This is Reality

After teaching for 23 years, Mayland Community College math instructor Larry Shook says he is more excited about teaching today than he was when he began.

“Helping our students reach their goals is the most rewarding experience,” said Shook. “I love watching the students walk across the stage at graduation, knowing what they sacrificed to earn their degree. It makes me want to work that much harder in helping them succeed.”

Shook was presented with the 2011 Teaching Excellence Award at Mayland Community College. He has taught all levels of math courses at Mayland for the last ten years. This award is nominated and presented by the employees of Mayland.

“It is very humbling to be recognized with such an honor from my peers,” said Shook. “It makes me want to work harder.”

Shook said that he has always loved math because it was fun and was something that he had to work at. When earning his degree, he took a job as a tutor and found another passion- teaching.

“Helping other students learn seemed to be a great way to spend my life,” said Shook. “I think the students in my classes know that I love teaching and seeing them succeed. It helps create a bond in the classroom.”

Shook says that the ‘let’s help others succeed’ attitude is reflected across the campuses of Mayland from all the employees.

“We really have a dedicated group working at Mayland,” said Shook.

According to Shook, he is impressed with the level of professionalism in disciplines shown by the instructors who teach at Mayland. Many work outside of the classroom in their discipline and bring that knowledge to their classes.

“Students get the advantage of learning from people who are active in their teaching fields, and the student centered atmosphere at Mayland helps foster a great place for students to continue their education,” said Shook. “Everywhere you look on campus there is a level of expertise that students are exposed too.”

Shook is originally from Watauga County and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degree in Math Education.

Meet Hannah Elizabeth Johnson, a MCC graduate who stopped by while on break from classes at Appalachian State University this winter. Why was she back on Mayland’s campus– because it feels like coming home she said.

Mayland allowed Hannah to get her feet wet and prepare her to be an even better student at a four year university. Transferring her courses went smoothly and now she is taking classes in her major working toward a degree in Accounting.

“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. ”
~ Kahlil Gibran

Thank you Hannah for being a shining example for others. You help Mayland define its values of Opportunity, Excellence and Community.

Story written by Joyce Boone, Mayland Community College Recruiter

Mary’s sun-tanned toes wiggled back and forth as they teased the toasted Nags Head sand atop Jockey’s Ridge; her perfect gleaming white smile broadened as she ever so slightly tilted her head upward facing the call of the brown pelican gliding over the Roanoke Sound Estuary.

With sand temperatures reaching 30 degrees hotter than the outdoor air, 5,000 year old Jockey’s Ridge (one of the most magnificent landmarks on North Carolina Outer Banks), is the tallest and widest natural sand dune on the U.S. East Coast, spanning 420 acres and reaching 100 feet at its highest point. Depending on weather patterns, the Jockey’s Ridge shape and structure change constantly with fulgurites created by frequent lightning storms adorning her sands which welcome over one million visitors annually into the Jockey’s Ridge State Park. From the ridge’s crest, folks can see ten miles in all directions as they view the glistening dark blue Atlantic waters, the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and the sun-filled skies which serve as backdrop for bouncing hang gliders, brightly colored kites, blue herons and sandpipers.

It is in this nostalgic setting that Mary, the heroine of this “to be continued” story, recently enjoyed a week with friends, experiencing the alluring east coast wonders of her home state. Mary was thrilled to boast “a real fine catch” when she participated in a coastal fishing tournament; she spoke with excitement regarding her climb up Jockey’s Ridge, her visit to the Wright Brother’s memorial, walks along the seashore, enjoyment of nature’s fragrances and sounds of sand and surf, the embrace of balmy winds and the cry of seagulls as they skimmed the ocean searching for a meal of small bait fish.

Mary said she “loved every second” of her trip to North Carolina Outer Banks emphasizing the cool sensation of the wet sand beneath her feet during a night stroll on the beach and including the mouth-watering satisfaction of the delicious fresh coastal cuisine.

Returning from the beach trip to her Western North Carolina home recently, Mary passionately resumed her busy routine as an adult student in the Learning Lab at Mayland Community College, as a gifted and loyal vocalist in her church choir and as an eager and serious student learning to play the guitar. Mary said she loves all music, but especially country music and “the new modern music”; she spends hours preparing favorite meals, doing laundry and errands, cleaning house, keeping appointments and being a trusted best friend and caregiver to Cajun, her beautiful black Lab who never leaves Mary’s presence.

Speaking with perfect grammar and pronunciation, Mary can pierce the very heart of her listeners with her sweet knowing gaze and words of wisdom. With auburn hair and lovely eyes the color of ripe Fall chestnuts she sports spontaneous uninhibited laughter and holds her audience spellbound by her sheer love for life and the passionate assurance she has regarding her life’s mission. Mary loves, studies, converses, serves and lives with an unrestrained certainty and clarity as she focuses on her purpose. Sitting in her presence forces reconsideration of one’s own wise use of abilities, talents, opportunities, and specific goals for the future.

Mary attended High School in Raleigh where she successfully completed all required class hours for high school and where she thoroughly enjoyed working as a teacher’s assistant serving blind children with special, sometimes severe, handicaps. Mary is presently studying with the Mayland Community College Adult Education Department to complete her high school equivalency through the GED Diploma program so that she will be eligible to take the college entrance exam and begin work on an advanced degree which will allow her to embark on her life’s mission: teaching/serving/encouraging/counseling those, especially children, with special needs.

It seems this impressive, lovely 22 year old has harnessed enormous energy from the lifetime of ongoing battles and victories she has experienced and she channels this powerful source of strength into a passionate determination with which she grasps and senses the beauty in every moment of life and in the goals she has set for her future..for you see, Mary was born with retinitis pigmentosa ,a genetic eye disease which gradually worsens until sight is totally gone, which is what happened to Mary in the Spring of this year, April 2011.

Mary’s story, from birth to present, is captivating and we sincerely appreciate her willingness to share it with us as a means of encouragement to face and overcome life’s challenges; hopefully Mary’s story will help guide us to be even more vigilant in the quest to reach our own full potential. Please watch for future segments of “Meeting Mary” as we share this remarkable young woman’s journey toward her compelling life’s vision.

Stay tuned for a new segment of the “MEETING MARY” series which will be printed at intervals ending with a final “chapter with photos” spotlighting her GED graduation.

Mayland Community College recently held a welcome to Phi Theta Kappa tea for new members. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunities for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

PTK’s mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and; provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.

Congratulations to those Mayland students who are now members of this honor society!

The Customized Training Program (CTP) provides training and services for new, expanding and existing business and industry in North Carolina.

The state pioneered Customized Training fifty years ago and is consistently recognized as having one of the most effective training programs in the nation. The decision of a business or industry to locate, expand, or remain in NC is influenced by the presence of a well-trained workforce. The CTP was developed in response to this need.

An example of this successful partnership was an Industrial Electrical Maintenance class held this fall. Sixteen electricians and maintenance staff from Altec Industries, PRC Industries, BRP Inc., Hickory Springs Manufacturing, and New Buck Corporation participated in the training. Unlike standard residential electrical courses, this class provided instruction on industrial electronics and electrical systems. As a result, students were given the skills to better perform their jobs and make the factory operate more efficiently.

The CTP is designed to react quickly to the needs of businesses and respect the confidential nature of information within those businesses. Through the CTP, Mayland Community College provides services including job profiling, assessment, and pre-employment training. Post-hire, technical and “soft” skills training are also offered at no cost to the company. CTP does what is needed to assist companies in locating or expanding operations in the Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey County areas, and prepares the workforce with skills essential for successful employment in industry.

For more information on what Mayland’s Customized Training Program offers, contact Ted Ollis at 1-800-4-MAYLAND, x 267.

Pictured are students in MCC’s Industrial Electrical Maintenance class held this fall. Sixteen electricians and maintenance staff from Altec Industries, PRC Industries, BRP Inc., Hickory Springs Manufacturing, and New Buck Corporation participated in the training. Pictured from left to right on the front row are Darren Duncan, Mark Huskins, and Andrew Dugger. On the back row are Ben Ray, Andy Miller, and Mike Andrea.

SECU 15 year veteran and local Teller Service Manager,Selena D Boone of Marion, recently completed the MCC Adult Education Planning Initiative Survey as requested by Adult Education staff member, Joyce Boone.

To help determine which educational services are working well in their classes and which ones need to be expanded or improved, Mayland’s Adult Education program is in the process of collecting confidential survey responses throughout the three county service area from businesses, industries,public schools, faith-based organizations, workforce development, health-related services, community based groups and individuals.

SECU has been in partnership with Mayland Community College Compensatory Education services for many years as active supporters of that program’s annual Talent Show/Dance/Awards Day/Pizza Harvest Festival which is enjoyed the last Friday in October and proclaimed as the outstanding favorite joint activity of Mayland’s tri-county Compensatory Education students,teachers,parents and friends. This fun event is held in the Sam Center Auditorium on Mayland’s Main Campus in Spruce Pine, with SECU’s FAT CAT & Harvest Princess Selena Boone always making a special appearance much to the joy and excitement of the students and other guests.

Lots of hugs and laughter shared between FAT CAT and Princess Selena and all the students help create magical memories for everyone. Selena says the SECU is proud to be part of such a wonderful,fun, and worthwhile event at MCC. She said that last year the Comp Ed students painted great pictures of her & FAT CAT and presented them along with a beautiful framed certificate of appreciation to the local SECU office, where they hang on the wall today.

Mayland Community College Adult Education and Compensatory Education deeply value partners such as Selena, FAT CAT, and the SECU.

Selena, husband Brian, and daughter Whitney are all strong advocates for adult education and other worthwhile endeavors which support our communities and improve the lives of our fellowman.

If you too would like to help us strengthen Adult Education services and/or complete our survey,which is a component of the evaluation and planning process to improve and broaden our literacy services in the tri-county area,please phone Mayland Community College Adult Education Dept at 828-765-7351,ext 410, Dr. Martha Beasley. Your participation will be greatly appreciated.

Mayland Community College held DREAM (Dreams Realized Every Day AT Mayland) Day on November 6 at the college’s Main Campus. This event celebrated 40 years of service for the college as well as recognized outstanding alumni and community members.

Speakers for the event included Elaine Boone of Yancey County who was one of Mayland’s first typing instructors when classes were held upstairs in the Fortner Insurance Building in downtown Spruce Pine. Recalling her time with the college, Elaine says, “Mayland was always so good to me.” Boone and her husband David participated in Mayland Foundation’s Dream Home Tour this October and shared the history of their community and home with tour guests.

A second speaker, Austin Elkins of Yancey County, is a 2011 graduate of Mountain Heritage High School. He is currently enrolled in Mayland’s Horticulture Program. He plans to earn his AA degree at Mayland and then transfer into NC A&T’s online horticulture program or might study theology.

“It’s for God to decide,” he said.

Elkins has received three scholarships: the Don Polk Scholarship, the Yancey-Mitchell Board of Realtors Scholarship, and Mayland’s Earl and Esther Wright Memorial Scholarship. He is the son of Russell and June Elkins.

Robert Bailey and Buck Stove were presented the 2011 President’s Award.

Bailey has worked quietly and tirelessly to strengthen, support and encourage the growth, development and livelihood of his community. 40 years ago, just as Mayland had its beginnings, Bailey created a nationally respected industrial enterprise that is still growing, thriving and hiring. As one of Mitchell County’s native sons, Bailey exemplifies mountain independence and resourcefulness. Bailey and his company, New Buck Corporation, continue to invent new, beautiful, useful (and green) products, all made only in America. Bailey’s commitment to family, community, hard work and giving back made him a clear choice for this award.

Martha Guy was presented with the first Founders’ Award during DREAM Day. She is one of the original Mayland Trustees, and her visionary leadership in the beginning years of the college set the stage for Mayland’s future role in serving Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties. Over the past 40 years, Guy has committed considerable time, talent, and financial resources in fulfillment of that initial vision. Her passion for the college continues in her service as an active board member of the Mayland Community College Foundation.

Mayland’s Board of Trustees also presented their annual distinguished alumni and citizen awards.

The Yancey County 2011 Distinguished Alumni is 2008 graduate, Cathryn Hughes. While at Mayland, Hughes served as a Student Ambassador, and was selected Outstanding Graduate of the Associate in Arts program.

She received a degree from Mars-Hill College in December, 2010, and is now earning her Master’s degree in library science at Appalachian State University. Her success has come full circle as she now teaches in Mayland’s Human Resources Development Program, also teaches social studies at Mountain Heritage High School, and is an assistant with the MAGIC afterschool program at Cane River Middle School. Hughes has two passions: football and education.

Hughes has been filming games at Cane River Middle School for the last eight years; her dad has been coaching football there for the past 28 years.

“I have grown up with football all my life and know of the positive breakthroughs that occur within the youth of our area because of it,” Hughes says. “As an educator, my goal is to help students down the path of success and instill a love of both history and learning.”

Since 2006, Hughes has also worked as a radio announcer at WKYK in Burnsville and WTOE in Spruce Pine.

In Yancey County, the name Larry Howell is synonymous with education. His longstanding dedication to the students of Yancey County has earned him the title of the 2011 Yancey County Distinguished Citizen.

Anyone wanting to know anything about the history of education in Yancey County just needs to ask Howell. For 34 years, Howell worked in the Yancey County School System, spending six years as a high school teacher/counselor and 28 years in administration at Burnsville, Micaville, Cane River and Mountain Heritage.

He attended the 1st class of Principals Executive Program, initiated the Tech Prep Program at MHHS, and mentored many future administrators in Yancey County. Howell’s passion is student success. He is Chairman of Yancey County’s Traditional Voices Group and continues to be involved with the schools and the music and history preservation of Yancey County.

Howell is married to Mary Howell; they have two sons, Jeff and Brent Howell.

Other award recipients from Avery County included alumnus Anthony Pollygus and distinguished citizen Edwina Sluder, and from Mitchell County alumnus Wanda Duncan and distinguished citizen Phillip Byrd.

Service awards were presented to Jim Greene, William Ellis, Kristabell Kennedy, and Dr. John Boyd.

Pictured from left to right are award recipients during MCC’s 2011 DREAM Day celebration from Yancey County including alumni award recipient Cathryn Hughes and distinguished citizen recipient Larry Howell.

Mayland Community College held DREAM (Dreams Realized Every Day AT Mayland) Day on November 6 at the college’s Main Campus. This event celebrated 40 years of service for the college as well as recognized outstanding alumni and community members.

Speakers for the event included Elaine Boone of Yancey County who was one of Mayland’s first typing instructors when classes were held upstairs in the Fortner Insurance Building in downtown Spruce Pine. Recalling her time with the college, Elaine says, “Mayland was always so good to me.” Boone and her husband David participated in Mayland Foundation’s Dream Home Tour this October and shared the history of their community and home with tour guests.

A second speaker, Austin Elkins of Yancey County, is a 2011 graduate of Mountain Heritage High School. He is currently enrolled in Mayland’s Horticulture Program. He plans to earn his AA degree at Mayland and then transfer into NC A&T’s online horticulture program or might study theology.

“It’s for God to decide,” he said.

Elkins has received three scholarships: the Don Polk Scholarship, the Yancey-Mitchell Board of Realtors Scholarship, and Mayland’s Earl and Esther Wright Memorial Scholarship. He is the son of Russell and June Elkins.

Robert Bailey and Buck Stove were presented the 2011 President’s Award.

Bailey has worked quietly and tirelessly to strengthen, support and encourage the growth, development and livelihood of his community. 40 years ago, just as Mayland had its beginnings, Bailey created a nationally respected industrial enterprise that is still growing, thriving and hiring. As one of Mitchell County’s native sons, Bailey exemplifies mountain independence and resourcefulness. Bailey and his company, New Buck Corporation, continue to invent new, beautiful, useful (and green) products, all made only in America. Bailey’s commitment to family, community, hard work and giving back made him a clear choice for this award.

Martha Guy was presented with the first Founders’ Award during DREAM Day. She is one of the original Mayland Trustees, and her visionary leadership in the beginning years of the college set the stage for Mayland’s future role in serving Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties. Over the past 40 years, Guy has committed considerable time, talent, and financial resources in fulfillment of that initial vision. Her passion for the college continues in her service as an active board member of the Mayland Community College Foundation.

Mayland’s Board of Trustees also presented their annual distinguished alumni and citizen awards.

The 2011 Distinguished Alumni from Mitchell County had been out of school for twenty years, married and had three children before she decided to come to school at Mayland.

Now an educator herself, Duncan teaches math at Mitchell High School. She received her AA degree from Mayland in 1997 and her BA from Mars Hill in 1999. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Her family understands the value of a Mayland Community College education: her husband received an electronics degree in 1982; her daughter Carrie earned her ADN in 2001 and is now working toward her doctorate in nursing; her son Kyle received an Associates Degree at Mayland and is now enrolled in the East Carolina School of Dentistry, and daughter Keisha is now attending Mayland and will apply for entrance into the ADN program in the fall of 2012.

For his commitment to community service, Phillip Byrd was presented with Mayland’s Board of Trustees Mitchell County Distinguished Citizen for 2011. Byrd is or has been a presence on numerous civic boards, including the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners, the Mayland Community College Board of Trustees, the High Country Council of Government’s Region D Executive Board, the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission and the Toe River Health District Board of Directors, just to name a few. Byrd is the principal broker at Real Property People Realtors, and also attended Mayland Community College.

Byrd is also a member of the Spruce Pine Vesper Masonic Lodge #554 and is a member of the WNC Green Builders Council. He and wife Lisa have one daughter, Ashley Kirkland, and two grandchildren, Kimber and Tristan Kirkland.

Other award recipients from Avery County included alumnus Anthony Pollygus and distinguished citizen Edwina Sluder, and from Yancey County alumnus Cathryn Hughes and distinguished citizen Larry Howell.

Service awards were presented to Jim Greene, William Ellis, Kristabell Kennedy, and Dr. John Boyd.

Pictured from left to right are award recipients during MCC’s DREAM Day celebration from Mitchell County including MCC Board of Trustee Chair William Arrowood, distinguished citizen recipient Phillip Byrd, President’s Award recipient Robert Bailey, service award recipient William Ellis, and alumni award recipient Wanda Duncan.

Mayland Community College’s new club Circle K International Organization partnered with Appalachian State’s CKI to refurbish the playground located at Spruce Pine’s SafePlace location.

CKI members pulled weeds, raked leaves, and cut limbs, painted some of the existing playground equipment and worked on building new equipment. Four members of Mayland’s CKI participated in the SafePlace project including Jefferson Ellis (Co-Vice President), Corey Robinson (Treasurer), Heather Pendley (Secretary), Syvanna Monroe (Club Advisor), and Cynthia Hampton (Public Information’s Officer).

Circle K International is the premier collegiate community service, leadership development and friendship organization in the world. As part of Kiwanis International, Mayland’s Circle K club is sponsored by Spruce Pine Kiwanis and embraces the Kiwanis vision of “serving the children of the world.”

CKI meets every other Wednesday at noon in the commons area of Mayland’s Main Campus. This new club has gained ten members in two months and hopes to petition for a charter with fifteen members by the spring semester. For more information on Mayland’s Circle K Club, contact Martha Huskins at 828-765-7351, ext. 209 or by email at mhuskins@mayland.edu.