FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HONORED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

DANVILLE, Va., May 11, 2007 – Eighteen Danville Community College students and 112 high school seniors from the City of Danville and Halifax and Pittsylvania counties were honored recently at the 21st Annual Academic Excellence Awards Program for Minority Students.

The program, sponsored by DCC’s Alliance for Excellence, was held at the Cherrystone Missionary Baptist Association Center in Ringgold. The event featured greetings and remarks by DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey; Dr. Sue Davis, Danville City Schools Superintendent; Mr. James McDaniel, Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent; and Mr. Paul Stapleton, Halifax County Public Schools Superintendent. The guest speaker was Dr. Carolyn Browning, Dean, New River Community and Technical College and Senior Pastor, Midway Church of Christ in North Tazewell.

Brian Goode, who resides in Danville and is enrolled in DCC’s Graphic Imaging Technology program, was the 13th recipient of the Outstanding Student Award, presented in memory of Dr. Doyle J. Thomas Sr., a former Danville City Councilman and community leader who was a long-time DCC supporter and member of the DCC President’s Advisory Panel on Black Concerns. Goode, the son of John and Patricia Goode, has a 4.0 grade point average. Goode dropped out of high school in the 11th grade, but later earned his GED in 2004. He enrolled in DCC in the spring of 2005, and has been named to the President’s or Vice President’s Honors Lists each semester.  He plans to attend the Art Institute in Charlotte, NC, and seek a career as a commercial artist.

The Fred A. Lloyd Memorial Plaque, given in memory of DCC’s first full-time African-American faculty member, was presented to Howard A. Graves, Instructor and Counselor at DCC. He has been employed at DCC for more than 25 years.

Six other DCC students with highest academic honors received recognition plaques in memory of prominent area African-American residents. They are: Catherine Garner, South Boston, Accounting, who received the Mrs. Rebecca Ann Mullins Award; Josephine Powell, Scottsburg, Graphic Imaging Technology, who received the Dr. Bishop Merritt Award; Taundra Goode, South Boston, Early Childhood Development, who received the Mrs. Addie Luck Williams Award; Sharon Wilson, Danville, Early Childhood Development, who received the Bishop William Y. Bell Award; Thomas Keen, Danville, Graphic Imaging Technology, who received the Mr. James Griffin Hughes Award; and Wakita Crews, Danville, Administrative Support Technology, who received the Dr. Leon V. Ragland Award.

Other DCC students recognized for academic excellence were: Gary Penn, Stuart, Administration of Justice; Herman Dickerson, Danville, Automotive Analysis and Repair; Catherine Hairston, Danville, First Year Studies; Miranda Baize, Blairs, Administrative Support Technology-Medical Office; Desman Dejournette, Danville, Electrical/Electronics; Malisa Smith, Danville, Business Administration; Marvin Pritchett, Martinsville, Auto Body Mechanics; Natarshi Parker, Danville, Business Management; Penny Davis, Ringgold, Administration of Justice; Matilda Martin, Nathalie, Early Childhood Development; Bre’onda Sparks, Clover, Marketing; and Tameka Saunders, Danville, Accounting.

Area graduating seniors also were recognized for academic achievement.

City of Danville senior honor students recognized include: George Washington High School – Michonda Barksdale, Shaday Barksdale, Darien Crews, Tia Edwards, Jasmine Farmer, Michelle Fisher, Ebony Gunter, Antonio Hairston, Ashley Houston, Glenda Hutchings, Trinay Jeffries, Marcus Kirby, Tiara Lewis, Britteny Madine, Megan McCoy, Courtney Mills, Kiedra Richardson, Alan Roberts, Deena Smith, Kennetha Stephens, Rashaan Swann, Danielle Tarpley, Keavonnda Totten, Robyn TuckerDaron Walters, Warner Watkins II, Waverly Watkins III, Tiffany Wilson and Tameka Witcher; John M. Langston Focus Center – Dominique Alston, Jerrica Barksdale, Shequilla Crawley, Darren Gwynn, Shaenice Jones, Sierra Poteat, Marcus Robertson and Camilia Witcher; Fresh Start Academy – Kiara Keith and Cidney Murphy; and Galileo Magnet High School: Kelsey Jeffreys and Kristopher Echols.

Pittsylvania County senior honor students recognized include: Chatham High School – Ashley Anderson, Ricky Berger, Shirell Davis, Whitney Dixon, Horace Harbin, Artia Kates, Amber Martin, Tarsha Martin, Bernard McGee, Autumn Miller, Antrice Petty, Jocelyn Saunders and Antonio Thomas;  Dan River High School –Ramonda Gilmore, Gary McDaniel, Jr., Stephanie Singleton, Nina Stewart, Elrick Tucker, Eriayle Walker and Tamela Warren; Gretna High School – Talisha Parker, Shanice Vennable, Jasmine Waller, and Kendra Womack; Tunstall High School –Brittany Ferguson, Walter Wilson, Vanessa Coles, Kayren Finney and Nicqulos Smith.

Halifax County senior honor students recognized include: Anthony Banks, Antonio Barbour, Stanley Brandon, Travis Bryant, Kishion Clark, Adam Coleman, Markeshia Coleman, Shamika Coleman, Timothy Cooper, Keyara Ferrell, Jessica Foster, Edward Garrett, Brittany Gayles, Quincy Giggetts, Jalessa Graves, Deshay Greene, Destiney Greene, Corey Jackson, Jason Jeffress, Desma Jones, William Jordan, Yolanda Kent, Keara King, Jenise Lacks, Hollie Miles, Frankie Powell, Tameka Powell, Brian Price, Carolyn Reynolds, Kemper Russell, Ariana Scott, Whitney Stanfield, Ashley Stovall, Shiquita Sydnor, Jobyna Terry, Cecilia Thorpe, Clarence Tuck, Latonia Tucker, Lavell Tucker, Kiona Walton, Jennifer Yancey and Taniqua Younger.

Alliance for Excellence is a partnership between Danville Community College and area African-American churches. Its goal is to promote and enhance higher educational opportunities for minorities in Danville, Pittsylvania County and Halifax County. For more information about the program, contact Dr. Bethann James, Project Coordinator, at 434.797.8441, or email info@dcc.vccs.edu.