HCC honors three during Progressive Community Awards program

Details: Lance Martin; News; 10 April 2023; 2142

Halifax Community College honored three people at its Progressive Community Awards ceremony held Thursday.

Carolyn Battle was honored with the Community Bridge Builder Award, Kaziah Vick — pictured in the lead photo with HCC President Patrena Elliott — was the winner of the Youth Impact Award and Florine Bell was the Faith-in-Action Award winner.

The college also introduced the nominees in the three categories before announcing the winners.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.rrspin.com/news/7230-hcc-honors-three-during-progressive-community-awards-program.html#sigProId378f245c58

Community Bridge Builder Award

The nominees included:

Members of the Sarah Keys Evans Public Arts Planning Committee — Dr. Charles McCollum, Dr. Ervin Griffin Sr., Dr. Georgette B. Kimball, and Ophelia Gould-Faison

A. Faye Young, a retired educator who continues to serve the community in several capacities, including reaching out to students and serving as a guardian ad litem

Lille Pernell, who works with several organizations in the community to provide opportunities to school-age children

Wanda and Joseph Flythe who serve the community in various capacities, including their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kimball and Shana Brown of the Roanoke Valley HBCU Collaborative Association which allows students to meet members of the association and alumni from their perspective colleges

Battle, who serves as the executive director of the Lincoln Heights Community Center

Youth Impact Award

Vick is a ninth-grader at Roanoke Rapids High School who has been active in the Halifax County 4-H program since the fifth grade by helping to promote and establish activities

Landyn Clippard is a Roanoke Rapids Early College Student who teaches several students each week at the Music School of Roanoke Rapids to develop their music skills, stage presence and creativity

Faith-in-Action Award

Rev. Warren Heitzenrater of Jackson Baptist Church whose food bank has been used to serve thousands of people

Bell, who is pastor of the Lincoln Heights Apololistic Church and has implemented many initiatives for youth programs and adults

“You presented yourself to serve the public so your life is an open book which means you’ve been criticized, you’ve been scrutinized more than most,” said Halifax County Superior Court Judge Brenda Branch, who served as the keynote speaker. “You’ve stood firm in your convictions and dedication and you’ve kept the faith and kept your organization moving and growing.”

Branch told the award-winners and nominees, “This evening you get the appreciation you deserve, you get the accolades you’ve worked for. We see your hard work, we know your sacrifices, we know your care for others. It’s evidenced by the work you’ve done.”

In congratulating the nominees and award-winners, Elliott, said, “As we talked about the leadership, the service and the impact that the honorees are making on our community I had no idea who the recipients would be and I did not want to know. All I wanted to do was come and join you in celebrating everyone who’s being recognized this evening for they’re so deserving of it.”

TAGS: halifaxcountynews, weldonnews, halifaxcommunitycollege, progressivecommunitiesawards

We Are Improving!