Students Write About RCC and Win

The phrase being used today by all North Carolina community colleges to describe them is: Creating Success.

Without knowing that fact, all three winners of the Rockingham Community College Foundation's 2010 essay contest on "What Being a Student at RCC Means to Me," described how the college is helping them create success by fulfilling their dreams.

"This institution desires… to see individuals reach their full potential."
- Kathryn Church of Stoneville, first place winner.

"The opportunity to be successful is something I used to dream about. There are few things in my life that will ever compare to the pride, the satisfaction, and the ability I have developed due to successfully attending RCC."
- Darnell Wilson of Eden, second place winner.

"It had always been a dream and a personal goal to graduate from college. Since my initial meeting with an admissions counselor until now, the faculty and staff at RCC have been very supportive and helpful in helping me reach my goals."
- Dawnya Florence of Eden, third place winner.

Church, Wilson and Florence are alike in only one regard: each came to RCC to earn a degree, which they will do in May. Their differences, however, highlight the impressive uniqueness and success of North Carolina's community college system.

Church, a Dean's List student studying psychology and Spanish, first came to RCC in 2007 as a dual-enrolled high school student. While taking senior high school level courses at home and at Stone-Eden Christian School, Church also took courses at RCC. Wilson, on the other hand, worked all of her life and dreamed of earning a college degree. When that dream is realized in May, she will be 50. Between the two is Florence, a university drop out who thought attending college was a right, not a privilege. Now a mother of two, she is eager to receive a diploma in business administration and then transfer to a university to earn a bachelor's degree in that field.

Church sums up their likenesses and differences like this: "Regardless of social status, age, income, race, culture, or point of interest - EVERYONE has a place at Rockingham Community College."

Each essay winner will receive a certificate. In addition, the first place winner receives $300; second place, $200; and third place, $100. They will be recognized for their accomplishment at the Student Awards Day ceremony on April 19 at 4 p.m. in the Advanced Technologies building auditorium.