Feb. 2, 2024 | Stay Connected, Stay Informed

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NETC sends Valentine's Day cards to elderly patients

NETC Faculty exchanged Valentine's Day cards in custom made boxes. Click the heart to see what they look like!

From Watson to Booker T., Wheeler puts himself into roles for NETC Theatre Club

Northeastern Technical College’s atrium at its Cheraw campus isn’t quite the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta in 1895, but Diego Wheeler made it work delivering Booker T. Washington’s famous Atlanta Exposition Address.  

Wheeler, 19, is a member of the NETC Theatre Club took the role as part of the college’s three-year retrospective of Booker T. Washington – the Atlanta Exposition Address.

One of the challenges the young actor has when taking the role of a historical figure is working out how the person spoke – it can be quite difficult in an era without recordings.  

“I’ve always been interested in acting,” Wheeler said. “I want people to be able to feel what the character I am playing feels.” 

Wheeler graduated from Lake View High in the Class of 2023.

He found his way to Northeastern Technical College in 2021 as many high school students do: through his high school’s dual enrollment program. He took Lisa Morman-Patterson's theater class, which led to discovering NETC’s Theatre Club.  

Wheeler is enthusiastic and brings energy to his performances, said NETC Theatre Club Director Lisa Morman-Patterson

“Just talking to Diego, you know has a love for the theatre,” she said.  

Wheeler took first place in the 2023 South Carolina Speech and Theater Competition for Poetry Interpretation facing off against numerous South Carolina college and university students.

Wheeler starred as Dr. Watson in the NETC Theatre Club production of “The Hounds of Bakersville.”

During the fall 2023 semester, Wheeler played the role of Bob Cratchit in NETC Theatre Club’s production of “A Christmas Carol” which was brought to Charlotte, North Carolina at the Blumenthal Arts Center. 

“Being on stage can be nerve-wracking,” Wheeler said. “I have to say to myself, ‘I’m only going to see the audience once.’” 

Wheeler will reprise his role as Washington for a one-act production of “Booker T. At The Door” scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Cheraw Campus 200 Building. 

Most of the Theatre Club members are dual enrollment students who are eager to be a part of stage productions, said Director Lisa Morman-Patterson. 

Productions start as an online meeting, to in person, and to rehearsals with actors and productions juggling school, work, and family obligations to make lines on a page become reality. 



“We practice in Cheraw, Bennettsville, and Dillon, and we meet at a church in Rockingham that has the space and allows us to rehearse,” she said. 

Theatre is work, but with Wheeler and company, it doesn’t feel like it. 

Booker T. At the Door, A One Act Play 

WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 27 

WHERE: NETC Cheraw Campus, Building 200, 1201 Chesterfield Hwy, Cheraw 

WHAT: Admission is $2 per person to support the Theatre Club. Directed by Lisa Morman-Patterson, the production stars Brian Forte as Booker T. Washington and Dennis Rowe as President Theodore Roosevelt. The production also stars Cassidy Jordan, Camyiah Drake, Diego Wheeler, Hannah McLeod, Rachel Townsend, Princess Malachi, Sa’Daisha Brand, Jordan Gordon, Raegan Ford, Gabrielle Davis, Kailynn Dubose, and Yasmine Garcia.  

NETCtv presented The Life of Booker T. Washington biography on its YouTube channel in 2022.

See Diego Wheeler's re-enactment of Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Exposition Speech.

Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta Exposition speech in 1895. In 1908, he recorded the speech which was released in 1920 and archived by the Library of Congress.

Grant available to cover daycare expenses for NETC students

Parents looking to enroll at Northeastern Technical College can receive financial help for daycare.  

New or returning NETC students who have children may be eligible for aid through Childcare Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS) to help with childcare expenses while attending classes.  

CCAMPIS is a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Education with funding based on a sliding scale. 

This program is designed to serve families based on household size and income.

The scale is based on a sliding scale from the Department of Education to determine the student's eligibility for the CCAMPIS program.  

People who are eligible can be new, enrolled, or returning students and must be Pell Grant eligible with good academic status maintaining at least a 2.0 grade point average; the first step is submitting a FASFA (Federal Student Aid Application) through NETC’s Financial Aid Office or online at www.studentaid.gov.

Money is awarded an a first come, first served basis.  

Afterwards, take student application with financial aid status to NETC’s enrollment center and fill out a CCAMPIS application for approved daycare facilities. 

Students must be enrolled in courses for the entire semester and must participate in three hours of volunteer work, participate in two workshops, and participate in an annual survey and post-graduate survey. 

Stafford named to Cheraw Arts Commission

Northeastern Technical College Marlboro County Campus continues its renovations and construction. Starting in June 2023, more than 19,000 square feet of the existing building is slated to be renovated with the addition of 10,000 square feet in labs; the campus is slated house diesel mechanics, CNC, Machine Tool, and Construction Technology in partnership with Arris of Clio for plumbing, electrical and HVAC programs, in addition to Allied Nursing laboratory.

CHERAW CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION MAP

Construction will create changes to entries,

walkways and parking on the Cheraw Campus.

Foot traffic can access the quad and cross between Buildings 200 to 800. Fencing remains up blocking access to Building 500 from the quad with access from the side entrance at parking lot at the CDL pad.

To ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff during this construction period. During this time, access to the affected area will be restricted, and we kindly ask for your cooperation in adhering to any posted signs and safety guidelines. For your safety, please do not move any fencing to walk around or through these areas. 

BUILDING ENTRY POINTS

100 Building – Front doors. All other doors are blocked to limit access. Emergency access is the doorways at both ends of the building, near men’s and women’s restrooms

200 Building – park off Tec Rd.

300 Building – park off Tec Rd.

500 Building – park off Tec Rd.

PARKING

Park near the buildings you are trying to access, including all students. Please be cognizant of the CDL Training Pad between 300 and 500 buildings. 

We understand that this may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to enhance our campus facilities. The safety of the campus community is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and secure construction process.

Faculty: Sign up for driver's training

Click on the NETC Fleet steering wheel to register for the state's defensive driving course.

Compass Point 3K, 4K enrollment opens

CHERAW -- Northeastern Technical College and Chesterfield County First Steps Compass Point enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opens in February. 

Compass Point is a high-quality pre-kindergarten program for 3- and 4-year-olds presented in a laboratory school environment where NETC Early Childhood Education students will train and gain first-hand experience.  

Chesterfield County First Steps 3K and 4K Programs place particular emphasis on fidelity to researched-based instructional models and educational best practices. The program will feature degree teachers and the highest educational standards provided in an innovative academic setting. 

To qualify your child must: 

• Be three or four years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year, AND 
• Be eligible for free OR free/reduced-price lunch or Medicaid 

In 2022, NETC received $120,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Dept. Of Education for the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) grant program to expand its program for an on-site 3K program with Chesterfield County First Steps receiving an Early Childhood Initiative Grant to purchase 3K furnishing and materials.  



Applications for Compass Point are online at www.netc.edu or call Chesterfield County First Steps at 843.921.1484. 

Annual Trailblazers Golf Tournament returns April 19

Bring your clubs and A-game when Northeastern Technical College’s golf tournament returns in spring.  

The Third Annual NETC Trailblazer Golf Tournament 1 p.m. April 19 at Marlboro County Golf and Recreational Complex. Space is limited to the first 20 teams. 

The Trailblazer Tournament is a 4-player Captain’s Choice tournament – a $400 entry fee per team includes golfing, lunch, and beverages on the court.  

Prizes will be awarded to the longest drive, closest to pin on all Par 3s, and door prizes. A putting contest starts 11 a.m. prior to the tournament’s start.  

NETC Mulligan Packages are available at $20 per player that includes one mulligan and one option to hit from the red tees from any hole excluding Par 3s and Longest Drive hole.  

Sponsorship opportunities are available with proceeds from the tournament dedicated to NETC’s athletic department. 

"We are thrilled to be hosting this fundraising event to support our athletics program," said NETC President Dr. Kyle Wagner. "Our athletics program is an essential part of the college experience for our students, and the funds raised from the tournament will help us to continue providing high-quality sports facilities and equipment for them." 

As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), NETC offers students the opportunity to compete in several sports, including men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country, and Esports. 

The college takes pride in its athletics program, which provides students with valuable experiences and opportunities to develop essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and time management, Wagner said. 



The golf tournament is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to support NETC's athletics program while enjoying a day of golf at one of the most scenic courses in the state.

The event is open to all levels of golfers, from beginners to experienced players – last year, 56 golfers among 14 teams competed in the Trailblazer Tournament. 

Registration for the event is now open and interested parties can visit the college's website for more information on how to participate, sponsor, or donate. 

NETC Trailblazer Golf Tournament 

WHEN: 1 p.m. Friday April 19 

WHERE: Marlboro County Golf and Recreational Complex, 404 Country Club Dr., Bennettsville, S.C. 

WHAT: Team Fees $400 include golfing, lunch, and beverages on the course. Prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin on all Par 3s. Door prizes awarded.

Players can purchase for $20 one mulligan and one hit from the red tees.

To download a team form click the golf ball or click here.

To download sponsorship information, click here.

JOIN: THE PACK

Don't game as a lone wolf, NETC Esports recruiting for spring team

Northeastern Technical College is looking for mixed martial artists, mercenaries, professional football players, and if you have magical powers, that too. 

NETC’s esports program is looking for official Trailblazers as well as casual players looking to compete in-house through the intramural program. 

The number of school and intramural competitors is gaining traction with the ranks growing from Spring 2022 to Fall 2023, said NETC Esports Head Coach Tyler Nolan. 

NETC Trailblazers are full-time students who maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average, along with the college’s golf and cross-country program.  

Intramural players (also known as Tier 3) are any part-time, full-time, and dual enrollment students.

All of NETC sports programs compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the national governing body of two-year college athletics. 

There are no age restrictions for players.  

Esports players can compete off-campus or at Trailblazers Esports headquarters on the Cheraw campus.  

In Fall 2023, the Trailblazers competed in Madden Football, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Valorant, Modern Warfare, Overwatch, and Super Smash Bros. 

Competing in Fall were Lexy Deitz and Nick Oakley, of Chesterfield; David Hancock, Josh McMillon, and David Hancock, of Cheraw; Victor Barrington and Mary Blackwell, of Bennettsville; Jeremy Clark and Ethan Jones, of McBee; and Luke Byrd, of Hartsville. 

Dual Enrollment students Vonta Marshall, of Bennettsville, and Zander Wagner, of Cheraw, enlisted in Intramural competition.  

INTRAMURAL ESPORTS 

NETC offers Intramural Esports to any full-time, part-time, and Dual Enrollment student where players can face each other one-on-one or in teams in competitive video gaming. 

NETC students aren’t restricted to competing at the Esports Game room on the Cheraw campus, they can login remotely during play scheduled 6 p.m. weekdays. 

For more information, visit online at www.netc.edu, select Student Resources in the top menu, select Athletics then click the NJCAA logo and scroll down to locate the interest form. 

NETC Esports program plays a variety of games competitively against other colleges across the nation. Teams play Madden, Overwatch, Fortnite, Call of Duty, War Zone and more!

Interested in NETC Esports? Click HERE or the logo to access the interested form.

Watch NETC Esports on Twitch HERE or click the logo.

Subscribe to NETC Esports: Goal 100

Twenty-three to go!

NETCALENDAR

NETC Foundation offers tax deductible custom scholarships

Giving the gift of education can be tax-deductible; creating a scholarship in the name of a loved one is priceless. 

Northeastern Technical College Foundation offers individuals, businesses, and organizations, can create and contribute to their own customized scholarship for one-time or reoccurring. 

The NETC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with its mission since 1979 supporting Northeastern Technical College students and school projects; donations are tax-deductible. 

By supporting the NETC Foundation, donors become a catalyst for positive change, creating opportunities for students that extend far beyond the classroom. 

In lieu of individual scholarships, donations can be made to the NETC Foundations four major funds: 

Uplift Fund: Donations directly impact students by providing scholarships and emergency relief removing unnecessary barriers to their education. 

Jumpstart Fund: Donations become a part of innovation and progress by supporting the expansion and initiation of new programs. 

Legacy Fund: Leave a lasting mark designating funds for scholarships, equipment, or specific projects to honor an individual, family, or business/industry. 

NETC Trailblazer Athletics: Support the NETC E-Sports, Golf, and Cross-Country Program. Contributions foster a culture of teamwork, discipline, and excellence, enriching the college experience for student-athletes. 

For more information visit www.netc.edu or contact us directly at 843.910.6916 or 843.921.6902.  

Trying to find the right wolf with a Valentine's Day image, nearly burned out my free credits on the A.I. image creator.

NORTHEASTERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

1201 Chesterfield Highway Cheraw, SC 29520

www.netc.edu (843) 921-6900