FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AREA STUDENTS HONORED

FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

             DANVILLE, VA, June 12, 2002 – Eleven Danville Community College students and 98 seniors from Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Halifax County were honored recently at the 16th Annual Academic Excellence Awards Program for Minority Students.

            Sponsored by Danville Community College’s Alliance For Excellence, the program was held at the Cherrystone Missionary Baptist Association Center in Ringgold, and featured greetings and remarks by Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, DCC President; and area Superintendents - Dr. Andrew Overstreet, Danville Schools Superintendent; Dr. Jerry Webb, Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent; and Morris Bryant, Assistant Superintendent for Halifax County Schools. The keynote speaker was Rev. Harold Vann II, Pastor, Guildfield Baptist Church, Dry Fork, Va.

            Angela Sweeney Terry, a DCC student from Halifax County, was the eighth recipient of the Outstanding Student Award, presented in the memory of Dr. Doyle J. Thomas Sr., a former Danville City Councilman and community leader who was a long-time college supporter and member of the DCC President’s Advisory Panel on Minority Concerns.  Terry, who was cited for her outstanding academic achievement, graduated with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Information Systems Technology-Networking specialization.  Terry also received a recognition award in memory of Rebecca Ann Mullins, formerly a teacher and principal in Pittsylvania County.

            Five other DCC graduates with highest academic honors received recognition plaques in memory of prominent area African-American residents.  They are:  Tammy C. Jackson, South Boston, Information Systems Technology, who received the Bishop William Y. Bell Award; Bryant L. Smith, Danville, Administration of Justice, who received the Dr. Bishop Merritt  Award – Ann Mitchell Robertson, Danville, Early Childhood Education, who received the James Griffin Hughes Award; Lois M. Galloway, Ridgeway, Information Systems Technology, who received the Dr. Leon V. Ragland Award; and Cynthia L. Loney-Griffins, Danville, Information Systems Technology, who received the Addie Luck Williams Award.

            Other graduating DCC students recognized for academic excellence were:  Angela Adams, Danville, Early Childhood Education, Carolyn H. Day, Nelson, Administrative Support Technology, Natasha M. Edwards, Danville, General Engineering Technology, Dikeda M. Fitz, Danville, Graphics Imaging Technology, and Andrea Knight, Danville, Graphics Imaging Technology,

            In addition to the DCC students recognized, the high school seniors honored included:

George Washington High School: Jeffrey L. Bennett; Drew-Monte A. Clark; Angela Alexis Clements; Adrienne Dawn Coles; Tamika S. Curley; Dewayne K. Davis; Christen Marie Dodson; Katia D. Gibson; Adrienne M. Harrell; Evelyn C. Herbin; Cami M. Hunt; Stacia Hutchins; Freddie Alphonza Jones II, Niketia Rashel Lea; Kanecia Trendell Marable; Fabian Cordel Massie; LaJoya L. Millner; Kristin M. Morrison; Monica Motley; Jamie M. Murrell; Stephanie Nikita-Denise Pickney; Depris Marquese Price; Juanita Roberts; Jasmine Robinson; Jekeva LaShunda Shelton; Donald Joseph Smith; Anthony Swann; Kanika Tarpley; Lakisha Tarpley; Cocoa Danielle Tucker; David Wesley Wiley; Tanesha Christina Wilson; and Gordon Tyree Witcher.

            Pittsylvania County senior honor students recognized include:  Chatham High School -Kristina Danielle Carter; LaKisha Monique Cobb; Nerissa Doreen Davis; LaKenya Sharelle Fuller; NaKedra Shalease Fuller; Paige Ashley Johnson; Patrice Andrea Thompson; Alicia Delilah White; and Camesha Latrish White; Dan River High School – Christopher Michael Chappell; Tameca L. Henry; Adrian Marable; John Terry II, and Sherri Winstead; Gretna High School - Kelly Devone Cook; Amelia Renee Crews; Robert Lee Hunt III, and Dorothy E. Powell; Tunstall High School - Catrina Latrice Hairston; Ashley Nekole Harris; Norbrassia Rontate Martin; Adam Wesley Waller; and Kirby Denise Wilson.

            Halifax County Senior High School honor students recognized include:  Francell M. Abbott III; Kristy Barksdale; Aravia Bouldin; Shana Bradley; Gerald Lee Brandon; Dina Breedlove; Katrina Renee Britton; Bettina Shavon Brooks; Markeia Byrd; Ebony Lashae Chase; Akia Lashay Childress; Andrakus R. Clark; Wakisha R. Clay; Christina Fay Coleman; Della Patrice Coleman; Latasha Crews; Ashley Lanae Epperson; Amelia Gayle Forest, Wendy Foy; Crystal Latorial Holbrook; Jamar Leqvein Irving; LaShone J. Jennings; Tyrell Jennings; Connie T. Jones; Erica T. Jones; Tiffany S. Jones; Michael Snead Lassiter Jr.; Christina Little; Tierra D’Shawn Lofgren; Ciji Moore; Jasmine Potts; Alicia Nanette Roberts; LaToya M. Roberts; Tekoya Robertson; Shana Marquita La’Shante Smith; Felicia Sprattley; Tonya Annette Stovall; Sekethia Walton; Theodoric Madison Weston; Felisha Diane Williams; Melody Williams; and Sterling G. Williams Jr. 

            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/South Boston.