North Carolina Education Ball Raises Support And Awareness For Communities In Schools of North Carolina

(Raleigh, NC) June 22, 2007 – Business, education and community leaders from across North Carolina attended the fifth annual NC Education Ball in Raleigh on Saturday, June 16. The event, which supports the work of Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC), was held at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts. Along with top business leaders, US Senator Richard Burr and US Representative Bob Etheridge were in attendance to support the work of the organization across the state.

In addition to the original concert featuring Broadway veterans and student talent, the evening honored the winners of this year’s H. Glenn Williams Power of One Awards. The award was created to celebrate the impact one person, one company, or one organization can have on education and the community.

This year’s winners included: Duplin County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. of Warsaw, Pastor Donald Gray of Kannapolis, Glen Love of Hayesville, and Michael Olander of Raleigh.

The Duplin County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority created the High Expectation Program/Leaders of Tomorrow (HEP/LOT) program at Douglass-Warsaw Middle School. Since the fall of 2000, this program has helped over 200 students successfully reach high school and move on to college. In addition to the HEP/LOT program, the sorority has given over $10,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

Pastor Donald Gray has been making a difference in the lives of children in Kannapolis for many years. His dedication to the youth at A.L. Brown High School led him to create the Youth Advisory Council which trains JROTC students to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to at-risk youth at the Kannapolis Intermediate School. With Pastor Gray’s help, A.L. Brown High School received a grant to implement a Freshman Academy next fall. Pastor Gray has recruited adult mentors from local churches to help those students who need it most.

Glen Love retired in 1993 and moved to Clay County where he has been involved with countless organizations which make Clay County a better place to live. Glen has donated property for 4-H mini gardens, mentored and employed teenage boys, and provided hours of hands-on labor to help develop an Outdoor Education Center for Clay County Schools. In addition, he has volunteered with CIS of Clay County and provided training, consultation and technical assistance to both school and community volunteers.

Michael Olander has been dedicated to the success and development of youth by supporting education through board participation and financial contributions for the better part of his adult life. His commitment to CIS of Wake County for over 11 years has lead the organization to create a strategic vision and created sustainability for the organization. Michael’s steadfast dedication over many years to the development of youth throughout Wake County has helped many young people reach greater success than they ever thought possible.

In addition, Linda Harrill, president of CISNC, presented this year’s Graeme Keith Student Leadership Award to CIS of Caldwell County student, Chris Bumgarner. A recent graduate of South Caldwell High School in Hudson, Chris was nominated by the CIS of Caldwell County staff for the leadership he demonstrates to other students in his community. He has been involved in the Caldwell County CIS program for seven years and serves as the first student representative on the CIS of Caldwell County board.

Orage Quarles, president and publisher of The News & Observer Publishing Company, and his wife, Terry Linda, along with Graham Denton, Bank of America Market President Executive and President of Bank of America North Carolina, and his wife, Anne, served as this year’s co-chairs of the Education Ball.

About Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools has earned its place as the nation’s leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life. There are 38 local operational affiliates in North Carolina serving just under 400 schools and other sites. During the past school year, CIS served over 120,000 youth and family members and it maintains a presence in the five largest school districts in North Carolina. For more information on Communities In Schools of North Carolina, visit www.cisnc.org.