june09

Our Future, Our Commitment, Our Students

Special Olympics

Three athletes from Franklin

County compete in the State

Special Olympics. P. 19

Top Notch

Bunn Middle inducts 22 into

Jr. Beta Club. P. 24

Get Healthy

Learn more about the recent

success of the Long Mill Well-

ness program. P. 16

Honors Day

Check out this year’s award

winners. P. 26

J U N E , 2 0 0 9

F I R S T T H U R S D A Y V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 6

Franklin County Schools

Teacher of The Year Student

Writing

Edition Talented writers from Frank-

lin County Schools are display-ing their work in this issue of First Thursday.

This is the third annual edi-tion that features the work of the students of Franklin County Schools The writing begins on page 2 and runs through page 15.

Brandy Carter, right, was named FCS Teacher of The Year during Honors Day. Bunn High Principal Robin Faulkner praised Carter for making everyone around her better.

BHS’ Carter Receives Top Honor

B randy Carter’s letter to the Franklin County Schools Teacher of the

Year Committee was titled Plan to Be Surprised. It’s safe to say she was surprised when she learned she was the 2009-2010 FCS Teacher of The Year.

The Bunn High English teacher was informed she had earned the prestigious honor during the annual FCS Honors Day on June 10th.

Having grown up in rural Ham-ilton, Alabama with limited finan-

cial resources, Carter relied heavily on the support of her church and tight-knit community to pave the path to success. From participating in the church choir and being encouraged along the way by her childhood physician and friends from a lo-cal retirement home, Carter has found success.

After graduating from the Uni-versity of North Alabama, she relocated in North Carolina to

SEE CARTER PAGE 27

Page 2 F C S F I R S T T H U R S D A Y J U N E , 2 0 0 9

Pizza is falling from the sky

Onto the school.

I reached up high

And I started to drool.

One fell on my plate.

I gobbled it down,

Then I sat down to wait

At the food market downtown.

Holly Garrett

Ms. Airey’s 3rd Grade Class

Bunn Elementary School

Cloudy With A Chance

of Poetry

The wind was howling in my ear.

Cakes began to fall on my school.

It was hard for anyone to hear,

And no one thought it was cool.

Nobody could even steer.

Everybody looked like a fool.

Cars were hitting each other’s rear.

This isn’t very cool.

Kaitlynn Cross

Ms. Airey’s Third Grade Class

Bunn Elementary School

Forecast Pizza Cakes


The sea listens carefully to the waves

Crashing at shore.

It hears the animals moving beneath

And all throughout.

It feels the sun beaming down giving

It a warm comfortable feeling.

It tastes the millions of pounds of

Salt rolling with the waves.

It sees the people having a good time.

The sea listens carefully.

Taylor Hunt

Bunn High School

The Sea

Listens


One day after school, a boy had basketball try outs. Allen was a 5’9 and a very good ball handler. Coach Bubba had already given him a spot on the team as a start-ing point guard. Coach Bubba was clueless about the grades of Allen Price. Allen was a 7th grader who does not pay attention to his teach-ers. He was failing all of his class, that he had signed up for this se-mester. As basketball season came, Allen grades were going down a 90 degree angle. As the season went on, Allen’s coach asked him every day about his grades. Allen would not answer or he would just talk about something else.

One of Allen’s teammates had found out about Allen’s grades and went to tell the coach. The next day, Coach Bubba asked Allen if what he had heard about his grades were true. Allen told the coach that it was true, and for prac-tice, he would run an extra 2 miles. The coach agreed and said that he has to make up his work or he would not play in the next three games.

The next day Allen asked his teachers for all of the work he had not done. The teacher said it is too late to make up all of the work that he owed. As Allen walked to prac-tice, he thought of what he would say to his coach after Coach Bubba told him that he would have to turn in all his work. When he walked in the gym, the coach asked Allen where his work was. Allen told Coach Bubba what the teacher

said and the coach just told him to go get dressed for practice.

After practice the teacher came to talk to the coach and Allen. As Allen listen to the coach and the teacher, he started to drift off and thought about him playing in the first game. James Avery had told on Allen. James was the backup point guard. He was proud because he knew that if Allen got in trouble, he would take the starting position. Once James had told the coach that Allen was failing, the coach immediate contacted the parents of Allen Price.

Allen was in class when Coach Bubba came looking for him. Allen was surprised to see Bubba at the door way. The coach entered the room and asked if he could see Allen for a few minutes. Then Al-len’s coach Bubba asked if he would go to the office and wait for a little bit. After about ten minutes, the coach came back with Allen’s father. Coach Bubba explained why his father was there. Allen was kind of mad and kind of scared at the same time.

Allen’s father was asking ques-tions about his grades. Allen said that everything that his father asked him was true. Then Allen’s father and Bubba went into the coach’s office; Allen was waiting for about twenty or thirty minutes be-fore the coach and his father re-turn. His father looked at him then told him to come with him. First his father went to all of Allen’s teachers to get all of the work that he owes for the nine weeks.

After the teachers gave him all the missing work, he was checked out. As soon as he got home, his father took away his phone, basket-ball goal, and dirt bike. Allen was in his room from 1:00 to 8:45 trying to finish all the work that he was miss-ing.

When Allen had got to school that next day, his father made him turn in all the work that he did the night before. Allen’s teachers had called Coach Bubba that same day and confirmed that all of Allen’s work had been turned in all the work that he owed. After that school day, Al-len went to his coach’s house to ask if he would be able to play in the next game. The coach said yes. Allen was ecstatic because the next game was a home rival game against the Carnage Tornados.

They were an undefeated team with a 5-0 record. Allen’s team was also undefeated with a record of 5-0. His team was called the Ala-bama Bulldogs. Allen was pumped for the game. The game started with Carnage having the first ball position. The game was going back and forth. Once half time came they tied 22-22. The Bulldogs got the ball back once half time was over. The Bulldogs were pulling away by four 3-pointers at the end of the game. The score at the end of the game was 45-32 Bulldogs victory.

Tyler Thomas and Austin Avery

Bunn Middle School Originally Published in BMS UpDawg

What It Takes


Weakness fills the mind of those who sprawl all day like a fool walking right into a trap. Scrumptious sugar and brain-rotting activities fill the room while weight gains on you, dust on a bookshelf. Laziness takes all things important… love and exercise. Procrastination hugs your brain. Spirits and angels ridden from the body; You are on your own. Decisions decide to disappear as sunlight at night… Eventually, you pass into the almighty heavens because you couldn’t do anything to change your future. Choice puzzles your mind--a riddle undecipherable… Murdering you like a criminal in disguise. The garden of poison apples is tempting and easy, but fateful. You are like Eve. Fate comes to you and fills your mind— Nothing can stop you.

Madison Poupard Cedar Creek Middle L

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Magical Beans

Ding! Ding! I peered over the bed covers at my glowing green clock. “I’m almost late for school!” I muttered to myself. Darting in the bathroom, I gazed at my reflection. “How did I become a snowman?” I screamed. Luckily no one heard. My sparkling blue miniature tricorn hat glowed as I looked at my reflection. To me I looked like three enormous blobs of snow. My dull orange carrot nose poked out of my face. There was no way I could tell my mom I was a snowman. If I did she would go crazy and rush me to the doctor’s office. There was only one thing to do I had to sneak out the window.

How was I going to do it? It was at least a ten foot drop. Just then I re-membered that my brother had a fifteen foot long rope in his bedroom. I poked my head out of my bedroom door making sure no one was looking. Then, I qui-etly tiptoed across the hall and into my brother’s room. I sniffed at the terrible odor of rotten feet. In a blink of an eye, I grabbed the smooth, sparkling green rope and dashed to my room. Carefully I tied the rope to the edge of the win-dow. While climbing down I made sure not to fall off the slippery rope. How did I become a snowman? The same question went through my mind over and over again. All of a sudden I remembered the tasty beans I ate last night. Mrs. Wood had said, “These beans are magic.” I thought she was just playing with me. Darting to Mrs. Wood’s house, I tripped over a log and hurt my knee. It didn’t stop me; I was determined to get to Mrs. Wood’s house. After what seemed forever, I made it to Mrs. Wood’s house. Ring! Ring! The gloomy door bell sounded. After about two minutes still no one answered the door. Using my short, slender, stick arms I pushed the door open. Sitting on the table in front of me were three dull green beans.

They were the same beans I ate last night. “Maybe they would turn me back into a human,” I muttered to myself. Meow! I gazed in amazement at the upset, bright orange cat. Surprisingly, he was in a dull red cage. I dashed to the dark brown table and grabbed the three dull green beans. While gulping down the beans, I heard a loud police alarm. A policeman darted inside. “Your mom is worried sick about you!” a deep voice yelled. I glanced at myself. I was-n’t a snowman anymore! While riding home, I made a decision to never eat green beans at someone else’s house again.

Written by Amanda Dean

Mrs. Nelms’ 4th Grade Class at Edward Best Elementary


Sunny days in spring are beautiful.

Pretty flowers grow in the spring.

Running into the pool is fun.

In spring, flowers are beautiful.

No one in the world would not like spring.

Gardens are beautiful in the spring.

Sunshine is bright.

Pollen grows in flowers.

Rain falls down from the clouds.

It rains a lot in the spring.

Never go near a skunk in the spring.

Gophers run around the grass in the spring.

Maria Rodriquez Franklinton Elementary

2nd Grade

Thoughts Of Spring


Dangerous Freedom There are many things that can absorb a teen driver’s attention: cell phones, iPods, loud music, and passengers prove distracting to teen drivers. Those items should not be allowed in the vehi-cles of teen drivers for the first six months of having a license. It only takes a split second of looking away or a minor mental lapse to cause an accident. Without distractions, teens would be forced to pay attention to their driving. With the massive traffic jams and congestion in the world today, there is not time for anything other than focusing while driving. New drivers especially need to pay attention behind the wheel. Driving is one of the great key pieces of the American dream. Teens just cannot wait to get be-hind the wheel and experience one of the great freedoms of life. Without correct education, that freedom becomes a dangerous liberty. Changes have to be made regarding teen drivers. Ex-perience, education, and distractions should be taken into account when deciding driving regula-tions. The only way to reverse the stereotype of bad teen drivers is to make all teens realize how serious driving is and that they are making a commitment to all others on the road when they step into a vehicle. Lives are in the hands of each driver. Each driver must be a capable driver. Teen drivers are easily made capable drivers by implementing a few new rules. Driving is a privi-lege—it should not be abused.

Logan Sumner Franklinton High School


Words of Wisdom

Dear New First Graders, Welcome to Miss Scheid’s Class. In her class, you will have a fun time. She will help you learn how to write stories and take care of the Earth. My favorite things were McDonald’s Night and Disney on Ice. In hope you have a stunning time with Miss Scheid. Your Friend, Gladys Fogg

Dear New First Graders, Welcome to Miss Scheid’s Class. In her class, you will learn to SRAs and count money. She will help you learn to read and how to draw. My favorite things were to play Sparkle and making class books. I hope you do your best! Your Friend, Jordan Terry

Laurel Mill Students advice rising 1st graders

Page F C S F I R S T T H U R S D A Y J U N E , 2 0 0 9

Jody is my mom. My mom works for Bachman Auto Glass. Bachman Auto Glass is a company that fixes peoples’ wind-shields. They also fix rear glass and door windows. She always works really hard during the week, but on week-ends, she always has time for the family. My mom is a great athlete. She can almost beat my dad at basketball, she can swim faster than me and she can jump rope really well. My mom is really smart, too. She can figure out a math prob-lem better than anybody in my family. Her best subject is lan-guage arts. She has really excellent grammar. My mom is the best. She spends so much time working and spending time with the family. She barely has time for herself. My mom is the best mom a girl could ever have – and I love her.

Alex Young

LES 5th Grade

My Mom

Alex Young won a jewelry store writing contest with this work. The prize is pic-tured at left.

F F C S F I R S T T H U R S D A Y J U N E , 2 0 0 9

A clanky metal rooster,

Colored like the rainbow.

He seems to be proud of his country,

And isn’t afraid of pink.

--Colby Gupton

Multicolored chicken

Pink ribbon feet

Being held by Mrs. Sorby Firth

White USA colored ribbon on its head

Stared at me.

--Cade Denton

The bow,

The colored aluminum,

The rattling of the tail,

The head honcho,

The rooster.

The masterpiece of Sorby-Firth’s desk.

--Devonte Keith

Page 11

LHS Warrior Poets

F F C S F I R S T T H U R S D A Y J U N E , 2 0 0 9 Page 12

Imaginary Playground Behold your eyes on the most famous playground in the

world. It has talking dogs, the Carolina Hurricanes and an 85-foot zip line that goes straight across the whole playground. There’s still more! Just come to this extreme, outrageous play-ground today. Imagination playground is open everyday from 5 a.m. until noon.

There is an extreme go-cart track. The flames that come out of the track make it look like a volcano that erupted. The go-carts are dazzling red, orange and yellow. They go as fast as a tiger, too!

There is also an outrageous Carolina Hurricanes game. The sound of the voices is thunderous – like a gigantic, roaring storm. The beat of the stomping and kicking feet keep the rhythm of a drum. The people watching the hockey players go around the rink and make the people dizzy.

Don’t get me started with the talking dog. The dog has a low voice of a bear. The dogs name is Doug. Doug is a German shepherd. Whenever you walk by him, he will follow you and greet you if you’re lucky. If you want to have a conversation with Doug, then he will answer you or talk to you. He will listen to what you have to say.

You have to come to this extreme, outrageous playground. Remember it is open everyday. You will have a very good time.

Rachel Black

Long Mill Elementary


America The Beautiful Ryan’s America the Beautiful

O’ Beautiful for snowy mountains,

For vast, blue shining seas

For hot dry deserts, big green fields,

Land where glory be

America, America! The place I love to be

May our flag fly strong, and freedom ring,

In this land of glorious peace

Ryan Henkel

Royal Elementary

My America the Beautiful

O’ beautiful for grassy plains,

For freedom and peace,

America, America! Fireworks fill the sky,

Above our big bright country,

For the yellow sun and stars at night,

And fly our flags across the world

Through worthy and rough times.

Kennedy Little

Royal Elementary



Pick Your President

Haven’t you always wanted to pick your presi-dent? Don’t you think that kids should be able to vote for your president and politi-cians? Most kids pay more attention to politics than they used to in the past. The kids watch the news a lot more these days. Kids would like to vote and get their word out. If they could vote, it would change the world for the kids.

Eighteen out of 23 of my classmates voted in favor of kids being allowed to vote. The students who voted no said so because they did not know who to vote for. The people who said yes said only the responsible kids should vote. Their own opinions count to them though.

Some people think that if children voted, they will take over the world. They say that kids would take over the votes and make peo-ple say what kids would want. That is a good argument, but the people who said yes made a good point, too. They made a point about that only responsible kids should vote. That is a good point, but how would we pick out the responsible kids? I guess we could look at their grades and ask their parents.

There are a lot of good arguments and most kids in my class think that they should be able to vote. Don’t you want to pick your next president?

Cooper Bolton Terrell Lane Middle



The Magic Shoes

“Time to get up,” I heard my mom say as I lay in bed. A few seconds later, I got out of my bed and stood there yawning. Just then I saw something shiny in my shoe.

I quickly rushed over to the thing. A moment later, I noticed that it was sil-ver with writing all over it. In a split second, I picked up the note so I could read it. It read, “Whoever wears these shoes will go on a great adventure.” For a few minutes I sat there blankly, but just like that I knew who wrote it – or at least I though I did.

“You know what, Emma wrote this trying to scare me,” I exclaimed as I put down the paper. Just then I heard my mom say time to get dressed. As soon as I heard that, I quickly put on my outfit that I had laid out the night before. After that, I rushed downstairs with the weird sneakers on, grabbed a K-bar and flew into the car. After my mom got in, we were on our way to go swim-ming.

A few minutes later, I felt my shoes wiggle and jiggle. All of a sudden, my shoe laces untied themselves and moved toward the car door. All of a sud-den, they opened the door. A split second after that, they jumped out of the car with me still in there. “Oh my God,” I thought. “Maybe this wasn’t Emma after all.”

All of the sudden they started moving again deeper and deeper into the woods. Just then, I saw something in the distance. “Ahh,” I yelled as I tried to turn around because there in front of me was a BEAR!. In a millisecond, I was struggling with the shoes – trying to turn around but that failed.

“Hey,” I heard a voice call out. “I don’t want to eat you.” Just then as I turned around I noticed the bear was talking to me. “Bad day? Sorry about him (shoes).” The shoes suddenly started to move and then they sat beside their master without me.

“Please do visit me again,” The bear said as I ran off towards the street. “Wow,” I said to myself as I was walking back to the car – “What a day.”

Hannah Styers

Youngsville Elementary



Healthy Impact

Eating healthy and exercising on a regular ba-sis can lead to a happier, longer existence – so why not start these habits at a young age?

That’s what Long Mill Elementary school parent Tonya Peele decided to do by taking the initiative to form the Long Mill School Wellness Council. The program has been a strong success in its first year – so convincing that the nationally tele-vised Rachael Ray Show came for a visit.

Program video crew members came to Long Mill to get a glimpse of the many initiatives of-

fered for students at Long Mill – including the early arrival program. Student arriving early to school come to the gym but do more than just sit. They participate in physical activity – dancing to be more specific. Even if you have two left feet, it doesn’t matter the focus is to get active and have fun.

After the filming session at Long Mill, Peele was a guest on the show with another involved parent

Long Mill Wellness Council Nets National Attention

LOMES parent Tonya Peele (with son Marcel) has the Wellness Council off to a strong start.

SEE HEALTH PAGE 17



from a similar program at a school in Nebraska. In addition to being on national TV, Peele got to meet former President Bill Clinton who was also on the show promoting wellness.

“Traveling to New York City for a taping of the Rachael Ray Show and a Mother’s Day Mes-sage with President Clinton was an awesome experience, one I could have never imagined two weeks ago,” Peele said. “I was provided an all expense paid trip to share my passion for health and wellness with our nation. It was indeed surreal! I am just thrilled that childhood obesity is becoming more and more a part of everyday discus-sions and that the role of par-ents in fighting this epidemic and promoting healthy eating and active living is receiving the attention it needs.”

The program continues to get positive reports.

“I have received an outpour-ing of positive feedback from parents since the show aired,” Peele said. “Parents have ex-pressed the positive impact the healthful changes have made in their children’s lives, both at school and at home. And these changes have not only affected their children but their whole family in a big way. In addition, many have expressed their

support for more healthful food choices and opportunities for physical activity during the school day. The recognition ap-pears to have garnered more excitement for healthy initiatives at school.”

In addition to the early morn-ing program, Long Mill has a variety of themes focused on different aspects of living healthy. For example, a visit from Winnie The Cow and Spencer Sweet Potato took place earlier in the year. The benefits of drinking milk and eating sweet potatoes were out-lined in both of those presenta-tions.

While students are encour-aged to drink water every day, Wednesdays are designated as Waterful Wednesdays. Stu-

dents are really encouraged to focus on drinking water each Wednesday. There are more initiatives, and the program continues to seek new ideas.

Peele’s passion for healthy living continues to get even deeper as the program contin-ues to expand – including a new walking trail.

“We are working to further in-tegrate health and wellness into all areas of the school day, Peele said. “We want to create a mindset of wellness at Long Mill – socially, academically and physically. As you know, we are raising funds for a walking trail. Next year, we hope to have signs, solar lights and mile markers in place. Ultimately, we

HEALTH Continued from page 16

A camera crew from the national Rachael Ray show take notes on the

Long Mill morning exercise program.

SEE LOMES PAGE 18



want to have the trail paved. We plan to add pedometers to the 2009-2010 school supply list so students can track their progress, and teach-ers can creatively integrate lessons using the track/steps into the curriculum. Many schools are doing this.

We also want to work with our classroom moms to create a healthy school snack list, in-troduce healthier ways to provide classroom rewards and classroom celebrations and events like birthday parties, incorporate more fresh fruit and vegetables into the school food and mini-mize the amount of processed foods we give students. Last, but not least, we want to start implementing healthy fundraisers.”

Peele believes everyone has a responsibility to take care of their bodies.

“I believe that every person has the right and the responsibility to take excellent care of their bodies.” Peele said. “Young children don’t have the skills required to make proper decisions for themselves; that’s why it is critical for parents, teachers and administrators to teach and model healthy living habits for all children. As children

learn and grow, they take on the responsibility for making healthy choices. Why is this impor-tant? Because health, learning and quality of life are interconnected, I believe that everyone should live their best life. By advocating for stu-dent wellness, we are helping children reach their full potential. I hope my work will encour-age others to stand up and fight for the health of their children through advocacy. Since schools are becoming more and more resource constrained, I would advise other schools to find one conscientious parent to champion the effort by raising awareness of school wellness and its connection to health and learning. A lot of pressure is being placed on students to per-form academically, but not enough emphasis on providing their bodies with the energy they need in the form of nutritious food and exercise so they can perform.”

School administrators have similar feelings to those of Peele’s and would like to see programs continue to grow and flourish.

You can view the video that aired on May 7th by visiting www.RachaelRay.com or the ar-chives at www.fcschools.net.

- Nathan Moreschi

LOMES Continued from page 17

Tonya Peele was more than happy to talk

about the success of the Long Mill Student

Wellness Council. She hopes to see the pro-

gram continue to grow in the future.



A Grand Stage

Three Compete In State Level Special Olympics Joshua Rogers (LHS), Samantha Munson (LHS) and

Arie Purvis (home school) represented Franklin County in the annual state wide Special Olympics this past week-end. All three competed in multiple events at the Raven-scroft Campus in Raleigh with several hundred athletes. In all, more than 1,000 competitors participated at several sites throughout the Raleigh area.

Rogers competed in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the long jump, while Purvis went toe-to-toe in the 100-meter dash. Like Rogers, Munson laced her shoes up for the 100-meter dash and the long jump. Munson was fourth in both of her events. Rogers was fourth in the long jump, sixth in the 100-meter dash and 4th in the 200-meter dash.

Purvis tallied a silver medal in the 100-meter dash and was fourth in the 200-meter dash.

“I think the athletes were thrilled because by the experi-ence,” Wendy Vavrousek, Franklin County Special Olym-pics Coordinator, said. “They have set a precedent for future athletes from Franklin County.”

Vavrousek added that the organization is always look-ing for new athletes and coaches for sports that have not yet been established. For more information, contact Vav-rousek at 919-496-2457.

Joshua Rogers, Samantha Munson and Arie Purvis each had strong showings in Raleigh.

See More Pictures on Page 20



2009 Special Olympics NC

Speed and agility testing...

Friends for life.

Award-winning finish.

Preparing for the starting block.



The North Carolina Area Health Education Center (NCAHEC) in Ra-leigh was searching for ways to get more involved with area schools by offering a healthcare related class for high school students. Franklin-ton High School proved to be the answer.

Since the fall of 2008, NCAHEC has offered a two-part class focus-ing on the different careers and as-pects of healthcare. In the fall, stu-dents signed up for Part I, Youth Health Service Corp and followed

with Part II, Health Service Schol-ars, in the spring.

“We were looking for a way to get more involved, and Franklinton High School was a good fit – they have an allied health program,” Di-rector of Student and Career Ser-vices Elaine Owens said. “This course teaches students more about the options and careers avail-able in healthcare.”

Students not only work within the

FHS Career

Opportunities

NCAHEC Guides Health Program

NCAHEC Director of Student and Career Services Elaine Owens was pleased with student’s interest in the course.

SEE FHS PAGE 22


My America the Beautiful classroom, but they take their learned skills into the field. Once a week, stu-dents venture to Louisburg to help out at the medicine clinic.

“The students seem very enthusiastic about it – they’ve learned a lot,” Owens said. “Many of the students have ex-pressed that they want to pursue a ca-reer in healthcare.”

Students receive recognition for the number of hours they have volun-teered. There are three tiers of recogni-tion (10 hours, 25 hours and 50 hours).

Franklinton High School veteran teacher Winn Clayton orchestrates the class and has been very pleased with the first-year results.

“This has greatly increased the op-

portunities for our students,” Clayton said. “AHEC has offered things that I could not. We are very fortunate that they chose us. It’s quite an honor.”

Among the bigger projects tackled through the program this year were a nutrition and fitness initiative in which students volunteered at Cedar Creek Middle and Terrell Lane Middle after school. The high school students who volunteered pointed out the many benefits to eating healthy and exercis-ing on a regular basis.

“This has been a great success,” Owens said. “We hope to continue the program and continue to expand.”

The AHEC program offers weekend workshops. For more information, visit www.wakeahec.org/healthcareers.htm.

- Nathan Moreschi

Many of the Red Ram students enrolled in the program received recognition for volunteering.

FHS Continued from page 22

In 1996, Louisburg High School teacher Joyce Mangum was working as a nurse for a state program. She was travel 47 miles one way at the time and needed to make a change.

Having always wanting to teach, she looked into teaching and hasn’t looked back. Since that time, Mangum has helped certify 150 high school students in nursing.

Students enrolled in Mangum’s Allied Health Science II class have the opportunity to take the test at the conclusion of the pro-gram and become a certified nurse. The course is extensive and requires two contact hours in the classroom each day. In addition to classroom activities, students who wish to pursue certification need 90 contact hours in hospital work. Students get hands-on experi-ence with patients during this work.

Six students were hoping to become CNAs this time around—and all six passed the test. That group includes Victoria Knight, Tiffany Sirucek, Josefina Aguilar, Amanda Peoples, Maegan Williby and Heather Gilliam.

This program is unique to Louisburg High School in Franklin County because the in-structor must be a certified nurse without any restrictions. Mangum meets those require-ments. Students enrolled at other high schools in Franklin County are eligible to

register for the course, despite not being stu-dents at Louisburg High School.

Earning the certification is a big deal. Not only will they be able to work in hospitals, but many colleges require the certification for acceptance into nursing programs. Man-gum’s work has not only helped 150 high school students since 1998, but more than 500 students enrolled in similar programs at Vance-Granville Community College.

Mangum has first-hand experience with her former students. After having both knees replaced, Mangum’s therapist was a former student. She often encounters former stu-dents when visiting hospitals and stated it is very satisfying to see the students doing so well.

- Nathan Moreschi


Health Science II Class offers CNA Option

LHS students Victoria Knight, Tiffany Sirucek, Josefina

Aquilar, Amanda Peoples, Maegan Williby and Heather

Gilliam (not pictured) each became CNAs through Joyce

Mangum’s class.

Warriors Earn Certification


These students are interested in the business of saving lives; so much that are striving to become registered EMTs

(basic level) through the program offered by Franklin County EMS. In the back row are LHS students Shanique Gup-

ton, Bianca Bullock and Jarrett Clifton. In the front row are Andrew Phillips (FHS) and Phillip Harvin (LHS).

FC EMS Helping Students Become EMTs Jeff Bright, training officer for Franklin County

Emergency Services, has spent the past year teaching high school students more about be-coming registered EMTs. The program has ex-perienced a high level of success so far. Nine students took the course the first semester, and five of those elected to become certified. Three of those five students have since gone on to pursue an intermediate level of certification. Five students (pictured above) have just taken the initial test and will have the results later this summer.

“This has been a great success,” Bright said. “I’m very pleased with the students. They have taken to it faster than I thought. We wanted to come in and give the students an idea for an-other profession. We hope to continue with this program in the future. Expansion will be de-pendent on the number of instructors we have available.”

Fourteen students have already signed up for next year’s class.

- Nathan Moreschi


BMS Jr. Beta Club Congratulations to the following Bunn Middle School students for being

inducted into the Jr. Beta Club:

Amaya Rousseau

Nicholas Spears

Emily Stallings

William Stallings II

Brandon Stroud

Paige Timberlake

Maria Vanonver-Greear

Tainasha Vines

Michael Wolfe

Joshua Kwiatkowski

Megan Wood

Brandon Barquero

Alexandria Brodie

Keyona Bullock

Korrie Cooke

Jordan Cracknell

Thomas Dean

Kailegh Eaton

Kristy Green

Kailey Hunt

Mallory O'Neal

Savanah Richardson


Heartfelt Ending

FCS’ Tommy Piper (left) offers a few warm words to FCS Superintendent Dr. Bert L’Homme (right) during Honors Day.

L’Homme will be leaving FCS at the end of June to tackle a new career in Washington, DC.

Franklin County Schools celebrated the 2008-2009 school year June 10th with annual Honors Day at Bunn High School. District-wide awards and recognitions were delivered during the program. A list of the awards and recognitions is below. Retirees and Special Recognition: Jeanette Alford (LHS), Lahra Anderson (BHS), Carol Cummings (YES), Marian Green (FHS), Preston Green (FHS), Ray Gupton (BMS), Tom Harris (LHS), Annie Lee (FES), Donald Rose McGhee (LES), Alice Moore (BES), Judy Moore (FES),Brenda Parrish (RES), Hazel Perry (YES), Synthia Richardson (FES). School Service Award (cleanliness): Laurel Mill Principal of the Year: Brooke Wheeler (CCMS)

Assistant Principal of the Year: Jim Harris (CCMS) Whole Faculty Study Group Excellence: Gretchen Gustafson, Amanda Joyner, Karen McKeithan, Jessica Parker and Wendy Walker (Bunn Elementary); Myra Bridgers, Eric Holder, Amy Tunstall, Kathy Wagner and Julie Walsh (Bunn Middle); J.B. Byrne, Brandy Carter, Audrey Heilman and Melissa Reed (Bunn High) CTE Recognitions: William Longson (BHS, Fresh Face Award), John Southerland (CCMS, Highest VOCAT mid-dle school scores); William Longson (BHS, Highest VO-CAT high school scores).

2009 FCS Honors Day

SEE HONORS PAGE 27


live with her husband Alton. Need-ing a job, Carter decided to give education a shot. She had been encouraged to be a teacher by friends in the past but had never really thought too much about it.

She’s certainly happy she made the decision.

“Winning this award is very spe-cial,” Carter said. “If you want to

change education for the better, you have to prove that you are good at what you are doing. That is a big part of this award. This is a big deal to me.”

Bunn High School Principal Robin Faulkner believes Carter is the definition of a good teacher.

“Brandy embodies what a good teacher is,” Faulkner said. “She’s passionate about teaching and learning and loves the students even more. I’m so proud of her. She makes everyone else around her better. It’s not a job to her – it

is what she does.” Don’t look for Carter to leave

Bunn High or the teaching profes-sion anytime soon.

“This is my thing,” Carter said. “My microcosm is the classroom. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.”

That’s something not only Bunn High is happy to hear but also all of her students.

- Nathan Moreschi

CARTER Continued from page 1

EC Teacher of Excellence: Mary Anne Lewis (BMS) Nomination for Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science: Cathy Messerly (CCMS) School Level Teacher Assistants of the Year: Kimberly Williamson (BES), Tawanna Jones (BMS), Kim Faulkner (BHS), Amy Harp (CCMS), Donna Warden (EBES), Kim Tucker (FES), Gail Wilder (FHS), Donya Rush (LMES), Sally Alston (LOMES), Jackie Wells (LES), Sherry Perdue (LHS), Margo Young (RES), Wanda Massenburg (TLMS), Dana Cannady (YES). FCS Teacher Assistant of the Year: Wanda Massenburg (TLMS) Dianne Massey Carter Award: Crystal Williams (EBES) School Level Teachers of The Year: Monica Brodie (BES), Freda LeMay (FMS), Brandy Carter (BHS), Geof-frey Hawthorne (CCMS), Patricia Richardson (EBES), Shonda Malone (FES), Susanne Harris (FHS), Nicole Sheldon (LMES), Dean Reed (LOMES), Deborah Carl-

son (LES), Dr. Janet Taylor (LHS), Maureen Lalino (RES), Susan Barnes (TLMS), Judy Tart (YES). FCS Teacher of The Year: Brandy Carter (Bunn High) Superintendent’s Awards: Judy Lassiter (Central Of-fice), Exceptional Children’s Department Specialists (Todd Thornton, Karen Cooke, Cathy Ray and Diane Cooley), Nathan Moreschi (Central Office)

HONORS Continued from page 26

Edward Best Elementary School CRT Crystal Williams

earned the Dianne Massey Carter Award this year. Pos-

ing with her are Elementary Education Director Linda

Frederickson and Secondary Education Director Dr.

Elizabeth Keith. See more photos on page 28 –30.


Teaching Assistant of the Year Wanda Massenburg with

Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr.

Eddie Ingram.

EC Teacher of Excellence Marry Anne Lewis (left) with

Director of Student Support Services Wendy Vavrousek.

Laurel Mill Elementary Principal Genie Faulkner re-

ceives the School Services Award from Assistant Super-

intendent of Auxiliary Services Tommy Piper. Judy Lassiter, who has dedicated 50 years of her life to

education, receives the Superintendent’s Service Award.

Todd Thornton, Cathy Ray, Karen Cooke and

Diane Cooley (not pictured) received the

Superintendent’s Service Award for their

outstanding work in exceptional education.


Bunn Elementary School received the Elementary Level

award for Whole Faculty Study Group Excellence.

Bunn Middle School received the Middle School Level

award for Whole Faculty Study Group Excellence.

Bunn High School received the High School Level award for

Professional Learning Communities of Excellence.

Nathan Moreschi, FCS Public Information Officer, re-

ceived the Superintendent’s Service Award.

Cathy Messerly (CCMS) received a Nomination for Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science. At right is Secondary Education Director Dr. Elizabeth Keith.


Cedar Creek Middle School teacher John

Southerland received an award for highest Middle

School VOCAT scores from CTE Director Laureen

Jones.

William Longson, BHS CTE Teacher, received the Fresh

Face Award from CTE Director Laureen Jones.

William Longson also earned an award for

highest High School VOCAT scores from

CTE Director Laureen Jones.

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