The Buzz Around Wayne County

12 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY June 2024 Save Yourself During a Riptide Atlantic Beach Tragedy Float Don't Fight! By Ali Joy It was Father's Day weekend 2018 when I lost my husband. Austin and I had taken the children on a surprise vacation to Atlantic Beach, NC. We had spent a beautiful day picnicking, gathering shells and exploring Shackleford Banks. That evening we went to the beach, which was still crowded and festive. Minutes after finding a spot, a rip current captured our twin daughters. My husband said, "the girls are too far out." He ran, I ran. Austin got to them, but we all continued to struggle in the breaking waves where we could not stand. Austin did not make it, but the three of us did, thanks to the help of Marines and surfers, the woman who called 911 the men and women who helped the Marines bring us in. There was an amazing young lady who took care of us on the beach , drove us to the hos- pital, and stayed with us until family arrived. As a survivor of an underestimated killer – more than tornadoes, lightening and sharks combined annually, I want to share what I learned that may help you: One, bring a floatation device to the beach. Two, grab a floatation device before you go out to save someone. Three, if you find yourself in a rip current, float, don't fight! For more info, go to www.floatdontfight. org. Ham radio operators from the Wayne County, Sampson County and Kinston clubs will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 pm on Saturday until Sunday 2 pm, June 22 – 23. The Field Day site will be located in the wooded area across form 2104 Salem Church Road, Goldsboro NC 27530, just south of Lane Tree Golf Course The event is the "ARRL Field Day" (www.arrl. org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio ac- tivity organized since 1933 by the ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States. Hams from across North America, US and Canada, ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio sta- tions in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential commu- nication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio's ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network. Ham Radio Operators, from all over the US and Canada will use their radio stations set up in their homes or taken to their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment. Additionally, alone with the many HF (High Frequency) Stations we will have a Satellite Station, CW (Mores Code) Station and a GOTA, Get On The Air, Station. The GOTA Station is open to "anyone" who would like to "try out" amateur radio. The public is welcomed and encouraged to come out. This year's event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active hurricane season is predicted. "Hams have a long history of serving their communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers. Ham Radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a Ham Radio station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others. During last year's Field Day, 2023, more than 26,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide. For more information about ARRL Field Day and Ham Radio classes contact Pete Wene, WA5T, at information@k4cyp.com or visit www.K4CYP.com or www.arrl.org/what- is-ham-radio. Ham Radio Operators On the Air for Nationwide Event June 22 – 23 WCC's Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2024 Nursing Graduates Honored at Pinning Ceremony GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Wayne Commu- nity College's next class of registered nurses was welcomed into the nursing profession at a formal pinning ceremony, joining the ranks of over 2,200 WCC nursing alumni. The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) graduates each received a pin, scroll, and rose presented to them by faculty members. The pins were designed by the first graduates of WCC's ADN program in 1973. "They have worked diligently to earn the title of 'nurse.' With this title comes a multi- tude of responsibilities and privileges," said WCC Nursing Instructor Bryan Johnson. Area graduates included: Fremont - Haley Martin, Goldsboro -Scout Anderson Garrett, Brittany Battle, Shauntwaina Best, Lindsay Briggs, Chloe Cooke, Susan Hicks, Darilyn Lancaster, Melissa Lewis, Janna Matthews, Jennifer Ocampo-Trejo, Madelyn See, Emily Siniavsky, Abigail Southerly, Maria Vang, Angie Williams, Pikeville - Anna Bartlett, Corie Linton, Matt Pennington, Seven Springs - Maria Garcia-Rangel, Shannon Hobbs, Nicole Pitts, Pricila Velasquez, Snow Hill - Jor- dan Barrow, Stantonsburg - Neleh Bottoms. Cooke, ADN class president, spoke during the ceremony about the knowledge and confidence she and her classmates gained throughout the program. "The past two years have been filled with hard work, dedication, and mostly sacrifice," she said. "I am grateful for the friendships and memories we all share along with the encouragement and support we gave each other."

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