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9 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY AUGUST 2026 Back to School: Most Important Lesson You'll Learn This Year? By Billy Tart. DNP, RN As students across Wayne County head back to school, they'll spend the coming months learning new skills and, eventually, receiving report cards that reflect their progress. But learning isn't just for children. No matter our age, there are lessons that can improve our health and our future. If your health received a report card today, what grade would it earn? The en- couraging news is that healthy living isn't about earning a perfect grade—it's about making progress. Every healthy choice teaches us something, builds confidence, and moves us one step closer to better health. Whether you're just beginning your health journey or have been work- ing toward healthier habits for years, it's never too late to learn. Choosing health- ier foods, being more physically active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and improve your quality of life. This school year, make healthy living one of the most important lessons you'll ever learn. UNC Health Wayne Diabe- tes HealthCheck offers free diabetes risk screenings, educational seminars, and a year-long Diabetes Prevention Program to help adults learn practical skills for lifelong health. To learn more, host a free community screening or seminar, or enroll in an upcoming Diabetes Prevention Program cohort, contact Billy Tart at billy.tartjr@ unchealth.unc.edu. SET IN MOTION SET IN MOTION By Clara Barnes Costner Soon God will set in motion A change in the atmosphere Thunderstorms, wind and rain August, wettest season of the year Vacationers pack belongings Our time of relaxation has ceased Ask God to protect us as we return Home, well rested, and at peace Because he is omniscience Wherever we go, he is in that place He knows our thoughts, our needs He knows every voice, every face August, a month to regenerate Let us go to our father in prayer To renew our hearts and spirits He is always waiting to repair Learners, head back to school New skills and knowledge to gain Meet new friends, form relationships Some of which we will always retain We will miss the beauty of roses The fragrant smell of gardenia in June Look forward to appearance of Zinnas Hot, and humid, sometimes, yes However, we are thankful, always For whatever God sets in motion Hot, cool, warm, or windy days Welcome asters, marigold in bloom "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat and summer and winter and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22 KJV 529 Changes By Jonathan Greeson,CFP® Most parents have already heard about 529 education savings ac- counts, so I won't bore you with the details. Their main benefit is that your money can grow and be used tax free (Federal Income Tax) for "qualified expenses." There can be state tax advantages as well. For me, the "qualified expense" requirement has always been a problem because all students have different needs. Depending on account size, the tax break wasn't worth the hassle of proving you used the money on qualified expenses. I don't think anyone wants to basically go through an audit to save $10.00. Fortunately, that list has been expanded! Now students can buy computers, tablets, and other technological tools that they need to succeed in school. Apparently, even internet access is a qualified expense now! It's about time, right? There are also additions to education tuition and fees. Now we can use 529 account money for cre- dentials or licenses. That's for professionals already in their careers as well as students. Continuing education courses count now too! Of course, depending on your situation, a 529 could be a terrible idea. That's why you should speak to a financial professional before making any decisions. It doesn't have to be me, but I would love the opportunity to work with you. Email me! Jonathan Greeson Financial Planning is located in Pikev- ille. For more information, visit www.jonathangreeson. com. Investment advisory services offered through Brook- stone Wealth Advisors, LLC (BWA), a registered investment advisor and an affiliate of Brookstone Capital Management, LLC. BWA and Jonathan Greeson Financial Planning are independent of each other. Insurance products and ser- vices are not offered through BWA but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents. OPENING DOORS Stable Homes, Education, Open Doors By Matthew Whittle Every year, as school supplies start to appear on shelves of local stores, I'm reminded of a saying I've shared many times: "Chil- dren can't do homework without a home to work in." It's a good reminder of how important a safe, stable and healthy home can be for a child's success. After all, the evidence is clear. Homeownership is linked to higher math and reading test scores. Children of low- er-income homeowners are 11% more like- ly to graduate high school, and 4.5% more likely to complete postsecondary education than those of lower-income renters. A $10,000 increase in housing wealth raises the likelihood of college attendance for lower-income children by 14% – and each year of homeownership adds an average of $9,500 in household net wealth. So when we think about opening doors and creating opportunities, there's not many better opportunities we can give children in our community than one that allows them to live in a safe, stable and healthy home – where they can focus on their homework. It's also a reminder that while we don't often share the firsthand stories and experi- ences of our Habitat homeowner children, they are ones whose futures are being built on these new foundations of strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable home ownership.