Meritorious Service Award goes to Singleton

Rachel Singleton of Reidsville, is the recipient of Rockingham Community College's Meritorious Service Award. A part-time employee at Mom's Kitchen in Wentworth and a single mother of two, Singleton will graduate in May with an associate degree in criminal justice. She plans to continue as an RCC student, however, until she earns a degree in the new financial crimes and internet fraud program.

"I've wanted to be in law enforcement since high school," she said. "I plan to go through the Basic Law Enforcement Training program and then I hope to work in the sheriff's department."

As a 2009-10 student, Singleton served as vice president of the criminal justice club and president of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society. Between the two, she was involved in two angel tree programs at Christmas, a bike rally for Crime Stoppers of Rockingham County, Safe Trick-or-Treat, a Christmas goodie patrol for law enforcement officers, EMTs and other who worked on Christmas Eve, and Easter baskets for Help Inc. She also helped raise money for the Reidsville Soup Kitchen, books for Draper Elementary School, and the Rockingham County Relay for Life.

As a mom, she attended her son's baseball and football games, her daughter's cheerleading sessions and helped with school and athletic fundraisers.

"I believe in giving back," said Singleton. "You learn priorities as you live and then giving back becomes important. I also want to set a good example for my kids."

Of the award, Singleton said she is honored and shocked to receive it.

"I feel that the people I've worked with deserve it as much as I do. Everything is a group effort."