically – children, made Communities In Schools’ site coordination a perfect fit as grant recipient.

“This is the faith community at its best,” comments Glendora Yarbrough, executive director of CIS.  “With separation of church and state an ever-pressing issue of concern and debate, far too many capable organizations shy away from assisting in an area of great need: the public school system.  We hope our partnership with Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation shows what CIS is happy to do: offer a safe pathway for faith-based organizations to extend their reach into the school system, wherein they can have a truly beneficial impact on the lives of our students.”

We here at Communities In Schools would be lost without the invaluable support of all our donors, volunteers, and grantors – but we would like to extend a special thank you to the Sisters of Mercy for this generous effort.

12th Annual Stuff the Bus Campaign!

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This year is no exception when it comes to summer vacation: it seems before you know it the end is in sight and the new school year is just around the corner. CIS of Wilkes County is gearing up for the 2013–2014 school year with our 12th Annual Stuff the Bus Drive!


Through Stuff the Bus, CIS collects school supplies to be distributed to area schools and students for use throughout the school year.  We accept a variety of donations, but are particularly seeking three ring binders, loose-leaf paper, pencils, and tab dividers this year.

Apart from our bus locations at the Wilkesboro Walmart and Staples, drop boxes are located at the following locations:

•    Carolina West Wireless
•    CVS on D Street
•    Dollar General: 421, 18, D Street, Millers Creek, Country Club
•    Family Dollar
•    Maple Springs Baptist Church
•    North Wilkesboro Baptist Church
•    North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church
•    Roaring Gap Baptist Church
•    Wilkes Telecommunications
•    Walgreens
•    Walmart in Elkin

Those who wish to donate a backpack to the local YMCA will also be able to take advantage of a $1.00 joining fee special, a savings of $48.00 from the usual $49.00 fee!

Donations will be accepted between now and August 15th, so make your drop offs today and help our area students start the 2013 school year ready and able to succeed!

Communities In Schools Blood Drive

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The relaxed schedule of summer offers our New Century Scholars a great opportunity for a head start on their yearly required community service hours.  Program coordinator Melissa Higgins has worked hard to set up and schedule such service events.

Nearest on the schedule, the Scholars will be assisting with….

The Communities In Schools Blood Drive
administered by
The American Red Cross!

Date:  Thursday, June 13th 2013
Time: 2:00 until 6:30 pm
Where: The CIS Office (Located in the same building as the Stone Center, directly across the hall)

At the drive, our young volunteers will help with donor check-in, as well as pass out snacks and drinks as individuals complete their donations.  Please come on out for this great cause and receive this special attention from our student volunteers!

If you would be interested in giving blood, please contact Melissa Higgins at 336-651-7830 or by email.  Donors under the age of 18 will need to provide a completed parent consent form before they can donate.   Click here to download a form.

Headed to College Race Stats

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5K Run
Place
Name
Age
Gender
Total Time
1
Lee Johnson
16
M
19:01.0
2
Dustin Triplett
19
M
21:48.0
3
Tony Blevins
47
M
22:56.9
4
Jonathan Blake Johnston
18
M
24:07.3
5
Jordyn Halvorsen
15
F
24:07.5
6
Michael Browder
45
M
24:45.3
7
Lacey Triplett
13
F
26:16.9
8
Frankie Keever
51
M
26:29.8
9
Larry Palmer
42
M
28:01.0
10
Eric Scott
29
M
28:04.6
11
Amy Guyer
39
F
28:15.1
12
Melia Higgins
14
F
29:33.8
13
Daniel Huezo
9
M
31:16.8
14
Chris Severt
31
M
31:36.3
15
Brandon Atempa
10
M
31:46.2
16
Makenna Freeman
9
F
31:47.9
17
Richard Shepherd
42
M
31:56.5
18
Joel Freeman
36
M
31:58.6
19
Edgar Mun
10
M
32:04.8
20
Marcus Lopez
10
M
32:12.3
21
Allison Critcher
30
F
32:33.3
22
Donte Holland
10
M
33:17.6
23
Anthony Carlton
11
M
33:45.9
24
Jordan Blevins
10
M
33:49.0
25
Nolan Belk
40
M
35:59.4
26
Jeremy Guyer
41
M
36:13.9
27
Angel Bentancourt
11
M
36:48.1
28
Lorene Blake
73
F
37:53.4
29
Trenton Hunt
11
M
38:46.5
30
Hope Halvorson
37
F
39:37.8
31
Bryson Elles
10
M
46:18.1
32
Lanny Handy
57
M
47:28.9
33
Doris Stroud
58
F
48:29.5
34
Cynthia Brown
47
F
48:29.8
35
Sue Risoti
64
F
48:30.0
36
Joann Caudill
60
F
48:38.3
37
Jane Joines
58
F
48:44.7
38
Logan Cardwell
10
M
48:46.8
39
Daniel Long
11
M
49:54.1
40
Jacob Ridgill
9
M
50:23.8
41
Ryan Eller
11
M
50:29.9
42
Erica Walker
35
F
50:50.1
43
Karyl Nichols
39
F
58:31.5

8K Run
Place
Name
Age
Gender
Total Time
1
Jack Brown
43
M
29:43.5
2
Allen Alfaro
46
M
29:59.6
3
Caleb Critcher
29
M
30:14.8
4
Daniel Brooks
27
M
30:24.3
5
Tommy Wagoner
38
M
32:03.9
6
Casey Church
31
M
33:11.9
7
Seth Nolte
20
M
33:31.7
8
Ty Nolte
18
M
34:04.4
9
Benjamin Zachary
57
M
35:19.1
10
Tracy Church
31
M
35:31.1
11
Cale Jordaan
16
M
36:20.7
12
Peet Jordaan
49
M
37:46.5
13
Keith Holleman
56
M
38:26.0
14
Tony Hayes
41
M
39:06.5
15
Rodney Lee
60
M
39:30.4
16
Kimberly Byrd
43
F
40:45.5
17
Brandon Ward
27
M
41:11.4
18
Heather Freeman
36
F
42:32.9
19
Amy Purser
31
F
43:29.3
20
Carrie Sessoms
32
F
45:32.5
21
Jeffrey Lee
33
M
45:52.1
22
Allen Call
33
M
45:52.3
23
Mike Queen
38
M
45:57.8
24
Todd Trivette
50
M
46:33.5
25
Sue Anne Johnston
41
F
47:02.0
26
Dawn Holleman
50
F
51:37.8
27
Katie Wiles
36
F
53:52.2
28
Scott Wooten
54
M
53:52.5
29
Iris Hilton
55
F
54:36.7
30
Teana Compeau
58
F
21:26.1
31
Madelene Johnson
57
F
21:26.5

Headed to College Race 8k Winners

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Female Open 
1. Kimberly Byrd 40:45.5

2. Heather Freeman 42:32.9

3. Amy Purser 43:29.3
 
Male Open
1. Jack Brown 29:43.5
 2. Allen Alfaro 29:59.6

3. Caleb Critcher 30:14.8
 
Female Masters

1. Sue Anne Johnston 47:02.0

2. Dawn Holleman 51:37.8

3. Iris Hilton 54:36.7
 
Male Masters

1. Benjamin Zachary 35:19.1

2. Peet Jordaan 37:46.5

3. Keith Holleman 38:26.0
 
Male 15 to 19

1. Ty Nolte 34:04.4

2. Cale Jordaan 36:20.7

Male 20 to 24

1. Seth Nolte 33:31.7
 
Male 25 to 29

1. Daniel Brooks 30:24.3

2. Brandon Ward 41:11.4
 
Female 30 to 34

1. Carrie Sessoms 45:32.5
 
Male 30 to 34 

1. Casey Church 33:11.9

2. Tracy Church 35:35.1

3. Jeffrey Lee 45:52.1

Female 35 to 39 
1. Katie Wiles 53:52.2 
Male 35 to 39
1. Tommy Wagoner 32:03.9

2. Mike Queen 45:57.8
 
Male 40 to 44
1. Tony Hayes 39:06.5
 
Male 50 to 54

1. Todd Trivette 46:33.5

2. Scott Wooten 53:52.5
 
Female 55 to 59 

1. Teana Compeau 1:21:26.1 (in black)

2. Madelene Johnson 1:21:26.5
 
Male 60 to 69

1. Rodney Lee 39:30.4

Headed to College Race 5k Winners

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 Female Open 

1. Jordyn Halvorsen 24:07.5

2. Lacey Triplett 26:16.9

3. Amy Guyer 28:15.1

Male Open
1. Lee Johnson 19:01.0

2. Dustin Triplett 21:48.0

3. Tony Blevins 22:56.9
 
Female Masters 
 1. Lorene Blake 37:53.4

2. Doris Stroud 48:29.5

3. Cynthia Brown 48:29.8
 
Male Masters 
 1. Michael Browder 24:45.3

2. Frankie Keever 26:29.8

3. Larry Palmer 28:01.0

Female 14 and Under 

1. Melia Higgins 29:33.8

2. Makenna Freeman 31:47.9

Male 14 and Under 

1. Daniel Huezo 31:16.8

2. Brandon Atempa 31:46.2

3. Edgar Mun 32:04.8

4. Marcus Lopez 32:12.3

5. Donte Holland 33:17.6

6. Anthony Carlton 33:45.9

7. Jordan Blevins 33:49.0

8. Angel Bentancourt 36:48.1

9. Trenton Hunt 38:46.5

10. Bryson Elles 46:18.1

11. Logan Cardwell 48:46.8

12. Daniel Long 49:54.1

13. Jacob Ridgill 50:23.8

14. Ryan Eller 50:29.9

Male 15 to 19

1. Jonathan Blake Johnston 24:07.3

Male 25 to 29
1. Eric Scott 28:04.6

Female 30 to 34
1. Allison Critcher 32:33.3

Male 30 to 34
1. Chris Severt 31:36.3

Female 35 to 39 
1. Hope Halvorson 39:37.8

2. Erica Walker 50:50.1

3. Karyl Nichols 58:31.5

Male 35 to 39

1. Joel Freeman 31:58.6

Male 40 to 44 

1. Richard Shepherd 31:56.5

2. Nolan Belk 35:59.4

3. Jeremy Guyer 36:13.9

Female 55 to 59
1. Jane Joines 48:44.7

Male 55 to 59
1. Lanny Handy 47:28.9

Female 60 to 69 
 
1. Sue Risoti 48:30.0

2. Joann Caudill 48:38.3

Bojangles Share Nights

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Communities In Schools of Wilkes County – Alexander County Branch (CIS) is excited to celebrate our growing area partnerships!  The Bojangles of Taylorsville and Bethlehem generously donated a portion of their proceeds to our organization during two recent Share Nights.

During a Share Night, ten percent of the profits made between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm are filtered back to the receiving organization — in this case, CIS!

Pictured here are managers Jeremy Pope, Nathan Annas, and Jason Gregg from the Bethlehem store, following the Share Night of March 19th. Our most recent night was last Tuesday, April 23rd.

Please check this blog and our Facebook page often for news of more opportunities in which to contribute to the nation’s leading dropout prevention program!  And from all of us at CIS to the staff of Bojangles and everyone who came out to show support, thank you!

Merlefest 2013

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The end of the school year is rapidly approaching us here in Wilkes County. With school officially being out of session come the end of May, it is no surprise that the turn of the month is one heralded by parent and student alike.

As if to celebrate the start of this final countdown comes a highly-anticipated and greatly loved event for area citizens — Merlefest 2013.

Held April 25th though the 28th, Merlefest 2013 marks the 25th year of the music and arts festival, and will be featuring some big names!  This year’s line up of artists include: The Avett Brothers, Matracca Berg, Sam Bush, John Cowan, The Charlie Daniels Band, Delta Rae and many, many more!

Communities In Schools of Wilkes is excited to present this four-day event to you, as you will find us out and in action serving up some delicious food!  Find us and enjoy any of the following:

  • Grilled Chicken Wraps (Featuring Greek tzatziki sauce)
  • Buffalo Chicken Wraps
  • Veggie Wraps
  • Pinto Beans and Corn Bread
  • Baked Potatoes (with cheese, bacon, butter, and sour cream!)
  • Strawberry Shortcake

Pay us a visit during your trip to the festival — and support Communities In Schools and your area students as well as your local community college!

CIS Says Goodbye to Five Board Members

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They say all good things must come to an end — a saying we felt here at Communities In Schools last week as we said goodbye to five long-withstanding board members.

On Thursday, March 14th, 2013 — CIS honored Brenda Sales, Linda Zinger, Matt Daye, Sheneele Wagoner, and Scott Perry with a small luncheon, enjoying some great food, fun, and fellowship as we said goodbye.  The meal was catered by Tim Adams.

Along with some laughter, some tears, some silly hats and a sillier song — we took the time to honor each of these outstanding citizens for their hard work and dedication over the years.  Read on to find out more about each of them — and see what “honorary title” they were given during our shenanigans. 

Brenda Sales, a board member since 1995, is retired from the North Carolina Juvenile Justice office.  During her time with us, she served as bother chairman and vice chairman.  She has been instrumental in our fundraisers, from chicken-ques to our booth at Merle Fest, so with love and affection she was heralded “Bean-Slinger of the Year.”

Linda Zinger, a realtor for Carolina Realty has served since 2005. Acting as vice-chair during her tenure here, she has volunteered not only time on the board, but as a mentor in both the Friends of Youth and Lunch Buddy programs.  She has gone above and beyond, even contributing a portion of profit from her realty sales with a program called Lots for Learning.  She is due the title of best all-around, though “Best Straight Up and Down” was much more fitting for her physique.

Moving onward is Matt Daye, who served from 1996 and acted as both our assistant treasurer and treasurer during this time. He’s a senior vice-president at Yadkin Valley Bank, and has spent time volunteering for our mentoring programs as well. Through all our recent changes, he has been the frugal voice of reason — earning him the title of “Penny Pincher of the Decade.”

Sheneele Wagoner has been with us since 2001.  She works as a lead instructor at Wilkes Community College, and has volunteered time not only as secretary of our board, but within the New Century Scholar steering committee as well.  With a full-time job, her family, and going to school for a doctorate — we have been awestruck at her dedication to our programs at CIS.  Therefore, Sheneele was given the “Most Scholarly Award” as we said our farewell.

Last but not least is another long time runner from 1995, Scott Perry. He is employed with the North Carolina office of Juvenile Justice — and served as chair of the nominating committee during his time with us.  Not only this, but he was always a loyal attendee of every CIS chicken-que fundraiser — helping us pack chicken into boxes in a manner that  deserved the title “Best Chicken-Handler.”

In all seriousness, we here at Communities In Schools would like to extend our gratitude out once again to all of these former board members. It has been through your help and dedication that we have been able to reach and impact our local students.  We thank you for taking the time and making the difference in their lives.