ECC Celebrates New Students on Signing Day

Edgecombe Community College President Dr. Deborah Lamm watches as Zachary Wainwright, a senior at SouthWest Edgecombe High School, signs a certificate of commitment to attend ECC this fall. Standing are Wainwright’s grandparents, Barbara and Glenn Warren.

More than 50 Edgecombe high school seniors declared their intention to attend Edgecombe Community College this fall at ECC Signing Day held in Edgecombe high schools yesterday.

Signing Day is a national initiative to celebrate students for making a commitment to higher education.

Students, parents, and college and high school officials attended ECC Signing Day events at North Edgecombe, SouthWest Edgecombe, and Tarboro high schools.

Five seniors from North Edgecombe, 24 seniors from SouthWest Edgecombe, and 25 seniors from Tarboro High School officially joined the student body of Edgecombe Community College.

“We want this to be the beginning of one of the best parts of your life,” said Ray Williamson, ECC career coach at Tarboro High School.

Tarboro High senior Alex King, who has taken criminal justice, music and art appreciation at ECC through the dual enrollment program, plans to study College Transfer. “Through College Transfer, I’ll find out what I like and see what fits me best,” he said. Once he completes the program at ECC, Kings hopes to transfer to N.C. State University.

His mother, Catherine Lancaster, is thrilled he has chosen to attend the community college. “He’ll stay at home and save money,” she said.

Tanaeijah Taylor, also a Tarboro High senior, plans a career in nursing. “ECC has a great nursing program,” she said. Taylor has completed Certified Nurse Assistant I training and is currently enrolled in CNA II.

Created as part of Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, Signing Day is way for educators, counselors, and parents to encourage students heading to college.

College graduates have more opportunities than those who choose not to pursue their education past high school. According to Georgetown’s Center on Education and Workforce, college graduates are set to earn 84 percent more over their lifetimes than high school graduates.