Asheboro Magazine Issue 121

ISSUE 121 | FREE

ASHEBORO

MAGAZINE

MOVEMENT BANK

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Publisher

Sherry B. Johnson sherry@asheboromag.com

Contributors

Ryan Dodson, Leigh Anna Marbert Nick McNeill, Megan Crotty Jill Jackson, Kristi Johnson Marion Studio or Outdoor Family Portraits Donna Allen Photography Engagement/Wedding Sessions specializes in School Sports, Sports/Team Photography and Banner designs HS Senior Portraits Senior Portraits, Babies/Children/ Professional Headshots/Studio or Casual setting Families, Professional Studio DAP will customize your session to suit your needs!

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For advertising, contact: Sherry Johnson sherry@asheboromag.com

IN THIS ISSUE Movement Bank

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Ask the Expert

12

Community News

14

Senior living

20

Zoo Tales

26

At the YMCA

28

Community News

30

Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within Asheboro Magazine are not endorsed or recommended by the Publisher.

Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies. Copyright 2022

asheboromagazine.com | 5

Publisher’s COMMUNITY Letter NEWS

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am so excited to share this month's cover story with you. When I first heard about Movement Bank, I was thinking to myself "We really don't need another bank in town," but the more I learned about the bank, the more I got excited that they chose to open here in Randolph County when they could go ANYWHERE! What is it that excites me about this particular bank besides the fact that some of my favorite people work there? read the story and find out!

If you haven't been downtown Asheboro lately, I urge you to take a stroll down Sunset Avenue and along Fayetteville and Church Streets, to see all of the great businesses that are located here. I had cousins visiting from Maine this past weekend and I walked them through the whole of downtown's footprint and they were so impressed. My cousin Karen commented, "You just don't see thriving downtowns like this and you guys have a little bit of everything!" I'm proud to show off Asheboro when visitors come to town - with so many new places to try, you should definitely make it a point to visit soon.. We take it for granted, but it's really impressive what's happening downtown!

Spring has sprung and the days are getting milder, the pollen is getting thicker, and my alergies are in full force. If you see me walking around looking like I'm crying, it's propably due to all the green stuff floating in the air, but just in case, give me a hug anyway, I can always use one.

I wish you and your families a Happy Easter.

Happy Reading!

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Sally

Movement Bank A Purpose Bigger Than Banking Movement Bank was born in 1919 as the Savings Bank of Danville, located in Virginia, and founded by Samuel Moses and a group of black pastors, doctors, teachers, and farmers in the basement of a church. With $20,000, Samuel and his team formed a bank to serve the underserved community that had been shut out of the banking system in the era of Jim Crow-enforced segregation. By 1920, the bank had nearly $1 million in total assets. In 1953, the Savings Bank of Danville changed its name to First State Bank, which continued to maintain strong capital ratios, keeping bank expenditures low.

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n 2017, the bank changed its name to Movement Bank. Currently overseen by President and CEO David Rupp, its mission remains the same and continues to right many of the wrongs in the current financial system, the largest of these being predatory fees, such as Insufficient Fund Fees. Yes, you read that right; Movement Bank does not charge NSF fees! The bank also does not charge ATM fees anywhere in the US. If you are charged an ATM fee at the point of transaction, fees and surcharges are reversed at the end of the business day.

Movement Bank's mission is to love and serve all people with A Purpose Bigger Than Banking. It aims to bridge the wealth divide, connect those with resources to those who have been excluded, and transform communities through long-term investment in businesses, housing, and education.

The bank offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, including checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit for individuals and businesses. The bank also specializes in mortgage lending, home equity, personal loans for individuals, lines of credit, and commercial and real estate financing for businesses. The bank also offers online and mobile banking, credit and debit cards, and a range of traditional services that most banks offer.

Movement Bank supports educational and community investment initiatives through its nonprofit affiliate, Movement Foundation. Headquartered in Danville, Virginia, Movement Bank operates

branch locations in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Randleman, North Carolina. The bank also has operational offices in Asheboro, Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

asheboromagazine.com | 9

The team in the Randleman branch is very familiar to the community. Most of them have spent a significant amount of their career serving the residents of Randleman and Randolph County, and they are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces.

Wayne Rowe is the Market Executive and has been in banking for over 15 years. He began his career as a teller at Randolph Bank in September 2007. He moved up through the ranks from Customer Service Rep to Assistant Branch Manager before being promoted to Branch Manager. He worked in the Randleman branch from 2011 to 2016, when he returned to the East Dixie Drive branch as the manager and continued to work there through all the recent mergers and changes until December 2021.

Mike Whitehead, the former president of Randolph Bank, contacted Wayne and asked him to consider coming to Movement Bank. Wayne had worked closely with Mike in the past and trusted his judgment. He was very familiar with the town of Randleman and its citizens and was happy to accept the position and be a part of bringing true community banking back to Randleman and Randolph County.

"Our experienced local team is excited to serve Randleman and the surrounding areas. We are proud to launch a full-service commercial bank with a legacy rooted in service. Our commitment is to partner with a great community of people and play our part in the economic growth that is expected for Randleman." Wayne Amber Southard is the Assistant Branch Manager and is also very familiar with the Randleman market.

Through her years with Community One, and through the transition first to Capital Bank and then First Horizon, she worked as Personal Banker in Asheboro to Branch Manager of the Ramseur branch, and then to Branch operations at the main office in Asheboro. Amber recently left banking for a short time and helped out in the family business, Hop's BBQ. In that position, she realized she missed the daily interactions with her customers. She was very excited to accept Wayne's offer to become part of the opening team at Movement Bank.

"I love the atmosphere of this bank. Our team became instant family, and with the Christianbased values the bank has, it was a great fit. We are encouraged to make suggestions, which are actually considered and implemented to improve our service 10 | asheboromagazine.com

to our customers."

Lisa Hayes is from Seagrove but worked at Randolph Bank as a part-time teller at both the East Dixie Branch and Asheboro locations. She moved to the Randleman branch when it was the Bank of North Carolina and worked with Wayne there.

She moved back to the downtown location when it became Pinnacle. She loves the idea of working for a hometown bank and was excited to return to serving the Randleman community and seeing many familiar faces.

Luis Sanchez began as a teller with Capital Bank in 2017 before becoming part of the opening team for Truliant Federal Credit Union in their North Asheboro location. He was a teller there before becoming a Personal Banker for the branch. Wayne was familiar with Luis and recruited him for the opening team at Movement.

"There are a lot of banks out there, but the culture of love and serve is what spoke to me. If you deal with customers, the love and serve philosophy should always be front and center.", said Luis. Since Luis has been at Movement Bank, he has seen the love and serve philosophy demonstrated in each customer transaction.

With a strong team in place, Movement Bank opened in Randleman in late January on Main Street in the former Wells Fargo building. They are fulfilling their mission of providing services to underserved communities by opening branches where other large banks are pulling out. With the additional Randleman branch staff, Movement Bank currently has 47 employees. They are open to adding new branch locations across their footprint as opportunities arise, but they do not have specific quotas to fill.

Movement Bank welcomes the community to come visit the bank and learn more about their services in a Grand Opening event on April 19th.

Beginning with a ribbon-cutting at 5:30 pm with the Randleman Chamber of Commerce, there will be music and food, and the staff will be on hand to answer questions and give tours of the bank and its services. All are welcome to attend.

Movement Bank is located at 117 South Main Street in Randleman. Visit them online at www.movementbank.com or call the branch at 336.800.0373. Better yet, stop in and see for yourself the new face of banking in Randolph County. asheboromagazine.com | 11

Ask the COMMUNITY expert Taxes NEWS

WHAT IS TAXIETY?™ TAXIETY?™

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ach New Year brings new hope, new opportunities for growth, and a new tax season. But if you find yourself so stressed from the third that you forget about the first two, you may have TAXiety.

So what is TAXiety? Put simply, TAXiety is a common, distinct form of anxiety that arises from not understanding your taxes. Common symptoms include compulsive pencil chewing, stress ball kneading, and the desire to curl up into a small ball at the slightest mention of anything tax. While TAXiety typically occurs come tax season, it can strike any time tax preparation becomes a necessity.

However, there is a better and brighter way to ease TAXiety: Liberty Tax. Liberty Tax is more than a tax preparation servicer — we are a guide, making filing easy and leading taxpayers through the filing process while allowing them to be in control. And with the American tax landscape shifting from year to year, Liberty Tax is an invaluable tax resource, shedding light on confusing tax topics that arise from our 4 million word tax code. For example, what is the Child Tax Credit that’s been in the news lately? Is it too late to get your stimulus payment?

And how exactly does the 2022 tax season differ from previous tax seasons? Thanks to Liberty Tax, you no

longer have to be in the dark — let’s take a look at some top tax preparation tips for the coming tax season.

What is the Child Tax Credit?

One of the most talked-about aspects of this past tax season, the Child Tax Credit, is making a return to the world of tax preparation in 2022. Initially designed to help provide a boost for families during the continuing pandemic, this year’s variant has increased the potential payout to $3,600 per child, up from $2,000 a year prior.

Because Congress wanted to send the payments as soon as possible, they paid some qualifying taxpayers half of their potential credit in advance based on their previous tax return.

If you had received part of the Child Tax Credit in advance, you should expect a letter from the IRS in the coming weeks. This letter will allow you to calculate any future Child Tax Credit payments you are eligible for during the upcoming tax season.

Do you feel you were eligible for the Child Tax Credit but didn’t receive anything? You’re not alone. Luckily, you can still receive the money. Here’s how: the IRS will determine your eligibility for the payments during this year's tax preparation process. Then, if you qualify based on your new return, you will receive your full Child Tax

Ryan Dodson has a Masters in Accounting from North Carolina State University. He worked in public accounting with Deloitte and Arthur Andersen. He and his wife Tiffany own and operate Liberty Tax Service.

405 East Dixie Drive•Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 629-4700 12 | asheboromagazine.com

Credit, not reduced by those advance payments you never received as part of your overall tax refund.

Is It Too Late to Get My Stimulus Payment?

If you never received your third stimulus payment (officially known as an Economic Impact Payment or EIP3), good news — you don’t need to suffer from stimulus FOMO for much longer. The IRS will be issuing the third stimulus to qualifying taxpayers by adding it to their refund. During the tax preparation process, you will fill out a form called the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit worksheet, which the IRS will use to determine how much stimulus they owe you from last year.

How Does the 2022 Tax Season Differ From Last Year?

to business as usual — at least regarding the tax deadline. The deadline to file your 2021 tax return is Monday, April 18, 2022. The only reason we won’t see the traditional April 15 deadline this year is that it falls on Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, DC. • Heads up: Third-Party Payment Services Will Now Report Transactions to the IRS o With the rise of the gig economy and the necessity for many to take work on the side, third-party payment services such as Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal, and Zelle have quickly become primary payroll providers for many. But be careful — these services are now required to report your transactions to the IRS if you make more than $600 in one year. If you do, expect a Form 1099-K from your payment service of choice.

No two tax seasons are the same, but in recent memory, each year has differed dramatically from the last.

This increase in annual change is primarily due to the flurry of taxpayer relief legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few quick tips on how tax Got More Questions? We Got the Answers preparation in 2022 will look a bit different than it did We’re here to shed some light on your tax journey, last year. making tax preparation a breeze and giving you the • No Need to Itemize to Claim Charitable Donations confidence that your taxes were done right. If something o Before 2022, taxpayers had to itemize their charitable specific is giving you TAXiety and you want relief now, don’t hesitate — call us at 336-629-4700 to schedule an donations to deduct them. In 2021, you can simply claim up to $300 for cash donations ($300 each for appointment. . taxpayer and spouse if you are filing a joint return) — This year, resolve to let Liberty help ease your TAXiety. although this applies for gifts to qualifying charities Your chewed-up pencils will thank you. only.

• Tax Bracket Income Thresholds Have Increased Due To Inflation o I t's hardly a secret — inflation was sky-high in 2021.

To compensate, the IRS has raised the income thresholds for each tax bracket by roughly ten percent. For example, in 2021, taxpayers would pay a 10% tax rate on income earned up to $9,950. This year, taxpayers would pay the same 10% tax rate on income earned up to $10,275. While this won’t save most people a substantial sum on their taxes, it is a welcome development for all taxpayers.

• Unemployment Benefits Are Now Being Taxed Again o As a welcome reprieve for furloughed workers during the initial stages of the Coronavirus pandemic, the IRS temporarily some made unemployment benefits tax-free. With hordes of Americans claiming unemployment benefits for the first time last year, paying taxes on these benefits is uncharted territory for many. If you claimed unemployment benefits in 2021, just remember to pay taxes on these benefits during the tax preparation process!

• The Tax Filing Deadline Is (Mostly) Back to Normal o With last year’s deadline bouncing around like a pingpong ball, many taxpayers felt anxious about the lack of certainty regarding the IRS’s deadline to file.

However, this year, it looks like we will see a return

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COMMUNITY NEWS

UNNECESSARY FARCE, PRESENTED BY RHINOLEAP PRODUCTIONS Two motel rooms. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go!

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hinoLeap Productions will present Unnecessary Farce at the historic Sunset Theatre for three weeks beginning April 22, 2022 and closing May 8, 2022.

Written by Paul Slade Smith, the play follows two cops as they try to save their jobs by cracking the biggest case their small town has ever seen. Come on a wild ride of mistaken identities, sharp dialogue, and show-stopping physical comedy as this hilarious comedy deftly makes a place for itself in the grand comedic tradition of farces.

The cast will feature Alex Bodine, Ali Evarts, Georgia Morgan, Chris Osteen, Patrick Osteen, Phil Shore and Allen Tedder. The production will be designed by Evan Finch, David Griffie, Jennifer O'Kelly, Tara Raczenski and David Rawlins. RhinoLeap Artistic Director Jeremy Skidmore will direct the production.

About RhinoLeap: Based in Asheboro, NC RhinoLeap is one of the fastest growing arts organizations in the state. It is our mission to produce stories that reflect the diversity of North Carolina while offering educational programing for teenagers that builds empathy, increases communication, and equips teenagers to generate social impact in their communities. Our professional artists come from all over North Carolina as well as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Washington, DC. We also hire current students from many of North Carolina's top arts programs.

the venue. Tickets available at www.rhinoleap.com or Brightside Gallery located at 170 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC. Tickets to ALL RhinoLeap productions are free for ALL high school and college students living in Randolph County. Just show up to ANY performance 30 minutes before showtime to get your free ticket on a first come, first served basis.

April 22nd - May 8th

RhinoLeap's Upcoming Offerings June 18th through July 3rd Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea George Washington Carver Center Before Dontrell Jones the Third goes off to college, he decides it is his destiny to venture into the Atlantic Ocean in search of an ancestor lost during the Middle Passage.

But Dontrell's family is not at all ready to abandon its prized son to the waters of a mysterious and haunting past.

Blending humor, dance, and ritual, Dontrell takes us on a present-day hero's quest exploring the lengths and depths we must go to discover the truth about our history.

Ticket Information Ticket prices range from $10 to $25 depending on 14 | asheboromagazine.com

Sunset Theatre

234 Sunset Avenue Downtown Asheboro

ASHEBORO CHILDREN’S HEALTH EXPANDS REACH OUT AND READ PROGRAM Four additional well-child visits added to practice’s early literacy outreach

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tarting March 1, Dr. Chamberlin at Asheboro Children’s Health on Cox Street in Asheboro will provide free Reach Out and Read books along with early literacy guidance to parents during well-child visits starting at birth.

This expands the program, which formerly included well-visits from 6 months to 5 years, by four additional well-visits. The expansion was made possible through a Medicaid initiative with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, originally approved December 2020. Expanding the Reach Out and Read program to include children from birth is one of the four goals in the initiative.

"Books are ideal for stimulating brain development in infants,” Dr. Pat Chamberlin said. “Babies are visually stimulated by the images and colors, and they are starting to learn language by hearing their parents talk about the book."

Reach Out and Read encourages families to read together and builds a foundation for success by combining children’s books and literacy tools with pediatric visits.

Pediatricians like Dr. Chamberlin incorporate books into visits to evaluate development and “prescribe” family reading time. The child receives a free book at each wellchild visit through age 5.

For 10 years, Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC) has facilitated Reach Out and Read at Asheboro Children’s Health, Randolph Health Pediatrics, and Randolph Health-Liberty for well-child visits beginning at the 6-month visit. RPC’s program is designated as High Quality by Reach Out and Read-Carolinas. Asheboro Children’s Health is the first of the three sites to meet the requirements to roll back to birth. The other two sites have plans to do the same in the near future.

“Reach Out and Read is an efficient and innovative intervention,” Reach Out and Read Carolinas Executive Director Callee Boulware said. “Everyday moments created together around a book have the potential to

build resilience in both children and adults, buffer stress, and support safe, stable, and nurturing relationships that allow children to thrive.”

About the Randolph Partnership for Children:

Since 1999, the Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC), a nonprofit organization, has positively impacted the lives of Randolph County’s young children. As the community’s lead organization for young children and their families, RPC works with and through diverse agencies, individuals, organizations, and communities to ensure all children enter school healthy and ready to succeed in school and life. RPC is a United Way agency. For more information, visit www.randolphkids.org.

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ACS BANDS RECEIVES HIGHEST MARKS AT MUSIC PERFORMANCE ADJUDICATION

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ast week, Asheboro City Schools learned BOTH the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band returned to Asheboro High School earning a “Superior” rating for their performances! A rating of “Superior,” is the highest level bands can achieve at the Music Performance Adjudication.

Assistant Director of Bands, Tucker Smith said, “All students worked vigorously to achieve this accomplishment. They represented AHS with the highest standards both on and off the stage."

The North Asheboro Middle School Band also participated in a Music Performance Adjudication and earned an overall rating of, “Excellent.”

NAMS Band Director, Ms. Janet Longerbeam said, “We are very proud of our young musicians.”

TWO ACS EDUCATORS RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE FROM THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

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ongratulatiions to Mrs. Nikki Domally and Dr. Drew Maerz for receiving top recognitions from the Boy Scouts of America last week.

Mrs. Domally received the Elbert K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award. This award is named after Elbert Fretwell, the BSA's second Chief Scout Executive and a former professor of education at Columbia University.

The Fretwell Award is presented to teachers, educational support staff, or school administrators who model Scouting values in their students, classrooms, and schools and separate themselves from their peers as educational leaders and advocates for the youth in our communities.

It recognizes a person’s work for students in his or her professional role — not for what the person does directly for Scouting. Mrs. Domally was recognized as a 2021 Elbert K. Fretwell Recipient.

Drew Maerz was awarded the Silver Beaver Award from the Old North State Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Silver Beaver Award is bestowed upon persons who have given continued, unselfish, and effective service to the community, usually through the program of the Boy Scouts of America, but not limited to Scouting. Only those persons who have been nominated by their Scouting peers are considered. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition a local Council can bestow upon volunteer leaders.

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NEW WEBSITE CREATED WITH RCC STUDENTS IN MIND

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ately, Randolph Community College has a very different look. No, the colors haven’t changed or the school mascot, and there aren’t any groundbreakings planned in the near future. The change is online. On Dec. 1, RCC launched a new website that was 18 months in the making, and on March 1 the College added a chatbot to the new site.

All of the changes are geared toward making the new and current students’ experience better.

“At RCC, students come first,” Vice President for Student Services Chad Williams said. “The new website has been a welcome change, especially for our students. Our hope is the addition of the chatbot will improve the student experience and make it much easier to find the information they need.”

Designed by Beacon Technologies Inc. of Greensboro in collaboration with RCC’s Institutional Advancement Department, the website was a complete, from-the-ground up update. Beacon also has designed several other North

Carolina higher education institutions’ websites and boasts several RCC graduates on its payroll.

The chatbot is through Ocelot Inc., which specializes in higher education chatbots that are used at more than 400 institutions.

Check out RCC’s new site at www.randolph.edu.

GET YOUR REALTOR CREDITS AND TRAINING THROUGH RCC

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re you a realtor who needs to fulfill your annual Continuing Education credit or do you need some extra training? Randolph Community College has you covered with courses in April and May on the Asheboro Campus.

“General Real Estate Update” fulfills the annual continuing education credit for Real Estate Brokers as mandated by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. The Commission changes the subject matter of this course each year. The course (#79448) is from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, April 27.

“The Contract Maze” is an elective course designed to navigate the intricate details and elusive question of “When does an offer become a contract?” This class (#79450) meets from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27.

The third class (#79451) being offered is “Broker-in-Charge Real Estate Update (BICUP),” which will fulfill the annual continuing education credit for Brokers-in-Charge. The course is from 8 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, May 25.

“Real Estate Agency — Art or Agony” is designed to cause brokers to “stop … and … think” about their actions or inactions when working with buyers and sellers or landlords and tenants, especially when acting as a dual agent. The class (#79452) is from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25.

All of these classes are in room 103 of the Continuing Education & Industrial Center on the Asheboro Campus. The cost for each class is $45.

All Real Estate courses require students to bring a photo ID and pocket card. Students will receive a 100% refund if a class fails to “make” due to insufficient enrollment. A student

who officially withdraws from a class prior to the first class meeting will be eligible for a 100% refund. No refunds are given for students that are listed as “no show.

For more information or to register, contact RCC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division at 336328-1750 or visit https://selfservice.cloud.randolph.edu/ Student/instantenrollment/Search?keyword=real+estate.

asheboromagazine.com | 17

RCC PTK CHAPTER GARNERS AWARDS AT REGIONAL CONVENTION

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eta Theta Rho, Randolph Community College’s Five Franklinville Fire Department, Randolph County Sheriff’s Star Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Department, Asheboro Police Department, Emergency won several awards at the Carolinas Regional Services of Randolph County, and the North Carolina Convention at Forsyth Technical Community College in Wildlife Commission.

Winston-Salem on March 4. The awards were based on Established by junior college presidents and students various projects completed by the chapter’s members and led by the 2021 Officer Team — Grayson Greenwood, in Missouri in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the oldest Kristen Jensen, Tia Meredith, Emily Ramirez, and Faith and largest international honor society serving two-year Staton. institutions. It recognizes the academic achievement The chapter received the following awards: and integrity of students enrolled in curriculum • International Level: Five Star Chapter (19th consecutive programs. Students who are invited to join PTK must year for the chapter with only 14 of 58 community have completed 12 credit hours and must possess a colleges in N.C. receiving the honor for 2021), grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. RCC’s chapter was • International Level: Distinguished Chapter Honorable Mention, chartered Nov. 1, 1999, and has maintained a Five Star • Carolinas Region Service Project Award: Carolinas status for 19 consecutive years. This Five Star status is Plastic Pollution Initiative (clean up at Worthville Dam), the highest level that chapters can receive, recognizing • Carolinas Region Honors in Action Project Award: chapters that have completed every requirement set School supplies bags for low-income students at

by PTK and for chapters that go above and beyond to Franklinville Elementary School, make sure their projects and service to the college and • International Level: Distinguished Honors in Action Project Honorable Mention (First Responders Day at Faith community are the very best they can be.

Christian School), • International Level: Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Honorable Mention, • International Level: Competitive Edge Award: Grayson Greenwood, • REACH Reward for Membership Acceptance Rate: (sixth consecutive year).

Throughout 2021, chapter members and officers assisted the College in establishing an Armadillo Career Closet to provide graduates with professional clothing for job interviews. They also volunteered several Saturdays with the Habitat for Humanity of Randolph County, spent a Saturday cleaning up trash at Worthville Dam, provided bags of school supplies for students at Randolph Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), Beta Theta Rho, Franklinville Elementary School, and organized a First Responders Day recently received several awards at the society’s Regional Convention, held March 4 at Forsyth event for Faith Christian School, which Technical Community College. Pictured, left to right, are English/Communication Instructor and PTK Advisor Clark Adams, 2022 PTK Vice President Aliza Abdul, 2022 PTK President Praise Ayodabo, and consisted of representatives from Spanish Instructor and PTK Advisor Dolores Vargas Benavides.

18 | asheboromagazine.com

MEDICAL COURSES SET FOR THIS SUMMER THROUGH RCC

I

nterested in a job in the medical field? There are plenty of online opportunities to take a step in the right direction this summer at Randolph Community College.

If you’re detail-oriented and organized, a career as a certified medical coder might be up your alley. Medical coders play a key role in reviewing and analyzing medical billing and coding for processing.

In two online classes, students learn medical terminology and anatomy as well as how to use the CPT manual and the ICD-10-CM to work as a coder in the healthcare field (doctors’ offices, clinics, public health facilities, hospitals, etc.). These classes help prepare students for the American Academy of Professional Coders CPC (Certified Professional Coder) National exam. The CPC is the gold standard for medical coding in physician office settings.

The first course (#79068), “Medical Terminology & Anatomy,” is May 16-Aug. 12. A high school diploma or equivalency diploma is required. The cost is $180, plus approximately $60 for a textbook. The registration deadline is April 25.

If you’ve already taken “Medical Terminology & Anatomy,” “Medical Coding,” is May 16-Aug. 12 (#79069). The cost is $180, plus approximately $400 for textbooks.

The prerequisites for this course include a high school diploma or equivalency and successful completion of the first course. The registration deadline is April 25.

If you are both detail-oriented and a “people person,” you are the perfect candidate for being a medication aide.

Medication aides perform a variety of patient care duties, including administering medication, reporting changes, collecting samples, and recording medication dosages.

RCC’s online “Medication Aide” class is designed to prepare non-licensed personnel with the skills required by the North Carolina Board of Nursing to practice as a Medication Aide in long-term care/skilled nursing facilities within the state of North Carolina. Topics include oral, topical, and instillation medication routes; medical asepsis; hand hygiene; terminology; and legal implications. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to take the NCBON/NNAAP (North Carolina Board of Nursing/National Nurse Assistant Assessment Program) Medication Aide Exam in order to become listed in the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation Medication Aide Registry.

Students must: • Have high school diploma or high school equivalency, • Be 18 years of age, • Have a current listing with the Division of Health Service Regulation as a Nurse Aide I with no substantial

findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property, • Have proof of completion of a minimum 75-hour, stateapproved Nurse Aide I course, • Have a Social Security card (name must match a government-issued photo ID), • Have a government-issued photo ID (name must match Social Security card).

RCC is offering four sections of this class, each with its own registration deadline — May 9-25 (#78983, May 2 deadline), June 1-20 (#78984, May 25 deadline), July 1127 (#78985, June 27 deadline), or Aug. 1-17 (#78986, June 25 deadline). All sections are Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. The cost is $70.

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. You can be a part of the solution by taking RCC’s 132-hour “Electrocardiograph Essentials” hybrid class. It is designed and approved to prepare students to become certified EKG Technicians through the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Inc. (ASPT).

The course covers the anatomy and physiology of the heart; principles of EKG, dysrhythmia recognition of sinus; junctional/atrial rhythms; heart blocks and bundle branches; and ventricular ectopy rhythms. Skills will include operating EKG equipment and running and mounting strips as well as reading and interpreting cardiac lead tracings produced from 12 lead monitors as it relates to heart function.

The class (#79094) is May 2-July 29 online with two on-site clinical days, July 22 and 29 from 9-11 a.m. in room 250 of the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center. The cost is $180.55 plus the required textbook, “ECG Essentials of Electrocardiography,” which can be purchased through the RCC Campus Store by calling 336-633-0236. Students are asked to prepay two weeks in advance of the start of class. The cost does not include the cost of the EKG Certification Exam, which will be administered during the on-site clinical portion and costs $60 plus a membership fee of $30. The cost of the exam must be paid prior to the exam date.

For information or to register for any of these courses, call 336-328-1750. For a complete list of RCC’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education summer courses, visit https://www.randolph.edu/academics/workforcedevelopment/summer-courses.aspx.

asheboromagazine.com | 19

STORYTELLING: PRESERVING MEMORIES, CONNECTING GENERATIONS

by Jill Jackson

W

hen I was a sophomore in high school, I was given an assignment to interview someone who had lived through the Great Depression. I was 16 at the time, and I remember thinking what a chore it would be to sit down with someone and listen to them talk endlessly about something just so I could report on it. Little did I know, this interview would prove to be one of my fondest memories of someone so special to me— my grandmother—who died less than two years later.

During the interview, my grandmother and I bonded in a way that we had never connected before. I quickly realized she was my age as she told me about her daily life during the Great Depression, along with her harsh reality of “haves” and “have-nots.” I listened intently as she explained how poor her family was and how others were in the same boat. It was heartwarming to hear stories of how neighbors pulled together and helped each other. I especially loved her stories of how she found ways to have fun for free.

I realized my grandmother’s words gave me a far greater understanding of the effects of the Great Depression than what I could have read in a textbook.

I also realized that our older loved ones are living, breathing history and want to tell their story. Another thing I learned from listening to my grandmother talk about the Great Depression? It’s wise to learn more about our loved ones and their past while we still have the precious opportunity.

As we age, our memories seem not only more significant, but more vivid. For many older adults, memories of what happened 40 years ago may be clearer than the day before. When we encourage our parents, grandparents and neighbors to remember their past and talk about their memories and feelings, it validates the importance of their life’s experiences and strengthens bonds. It reveals previously unknown facets of their character and past, helping us better understand who we are and where we came from.

20 | asheboromagazine.com

While stories are often most associated with young children, life storytelling is a skill that can bring tremendous benefits for individuals in any age group at any part of their lives. Armed with decades of experiences and situations, as well as the life stories of their parents and grandparents, older adults who take up life storytelling can leave a legacy that will last for generations.

My advice? Pay attention to the older people in your life and the stories they have to tell. Write them down and share them with generations to come.

About the Randolph Senior Adults Association: Randolph Senior Adults Association (RSAA), a nonprofit organization, is the community’s lead organization for adults age 50 and over. RCSAA is a United Way agency. For more information, visit: www.senioradults.org.

asheboromagazine.com | 21

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CLUES ACROSS 1. Hot meal 5. Razor clams 10. Blood-sucking African fly 12. Chauvinists 14. Windy City football player 16. An alternative 18. Federal Housing Administration 19. Styles hair 20. Arabic female name 22. Paddle 23. Area once separated from Germany 25. Marketplace 26. Gode Airport 27. Upset 28. Where wrestlers sweat 30. Garland 31. Robert __, poet 33. An iPad is one 35. Fruit of the oak tree 37. Della __, singer 38. WomenÕs clothing retailer 40. Mailed 41. Largest English dictionary (abbr.)

42. Pouch 44. Radioactivity unit 45. Month 48. Nanosecond 22 | asheboromagazine.com

50. Domestic 52. What a boy becomes 53. Breezes (anc. Greek) 55. Jogged 56. At the stern 57. Lawrencium 58. Destructive to both sides 63. Arterias 65. Removes 66. Pretentious people 67. Tropical Asian plant

23. More (Spanish)

CLUES DOWN 1. Type of whale 2. Type of medication 3. Land of the free 4. Formed an opinion of 5. Logo 6. No (Scottish) 7. Leaves tissue 8. Sacred state to Muslims 9. Thus 10. African nation 11. Someone who has a stake in 13. Parties 15. Subsystem producers 17. Large, flightless birds 18. Compromises visibility 21. A ballet enthusiast

40. Disappointed

24. Skeletal muscle 27. Hands (Span.)

29. Weighed 32. Businessman 34. Famous clock Big __ 35. Unkeyed 36. Break between words 39. Ink (slang) 43. Stroke 44. Curdled milk 46. Restaurants 47. Explosive 49. Type of terrier 51. Disfigure 54. Innermost cell layers 59. Bar bill 60. Distinct period of history 61. Mode of transportation 62. Equal (prefix) 64. Operating system

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Directions Add all ingredients in order to a large stockpot. Bring to a boil and let simmer on medium/low until the pasta is cooked through. Stir together and serve with some fresh cilantro and parmesan cheese on top.

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ZOO TALES

POLAR BEAR PAYTON’S FIRST YEAR AT THE NORTH Story & Photos by Kristi Johnson Marion CAROLINA ZOO

A

year ago, the North Carolina Zoo welcomed Payton, a 1,000-pound male polar bear to its Rocky Coast habitat. Payton was born and grew up at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and named after the late Chicago Bears NFL team running back Walter Payton. Now 18 years old, he was relocated from the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee on the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) last January in hopes that he and the Zoo’s female polar bear, Anana, might produce a cub.

Payton’s keepers have enjoyed working with him and getting to know him over this past year. Keeper Kirsten Perkins described his personality as “derpy,” or

26 | asheboromagazine.com

goofy. “He easily gets excited about things. He has big ears, and they perk up when he’s excited, and his head starts bobbing up and down.”

He seems to enjoy playing with his enrichment items, including large plastic garbage cans perfect for a 1,000-pound polar bear. “He loves to put them on his head and fold them up into tiny pieces,” said Kirsten.

“And it’s good for him to practice this natural instinctive ‘crushing’ behavior,” said Keeper Melissa Vindigni.

Speaking of instinctual behavior, “We noticed that he seems to love how Kirsten smells,” explained Melissa.

“Sometimes, we have her hug the enrichment items before we toss them to him.”

Polar bears have more olfactory nerve endings than other animals. Their brain is more dedicated to processing smells than its other senses. This excellent sense of smell is an evolutionary trait developed over thousands of years for survival. The polar bear's nose is so powerful it can smell a seal on the ice 20 miles away and sniff out a seal's den that has been covered with snow.

Payton seems to be even more in-tune with his sense of smell than other polar bears our keepers have worked with in the past. “We notice that his nose is always working,” said Keeper Melissa.

He seems to love forming relationships with keepers and eagerly participates in training sessions and oneon-one time with his keepers. “He’s good at making you feel special,” said Keeper Kirsten.

Both polar bear habitats have pools and streams chilled year-round to 50°F in the winter and around 63°F in the summer. During his time at the North Carolina Zoo, keepers have enjoyed watching him grow as a swimmer.

Keeper Melissa noted that his pool here at the North Carolina Zoo is deeper with more depth features than

he was accustomed to at other zoos, so it has been a discovery process. It's been amazing watching him come out of his shell and swim more and more.”

When Payton was first introduced to the Zoo’s 147,000 gallons pool, he’d like to hold onto the edge, much like a child learning to swim. Now, keepers say he’ll dive right in you toss something into the water.

“Sometimes, he’ll find a perch for his front feet and take a nap in the pool,” said the keepers.

Polar Bear Mating Season - Together Again?

Polar bear mating season generally runs from February through March in the wild. Payton is being slowly introduced to the Zoo’s 22-year-old female polar bear Anana. She is roughly half his size at 600 pounds.

In the wild, polar bears live an average of 15 to 18 years, although biologists have tagged a few bears in their early 30s. Under human care, bears can reach their mid-30s.

Neither of the bears has sired cubs. At the Memphis Zoo, Payton was paired with another female (who happens to be Amana’s sister!) during mating seasons, but breeding was unsuccessful. North Carolina Zoo's asheboromagazine.com | 27

keepers are hoping they will take to each other and produce cubs.

Polar bears, native to North America, are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. There are an estimated 22,000-31,000 in the wild, and polar bear numbers are projected to decline by 30% by 2050.

Payton is showing some interest in Anana, but both are being very cautious about their introduction. “It’s developing day-by-day. They’re both taking their time.

Blind dating is rough,” said Keeper Melissa. “It’s a lot like online dating. He doesn’t look like his picture, and Polar bears are at the top of the food chain in the it’s a little awkward at first.”

Arctic. The only threats to polar bears are humans, Usually living in separate habitats at the North other polar bears, and climate change as the species Carolina Zoo, the bears will be paired together during struggles to survive. mating season (replicating the behavior of wild polar Polar bears are dependent on the sea ice, which is bears) anywhere from February to April. Keepers hunting grounds for their primary prey – seals. With are easing them into the courtship, so this timing is less sea ice each season, polar bears are left with a flexible. Be sure to visit them during this time, and shortened hunting season and less food for survival. you might see them together!

Adopt a Polar Bear!

Polar Bear Survival February 27, 2022, was International Polar Bear Day. The North Carolina Zoo is among an elite group of To “adopt” Payton and/or Anana and support their care 40 zoos, aquariums, and museums that are Arctic at the North Carolina Zoo, visit nczoosocietystore.

Ambassador Centers (AAC) through a partnership with Polar Bears International (PBI). PBI is the leading com/adopt-a-polar-bear. conservation group in the world that works to conserve polar bears.

28 | asheboromagazine.com

For more information about polar bears and how you can help save them, visit polarbearsinternational.org.

AT THE YMCA

9th Annual Your Heart Is At The Y Dinner/Dance

N

o one could have imagined back in February of 2020 while enjoying the Your Heart Is At The Y Dinner/Dance just how much was about to change. What ended up as being the last big social event in the area before COVID shut everything down is now making a comeback with plans to be the biggest celebration since that day! The AsheboroRandolph County Your Heart Is At The Y committee is excited to announce our 50th Birthday Bash Dinner Dance.

Join us for an elegant and exciting evening to benefit youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility at the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA! This semi-formal themed event will be held at Pinewood Country Club on Saturday, April 2nd from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM and will consist of dinner, dancing, live auction, cash bar, DJ Gary Hunt, and more!

As you arrive at Pinewood Country Club, each guest will have an opportunity to purchase a birthday present box for themselves. Each $50 or $100 box will contain a special surprise gift valued at a minimum of $50 or $100. Some examples of gifts items include pottery, Mt. Shepherd Camp certificate, Grandfather Mountain day pass, Chick-Fil-A Gift Basket, Starworks glass blown vase, $50.00 First Bank Debit Card, 1 hour Family Photography session with Tied Together Photography, and a $130.00 Hamilton’s Gift Card, This year’s live auction items will include a Hoover/ Baker/Peterson Low Country Boil, Klaussner Leather Recliner, a One Year Pinewood Country Club Family Membership (New Membership Only), One Year Asheboro Racquet and Swim Club Family Membership (New Membership Only), One Year YMCA Household Membership, Townie Go Electric Bike (donated by JB & Claire Davis), and a Ben Owen Large Red Pottery Piece (donated by Christie Luckenbach).

This event is organized by volunteers of the 'Friends of the Y' Committee and made possible by generous sponsors. A special thank you to all of the sponsors who have been so committed over the past 8 years to making a difference. We look forward to

by Nick McNeill, your continued support in 2022.

With several different sponsorship levels to choose from, there is certain to be one that is perfect for you: PLATINUM: $5,000 – Includes name in program, name on all advertising, recognition during event, priority seating, 10 tickets GOLD: $2,500 – Includes name in program, name on all advertising, recognition during event, priority seating, 8 tickets (1 Table) SILVER: $1,000 – Includes name in program, name on all advertising, recognition during event, 4 tickets BRONZE: $500 – Includes name in program, recognition during event, name on all advertising, 2 tickets COPPER: $250 – Includes name in program, name on all advertising We are looking forward to dancing for a cause as all proceeds go towards the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA to help make accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow, and thrive. The Y nurtures the potential of children and teens, helps people live healthier active lives, and provides opportunities to give back and support our neighbors. In March limited tickets will be made available for the event for $80/person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available as well. For more information regarding sponsorship and tickets, email Fran Knapp at Fmknapp50@gmail.com.

asheboromagazine.com | 29

COMMUNITY News

RCC’S RADIOGRAPHY STUDENTS LOOK TO OPEN DOORS FOR OTHERS

V

on Harmon Jr., Santiago Avila Ponce, and Apryl Smith may have disparate backgrounds, but they are all a part of Randolph Community College’s Radiography program and are hoping to help change the face of those working in medical fields.

Harmon moved to North Carolina from New York five years ago. Encouraged by his mom, who is a respiratory administrator, he looked to find a career in healthcare after he stopped playing high school sports. Harmon chose RCC’s Radiography department after working in the operating room and witnessing the radiologic technologist use the C-Arm — fluoroscopic imaging equipment named for its C-shaped arm — on a patient. Harmon also had a friend already enrolled at RCC, who told him it was a great program. He hasn’t regretted the decision.

“I’m most proud of graduating,” he said. “I’m excited for opportunities for growth. The most important way you can grow as a professional is to find ways to improve your skills and applicable knowledge. You can do this by taking on new responsibilities and experiences.”

As Harmon looked at the face of healthcare, he said that fostering an environment that is inclusive from the get-go would help educators and employers create more diverse learning and workspaces, especially by encouraging students and staff to learn more about each other’s cultural backgrounds and interests outside of the classroom or office.

He also suggested standardizing interview questions to reduce any personal biases.

“One thing I would change about the healthcare workforce is unconscious bias — make students and/or employees informed of these biases by requiring unconscious-bias training and providing staff with tools to prevent bias,” he said. “Companies should also include diverse employees as decision-makers in the recruitment process.”

A 2017 RCC graduate, Ponce was born in a small town in Mexico, moving to the United States when he was 2-yearsold and becoming a naturalized citizen in 2014. Ponce was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after seeing his father suffer from lower back pain due to injuries he sustained from farming. Of all the career possibilities, radiography sparked his interest the most.

“I do not know what it is, but I love seeing the human anatomy in a radiograph or under a fluoroscopy setting,” said Ponce, who was RCC’s Academic Excellence Award winner in 2016. “In middle school and high school, I was always intrigued whenever the science teacher would cover anything related to human anatomy, especially if the material would include X-ray images. Now that I am in the profession of diagnostic imaging, I can certainly say that I love what I do, 30 | asheboromagazine.com

and I know that I am helping someone.”

Now that Ponce is working in his chosen field, he has learned that being bilingual helps him translate for patients who “feel voiceless.”

“My ability to communicate with another Spanish speaker has been a tremendous asset to help a patient in need — even if it is in slang terminology,” he said.

While Ponce said he is excited about all the opportunities his Radiography degree has afforded him, he knows healthcare has a long way to go when it comes to diversity and inclusivity.

“Everyone has something to say, but sometimes not given the opportunity to be heard or acknowledged,” he said.

“Including others in a mannerism that promotes meaningful conversations, critical thinking, and problem-solving in daily operations.

“One aspect of the medical field that I would like to see change is the idea and practice of the following quote: ‘We’ve always done it that way.’ This type of practice may lead to laziness, ignorance, and risks the safety of not only the patients, but others, too. Having an open mind is crucial, but having one way of doing something may not always be the right way to do so.”

Smith’s journey to a Radiography degree at RCC hasn’t been easy, but being a new mom has made her work even harder.

RCC graduate Santiago Avila Ponce loves the fact that being bilingual allows him to help patients that might not have a voice otherwise.

“Everyone in my family worked in the medical field at some point, and I guess I wanted to follow in everyone else’s footsteps,” she said. “Plus, I always knew that I wanted to do something that would help people I just did not know what that was at the time.”

It took three tries, but the determined Smith started the program in August 2020 — just two months after giving birth to her daughter. She has no regrets.

“I have loved every moment of this program,” she said. “My classmates wonder how I do this with such a young child, and my answer is she is my motivation to keep pushing through.

This has not been an easy two years by any means, but if I can do it anyone can. What excites me the most about the future is starting my new job at [Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist] in the interventional radiography department — knowing that I will grow in my skills and take on new roles and responsibilities.”

Smith said she would like to see more equal opportunity in healthcare.

“All employees need to be seen and valued,” she said.

“Educators and employers can create a more diverse environment by ensuring students or employees feel like they belong and striving to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to the workplace.”

Students interested in applying to RCC’s Radiography program must attend a mandatory Information Session or complete the online Radiography Information Session process to apply for fall 2022. The next session is Wednesday, April 6, at 5 p.m. in room 103 of the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center. The deadline to apply is June 1.

For more information, contact Elaine Sill at ewsill@ randolph.edu or 336-633-0222 or visit https://www.randolph. edu/academics/college-majors/radiography/index.aspx. winner in 2016. “In middle school and high school, I was always intrigued whenever the science teacher would cover anything related to human anatomy, especially if the material would include X-ray images. Now that I am in the profession of diagnostic imaging, I can certainly say that I love what I do, and I know that I am helping someone.”

Now that Ponce is working in his chosen field, he has learned that being bilingual helps him translate for patients who “feel voiceless.”

“My ability to communicate with another Spanish speaker has been a tremendous asset to help a patient in need — even if it is in slang terminology,” he said.

While Ponce said he is excited about all the opportunities his Radiography degree has afforded him, he knows healthcare has a long way to go when it comes to diversity and inclusivity.

“Everyone has something to say, but sometimes not given the opportunity to be heard or acknowledged,” he said.

“Including others in a mannerism that promotes meaningful conversations, critical thinking, and problem-solving in daily operations.

“One aspect of the medical field that I would like to see change is the idea and practice of the following quote: ‘We’ve always done it that way.’ This type of practice may lead to laziness, ignorance, and risks the safety of not only the patients, but others, too. Having an open mind is crucial, but

Randolph Community College Radiography students Apryl Smith, right, and Von Harmon are hoping to help change the face of those working in medical fields.

having one way of doing something may not always be the right way to do so.”

Smith’s journey to a Radiography degree at RCC hasn’t been easy, but being a new mom has made her work even harder.

“Everyone in my family worked in the medical field at some point, and I guess I wanted to follow in everyone else’s footsteps,” she said. “Plus, I always knew that I wanted to do something that would help people I just did not know what that was at the time.”

It took three tries, but the determined Smith started the program in August 2020 — just two months after giving birth to her daughter. She has no regrets.

“I have loved every moment of this program,” she said. “My classmates wonder how I do this with such a young child, and my answer is she is my motivation to keep pushing through.

This has not been an easy two years by any means, but if I can do it anyone can. What excites me the most about the future is starting my new job at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in the interventional radiography department — knowing that I will grow in my skills and take on new roles and responsibilities.”

Smith said she would like to see more equal opportunity in healthcare.

“All employees need to be seen and valued,” she said.

“Educators and employers can create a more diverse environment by ensuring students or employees feel like they belong and striving to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcomed and empowered to bring their whole selves to the workplace.”

Students interested in applying to RCC’s Radiography program must attend a mandatory Information Session or complete the online Radiography Information Session process to apply for fall 2022. The next session is Wednesday, April 6, at 5 p.m. in room 103 of the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center. The deadline to apply is June 1.

For more information, contact Elaine Sill at ewsill@ randolph.edu or 336-633-0222 or visit https://www.randolph. edu/academics/college-majors/radiography/index.aspx. asheboromagazine.com | 31

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