My name is Amy High. I am a Wilson County native.
I was inspired to become a teacher by my experience as a student in Wilson County Schools.
I attended Atlantic Christian College where I received a BS degree in Elementary Education. I was employed by Wilson County Schools as an elementary teacher at Vinson-Bynum Elementary School. I continued teaching for eight years.
I attended East Carolina University where I received a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. I was hired as the School Counselor at Vinson-Bynum Elementary School where I worked with students and their families until I retired in 2010.
I always had a passion for working with families. I was hired by the Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina in 2010. I worked with at risk youth and their families for three years before returning to Wilson County Schools in 2013.
In 2013 I returned to Wilson County Schools as the McKinney-Vento Liaison. I work with students, staff, and families to ensure that we are in compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act and students are receiving appropriate services. I work with our homeless families encouraging parents to be involved in their children’s education and in develop a plan to overcome homelessness.
Speakers
Dr. Jami Woods is the President of Wilson Community College. Previously, she served as VP ofInstruction and Student Services at Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Ahoskie, NC, and VP ofInstruction and Student Services at Surry Community College, Dobson, NC. She holds a BA in English(UNC), an MA in English (Appalachian State University), and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with aspecialization in adult and higher education (University of North Carolina Greensboro).Dr. Woods began teaching as an adjunct in the community college system in 1995, and she beganteaching full-time in 1998. Dr. Woods’s first administrative role was as a developmental chairperson in2000. She went on to serve as Dean of Arts and Sciences in 2003; and in 2007, she was appointed ChiefAcademic Officer. Dr. Woods’s educational experience expanded in 2015 to include oversight forStudent Services. She has served as an accreditation liaison for over ten years, and she also served asthe president of the North Carolina Association of Community College Instructional Administrators forfive years.Since beginning her tenure at Wilson Community College in June 2023, Dr. Woods has invested her timein an extensive number of listening sessions with as many college constituents as possible. Informationfrom these sessions helped shape the new Strategic Plan, Investing Together, which will be launched inSeptember. The plan’s focus includes student access and success; excellence in teaching and learning;workforce development and community partnerships; employee engagement and development; collegeenvironment and resources; and equity.Dr. Woods’s educational interests are developmental education; diversity, equity, and inclusion; andcritical thinking. Her personal interests are reading, walking, and spending time with her friends andfamily, particularly on the NC coast.
MelissaVandemark is the Director of Workforce Development at Wilson Community College.She previously served as the Director of Corporate and Customized training atJohnston Community College and Director of Corporate Training at Nash CommunityCollege. She graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College with a degree inBusiness Administration in 2003. While attending NCWC, Melissa was the chapterpresident of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Melissa graduated in 2022 with her MBAfrom North Carolina Wesleyan University. She is a Rotarian with the ClaytonRotary Club and previously held the position of Co-Membership Chair. Melissa iscurrently in the Wilson Chamber Executive Academy and enjoys serving thecommunity. Melissa and her husband Deanhave a farm in Elm City where they live with 4 of their children
MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a dedicated volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.
OUR VISION
An America in which all seniors live nourished lives with independence and dignity.
OUR MISSION
To empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated.
Joan began her career at Duke University inHealth Care Financial Operations as Assistant to the Director of Finance. Aftersix years, she became Associate Director of Financial Operations at the GeorgeWashington University (GWU) Hospital in Washington, D.C. Her duties includedall the hospital’s business operations and the 550 physician group practiceplan.
After 16years at GWU, Joan worked with several nationally known consulting firms. Afterfive years of extensive travel that took her across the globe and most of theU.S., she took a position as Director of Financial Operations at Doctor’sCommunity Hospital in Maryland.
After fiveyears, Joan left Doctor’s Hospital and created Larsen Enterprises, Inc. withfive employees. Jobs in this role involved performing audits for healthinsurance companies and other healthcare institutions. In addition, shecompleted several organizational assignments in Wilson, N.C. Projects includeddeveloping and monitoring rehab programs for physicians who had lost their licenseto practice, implementing federal HIPPA laws with local physician practices,and setting up practice plans for new physicians entering the Wilson area.
Joan movedfrom Arlington, VA to Wilson County, NC, in 2018. She created and began theoperations of Stork’s Rest Farm, LLC Retreat, Manner House School of Etiquette,International Protocol, and Professional Life Coaching and Counseling Center.
Joan has a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master’sDegree in Business Administration.
She attended George Mason University for a Graduate Coursein Health Policy Administration. She attended Georgetown University and theNational Institute of Health’s mini-medical school series and received amini-medical school certificate.
Along with being a certified, accredited professional lifecoach through the International Life Coach Institute, Joan is also certified to teach dining, social, and afternoon tea etiquette. She is also a certified image coach, retreat leader and director.
Joan completed study and exams, earning her certification inPsychology, and is a Student Member of the Cognitive Behavioral TherapyInstitute. She is accepted in the Doctorate Program in Business Administrationin Executive Coaching at Liberty University. Her focus is leadership and strategic planning’s importance in businessoperations and growth.
Joanhas been active in fundraising for several charitable organizations throughouther life. She served four years as Chairof the Board of the Washington, D.C. Free Health Clinic. She is a member ofseveral professional organizations related to her education and interests.
Joan enjoys playing golf, horseback riding, going to the gym, hiking in themountains of Virginia, travel, learning from and helping others.
Robin is the Wilson Education Partnership (WEP) Executive Directorwhere she works to build connections between the community and Wilson CountyPublic Schools. As the Executive Director she creates opportunities forstudents and teachers to build relationships with community leadersand businesses to learn about careers in our area. She also partners withWilson County Schools to promote and foster an environment that encourages,recognizes and supports teachers.
Robin brings 30+years in fundraising and program development, and marketing andcommunications.
She serves on theCarolina Family Health Centers Board of Directors, NC Ed Partners Committee,WCS Business Advisory Council, Wilson Wellness Collaborative, Area L AHEC Health Careers Regional AdvisoryCommitte and the Wilson Workforce Alliance.
Robin was theformer WilMed Healthcare Foundation Manager, owner of Best Insurance Servicesand President/Owner of RPW Consulting, LLC
She holds a BS inBusiness Administration with minors in Marketing and Communications fromAtlantic Christian College.
She is married toKent Williams. They have two daughters Austin and Sydney, and a rescue dogCooper.
Theresa Mathis has been amember of the City of Wilson’s Human Relations Office for the last 18 years.Prior to coming to Wilson, she served in the field of higher education atNational Business College, Virginia Tech and Radford University. She worked in StudentAffairs, Student Activities and Admissions. Giving her a unique background inevent planning with a purpose. Her main role now is serving as the Advisor ofthe Wilson Youth Council. In addition, she serves as the event planner for theoffice helping implement a dozen programs per year. In her spare time, she isthe Director of the NC Whirligig Festival – the largest event in Wilson. She expands her event work by supporting many other Wilson festivals withadvice and logistical support such as Juneteenth, Wilson Pride and the HispanicSummer Festival. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a proud member of theHokie Nation.
Rev. Linda Hanna Walling has been the Executive Directorof Hope Station since July 2012. She moved to Wilson from Ohio to join herhusband, Rev.
Gary Walling, who became the new Senior Minister of FirstChristian Church in January of that year. He retired from that position in 2022, and Linda hopes to retire soon.
As an ordained minister in the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ), Linda has served in educational, mission, and musicministries in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio. She has served on her denomination’snational governing Board and its Executive Committee; chaired its Division ofHigher Education, and presided as Moderator of Southwest Region, which includedTexas and New Mexico.
Linda was born and raised in Florida, but graduated fromBarton College in
1972 (when it was still called Atlantic Christian College). She remained in Wilson a year followinggraduation to work at First Christian Church, and then went to seminary atBrite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, where she graduated with aMaster of Divinity Degree in 1976.
While she doesn’t have the time to do much of either,Linda enjoys gardening and scrapbooking. She hopes to try her hand at stained glass when she retires.
Linda and her husband have two grown children, both ofwhom are married.
Kristen lives in Washington, DC and works ininternational women’s rights, and their son, Ryan, lives in Denver, Co, andworks in the electric car industry.
Tyson has served the city for more than 32 years. He began his career in 1989 as evidence and identification specialist with the Wilson Police Department. He served in many different roles in the police department, and was named Officer of the Year in 1993. After reaching the rank of lieutenant, he moved to the city manager’s office in 2000 and was named assistant city manager in 2003. Tyson returned to the police department as chief from 2004 until 2010, when he was named deputy city manager, a role he will hold until retirement. Tyson’s responsibilities included the Wilson Police Department, Wilson Fire/Rescue Service, water resources, public works, human resources, engineering and parks and recreation.
Our Mission
To Share Positive Outcomes Together with kids and their families in Wilson through academic enrichment, social immersion, and health programs.
Our Vision
To prepare the students in Wilson County for the 21st century landscape through comprehensive out of school time programs with an emphasis on academics, health, and emotional well-being.
The SPOT program offers a structured and safe environment for at-risk youth to thrive after
school and during the summer. Our team of experienced staff provides academic support, life
skills training, sports, and fun activities to keep our participants and their families engaged and
motivated throughout the year. There are 165-200 kids daily that attend year-round.
1. Our Truist building is a 30,000 sq ft building with 3 floors and accommodates staff
offices and classrooms.
2. The Marvin Coghill Auditorium is an attached 10,000 sq ft wing that can host programs,
trainings, and lectures for over 150 people. It can be used for many indoor sports. This
space also includes a fitness center with over 15 exercise and cardio machines for the
kids and their families.
3. The Dale Bone gymnasium hosts basketball, volleyball, kickball and all the indoor
activities.
4. The “Genia Bone Esports Room includes video games, virtual consoles and a computer-
based gaming arena.
5. The outdoor covered multipurpose court accommodates most all sports including
basketball, In-line hockey, pickleball, volleyball, as well as an outdoor eating and social
space.
6. Our commercial grade kitchen serves food daily to all the kids and during COVID
provided over 250,000 meals to families in need in Wilson County.
7. Our transportation department consists of 3 school buses and 2 shuttle buses that
transport the children daily from Wilson County Schools and home to their residences.
The SPOT After-School Programs:
1. The SPOT After-school programs provide a safe environment with academic support and
resources to help students with their homework and core subjects. Technology is
integrated within all SPOT programs. This program provides a free nutritious supper for
all participants and weekend meals are provided for our most food insecure families. No
kid should ever be hungry in Wilson County. This is our goal each year.
The SPOT Summer Camp Programs:
1. Outdoor activities: The SPOT Summer camp offers a variety of activities, such as biking,
kayaking, swimming, hiking and sports.
2. The SPOT summer camp is an activity-based learning environment designed to prevent
learning loss through fun academic engagement and field trips. The students receive free
school breakfast and lunch.
Wilson Area Habitat for Humanity wasincorporated in December 1989 after a handful of Wilson residents came togetherto establish a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. HFHI wasestablished in 1976 and now has more than 1100 US affiliates and more than 100serving in other countries. Wilson Area Habitat pays an annual tithe to HFHIand has to meet specific guidelines to stay “in good standing” with HFHI. Ourmission statement reads, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat forHumanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”
Wilson Area Habitat completed its firsthouse in 1991 and its 18th in 2020. Wilson County, the territory for WAHFH, hasa large number of abandoned and substandard homes and a high percentage ofrenters vs. homeowners. WAHFH has constructed homes using volunteer labor, andthrough many of its early years, without any paid administrative staff. We nowhave a full-time executive director, ReStore manager, and assistant manager, aswell as five part-time store employees. However, the community’s faithfulvolunteers provide the leadership and backbone needed to keep WAHFH “buildinghomes, communities and hope.”
To further that mission, Wilson AreaHabitat opened its Habitat ReStore in 2004. In 2020, we doubled our squarefootage at 626 Ward Blvd. with lease of the adjoining space. The ReStoreaccepts donations of new or gently used building materials, tools, hardware,furniture and household items. Proceeds from the store go toward building andrepairing homes.
In 2021, the Board approved the creation ofa “Repairs Ministry” in partnership with Wilson Community College’s Buildingand Construction Technology program. The goal of this ministry is to completeneeded repairs to eligible homeowners who cannot finance the repairsthemselves. WCC students, under the supervision of a licensed generalcontractor, will provide the labor for the repairs, and WAHFH will providematerials, volunteers where needed, and professional labor if necessary.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976,Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build,renovate, and repair more than 600,000 affordable houses, sheltering more than35 million people worldwide.http://wilsonhabitat.org/?pub=wilsontimes