Profiles: Faces in the Crowd 2018 by Leslie Long

2018 edition

profile

faces in the crowd

featuring people who make Roanoke Rapids remarkable

a special publication of the Daily Herald

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contents

 PUBLISHER

Rick Bean  ADVERTISING

DIRECTOR John McClure

 EDITOR

Duke Conover  NEWS

EDITOR Tia Bedwell

05 Lymarie Jackson

 AD

07 Brandy Bynum Dawson

 CONTRIBUTING

Deans Eatman

14 Amber Sanderford

15 Ian Bumgarner

18 J. Clay Lockamon

10 Lacara Ramsey

EXECUTIVES Leslie Davis, Rhonda Irby, Darian Liles WRITERS Roger Bell, Carolyn Harmon, Barbara Mellinger

 DESIGNER

11 Nazair Jones

Leslie Long

13 Morgan Carter 18 Brooke Simpson on the cover featuring the faces of some of people who make Roanoke Rapids remarkable.

20 Ginger Weston 21 Erin Carson 24 Owen Scott 27 Jim and Beth Miller 28 Katie Ammann

Jerrica Edmonds

29 Victoria Neff 30 Bonnie Medlin

Autumn Wenger

The Daily Herald A Paxton Media Group Newspaper 916 Roanoke Ave. Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

profiles 2018 | the daily herald | page 4

Seeing is believing: Lymarie Jackson By Barbara Bean-Mellinger

t may be true that real beauty lies on the inside of each person, but try telling that to ‘tweens and teens. Along with the insecurities that come with the age, they’re besieged daily with images of incredibly thin, toned, gap-thighed models with flawless skin, shimmering hair and straight, pearly white smiles. In comparison, they feel they could never measure up. The Big Lie Photographer Lymarie (pronounced Lee-Marie) Jackson is out to show them that no one can measure up to that standard because it’s a retouched, airbrushed, “photoshopped” lie. In fact, the adage “the camera doesn’t lie” is a lie. Subtle changes in angles, poses and lighting make a huge difference in how you look in photos, Jackson explained.

Lymarie Jackson

Jackson specializes in photographing tweens and teens, with a deep focus on high school senior photos. Unlike the senior photos you may remember, which included a straight view, a profile, and maybe an artsy version of you leaning against a tree background, Jackson’s version of senior photos comes from tapping into what makes seniors who they are.

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Soccer, volleyball or basketball player? Bring your jersey and ball. Musicians — how about your instrument? She does an elegant feature whether or not students are going to the prom, and of course, caps and gowns.

{left} Lymarie Jackson works with Allyson Whaley, a freshman at East Carolina University

{below} photos by: Tia Bedwell | The Daily Herald

submitted photo

Lymarie Jackson gets into a pool to take photos of AJ Hoscila, Roanoke Rapids High School, Class of 2018.

But even Jackson’s cap and gown photos are inspiring. They might show four best friends holding hands, walking on a path outside the school, or a cap-and-gown clad senior making a wish. Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone Her secret is asking the students to stretch beyond the usual bounds of comfort. When they balk, she asks them to trust her. Then she invites them behind the camera to see the results. “My favorite part of the session is when they see their photos for the first time,” Jackson said. “They can’t believe it’s them. After that, they’re eager to take my suggestions and excited to see the results.” The shoots are designed to take them away from the stresses of junior year when senior photos are usually taken. They’re worried about keeping their grades up and making their resumes look as good as possible. Senior year they may coast a little, but they’re nervously waiting to hear from colleges. Or, if they’re planning to work after high school, they wonder if they’ll be able to get a job

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 5

with wages to sustain them. Either way, their futures are uncertain, and it weighs heavily on them. Jackson admits her message to the teens can be a confusing one. “I tell them to get their hair and makeup done, and then I tell them to be themselves,” she explained. “It’s a special time in their lives, so I want them to see themselves as stars, as models, with gorgeous hair and professional makeup. I want them to see themselves as they never have before. By encouraging them to laugh and be natural, I can catch them in the moment, looking real and beautiful.” Jackson has a soft spot for teens because she remembers what it was like to be one. She exuded confidence on the outside, she said, but was as insecure as anyone else on the inside. “Project Beauty” Every year, Jackson works with a group of kids she alternately calls her “reps,” “ambassadors” and “my kids” to spread the word about her business on social media. In return, they receive an unparalleled experience getting to know Jackson and the other teens in the group — as they learn more about themselves — while participating in various events and photo sessions. During their photo sessions, where she showcases them as her reps, Jackson sends the others, who are waiting for their turn in front of the lens, on a scavenger hunt around town. The hunt is designed to help them let their hair down and be silly, stepping out of their comfort zones by eating ice cream cones while wearing mittens, playing LeapFrog in public, getting random people to act out the motions while singing the “YMCA” song and other hilariously fun antics. Meanwhile, back at the studio, the reps wear jeans and a white shirt, or a white dress, and no makeup for the unedited, black and white photos. They’re asked to write what real beauty means to them, which helps them to let their guard down. “When I tell them that their words and messages can help others who are experiencing similar feelings, some of them dig deep and talk about their insecurities and struggles,” Jackson said. “I also ask the guys what they think of the girls around them, and the girls are surprised that the guys’ answers aren’t about perfect figures, but how they see them as people.” Jackson also gives her reps gift bags with items such as “kind cards,” which continued on page 6

continued from page 5

they can leave on someone’s windshield anonymously. Also included are cards with messages for themselves like, “One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage to let go of things you can’t change.”

even after they’ve graduated. “Thank you for helping me look pretty. I’m not used to that,” said one tomboy athlete. “Thank you for giving me the courage to let down my hair,” wrote another.

She tries to attend their sports or other events when she can to show her support, to be another accessible adult in a different role from their parents and teachers. Next year, she hopes to do a service project with the group.

“I’ll never forget the way you made me feel,” wrote a shy girl. Lymarie Portela Jackson’s photography is more about feelings than beauty. Because when you feel good about yourself inside, it shows on the outside.

At the end of the school year, Jackson has a group shoot for everyone to remember the friendships and the growth they made during the experience.

“I get to show these teens the good in them,” Jackson said, “to expose the lies in the media images of physical beauty, and help them see that it’s their flaws and imperfections that make them unique and beautiful.”

In addition to getting publicity for her business, Jackson often gets feedback from “her kids,”

{above} Lymarie Jackson works as a photographer in the Roanoke Valley.

{right} Lymarie Jackson, left, shows Allyson Whaley some of the photos she took of her during a recent photo shoot.

photos by: Tia Bedwell | The Daily Herald

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 6

Brandy Bynum Dawson Working in and for her home: Brandy Bynum Dawson By Carolyn Harmon

submitted photo

ome folks wander through the nonprofit sector; others stay for life.

Brandy Bynum Dawson of Roanoke Rapids has been active in the nonprofit community for more than 15 years as a professional, volunteer and board member. She said her purpose is to improve outcomes for children and families. She joined Rural Forward NC at the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation as associate director in September 2014. In her role, she works with the director and program staff to manage, plan, organize and direct daily capacity building services. Specifically, she provides technical assistance, coaching, facilitation, policy supports, resource management and support of community initiatives in rural central and eastern North Carolina. “I am from northeastern North Carolina, Northampton County specifically, and what I love most is the opportunity to work in my home community,” she said. “Also, to work with such great people who care so deeply about their communities is really rewarding for me. I think like most young people from a rural town, leaving the area and going off to college was part of my plan, and I did just that.”

{above} Brandy Bynum Dawson, Rural Forward NC at the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation associate director, facilitates a meeting.

{right}

Bynum Dawson receives an award from The American Academy of Pediatrics

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She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Greensboro and a master’s in public administration from N.C. State University.

Dawson won an award of excellence from the NC Governor’s Crime Commission in 2007.

Bynum Dawson said she had a chance to work for several organizations during both her academic and professional careers and the one she worked for the longest was a child advocacy organization. That work led her back here, she said.

Also, she led a campaign in the state to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. Until last year, North Carolina was one of only two states that automatically prosecuted 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, no matter the offense, she said. She led that campaign for more than 10 years, and she said with the persistence of many dedicated advocates, families and youth, the law changed last year. It goes into effect in 2019. As a result of her 10 plus years of advocacy, she received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the N.C. Pediatric Society.

“I am also very close to my family and community and because of those close-knit relationships, I knew I would return home one day to help. I am really blessed to work for an organization that is dedicated to lifting the assets in rural communities while addressing the challenges. If we are talking about changing systems and making policy changes, then the communities with the greatest needs are the ones where we should focus our attention and efforts.” Bynum Dawson said she considers herself an advocate. Before joining NC Child, she worked in the public policy arena for various nonprofits, including N.C. Center for Nonprofits, where she monitored sources related to public policy issues for the nonprofit sector. “I had an opportunity to help facilitate several community initiatives still in existence now,” she said. In one of the initiatives, the premise was providing a continuum of services for young people who had mental health and substance abuse issues and were involved in the juvenile justice system. It was a program within the juvenile justice system called the Juvenile Justice Treatment Continuum. Now it is called Reclaiming Futures. For helping facilitate that program, Bynum

“That issue was really important to me, which is why I was dedicated to the issue and campaign for so long,” she said. “I was a kid once and made childhood mistakes but thankfully avoided the adult criminal justice system. One impulsive mistake by a kid could land him or her in the adult criminal justice system, and to me that required a change. “For almost 100 years, in North Carolina, we were branding our kids with a permanent adult

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 7

record, mostly for minor offenses, which was not the case in 48 states. Our kids were not given the same opportunities as kids in other states because of that outdated law. To me, it was an issue of justice, equity and a second chance.” When Bynum Dawson is not working, she said she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her husband, Mel, and her son, Elijah, traveling and taking naps whenever possible. “Something new that I have learned about myself is that one can be an extrovert with introvert tendencies,” she said. “Most people would not know that about me because I am so outspoken and outgoing. “I find solace at the beach and whenever I get the chance, which is quite seldom now, I go there to rejuvenate. I also have a fond appreciation for the rural night sky where the stars are vibrant and plentiful. I have a deepening respect for the land in which I had an opportunity to grow up on. It’s beautiful! “

Taking care of eastern N.C.: Deans Eatman By Roger Bell

Deans Eatman

eans Eatman, the son of Al and Leigh Ann Eatman of Roanoke Rapids, has always been drawn to politics, and his current job of legislative liaison for the North Carolina Department of Transportation fits him well.

“In a lot of ways, the job is like a lobbyist,” Eatman said. “We’re state employees, so we’re not actually lobbyists, but we represent and advocate for ideas of the department with the legislature. Also, if you call your local representative about a problem with roads, the department, or (the Division of Motor Vehicles,) they will send those concerns to us.” The job is the latest in Eatman’s effort to put himself in a position to help out his home area as well as the surrounding region. A 2012 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School, Eatman attended N.C. State and majored in agricultural science. “Obviously ag and rural issues go hand-in-hand,” Eatman said. “With this area and eastern North Carolina being mostly rural, that was kind of the thought pattern with choosing ag science. Ag science is more of a policy-based course of study, an overview of the entire industry instead of a deep dive into one thing for production purposes. It’s an agriculture policy degree, really.” While going to N.C. State, Eatman worked for Halifax County’s representative in the State House, Rep. Michael Wray, D-Gaston. Two years later he helped lobby for the North Carolina Pork Council in an internship that was supposed to last three months, but Eatman stayed for a year before going back to work as Wray’s research assistant, pulling double duty with Wray and Rep. Ken Goodman, D-Rockingham. Working as a research assistant put Eatman in touch with the Main Street Democrats, and he got to be involved in policy crafting. While performing this work, he developed a professional relationship with Joy Hicks, who was working as a legislative liaison for the Department of Agriculture. When Hicks was hired as director of governmental affairs for NC DOT, she asked Eatman to come aboard as legislative liaison. Eatman knows, however, he probably won’t be doing the job as a long-term endeavor.

submitted photo Deans Eatman, left, poses with his grandmother, Janet Jones, and brother, Thomas Eatman.

“The people who had this job before me did not retire from this job,” Eatman said. “But certainly the policy and the public service pieces are both things I enjoyed and continue to enjoy.” Moving forward, he sees himself continuing in state politics in some capacity, and hopes to do so for the foreseeable future. “I am more interested in state-level government politics than national, but I think all the pieces below the state level are very important,” Eatman said. “You’re closer to the folks who are supposed to be served by the level of government you are involved with, and I think it’s more responsive. Hopefully, you get something done every once in a while.”

{left} Deans Eatman, left, shares a laugh with former North Carolina Secretary of State and Attorney General Rufus Edmisten.

{right} submitted photo

Deans Eatman, second from left, poses for a picture with Halifax County Commissioners. submitted photo

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 8

The Valley's present and future: Lacara Ramsey By Roger Bell

acara Ramsey isn’t planning on staying in Roanoke Valley, but she is planning to return.

Ramsey, 19, has moved around a lot, but settled in Rich Square with her dad after she graduated high school, and sees Northampton County as her home. “I have a lot of family in the area, so I decided to live with my dad,” Ramsey said. “I like it here because of the feel of family and sense of community.” Ramsey currently attends Halifax Community College and will be receiving her associate’s degree in art in July. Following this step in her education, she plans to head to Charlotte to study social work, then come back home.

Lacara Ramsey

She’s making an impact while she’s at the school. Ramsey is the vice president of the Student Government Association at HCC, while also working for Student Support Services in a paid position as a peer mentor. “Peer mentors help with things like if a student needs to talk, or if they’re having a problem with an instructor. I help with the best way to address those problems.”

submitted photo Lacara Ramsey at Phi Theta Kappa’s Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day with her cousin, Za’Riyah Gaines.

All this activity in school, Ramsey said, is a long way from where she’s been.

put my mind to it. Now, with leaders and mentors recommending me for positions I’ve had, it’s very humbling and makes me strive harder for my goals and work harder.” As for graduation looming, Ramsey said she will miss HCC, particularly several of her teachers and mentors, including Barbara Hasty, Gary Redding, Rachel Stephens, Roslyn Pemberton, Sonya Robinson, Willie Hardy and Sherida Gholston. She also said during her time away she will miss her church family at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. “I’m really active in my church. They keep me grounded, and they inspire me to be the best I can be. I think where I am now, I couldn’t have been here without my church family.” Once she finishes at HCC and prepares to head to Charlotte, she hopes to come back to Northampton County with a master’s degree in hand and ready to help. “I would want to help out with the goal of improving education in Northampton County, and help with the community’s advancement,” Ramsey said. “I see people that are actually doing great things in the county to help the community grow and be successful, but things could be better.”

“I wasn’t always a straight-A student,” Ramsey said. “But I knew I had the potential to do great things if I just

{left} Halifax Community College’s Student Government Association at Student Support Services’ Recognition Banquet.

{right} Halifax Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society presents Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day at the CADA Headstart at HCC. submitted photo

submitted photo

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 10

Nazir Jones

A journey once at risk: Nazair Jones By Roger Bell

submitted photo

eattle Seahawks defensive tackle Nazair Jones almost didn’t get to finish his high school football playing career.

“I was scared,” Jones said in 2012. “Not only about possibly never playing again. I was afraid I might not be able to walk again.”

Jones was 16 years old when, after posting a season that saw the then-junior chosen as his Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets lost a playoff game Nov. 4, 2011, to North Johnston. The next morning, Jones’ life changed.

He was able to walk again, first with crutches, then with a cane. A long road of physical therapy got him back on the field by his junior year, though he missed an entire season of basketball during his recovery.

“I got up to go to the bathroom the morning after the playoff game, and I couldn’t walk,” Jones previously told The Daily Herald. “I was taken to the emergency room.” Doctors diagnosed Jones with complex regional pain disorder, which results in multiple functional loss of the autonomic nervous system. Within a month after his initial symptoms, Jones, then six feet, six inches tall and weighing 255 pounds, had lost 50 pounds.

His junior football season earned him national attention, but once his condition became known, phone calls from college coaches became less frequent. “A lot of people wrote me off,” Jones said in 2012. “People scratched me. I realized college football was not just about playing; it’s a business about winning. It was an eye-opener for me. I lost a star (he became listed as a three-star prospect after having been listed as four-star previously,) and wondered if I would get a chance to play major college football.”

He received a scholarship offer from UNC Chapel Hill and committed to his “dream school” in 2013. By the time he started with the Tar Heels, Jones was free of the disease, at least apparently so. “The doctors said it could come back,” Jones said in 2012. “They just don’t know. When I first came back it was still in the back of my mind that this could happen again. It made me a little tentative on the field at times. As time goes on, that has started to go away.” After redshirting his freshman year, Jones started 22 of his remaining 35 games played. At UNC he totaled 83 tackles, 44 of them solo, with 13.5 of those tackles for losses. He logged two interceptions and three forced fumbles with three fumble recoveries. At defensive tackle, he recorded 3.5 sacks during his college career. continued on page 12

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 11

continued from page 11

In the Sun Bowl after his junior year, he had eight tackles, two for loss and one sack against Stanford.

{left} Valley native Nazair Jones stands in front of Roanoke Rapids High School in 2016.

{right}

Jones was drafted in 2017 by the Seahawks, who made him the 102nd overall pick. He is the third player the club in its history has drafted out of North Carolina.

He appeared in 11 games in his rookie year, starting two. He recorded nine solo tackles, nine assists and two sacks. He also recorded an interception off Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the final regular season game, which Seattle lost 17-9 at Lambeau Field.

Nazair Jones had six tackles, one forced fumble and the recovery in 2016 in the Heels 30-27 OT win over Virginia Tech to clinch the ACC Coastal Division title.

Bruce Young | Tar Heels Illustrated

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Kids are her life's mission: Morgan Carter By Carolyn Harmon

organ Carter of Littleton says she loves her kids.

She is talking about the 16 children she sees every afternoon at The John 3:16 Center, where she is the after-school coordinator. They are of all different learning levels. “That makes it so exciting,” she said. She enjoys the freedom of the educational curriculum, but she uses her time to be the most beneficial to the kids, such as helping them with homework, she said.

Morgan Carter

“My favorite part is our one-on-one time when I can directly help each child,” she said. “But the relationships I am building with them, I hope will make lasting impressions that someone from our hometown can grow up to do something great. Born and raised in Norlina is not different from Littleton. I am doing everything I can do to make it better.” submitted photo

“Morgan is an energetic young woman, who cares tremendously for the children of The John 3:16 Center and their families,” Sinka said. “She is always there for them with a listening ear and an open heart.”

{right} Morgan Carter is busy with some of the children she works with every afternoon at The John 3:16 Center, as the after school coordinator.

Those qualities extend to her desire to be a teacher. She has another year to go to earn her elementary education degree through the University of North Carolina. Her dream, she said, is to be a teacher and stay in the area.

{below}

Morgan Carter brings some children from the after school program at The John 3:16 Center to see Buddy Isles Jr.’s race cars.

Brittany Sinka is the John 3:16 operations director.

Through her student teaching she has witnessed some areas needing improvement, she said. submitted photo

“From my understanding, Warren is 95th out of 100 counties — that is horrible,” she said. “Being home-grown; it goes back to our kids. I think it would be great to have after-school programs similar to John 3:16, that are in separate locations. If you are in the same environment for long periods of time, you start to fade out and stop paying attention. They are children. I can’t expect them to sit in the same room for a long time and be able to focus.” “I think differential instruction is another huge point that needs to be incorporated for that exact reason,” she added. “That is incorporating different ways to teach. Not so much the stereotypical classroom, sitting at a desk

submitted photo

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 13

with papers. They benefit more from being up and moving and physically engaging, and the chances of retaining the knowledge is higher with more hands-on engagement.” “I see the struggle with our kids,” she said. “The lack of resources is huge, and that starts with state and school funding. Without accessible resources for the teachers, we can’t provide for the students.” Morgan said her care for children goes beyond teaching. In June, the Greater Littleton Development Partnership was formed as a nonprofit organization, with the intentions of creating an alliance of Littleton residents who share the same interest of making the town a better place to live, work and play, Morgan said. She is the secretary of that organization, partly to help Littleton grow. “But my focus is to see more accessibility for the kids,” she said. “If we don’t nurture them, what will our future be like in 20 years?” Carter is also an investor and an employee in her boyfriend’s, Buddy Isles Jr’s, business, Buddy Isles Tire and Automotive. She and Isles are taking over his dad’s company that he built up over many years, she said. She does whatever is needed, such as creating art for the waiting room and making it comfortable for adults and children and especially for women, she said. “I want it to be appealing and welcoming,” she said. “I am so dedicated to making it work because it is our investment and our future.” Since December, the business has brought in more than 300 new customers, she said. “We couldn’t have asked for more support from the community, which is our motivation to give back,” she said. When Carter is not busy with school and work, she is riding a horse, a four-wheeler, taking care of puppies or hanging out at Clary’s Motor Speedway, in Brinkleyville, where Isles races late model cars. She has found a way to incorporate the kids into that also, by asking Isles to speak to them about racing and including them at race events. “Anything I can do with kids is my mission in life,” she said.

Amber Sanderford {right} Tia Bedwell | The Daily Herald

Back to her alma mater: Amber Sandeford By Barbara Bean-Mellinger

any nurses have described what they like about their profession as rewarding, fulfilling, enjoyable, challenging, influential and making a difference. Few, however, have expressed nursing as “fun.” “It is fun!” said Amber Sandeford, who was a nurse for seven years before coming to teach some of the health science classes at Roanoke Rapids High School this school year. Sandeford’s mission is to convince her students how much fun nursing and other healthcare careers can be. “Sometimes students take a class as an elective, and they’re not planning to go into health care. I take that as a challenge to show them the benefits of a career in healthcare,” Sandeford said. In the health science classes, Sandeford explained, students learn basic skills, such as taking blood pressure, proper weighing, how to stop bleeding, and lots of medical terminology. They’ll have a head start if they want to work as a secretary in a medical office or hospital or go on to take coursework to become a pharmacy technician or medical assistant or nurse. They learn, too, about the professionalism and teamwork of healthcare careers. They can even graduate from high school with certificates demonstrating specific learning, such as the purpose and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), which is important in healthcare. Nursing is a flexible field, Sandeford explains to her students. It’s allowed her to work around the schedules of

Amber Sandeford with her children, Jace, Ava, Kage and Alex. submitted photo

{below} Amber Sandeford in her classroom at Roanoke Rapids High School.

her four children. And nursing is a field with many branches, where you can move from one type of nursing to another. Sandeford herself is a perfect example of this. A graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School, she also met her husband there. She got her bachelor’s degree in nursing at East Carolina State University. In the years since, she worked as a telemetry nurse (monitoring acutely ill patients’ vital signs through bedside equipment), in administration at a nursing home, and in staff development, teaching other nurses. She found she missed bedside care, though, and went back to telemetry nursing.

Tia Bedwell | The Daily Herald

It was while she was teaching in a community college nursing program that she saw the posting for the position teaching at RRHS. She started an online application, then decided it wasn’t for her and stopped before she finished applying. To her surprise, they called her for an interview anyway.

Caring about the needs of others

“I was curious, so I went to the interview just to see what it was all about,” Sandeford said. The school offered her the job. It’s a rewarding job in many ways, she said. Seeing students get enthusiastic about careers in healthcare is mission accomplished. When they stop by unexpectedly and say, “I just wanted to come and give you a hug,” she realizes she’s still making a difference in people’s lives. Only instead of patients in the hospital, she’s influencing their future caregivers. And patients will be lucky to have them.

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 14

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A journey to Roanoke Valley: Ian Bumgarner By Roger Bell

Ian Bumgarner

an Bumgarner has taken a long road to serving Halifax County in county government. But it’s been a road well traveled.

Bumgarner, senior management analyst for the county, grew up in Winston-Salem, graduated from West Forsyth High School in 2006 and headed to Virginia Tech to study landscape architecture. “I had a family friend who owned a landscape architecture firm in Winston-Salem, and I thought the idea of using my creativity and my love of being outside to be a great career,” Bumgarner said. “My freshman year at Virginia Tech had a tremendous impact on me with the first day of my college experience having an escaped convict shoot two cops and running loose on campus, and the last day of my freshman year was the April 16, 2007, shooting. I will always remember those 32 people who lost their lives that day. I will also always remember the amount of love and support that was offered to me following April 16 and how the Virginia Tech community came together. I love Virginia Tech and the friends I made there.” As he continued his education, a formative moment occurred during his senior year at the

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school, when architect David Hill, teaching a class at the school, brought in the town manager of nearby Buchanan, Virginia. “He spoke about how he interacted with the citizens, raised money to improve the town and worked to improve the downtown area,” Bumgarner recalled. “At the time I was interested in urban design, and I thought that the job of a town manager would be a good job for me.” Bumgarner graduated from Tech in 2011 to a down housing market and economy, and though he was offered contract work out of school, he moved to Wilkesboro and worked for Lowe’s Contact Center in sales. He was offered a chance to work with quality assurance in their services platforms division for the sales and gift cards team. Once the project was completed, and as he waited for a permanent position in Mooresville, he applied to Appalachian State University’s masters of public administration program, which accepted him in fall 2013. “I enjoyed working at Lowe’s, but I decided to chase after my goal of becoming a town manager to be my best future,” Bumgarner said. continued on page 16

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 15

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He went to school and worked as a graduate assistant to Professor Mark Bradbury, head of the MPA program at Appalachian State. During this work, he met many town and city managers who had been through the program, who are collectively referred to in some circles as the “Appalachian State Mafia.” A hard choice followed graduation, Bumgarner said. Bradbury, his mentor, discussed Bumgarner getting his doctorate in public administration, due to his love of teaching and the subject, but Bumgarner wanted to apply what he’d learned to real life. He did apply to doctoral programs and N.C. State’s program accepted him.

{right} Ian Bumgarner, far right, poses with his friends at MerleFest in Wilkesboro.

{below} Ian Bumgarner, far right, at the Amazing Escape Room in Montclair, New Jersey.

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While attending N.C. State, he worked as a graduate assistant, teaching assistant, and a research assistant. However, he became burnt out and decided to apply for jobs in his chosen field. After speaking with Bradbury, Bumgarner said, he determined he was more interested in county government than in city or town government, and he applied for the position of senior management analyst for Halifax County. Bumgarner said the area has a lot to offer now that he’s here. “I think there is more to do here than we think,” Bumgarner said. “You have the lakes, the river, Sylvan Heights, the

Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail, Medoc Mountain State Park and other recreational opportunities. I do think we lack things that attract and retain talented young professionals.” Bumgarner sees the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Network as a resource to change that and hopes to help the group develop networking opportunities to help each other explore what the area could offer them. As for where he is now, Bumgarner said he’s enjoyed the work. “I enjoy my job as the senior management analyst for Halifax County,” Bumgarner said. “I like being part of the county’s management team and being involved in all of the different projects and committees I am on. I do see local government management being a career that I continue doing as a long-term career. I enjoy that no day is the same and that I am constantly challenged to think of creative solutions for various problems we face.” Bumgarner’s boss, Halifax County Manager Tony Brown, said he’s been happy to have Bumgarner on board. “Ian has been a wonderful addition to my office,” Brown said. “He is enthusiastic and brings a fresh set of ideas that I value. He has definitely contributed to our improving our county services.”

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specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, she wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could ensure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.

Powerful voice, powerful message: Brooke Simpson By Carolyn Harmon

imille Mills says her daughter, Brooke Simpson, was born to do something huge.

“When she was 2 years old and sang the first recording with me perfectly on key, I knew she was born to do something bigger than what we would do,” Mills said. “It was ‘Yes Jesus Loves Me,’ and she nailed it from the beginning. I knew then she was born to do something huge, and it has been wild, surreal and I am extremely proud of her. I hope she goes as far as she wants to go because I know this is what she is meant to do; she was born to do this.” Simpson is receiving national attention since she finished third on this past season of NBC’s “The Voice.” Her bookings have her traveling to Tennessee, Colorado, California and New York. In April, she sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. But one recent event, the Haliwa-Saponi powwow, brought her home to Hollister. It had been a while since Simpson had been home.

Brooke Simpson

“I haven’t been to powwow for years because my husband, Ray, and I just moved to Los Angeles,” she said. “I am so happy to be home and to see everyone — it is amazing, and I am just so excited.”

Tia Bedwell | The Daily Herald

Mills introduced Simpson to the awaiting crowd, April 21. “Thank you for loving my daughter,” Mills said to those attending the concert.

{left} Brooke Simpson sings during the Haliwa-Saponi powwow in April.

{below} Simpson answers interview questions in Hollister.

“When we came home for the meet and greet, it is the same feeling as today,” Mills said. All of these people are here to see her. I just tear up. That many people love my baby and appreciate the gift she has. She is the type of person; she would love to hug everybody, she physically could do it.” Simpson embraced her Native American roots with her first song, a cover of Pink’s “What About Us.” “I sang that song on the show (”The Voice”) dedicating it to my tribe,” Simpson said. “And afterward, even the lyrics took on a whole new meaning. Even when Miley (Cyrus, Simpson’s coach on “The Voice”) and I were working on the song, we were like, holy crap, even the lyrics are perfect for what our people have gone

through. It was so exciting to be able to sing that on the show and then to be able to sing it here on the tribal grounds. It’s crazy.” Simpson also debuted her song “Faith,” in memory of her second-cousin Faith Danielle Hedgepeth, 19, a homicide victim from Hollister who was found dead in her Chapel Hill apartment in 2012. Simpson said it is something her family has lived with for years. Simpson said that singing the song makes it fresh all over again. “It was overwhelming, and it stirs up a lot of emotions, especially knowing this is something we have been living with for years,” Simpson said. “I knew the first time I ever sang that song, even though I wrote it when I found out about everything when I was in college, I knew that I didn’t want to perform it anywhere until I did it at home.” She added, “I wanted to dedicate this song to our community as a whole, and no matter what happens let us not be broken,” she said to the crowd. “Let’s stay stronger than we ever have before — let’s not be separated, but one.” As for her recent activities and plans, Simpson recently uploaded her new single “Perfect,” available on iTunes and other venues; has been busy touring and has plans to finish a CD by the end of the year, she said. “Being on ‘The Voice’ gave me the opportunity to shed light not only on my tribe, which was my goal,” she said, “but to let people know we are here. “We are alive, and we exist because a lot of times we are forgotten people, especially our tribe,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know about the Haliwa-Saponi. I was so excited that my story was taking place in North Carolina, where I could tell them where I come from. But little did I know, it would be shedding light on tribes all across the United States and even outside the country.”

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 18

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Jennifer Innis Amy Hargrave

Leading from the front: J. Clay Lockamon By Carolyn Harmon

aniel Polk is Lockamon’s boss and regional director for Modern Woodmen of America. He said Lockamon is someone who follows servant leadership. “Instead of telling people they can make a difference, he does it himself and brings people along with him,” Polk said. “I think he gets that from his parents and grandparents, to be rooted so deeply in the community.” Lockamon is a financial representative for Modern Woodmen, a not-for-profit financial planning company. He started his practice through Woodmen’s platform; this is his first year in the business. He grew up in Roanoke Rapids, where he’s lived his whole life. He enjoyed sports throughout high school, playing baseball, football and basketball. He also played baseball at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. “I love every sport I played,” he said. After graduating, he moved back home and went into financial services with Modern Woodmen. “I love my job,” he said. “When they saw I was from Roanoke Rapids it was a good fit. I interviewed with many financial service companies. The big thing that drew me toward Modern Woodmen is their notfor-profit fraternal side, which allows me to give to the community. Why not do that where I grew up and what made me who I am?” Polk said that philosophy was part of Lockamon’s decision to stay in the state.

“That drives him to come back to people, who he has been around his whole life,” Polk said. “He puts people ahead of himself which makes him very successful. He has a strong work ethic, and is very honest and entrepreneurial-minded.” To give back to his community, Lockamon recently took advantage of Woodmen’s matching fund and service project. Through Lockamon’s practice, he recently donated $2,500 to the Belmont Elementary School’s exceptional children’s program, in a matching fund for 15 special needs students to visit the dolphins at Discovery Cove in Florida. Also, Lockamon purchased school supplies and more than $1,000 in age-appropriate recess equipment for the 140 or so students at Clara Hearne Pre-K Center as a service project. Items include wagons, basketball goals and tricycles.

J. Clay Lockamon

Polk said Modern Woodmen staff interview about 300 people to get one hire. “He went through a rigorous interview process from different people,” Polk said. “What stood out the most about him is his maturity and his ability to want to help people. He is very knowledgeable. Our industry is very indepth and always changing. He takes the initiative to get out in front of that. More than anything, he puts the people he takes care of in front of his agenda. He is very talented, a very great person and we are very fortunate to have him represent our firm.”

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{left} Lockamon, far right, gives a matching fund of $2,500 to the Belmont Elementary School’s exceptional children’s program for a trip to Florida.

{right} Lockamon donates school supplies and recess equipment to the Clara Hearne Pre-K Center. He is pictured far right with some of the center’s staff. submitted photo

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 19

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Ginger Weston

Handling double duties: Ginger Weston By Roger Bell

ost people don’t have time to serve their business dreams and their passion.

Ginger Weston, of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, is one of the few who does. Weston, 39, is still a rookie in law enforcement, but she’s certainly no rookie in business. She and her husband, Jason, own Weston Transport, Inc., based out of Wilson County. It’s Jason’s second go-around in the trucking business after the couple joined forces in the car business for a while. In 2011, with the car business in a downturn, the pair decided to get back into the business Jason knew well. The company’s old name, W Transport, had been taken by that time after Jason’s retirement from trucking, so the couple formed Weston Transport, with Jason doing a lot of the driving himself.

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“Law enforcement was my husband’s idea,” Weston said. “He knew I have a passion for helping people and to me, right is right and wrong is wrong. Plus, we’re not getting any younger, and we have to look toward the future.”

{right} Halifax County Deputy Ginger Weston, left, and singer Brooke Simpson.

{below} Morgan Carter brings some children from the after school program at The John 3:16 Center to see Buddy Isles Jr.’s race cars.

As business owners, however, the pair were also interested in something steady while they grew their business, and were looking for something with benefits. That’s when Weston’s passion came into play.

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Becoming a cop offered a retirement plan, health insurance, and the chance to help people and interact with others she would serve. So she went to Basic Law Enforcement Training, and despite being older than most of the others, she graduated at the top of her class academically. “I think I might be the oldest female to go through BLET,” Weston said. Weston began with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office in June, after having met with Chief Deputy Scott Hall and Sheriff Wes Tripp and being impressed with both. Meanwhile, Weston Transport continued to grow. In September, the company bought a second truck, and in January, they added two more. They are up to five drivers on the payroll. The hiring has allowed the couple to dedicate more time to management, which takes pressure off

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 20

her while she’s juggling the household, the business and her law enforcement career. She has a steady schedule with the sheriff’s office and the ability to deal with Weston Transport business in the evenings and nights. “I think we’re going to be fine,” Weston said. “And I enjoy doing what I do. I’ve been managing thus far.” Weston also feels as her business has grown, she has grown as a law enforcement professional. “I’ve come a long way in such a short time,” Weston said. “I didn’t think in this job I would be getting so close to the community.” “I feel I’ve matured as a deputy,” Weston said. “I feel like I’m not as quick to react and can be more relaxed in certain situations; though that doesn’t mean I let my guard down. There’s a lot that comes with wearing a badge that you don’t know comes with it until you’re wearing it.” Weston has had a few negative experiences, such as people telling her they don’t talk to cops or don’t trust her because she’s a cop, but mostly it’s been positive. Strangers thank her for her service, and she gets personal requests for to provide singer Brooke Simpson security when she’s in town. “It’s really nice when somebody says something like that to you, or you go on a special assignment and people thank you for it,” Weston said. “In this line of work, I guess I’m more of a public figure than I realized.” She also continues to be involved in a variety of activities. She is part of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club XXI and is involved with the N.C. Law Enforcement Women’s Association. Weston continues to grow in both business and law enforcement, and Hall said he’s thrilled she decided to join the sheriff’s office. “You don’t see many switch careers into this line of work at her age,” Hall said. “But Ginger is awesome, she’s moved right in and fits in great with everyone else here. She’s a tremendous asset to this office and this community.”

6 by 30, 40 by 40: Erin Carson By Carolyn Harmon

rin Carson came from a long line of hardheaded rabble-rousers, she says with a smile.

She is the Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living Program, Halifax County coordinator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always knew I would work in the community in some way, and got some understanding of what that meant from the time I was young,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It meant taking care of each other and building from within, looking out and recognizing that everyone brought their strengths that made the whole stronger.â&#x20AC;?Â Carson graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and political science. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to use writing and an understanding of how systems impact lives and communities, to advocate for and uplift the most vulnerable and marginalized, particularly black people,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been a writer since I learned to read and wanted to write to change the world like some of my heroes growing up â&#x20AC;&#x201D; James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, Stokely Carmichael and Nina Simone.â&#x20AC;? After graduation, she traveled to Kenya, in East Africa, for an international reporting program, studying the HIV/AIDS crisis in an impoverished, rural farming region.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had never thought much about public health reporting but I fell in love with it through that experience,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it was time to look at the work I would do right out of college, I saw a lot of opportunity in the southern black belt and felt like thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where I needed to be. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot

of possibility in places like Halifax County, the rest of Eastern NC, and throughout the South and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to take all of us, building together, bringing in resources and seeing the strength. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited for the things to come and the many things I still have to learn.â&#x20AC;? Audrey L. Hardy, a registered nurse at Halifax Regional Medical Center, said Carson is very energetic and a go-getter.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;She sees what could be and helps to make it happen,â&#x20AC;? Hardy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Erin has been very good with working in our community and seeing possibilities for the youth and seniors.â&#x20AC;? Since 2015, Carson has been a part of that collaborative effort in her work for the Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living, a program of the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation. The program focuses on improving equitable access to fresh foods and safe places to be active for all people, particularly the most marginalized, she said. It is done through community organizing, building the capacity of local leaders and organizations, strategic planning, resource development and other hands-on work when needed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all in it together,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our movements, coalitions, and projects are made up of the people who will be impacted.â&#x20AC;? Healthy Eating began in 2012 as an innovative approach to address the health and well-being of communities in rural counties throughout the state, in partnership with the Kate B. Reynolds

Erin Carson submitted photo

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Charitable Trust and the North Carolina Division of Public Health. The initiative supports place-based coordinators in these counties who know and understand the needs of the communities they work with, and how to be responsive to community-led action.

{right} Erin Carson facilitates a meeting for the Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living Program.

{below} Carson , third from right, along with members of the Catalyst Team, a program of the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation. submitted photo

“In Halifax, we’ve worked with partners from throughout the county to make farmers markets more accessible and affordable; supported new community gardens; opened up indoor and outdoor shared-use spaces for physical activity; fostered new, accessible programming for healthy community activities, such as tennis and yoga,” she said. “Also, we have increased the strength of local coalitions to continue their work; funded small projects to improve health; and partnered with schools to give our youth access to new opportunities.” “We are fortunate to have someone with Erin’s talents who is freely willing to share them to help elevate others and the community,” Hardy said. “She is very dependable and will go out of her way to help others and provide opportunities for those who might not otherwise be exposed to them.”

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For fun, Carson said she loves being around good art, music, culture and food with people who love to have a good time.

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 22

“I’m always down to hit the road or take a flight when I can for a trip,” she said. “I like being outside, out and about but when I’m an introvert, I like good music and something good to read or watch.” She added, “I’m loving the overall black media renaissance with new projects, such as “Insecure,” “Atlanta,” and “The Chi,” by young black creatives.” A growing experience for Carson was the first time she crossed the Atlantic; she was 18, she said she was on her way to Ghana, in West Africa, for the summer, through a program to study its history and culture, the Transatlantic slave trade and the African diaspora. “That experience was life-changing and helped me understand the world in new ways,” she said. “It made me want to see more and travel more. I made it a goal from around then to visit all six of the inhabited continents in the world by 30, and I’m at four. “We have a tendency, especially this generation, to put so much pressure on having it all figured out by a certain point, when the truth is, we should always be learning, always be growing, for our entire lives,” she added. “I still want to hit six continents by 30 because I said I would, and maybe 40 countries by 40.”

Congratulations to Keion Crossen, formerly of Northampton County High School, who was selected by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots with the 25th pick in the NFL Draftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventh round. Northampton Schools is where winners are made. - Justin Hayes All fall HS varsity sports won their conference. (2017) Six out of 7 schools made positive academic growth gains!

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profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 23

Owen Scott {above} Direct impact seeking true change: Owen Scott By Carolyn Harmon

wen Scott has managed to own a business, work with kids in Ecuador and be mayor of Littleton, all before the age of 30.

Originally from South Carolina, Scott visited Littleton during the summers with his family.

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Owen Scott, of Littleton, and two boys from one of the clubs he visited while working with Pate Ministries in Ecuador.

{right}

Owen Scott with his girlfriend, Sara Villwock, at the Chesapeake Bay visiting her family.

“I have always loved this community and knew I would eventually make my way here to set roots,” he said. “Littleton is more than a town or community. We have 650 residents and I could probably name most of them. There are several people that can name everyone. There’s a sense of being a part of something here that you don’t have in larger cities.” He said the seed to run for mayor was planted by Donald Spragins, Littleton’s finance commissioner, at the beginning of 2017. And after speaking with Ron Girdley, former Littleton mayor, Scott started getting more involved. “I decided if I’m going to run for an office I wanted to run for mayor so that I could have the standing with county and state officials to get the assistance that we desperately need,” he said. “As mayor, I’m involved in the process of directing Littleton to its next step toward growth and eventual sustainability. I can see, daily, the effect of the board’s decisions and work hand-in-hand with other local officials in making this the hometown everyone loves to be in.” When asked if he is a politician, Scott responded by referring to a quote. “I once read a line that said, ‘Politics: America’s Favorite Bloodsport,’” he said. “I am not a politician and don’t see myself going any further into it than here at the local level. Here, I can see my impact directly and truly see change.” In addition, Scott runs his own business called Panacea, which means “cure-all.” “Our slogan is Panacea: Your Residential Remedy,” he said. But his goal is to work within the ministry, possibly as a missionary. He said he is seeking opportunities that will take him in that direction. One in which he recently returned was in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, working with Pate Ministries. “I went as a representative of Valley Community Church to learn from the missionaries about their work and to assist with their clubs for kids, ranging from 5-17- years-old,” he said. “In total, there were 233 kids present throughout the week, 80 of which had memorized their Bible verse from the

submitted photo week before. Even more astonishing is taking into account that these kids spend their entire day walking up and down the mountains at 14,000 feet elevation, to be there for about an hour.” Scott is also a fulltime student at Grace College of Divinity and a full-time member of Valley Community Church. “The church has helped keep me grounded and has guided me through life’s tough curves,” he said. Jamie Taylor, Valley Community Church associate pastor, said what stands out about Scott is his Integrity and his willingness to serve. “He exemplifies service,” Taylor said. “He is the mayor of Littleton and serves at the church. Whenever we need something done, he is there.” When he is not working, Scott said he likes sitting outside enjoying the view. He also enjoys watching live musicians and spending time with friends from the 20/30s group at his church. He also spends time working on his house.

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 24

On Scott’s wish list is to be a bush pilot one day. “I would like to fly missionaries and their supplies to locations that aren’t accessible by commercial means,” he said.” I don’t know what my future holds but that’s definitely on my list of ‘want to.’” When asked what might surprise people about him, Scott said that being mayor is his job. “It is but it isn’t,” he said. “Elected officials don’t collect any salary in Littleton, so we have to balance a life just like everyone else but then add in the town of Littleton business to the top. It can be a tall task at times and even more so to the community, because they need and deserve fulltime political help. We just aren’t able to do that for them financially. I really look forward to the next four years as mayor and I hope to provide as much as possible to Littleton, to ensure that it will always have a dot on the map.”

Woman of many hats: Jerrica Edmonds By Barbara Bean-Mellinger

arketing manager. Mom. Fiancée. Student.

On any given day, Jerrica Edmonds might be interviewing a patient for a spotlight in the hospital’s newsletter, talking with a new physician, or greeting people at a community event. Or all three. With work, spending time with family and studying for a master’s degree in business administration, Edmonds’ days are full. Spare time? She doesn’t know the meaning of that phrase these days.

Jerrica Edmonds

But as the marketing and communications manager for Halifax Regional Medical Center, the busy pace and variety of her responsibilities is what she enjoys most about the job. Redesigned, User-Friendly Website When she joined the hospital, two years ago in July, the discussion soon turned to the necessary redesign of its website. submitted photo

ETIMES SOM IT’S NICE TO KNOW

“Designing and mobilizing the website was a major undertaking, which we rolled out at the beginning of this year,” Edmonds said. “Every single department manager helped by providing their input for the benefit of patients and anyone in the community who uses our website.” They considered the look and feel of the website, color palettes, and the content of every page, Edmonds

exactly rwenhetre you a

added. The result is a clean-looking, inviting site that’s easy to navigate, and contains many links to find anything a viewer might want to know about the hospital. And, they configured the site to access it from any mobile device. “We intend to update the website regularly, too, to keep up with changes, so we don’t need to do another major redesign later,” she said. Monthly Newsletter to 17,000 One of Edmonds’ favorite tasks is putting together the hospital’s monthly newsletter, mailed to 17,000 people. The hospital’s president writes a column, and others send news of their departments. Edmonds often interviews a patient for a spotlight article. In the recent fall/winter issue, for example, she wrote about an active local man who recently had a total knee replacement. Another article announced the hospital’s new digital imaging equipment, and its recognition of being first in the nation to use imaging to reduce the time a medical examiner needed to evaluate the condition of tissue for donation. Other articles in the six-page piece explained when to go to the ER vs. an urgent care center, introduced a new physician in pulmonary care, and showed a surgeon who wears continued on page 26

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two different, brightly colored shoes as a way of breaking the ice with patients, especially the little ones, and their families. Edmonds said she likes that the newsletters include such a wide variety of articles and information — including a list of events and celebratory months such as Breast Cancer Month in October — and even a healthy but tasty recipe on the last page. From Paper to Patients

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Edmonds herself has variety in her background, too. She grew up in Milwaukee and went to college at Ball State University in Indiana, majoring in journalism and communications. Before joining the hospital staff, she worked in communications for International Paper Co. in Memphis, Tennessee, and Savannah, Georgia.

Jerrica Edmonds, marketing and communications manager at Halifax Regional Medical Center, uses an iPad in October in the newly opened Center for Energy Education. The device has a number of educational apps loaded on it to teach visitors about renewable energy. file photo | the daily herald

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Framing the business: John and Beth Miller By Roger Bell

im and Beth Miller say the business they’re in is fun.

The couple, who own and operate The Frame Shop in Roanoke Rapids, followed a path to business ownership that took a little bit of a turn after they moved to the Roanoke Valley.

John & Beth Miller Roger Bell | The Daily Herald

{right} The Frame Shop’s Beth Miller holds up a framed puzzle in her shop in Roanoke Rapids.

“I had retired,” Jim said. “Beth hadn’t worked but we had this time to ourselves, so I told her to do something she was interested in doing. She initially talked about getting a job, but I didn’t think she wanted to work for other people.” Jim grew up in Newport News, Virginia, while Beth grew up in nearby Hampton. They married in 1956, after Beth graduated high school, and promptly moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, so Jim could pursue an engineering degree from Virginia Tech. After he graduated, the family moved back to Newport News, then to Cary, Nashville and Richmond, Virginia. All along, they were raising a family of four children, two boys and two girls born in 1960, 1962, 1966, and 1973. “It sounds as if we had to move a lot,” Jim said. “But every move we made was for my enrichment professionally and to help with the cost of educating four children.”

{below} Jim, left, and Beth Miller at their desks at The Frame Shop in Roanoke Rapids. Roger Bell | The Daily Herald

Beth’s love of crafting led the couple to research the possibilities of owning a shop, and they found their opportunity with Ben Franklin’s franchising program. However, with stores having regional monopolies, they couldn’t open one in Richmond, so they had to consider where they could go into business. “We could either open a store in Elizabeth City or Roanoke Rapids,” Beth said. “We didn’t know anything about either one, so we researched the area.” Their Ben Franklin store opened in Becker Village Mall in 1996. “It was a great experience,” Beth said. “We didn’t have any trouble getting good help, and talented help, which you need to have in a craft store.”

Roger Bell | The Daily Herald

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 27

However, the business took a downturn due to a variety of factors, Jim said, and when the Ben Franklin corporate entity folded, Beth and Jim were left without any support and having to wing it on their own. With vendors demanding cash payments instead of giving out invoices, it became too much and the store closed in 2001. However, the couple noticed the framing business they opened in the store had been doing well, so they continued doing it despite the closure of the main business. They opened The Frame Shop in 2002. “The frame shop was doing so well we decided to give it its own shop,” Beth said. “So we looked for a place to have it and found one. That location, 404 Becker Drive in Roanoke Rapids, a location they said suited their needs very well and they’re glad they chose it. In addition, the couple is very pleased by how the community has embraced them, and how they feel connected to the area. Beth added the business itself can be rewarding and fun. Constructing a frame for someone’s possession, whether it’s a photo, a piece of artwork, or even a puzzle, can lead to some very interesting discussions. “There’s always a story behind it,” Beth said. “People will come in with a piece and they want to tell the story behind it, how they found it, when they made it, why they want it framed. And I feel that’s just a part of the business. Some people come in here and they’ve lost a pet or a loved one and are framing something related to that, and it’s their way of getting through something. You have to be sensitive to people when handling something they care about.”

She came for the math, stayed for the music: Katie Ammann By Barbara Bean-Mellinger

hile debate continues whether studying music leads to higher aptitude in math, the link has proven true for Katie Ammann. The St. Louis native was a music major in college and gave lessons while she was in school. But after graduating, she joined Teach for America, which brought her to Roanoke Rapids, where she taught high school math for three years. Music was still her passion, however, so she kept an eye out for places in the area where she could give lessons. She soon found and fell in love with the old building at 1100 Roanoke Ave. and began transforming the space into a music studio with the help of a friend who plays drums. Ammann specializes in piano.

Katie Ammann

A successful one, too. Today, more than seven years later, The Music School has 13 instructors giving private lessons to about 125 students and 30 in group lessons. Private lessons are available for piano, guitar, violin, drums, clarinet, flute, saxophone and voice. At this spring’s recital, 70 students volunteered to perform.

{above} Katie Ammann plays the piano, which is one of many things she teaches, at her business, The Music School of Roanoke Rapids, 1100 Roanoke Ave.

“The first student came while we were still renovating and had sawhorses and other equipment and supplies out in the open,” Ammann said. “Others reached out, including instructors, so it’s been a slow, organic process.”

Tia Bedwell | The Daily Herald

{below} Katie Ammann, left, portrayed the lead in “Little Women, the Musical” in 2016 at Lakeland Theatre Company in Littleton. She also served as the music director.

The Music School also offers a children’s choir during the school year for ages 5 to 12. They meet once a week, no experience is necessary. As they sing songs from musicals, movies, history and the work of contemporary artists, they learn the

fundamentals of music along the way. The school’s Community Violin Class also meets weekly during the school year and is free to participants. They must have their own instruments, however, or rent them. All levels of students are welcome to participate as the group plays classic pieces and songs from movies and musicals. The school also offers affordable, twohour, weekly summer camps in June and July. Different sessions cover beginning and intermediate piano; beginning and intermediate drums; drawing, painting, and sculpting; and music, movement and crafts. Teaching comes naturally to Ammann. You might say it’s in her blood. Her parents are professors, and her sister is also a teacher. Speaking of families, while starting her business, Ammann sought the advice of a lawyer for help with the various paperwork involved. That lawyer is now her husband. With The Music School flourishing and family nearby, Ammann has strong roots in the area and is here to stay. “The variety of students bring their strengths and learning styles, so every day is different,” Ammann said. She’s pleased with the students and their supportive families. “You know that saying – ‘If you do what you love you won’t work a day in your life’?” Ammann asked. “That’s how I feel about teaching at The Music School.”

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Growing community connections: Victoria Neff By Roger Bell

ictoria Neff, who has become a recognizable face in Roanoke Valley through her work as an N.C. State University extension agent in Halifax and Northampton counties, likes rural living. “I can’t stand traffic,” said Neff, who is originally from Alexandria, Virginia. “I don’t know how people live up where I used to live.”

Victoria Neff

Neff, 25, graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 2011 and headed to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg to study for a career she’d been considering since she was young. “My great-grandparents own a couple of farms in Virginia, so I grew up hunting, fishing. That’s where I spent my summers most years other than family vacations.”

Victoria Neff, right, poses with her dog, Lexi, and her boyfriend, Nick Smith.

submitted photo

{right} Halifax and Northampton County Cooperative Extension Agent Victoria Neff and friend.

Her dad, Michael Neff, works for the American Society of Horticultural Science. Neff would accompany him to conferences. Years later she sat in on meetings with her dad, which he covered working as a journalist for the society. Once she got to college, she knew what she wanted to study. She got her degree in horticulture with a minor in agribusiness. When she made a presentation at the conference as a horticultural professional, things had come full circle for her, something she loved being able to share with her dad.

{below} Victoria Neff, far left, poses with fellow agents from Cooperative Extension.

“He never thought he would see me there,” Neff said. submitted photo

After getting her degree, Neff said she was able to get a job, but it was in Asheville, many hours from her Virginia-based family. She also was working in propagation, watering plants all day long, so she only lasted a few months doing that. “I’m a people person,” Neff said. “So watering plants all day got old real fast.”

submitted photo

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 29

She got a job in Chesapeake, Virginia, in horticultural sales, but before taking the position, she considered applying for a job with Cooperative Extension. After doing the sales job for a few years, Neff answered an ad for an extension agent in Halifax and Northampton counties. She took the job, starting on Aug. 1, 2016. Neff said she’s delighted working the two counties and has developed a connection with the community. She is involved in many programs, including running the master gardener courses, beekeeping classes and others. She likes holding camps for kids and learning through her work what the community wants to see. “I love my job a lot,” Neff said. “I love having so much human interaction. I’m an extrovert, so I get my energy from other people. In this job, I get to go out in my community, and that’s rewarding.” Neff, who lives in Halifax, said while she can’t predict the future, she plans to stick around in Roanoke Valley for quite some time and is continuing to improve her professional picture. Currently, she is working on a post-graduate degree. “I’m content where I am,” Neff said. “But it’s hard to say what the world will be like in five or 10 years. But so far, so good.”

A time to dance: Bonnie Medlin By Carolyn Harmon

ome people know their purpose from the time they are born.

Bonnie Medlin, of Gaston, is one of them. She owns Ms. Bonnie’s School of Dance, in Roanoke Rapids, and has been dancing since she was 5, for 25 years. The studio opened in 2010. She teaches tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hop-hop, clogging, point, praise dancing and contemporary, with her favorite being contemporary. “That’s how you touch people, as contemporary tells a story,” she said. Recently, her contemporary dance team created a video “You’re Gonna Be OK: Addiction,” that has more than 1,600 views on YouTube. Every year, the team focuses on a powerful topic to try and touch people and bring about awareness, Medlin said.

Bonnie Medlin

“Because the drug epidemic is so strong in our community, God laid that on our hearts,” she said. “We are trying to raise awareness because there have been so

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many deaths due to heroin overdoses, and so many drug addictions. We are trying to let people see God’s love through the dance.” Since its opening, Medlin’s studio has grown to about 200 dancers. With the area competition, she said it is her faith in God that keeps the business growing. She said she puts God first. “I pray about every decision I make, such as hiring people and what the dances will be,” she said. “I feel like the business growing is just God taking the lead.” As for her teaching, Medlin said it is passion that makes a good dance teacher. “If you just dance the steps, it doesn’t really make a difference,” she said. “But if you are dancing from the heart and rally passion about what you do, that makes a difference. One of my biggest joys is seeing these younger kids so excited to dance for God.” One dance student Ethan Taylor, of Weldon,

{left} Medlin dances in her studio, Ms. Bonnie’s School of Dance.

{right} Medlin enjoys hanging out with her husband, Josh, and their children, Darci and Lukas.

submitted photo

is a senior. He’s danced at Ms. Bonnie’s since the studio opened when he was 11. He is now 18 and in his fifth year of dancing, starting with hip-hop and has since branched out to lyrical, tap, clogging and contemporary. And like Medlin, contemporary is his favorite.

builds the close-knit relationships that create positive things in their lives. Her focus is right, as it is on the right things as far as faith, community and providing a place for people to express that.”

“It portrays emotion that is in-depth, that you can’t sometimes show with your voice,” he said. As for learning dance with Medlin, Ethan said it is easy.

“What I do is either church, dance or family,” she said. “It’s a balance. My husband (Josh) owns a business too. I’m here at night time and he works during the day, so we kind of balance each other out with our children Darci and Lukas.”

“She is really good at what she does, and she is patient and kind,” he said. “Ms. Bonnie never takes anything for granted. She does this all for the glory of God. If one person is touched by her dances, she is satisfied.”

Something Medlin loves about Roanoke Rapids is the community and the way it pulls together during hard times, she said. Medlin sees her role as trying to reach the kids through dance.

Ethan’s dad is Jamie Taylor. Jamie is also the Valley Community Church associate pastor, which is where Medlin attends church.

“Right now, the world is kind of crazy, and they need as much positivity in their lives as they can get,” she said.

While dance is Medlin’s work, it is also part of her fun.

“Bonnie has created a family environment, where the kids can express their love for Christ,” Jamie Taylor said. “She does that, number one, through dance. And she also What W e Do

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Autumn Wenger Roger Bell | The Daily Herald

Designing a life in the Valley: Autumn Wenger By Roger Bell

nswering an ad on Craigslist completely changed Autumn Wenger’s life.

Wenger, 33, grew up in Dunkirk, Indiana, a town she describes as being centered around glass factories. Her parents were a funeral director and, as she puts it, a “creative” mother. “Mom always came up with solutions for day-to-day living,” Wenger said. “My mom is my hero; she’s taught me so much about life and faith and family.” It was during this upbringing she met Ryan, the man who would become her husband, and when she went off to college to study art, she was able to hold on to that relationship. However, it was the education that led her to the Roanoke Valley, though at the time she didn’t realize that was where she was headed. Her art studies were only taking the place of interior design, which she wanted to study. The school she attended, Hanover College, didn’t offer an interior design major, so Wenger, who was influenced by a favorite TV show, “Trading Spaces,” took art classes while also educating herself on interior design. During her internships, while attending school, Wenger also learned she was interested in finding out how things worked. It wasn’t just the design, or the art of design, that intrigued her, it was taking something from the design phase to completion. “I love art,” Wenger said. “But I love functionality as well. That’s why I love interior design.”

As a senior project, Wenger designed and built a set of chairs, three of which were purchased by her professor. The other still sits on her home today. Wenger said she was surprised when the professor made the purchase but is happy she was able to keep one of the chairs for herself. Family trips to North Carolina when she was growing up intrigued Wenger, and she and Ryan began talking about leaving Indiana after they graduated from college. It was during this time Wenger responded to an advertisement on Craigslist for an opening at Mary Sherwood Lake Living as an assistant in interior design, a job she was very excited to take.

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“I remember Mary asking me, ‘do you know where we are?’ But I love smalltown life,” Wenger said. “I don’t like crazy traffic jams but what I really like about this whole area is if you need the convenience of a big city, it’s only an hour and a half to Richmond, or to Durham, or Raleigh. Here, you have great neighbors, we have a great church family (First Christian Church in Roanoke Rapids), and we just like it here.” Ryan and Autumn have, since moving to the Valley, added a son, Ethan, to their family. They also have continued a tradition that’s a bit unusual in their backyard in Roanoke Rapids. “Every Easter, my husband and I have a tradition of having a paint war,” Wenger said. “It was inspired by that movie, ‘10 Things I Hate About You.’ I take kids’ craft paint and put it in buckets and then we just pelt each other with paint out in the yard.”

profile 2018 | the daily herald | page 32

12565 Hwy 158 Littleton NC 27850 252-629-2353

{left} Wenger goes over some material in her studio room in Roanoke Rapids.

{right} Artist and designer Autumn Wenger sits on one of the chairs she designed for her college project, which has remained with her ever since.

Roger Bell | The Daily Herald In addition to the leap from Indiana to North Carolina in 2007, Wenger, after Ethan’s birth in 2014, took the plunge into business ownership, opening ACW Ply Designs in 2015. The business specializes in interior design services in homes, and Wenger said she helps people find solutions to the things that make people uncomfortable in their homes. Wenger also offers portraits of children and pets, and she can do those paintings from photos or even a mixture of photos. This service accentuates her design service nicely, she said, and blends her love of art with the functionality of her design work. “Sometimes a client looks for artwork to comple-

ment the design of their home,” Wenger said. “So I’m able to provide the whole package that way.” Wenger said she and Ryan are thrilled living in the Valley, and she’s hopeful to continue to grow her business and put away money for Ethan’s education. “Lord knows what college will cost by the time he’s old enough to go,” Wenger said. Wenger can be reached at 252-776-9864 or 765-748-5463. She can be reached by email at acwplydesigns@gmail.com. For more information visit her website at www.acwplydesigns.com. Roger Bell | The Daily Herald

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