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2017 Future Business Leaders of the Year Honorees

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2017 Future Business Leaders of the Year Honorees

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By Amanda Dodson - adodson@thestokesnews.com

Chamber members throughout the county honored owners of Little Italy in King, Giuseppe and Pasquale Looz, last week as the King Chamber Business Leaders of the Year in the annual Chamber Awards Banquet on Thursday.

The duo received a lengthy standing ovation while accepting the 2017 award sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas.

"Thank you so much; we really do appreciate it. We can't do it without you and your support is very important to us," said Giuseppe Looz. "This is just the beginning and we're just starting. We're proud of our community every day."
Retired Community Leader of the Year
Lou Charland was recognized as Retired Community Leader of the Year.

The 86-year-old has been married for 27 years and has six children, eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 31 years of service and has dedicated his life to community service. Charland is actively involved in his church, serves on the Stokes County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and works as a liaison for King Outreach Ministries. He's received dozens of community service awards along with military accolades.

"It's taken me many years to get this old," he said with a smile.

He told the crowd he's beginning to slow down, especially now that he'll be 87 next month.

"What I want to do while I have this platform is to ask the young fellows out there to step up to the plate and relieve some of us old guys. We need volunteers and the volunteer opportunities in this community, you can't believe."
Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award
Make a Difference in King (MADIK) was honored as this year's Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award recipient. Jimmy Flythe, Director of the West Region of Government and Community Relations with Duke Energy, said the recognition is a tribute to individuals and groups who use their talent and compassion to positively impact a community.

"An idea began in 2015 by Ashley Turner to have an inclusive playground in King for all children, including those with physical challenges. Initially they thought they'd need to raise $300,000, but identified needs as the project progressed. There were a lot of questions about the capacity to raise such a large sum of money, however, MADIK persevered and today they've raised more than $400,000 and are expecting additional donations," he said.

Flythe commended the non-profit for building the playground in just six days with a rotating volunteer base throughout the process.

"It's a great community success story."

Turner accepted the award and took the opportunity to thank her board and the hundreds of volunteers who rallied around the project.

"We've had a long road for the past two years, but we've pulled through. We have a new playground, so thank you."
Better Business Innovation Award
West Stokes High School's Tech Team was honored with the Better Business Innovation Award sponsored by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The group, made up of Jermaine Laster, Calvin Owen, Jonathan Deridder, Devin Thompson, Noah Kiger, Daniel Bowman and teacher Forrest Munden were recognized for understanding innovation as a catalyst for growth and making a positive impact in their school.

Brian Wright, CEO of the Northwest N.C. BBB, said the young men have been instrumental in using their knowledge of technology to assist Chromebook users.

"They've helped students and teachers with technology, issues with student laptops in the classroom and given tutorials throughout the school," he said.

The students also single handedly created an app to organize help desk tickets and how-to use Chromebooks.

"They've utilized the resources available and with their talent they're making an impact throughout the school system," Wright added.
Future Business Leaders of the Year
The Chamber honored students from the county's high schools who have shown leadership and interest in pursuing a business career.

Will Cave was recognized as the Calvary Christian School Future Business Leader. The senior, and son of Greg and Lynette Cave attends Calvary Baptist Church in King where he has served in the bus ministry for the past four years and is active in the youth group. Cave has worked on the farm with his grandfather for several summers and also works part-time while playing sports and maintaining an A average in honors courses at Calvary Christian School. He has served as captain of his soccer and basketball teams and has earned numerous awards in soccer, basketball, and baseball at the conference and state levels. After graduating from Calvary, Cave plans to further his education by earning a degree in Computer Engineering or Computer Software Development.

Charley Moser, daughter of Chuck and April Moser of King was selected as the Future Business Leader from Stokes Early College. She is an aspiring veterinarian and currently works at Northwoods Stable, where she helps clean stalls and cares for horses while shadowing a local veterinarian. Upon graduation she plans to attend The University of Tennessee to study large animal science. She hopes to become a large animal veterinarian in Stokes County. Her goal as a veterinarian is to help educate the public and help animals in need.

Andrew Morrow, the son of David and Rhonda Morrow, was honored as the West Stokes High School Future Business Leader. He is currently in his senior year of high school and his coursework study for business includes Microsoft Word and Powerpoint, Personal Finance and Microsoft and Microsoft Excel and Access. He has participated in the Student Government Association and was elected as a sophomore and junior representative. He helped create the official West Stokes time capsule during his time in the student government association. Morrow plans to attend college and study in the field of technology.

Isaac Williams, the son of Beth Williams was honored as this year's North Stokes Future Business Leader. He is a four year member of the North Stokes High School band and enjoys participating in the National Honor Society and Beta Club. He has enjoyed business classes at North Stokes and has taken Personal Finance, Microsoft and PowerPoint, and is currently enrolled in Multimedia and Webpage Design and Accounting I. He will take Accounting II next semester and plans to major in Accounting during college.

Kathryn Caudill is a junior at South Stokes High School and was chosen as the school's Future Business Leader. She is actively involved in Beta Club, swim team and manages the wrestling team. Outside of school she volunteers with the North Forsyth Swim Club as a mentor to younger children. She enjoys school, learning, traveling the country, reading, writing and learning Spanish. She plans to attend UNC at Chapel Hill to major in pre-law and minor in Spanish and then attend law school to become an estate and probate attorney.

Isabella Garnett was honored as Stokes Future Business Leader from Meadowbrook Academy. She is the daughter of Robin Draughn of King. She has excelled in a number of career and technical education courses and is a top student at the school. Following graduation, she plans to continue her education at Surry Community College and study to become an X-Ray technician.

Amanda Dodson may be reached at 336-813-2426 or on Twitter at AmandaTDodson.

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Better Business Innovation Award

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By Amanda Dodson - adodson@thestokesnews.com Chamber members throughout the county honored owners of Little Italy in King, Giuseppe and Pasquale Looz, last week as the King Chamber Business Leaders of the Year in the annual Chamber Awards Banquet on Thursday. The duo received a lengthy standing ovation while accepting the 2017 award sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas.

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South Stokes VS West Stokes

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In a down-to-the-wire game of bragging rights, the Sauras defeated county rival West Stokes 65-59 in a non-conference matchup on Friday night to a packed gymnasium at South Stokes High School.

"I love and hate these type of games at the same time," said Saura coach Jason Clark. "I'm just glad we were on the other end this year. I'm proud of the way our kids fought through the screens and were able to limit some of their three-point shooting. Our seniors showed a lot of leadership and heart on the floor tonight and rose to the challenge for our younger players to follow."

South Stokes quickly shot to a five point lead within the first two minutes of the ballgame forcing the Wildcats into a timeout. The visitors cut into the margin 6-4, before the Sauras dashed ahead on PJ Samuels and Ben Bowen's work on the inside. The quarter ended with a 15-11 advantage for the home team.

West Stokes rallied and sliced into the Sauras lead 26-25 with 3:28 left in the period.

Back-to-back three pointers by Landon Parsons and Brady Dudley put South ahead 32-25 forcing a timeout by West Stokes coach Dan Spainhour.

Parson's added another three-point shot before West Stokes darted on a 9-0 run behind free throws from Elan Muniz, and buckets by Noah Spainhour, Kelin Parson and Isaac Spainhour. West closed in with only one point behind at halftime (35-34).

In the third period, West crept ahead on a three-point shot by Isaac Spainhour and grabbed their largest lead of the night 52-46 with 2:46 left in the quarter. But solid defense by the Sauras allowed the home team to finish the period on a 5-0 run when Tyliq Hairston's hit a long distance three and Wesley Misenheimer's made a basket.

Noah Spainhour rang in the final quarter with a bucket, but soon after 6'9" senior Ben Bowen had the home team crowd on their feet with an impressive dunk to put South ahead 55-54. With less than a minute left, West cut the deficit 61-59. The Sauras added a free throw, but after a defensive rebound on a missed shot, Dudley missed the front end of a one-and-one giving the visitors a last chance effort to tie the game with a three.

In the final seconds, a timeout blunder from West Stokes, when they didn't have any left, gave the Sauras two technical foul shots to secure a 65-59 win. South has now won two of the last three meetings between the schools.

"They have a really nice team," Spainhour said. "They compete hard and Jason (Clark) has done well with them. Our kids fought tonight, but we have some holes to fill. We are very one dimensional right now. We'll get back at it tomorrow."

Bowen and Dudley led the Sauras with 18 points each. Bowen added 13 rebounds for a double-double. Samuels tallied 11 points, Hairston eight and Parsons six.

West Stokes Isaac Spainhour led his team with 20 points, Noah Spainhour 18 points, Muniz eight and Kelin Parsons seven.

The Wildcats (0-3) lost 61-54 to North Forsyth on Saturday and will face Salem Baptist School on Monday and East Surry on Friday at West Stokes. South Stokes (4-0) will face off against number four ranked Starmount on Tuesday and then West Wilkes on Wednesday. Both games are at home.

Robert Money can be reached at 336-749-1193.

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In a down-to-the-wire game of bragging rights, the Sauras defeated county rival West Stokes 65-59 in a non-conference matchup on Friday night to a packed gymnasium at South Stokes High School. "I love and hate these type of games at the same time," said Saura coach Jason Clark.

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By Robert Money - rmoney@thestokesnews.com

All three high schools in Stokes County had solid and competitive cross country runners this fall. West Stokes led the schools with the most runners at the 2A level, but it was North Stokes sophomore Abigail Hemric who made the most impact at the 1A NCHSAA State race by finishing second in the state with a time of 19:46.4. The Stokes News along with the area high school coaches selected the 2017 men and women's cross country team.

Hemric was a 1A Northwest all-conference runner and placed first in the conference and regional races and was named Northwest 1A Runner of the Year. She made the all-state team, all-region, and won multiple races this past season.

North Stokes claimed one other spot on the women's team with freshman Elizabeth McBride. She was the team's second place runner, finished fifth and made all-conference in the conference meet and had a personal best (PR) time of 23:36.

West Stokes had three runners who made the all-county team. Erin Duke was a 2A Western Piedmont Athletic all-conference runner. She was all-region and finished 23rd in the state in the 2A meet. Senior Caroline Pulliam and Hunter Jackson were the other two Wildcats to make the team. Both runners were WPAC all-conference and finished top 10 in the conference with PR times of 23:00 and 23:13.

South Stokes Ryley Lawson was the lone Saura to make the list. She finished sixth in the Northwest conference meet and earned all-conference with a PR time of 23:59.

For the boy's team, West Stokes had four runners to make the team. Adam Mayes was WPAC all-conference and finished seventh with a time of 17:57. Sophomore Zach Watts finished all-conference and had a PR time of 19:16. TJ Magaraci and Cameron Knox are the last two Wildcats to make the team and both were honorable mention all-conference and finished with times of 19:12 and 19:08.

South Stokes qualified three runners to the boy's all-county team. Elijah Mitchell and Jackson Boles finished top 12 in the Northwest Conference race and earned all-conference. Their PR times of 19:26 and 19:41 were second and third to Austin Harger, who made the honorable mention team during the conference meet. His PR time of 19:25 was the best on the team this year.

North Stokes rounded out the team with two selections. Junior Jacob McGee finished fourth in the conference meet with a PR time of 17:23 and made Northwest all-conference along with freshman Jaden Smith, who finished seventh with a time of 19:18.

Robert Money can be reached at 336-749-1193.

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By Robert Money - rmoney@thestokesnews.com All three high schools in Stokes County had solid and competitive cross country runners this fall. West Stokes led the schools with the most runners at the 2A level, but it was North Stokes sophomore Abigail Hemric who made the most impact at the 1A NCHSAA State race by finishing second in the state with a time of 19:46.4.

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By Robert Money Jr. - rmoney@thestokesnews.com

Two of the three high schools in Stokes County welcomed two new head football coaches this past season. Mike Holmes was introduced as the Sauras coach and led them to a first round state playoff game at home and Frank Sessoms returned to North Stokes after a six year absence. As for the Wildcats, Jimmy Upchurch just completed his 15th year as the head man with a second round playoff loss. All three schools featured individual talents that helped their respected teams on the field. The Stokes News along with the area high school coaches selected the 2017 football all-county team.

West Stokes senior Tyler Walker just finished up a stellar career with 224 tackles this season and broke the career mark for the Wildcats with 563 tackles in four years. He had 46 tackles for a loss this season, a school record, and was named WPAC All-Conference for a third time and voted as the conference defensive player of the year by the coaches for 2017.

Other Wildcats making the all-county team on the defensive side of the ball were Julius Smith (WPAC All-Conference) with 60 tackles and 23 for a loss, Parker Pratt (WPAC All-Conference) 108 tackles, 30 for a loss, and he led his team with 10 sacks, Tyler Little (WPAC All-Conference) 84 tackles and seven interceptions, Jordan Smith (WPAC All-Conference) 95 tackles and 13 for a loss, Tristan Carter 82 tackles, and Zan Sandlin with 25 tackles and 10 passes defended.

The Sauras had seven players to make the team on defense. The linebacker duo of Steven Fatz and Cooper Ross was considered two of the best in the Northwest Conference and both were selected all-conference. Fatz finished with a team high of 146 tackles, while Ross had 99. Defensive back John Williams was a repeat all-conference player with 75 tackles and Paul Thomas Fischer was first on the team with four interceptions and tallied 55 tackles. The other three players came from the defensive line. Dalton Slate was all-conference and added 59 tackles from various positions this season. Kaleb Bratton and Lucas Covington were the final two Sauras selected for defense. Bratton had 76 tackles, while Covington added 74 and five sacks.

North Stokes added three players to the defensive team and all will return next season. Linebacker Dylan Mabe was voted all-conference and led the team with 105 tackles. Defensive lineman Jackson Boles and defensive back Tyler Dodson were selected honorable mention all-conference. Boles added 57 tackles, while Dodson contributed 61 tackles and seven passes defended in the secondary for the Vikings.

The offensive team was led by several talented players throughout the county. West Stokes quarterback Tyler Smith and running back Chris Brown made WPAC All-Conference for West Stokes, while running back dynamic duo of Adam McMillian and Ryan Moses of South Stokes were selected as Northwest honorable mention all-conference. Smith had 1,134 yards of passing with 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 571 yards and nine scores. Brown added 1,024 yards rushing with 14 touchdowns and 343-yards receiving and three more scores. McMillian led the county with 1,590 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, while Moses dashed for 1,085 yards and six. Mark Shaw was the lone running back from North Stokes that made all-county. He accounted for more than half the Vikings offense with 501 total yards of offense in rushing and receiving.

Four receivers were selected all-county, two from each South and West Stokes. Avery Wood and Zach Slate from South Stokes were selected along with Kelin Parsons and Dustin Blevins from West Stokes. Wood had 202 yards receiving, while Slate had 18 receptions for 114 yards. Parsons had 188 yards on 12 catches and Blevins added 126 yards receiving and 197 yards rushing.

The offensive line is the position that seems to get overlooked the most in football. The coaches wanted to recognize eight players from the three schools for their efforts. West Stokes added Landon Wilkins (WPAC All-Conference), Lathan Kiser (WPAC All-Conference), Brendan Beavers, and Luke Mickey. South Stokes added two Northwest All-Conference linemen in Jacob Smith and Keylan Coe. The Vikings also had two players in sophomores Noah Smith and Orion Martin.

The last two players awarded all-county were from the forgotten special teams area. These players are relied on heavily. Kickers Caleb Peters from West Stokes and Ivan Caro from South Stokes made the all-county list. Peters connected on 37 extra points with five field goals. Caro added 15 extra points and four field goals for the Sauras.

All three teams will continue to build on their youth and look to contend in their respected conferences next season as all the schools will return more than half their teams.

Robert Money can be reached at 336-749-1193.

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By Robert Money Jr. - rmoney@thestokesnews.com Two of the three high schools in Stokes County welcomed two new head football coaches this past season. Mike Holmes was introduced as the Sauras coach and led them to a first round state playoff game at home and Frank Sessoms returned to North Stokes after a six year absence.

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From Greg Ottoway:

We went to visit my son at Wingate yesterday for their homecoming football game. Zach Singleton played like Wingate's version of Luke Kechley.  They're undefeated so far and are conference champions.  Zach was the focal point of the picture on their website last night.

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The last two weeks of October wound up being pretty special for Chase Tedder, an 18-year-old Rockingham Community College student from Walnut Cove, N.C. He caught an 8 1/2-pound largemouth bass, his biggest ever, from a local watershed lake on Oct. 18.

"I wasn't expecting anything else like that to happen," he said.

Six days later he killed a 10-point, 200-pound Stokes County buck, with a crossbow.

Sounds like he was due for a break of good luck.

Nine years ago, Tedder was diagnosed with bone cancer in his left femur. He spent a year in Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, undergoing chemotherapy. Doctors saved his leg, inserting a metal rod in the affected bone, but he's still undergoing treatments.

"But I feel blessed," he said. "Something like that gives you a different perspective on life."

Tedder felt blessed when he saw the 10-point buck in mid-September, about 10 days after North Carolina's statewide archery season opened. He passed on a bunch of does and several smaller bucks, waiting for the big buck, who he saw on Oct. 22.

"He came out (into a field) with a 6-pointer 10 minutes before dark," he said. "He gave me a shot at 60 yards, but I didn't want to risk it."

Two days later, he got home from classes at 1:30 p.m., rested, finished his homework and pulled on his hunting clothes. He almost forgot his grunt call.

"It stuck in my mind what my buddies, especially my hunting teacher, Randy Hill, had said that the rut was already in because they'd seen bucks chasing does," said Tedder, who climbed up in his Loc-on stand at 5 o'clock.

"I was hunting over a long soybean field," he said. "I put out corn, molasses and apples, but the deer ignored it and were eating soybeans."

At 6 p.m. Tedder heard what he thought was an animal walking in the leaves behind him.

"Then the buck came out at a point across the field," Tedder said. "He was looking. It seemed like he might walk across the field, so I eased the grunt call out of my pocket. He'd made a scrape a few yards away on the field edge, so I thought he might be heading for that."

Tedder grunted softly two or three times, then increased the volume.

"His ears pointed forward, and he started walking toward me," he said.

The buck slowed its walk at 30 yards after Tedder grunted again.

"I put the sight pin behind his left shoulder and touched the trigger; I heard a big slap sound when the arrow hit him," he said. "He took off running across the field, stopped, then jumped in the woods."

Tedder called Hill, who advised him to sit in the stand until he arrived. An hour later in darkness, Hill used a flashlight to track the buck about 65 yards, finding it piled up in the woods.

The buck, a 4x5 main-frame with one sticker point, is Tedder's best.

"When he was coming in, I didn't realize he was that big," Tedder said. "He was so massive me and Randy had a hard time dragging him. It took several tries to heave him on the back of my truck."

The buck's inside spread is 17 1/4 inches; it's 19 inches outside.

"I didn't want to go to sleep that night, then wake up and find out it was all a dream," Tedder said.

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Young cancer survivor nails Stokes County trophy buck

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The last two weeks of October wound up being pretty special for Chase Tedder, an 18-year-old Rockingham Community College student from Walnut Cove, N.C. He caught an 8 1/2-pound largemouth bass, his biggest ever, from a local watershed lake on Oct. 18.