Greek organizations walk against birth defects
SPECIAL TO THE
CHRONICLE
Members of Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta
Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and
the Sigma Beta Club (the
youth auxiliary group of
Phi Beta Sigma) took part
in the March for Babies
Walk, sponsored by the
Greater Triad Division of
the March of Dimes, on
Saturday, April 12 at
Corpening Plaza.
More than 1,500 partic
ipants laced up their walk
ing shoes for the walk,
which raised awareness of
premature births and gener
ated funds to fight against
them.
Participants in the
March for Babies Walk
give hope to nearly half a
million babies born too
soon each year. The funds
raised support programs in
the local community thai
help moms have healthy,
full-term pregnancies. The
March of Dimes has been
hosting walks since 1970
and has raised an incredible
$2.3 billion.
"March of Dimes is one
of Zeta's signature pro
grams and a national pro
gram partner," said Rho
Zeta Chapter President
Deborah Roseboro.
Phi Beta Sigma also
partners with the March of
Dimes to tout a program to
help build strong fathers
and male role models in the
African American commu
nity.
"The help the Zetas and
Sigmas provide is almost
immeasurable," said March
of Dimes Community
Director Jamie
Southerland. "After work
ing with both groups for so
many years, we have com
plete faith that they will
show up and help our event
run smoothly. We know
the Zetas will welcome
everyone with an organized
and efficient registration
process and we know the
Sigmas will always be
there to help set up, serve
food and break down.
Working with the two
groups takes a huge stress
off my shoulders."
Submitted Photos
Members of Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta and the Sigma Beta Club pose at the March of Dimes Walk.
Local Sigma President
Tracy Webb prepares to
walk.
Duke Energy makes substantial investment in Forsyth Tech
SPECIAL TO THE
CHRONICLE
The Duke Energy
Foundation has made a
$248,088 investment in
Forsyth Technical
Community College. Hie
funds will purchase a
mechatronics learning sys
tem that integrates mechan
ical, electrical, electronic
and computerized control
systems.
The sophisticated learn
ing system will expose stu
dents to automated
processes found on a flexi
ble manufacturing line. The
equipment package
includes components that
mirror what companies in
the region use on their pro
duction lines, enabling
Forsyth Tech to train stu
dents and incumbent work
ers alike.
"Mechatronics skills
are in high demand across
the region," said Forsyth
Tech President Dr. Gary
Green. "We listened to
what our industry partners
were telling us they needed
when we developed our
proposal. Thanks to Duke
Energy, we will have a new
way to help our partners
and the entire region be
more competitive."
This grant is part of
Duke Energy's $6.7 million
investment in North
Carolina Community
Colleges' focus on techni
cal education and support
of business and industry.
The Foundation also
recently presented a
$130,559 grant to
Davidson County
Community College to
help expand its Industrial
Systems Technology pro
gram.
"Our partnership with
Forsyth Technical
Community College devel
ops a highly skilled work
force that will attract and
retain businesses in the
region for years to come,"
said Paul Newton, Duke
Energy's N.C. president.
Forsyth Tech Photo
Duke Energy's Jimmy Flythe presents the check to Forsyth Tech President Dr.
Gary Green.
Careers
from page Bl
part-time job and a Section
8 voucher that will soon
allow them to move into a
place of their own again.
Antonio said he's thankful
for all the help the
Salvation Army has given
them.
"As long as they see
you're working hard and
you need some help,
they're willing to help you,"
he said.
Antonio plans to attend
Woodland's Bible College;
he is undecided on a career,
but says. "Whatever God
wants. I'll do."
Nautica, a senior at
Atkins Academic and
Technology High School,
says she will use her money
to pay for the uniform and
tests for the CNA (certified
nursing assistant) course
she is taking at Atkins. Her
ultimate career goal is to
work as a military
OB/GYN nurse. She even
tually wants to enter poli
tics. Nautica said the pro
gram helped her plan her
future.
"I'm very thankful. I'm
glad all these people par
took in my life to help me
out," said Nautica, who
plans to major in nursing
and take part in ROTC at
Winston-Salem State
University.
College is still a ways
down the road for Khalid.
an 8th grader at East
Forsyth Middle School, but
he said his money will go
into his college fund. The
aspiring architect said he
used the scholarship award
contest as practice for the
future interviews that will
come. He credits the expe
rience with improving his
speaking skills.
"It's kind of like prac
tice, so if I ever apply for a
school or a job, at least I
know I've done it before, so
I won't be nervous," he
said.
All program partici
pants received certificates
of completion and heard
words of inspiration from
Forsyth County Magistrate
Rushanna McNair-Wright,
who delivered the keynote.
This year, program par
ticipants' outings included
visits to HanesBrands and
the Public Safety Center,
where Police Chief Barry
Rountree addressed the
youngsters. Poe said the
community has embraced
the program and its mis
sions.
"It's just helping stu
dents to think about who
they are. their calling, each
person has such different
gifts, and to get them out in
the community," she said.
"It's an opportunity to real
ly use our community as a
learning lab."
Tina Carson-Wilkins,
who's also been with the
program since its inception,
said while the program's
activities and speakers
change from year to year,
its goals do not.
"We're dedicated to try
ing to make sure our kids
are exposed to wonderful
new opportunities to learn
who they can be and what
they can be and that they
don't have to follow the
crowd, they're free to be
themselves," said Carson
Wilkins, the marketing
director for the Winston
Salem Transit Authority.
Forsyth County
Magistrate Rushanna
McNair-Wright speaks.
Photos by Todd Luck
Ryan Horton Sr.
with his son
Ryan Jr. and
niece Nya
Chandler, who
were both in the
Career Skills
Program.
EmSON
supports
Valene Franco
for District Court
"Justice through Service
to the Community"
If you want to vote for
Integrity, Competence, and
Experience, Vote for Valene.
Early Voting starts
Thursday, April 24th and
runs through May 2nd
The Primary Election
is May 6th.
ENDORSED BY
ir Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People
ir North Carolina Advocates for Justice
? Durham People's Alliance
# North Carolina State AFL-CIO
ir North Carolina Association of Educators
ir Dan Blue, Loretta Biggs, Henry Frye, Cressie Thigpen
& Patricia Timmons-Goodson
Justice Robin Hudson is the only Democratic
judge running in a state-wide primary.
Paid for by the North Carolina Democratic Party (www.ncdp.ori)
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
Contributions are not tax-deductible for fodaral or state income purposes.