FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WYATT FAMILY FINDS DCC REALLY IS THE PLACE TO BE!

DANVILLE, VA, May 31, 2007 -- They are not twins, but Hannah Wyatt and her brother Bobby Wyatt, both

residents of Ringgold, are siblings who marched across the stage at Danville Community College’s 2007 Commencement to receive their degrees.

Hannah, 21, earned an Associate of Arts and Science Degree in Liberal Arts, while Bobby, 19, received a Diploma in Electrical/Electronics – General Electronics Option, plus Certificates in Industrial Electrical Principles and Industrial Electronic Principles.

Proud mother, Teresa Wyatt, also a DCC graduate, was overjoyed as both children received their awards.

“It’s exciting that both of them walked together at graduation,” says Teresa, who now works as an Education Support Specialist II at DCC. “It doesn’t happen too often that brothers and sisters graduate at the same time, unless they are twins.”

Hannah and Bobby graduated from Dan River High School two years apart, Hannah was prevented from attending DCC right away in fall 2003 because of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. She stayed in the hospital for 10 days and underwent plastic surgery for her right foot. Both of her legs were scarred and she went through three months of physical therapy. Luckily, wearing a helmet saved her life.

“I couldn’t walk for three months,” she notes. “It was the scariest incident of my life, but because of the accident, I was able to push myself to go to college and not take life for granted. I even went back to get my motorcycle license to overcome my fears.”

One year after the accident, with the support of her family, Hannah felt comfortable returning to school and enrolled at DCC. Her projected graduation date was delayed again as she took additional classes for transfer to a four-year college or university. However, despite her setbacks, she has completed the first phase of her career ambitions.

“I plan to go to Longwood University to earn my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education,” says Hannah. “I want to teach kindergarten classes and return to either Longwood (University) or attend Old Dominion University to earn my master’s degree.”

“Hannah loves children and people,” her mother, Teresa, adds. “Ever since she was in kindergarten, her teacher called her the ‘mother hen’ because she always wanted to take care of everyone in the class. She also worked in the nursery at Ringgold Baptist Church and loved to play with the children.”

Teresa set the DCC example for her children. Teresa graduated in 2001 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology – Medical Office Specialization. Although she had recommended the college to them—saying DCC was a great college - her children ultimately made their own decisions to attend DCC.

“I think DCC is an excellent school because the professors work with students one-on-one if they need any assistance,” says Bobby Wyatt. “I enjoy the Electrical/Electronics program and realize that there are many job opportunities in the area in which I can utilize the knowledge I gained at DCC.”

“He’s taken apart an old computer and a radio in our house and built a variety of things when he was in high school,” Teresa says. “However, when he was growing up, I thought he was going to be an artist because he liked to draw.”

That all changed when his best friend’s father who worked at a power plant told Bobby about the jobs available at the company. After that, Bobby became interested in pursuing a career in electrical/electronics. He has been on the Vice President’s Honors list since enrolling at DCC in fall 2005.

Reflecting on DCC’s commencement, Bobby says he’s excited to be graduating and wishes his sister much success in her career.

“Graduating with my sister is a different experience because she has always been two years ahead of me,” he adds. “I understand why she was set back though—because of uncontrollable situations. It was rough that she was in a motorcycle accident, but I am just glad that she is alive.”