IMPACT NOW presentations open to public

ASHEBORO — IMPACT NOW is a developmental program for high school students led by RhinoLeap Productions and hosted by the George Washington Carver Center. 

It involves two weeks of focus on various skills, from developing presentations and public speaking to negotiations, leadership and social media knowledge. At the end, each of 16 participants will give a presentation that is open to the public. This year’s presentations will be made on Friday, July 17, beginning at 2 p.m. at the GWCC, 950 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Asheboro. These are free to attend. 

This year’s participants, selected via open application or nomination, are:

■ Asheboro High School — Elias Scott, Muaiz Khan, Manuel Rojas Roca, Brandon Luquet,     Gretchen Phipps, William Arroyo Carbajal, Malaya Alston, Maleah Cagle, Elijah Baker. 

■ Eastern Randolph HS — Sydney Price,      Makenzie Craven, Stella Leonard.

■ Asheboro Hybrid Academy — Ashlei Kate Godaire.

■ Trinity HS — Laith Vickers.

■ Randolph Early College HS — Hailey Fantana, Julynne Busick.

The panel hearing the presentations includes:

■ Marquez Cassidy — On Campus Mentor for Asheboro High School through Communities in Schools of Randolph County.

■ Donald Duncan — Asheboro City Manager.

■ Chip Foust — President of the NAACP of Randolph County.

■ Kevin Franklin — Executive Director, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation.

■ Kelly Heath —Asheboro City Council member.

■ Paula Owens — Executive Director of Communities in Schools of Randolph County.

■ Ana Torres — President of the Randolph Arts Council Board of Directors. 

IMPACT NOW is sponsored by the NC Arts Council, the Randolph County Commissioners, and the City of Asheboro with Team Sponsorships made by EcoLab, Heritage Home Group Charitable Trust, Kooken Family Foundation and the Rotary Club of Asheboro.