CCCC Lee Campus holds Activity Day

SANFORD – Music, camaraderie and laughter filled the air as Central Carolina Community College’s Lee County Campus held its Spring Activity Day Wednesday.

Books and tests were put aside for a few hours in the afternoon and the college’s quadrangle was turned over to rides, activities and music. Students discovered that circling on a Whirly Bird, balancing on a “surfboard,” or “jousting” brought lots of laughter, even for those tipped off by the mechanical tilting surf board or knocked down by a padded joust pole. Cushioned by air-filled mats, the spills didn’t even result in injured pride, just more laughter.

The college has been holding an Activity Day during the fall and spring semesters since at least the 1970s, according to Mike Neal, Student Activities director. The Student Government Association at each of the college’s three campuses sponsors the event.

“It’s the one time that all classes are cancelled and students go out and have fun with their instructors in an informal setting,” he said. “It’s a laid-back day.”

A number of students tried their sea legs on the surfboard. It didn’t take long for the ride to tip them off, but it was fun while it lasted. Students stood around the inflated ring surrounding the surfboard, cheering on and laughing with any who attempted it.

Stella Holder, a paralegal student from Harnett County, said, “I love Activity Day. It’s not because there are no classes – I love my classes – but because it gives us an opportunity to bond with other students and staff.”

Those who were not trying rides or in the Cougar Café munching a free lunch, gathered on the quadrangle to enjoy several hours of entertainment hosted by the Broadcast students and their radio station, WDCC-90.5 FM. Student groups, from Christian rock to rap, shared their talents.

Motorcycle Mechanics students put their pride on display with a line of shiny motorcycles of various makes and vintages owned by themselves or faculty. The owners enjoyed talking about them as students stopped by to look. Terry Kopen, of Dunn, brought his 1977 Harley-Davidson FLH.

“Activity Day is a great thing because people have a great time and people get to show off what they can do,” he said, then added with a smile, “and we motorcycle mechanics are show-offs!”

Lonnie Gross, a service operations area representative for Harley-Davidson Motor Co., was at the campus, enjoying his first Activity Day, particularly the motorcycle display.

“This is what motorcycling is about,” he said, “the enthusiasm, fun, camaraderie, friendship, bragging and sharing tips. As for the training program, I’m impressed with the technicians who come from here. It makes a difference in the industry.”

Eddie Berry, of Cox’s Harley-Davidson, in Asheboro, was at the event with a $40,000 bright orange, customized 2007 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard. Berry’s boss, Gary “Poochie” Cox, is a cancer survivor of three years. Now, he’s doing his part to raise money to find a cure for the disease. He donated the cycle and Berry is touring the state, selling raffle tickets for it. Funds raised will be donated to the Relay for Life in Cox’s home county of Randolph.

Another raffle for a good cause was also taking place. The CCCC Student Ambassadors group was selling tickets for a drawing for a 1994 Buick Regal.

The Buick is not just any car; it belonged to Kathryn Woltz, who was an admissions counselor at the Lee Campus before she died suddenly in August 2006. Her family donated the car to the CCCC Foundation to be raffled off to raise funds for the Kathryn Woltz Scholarship Fund established in her honor. Tickets for drawing will also be sold Thursday at the Harnett Campus’ Activity Day in Lillington.

Media Contact:
Katherine McDonald
CCCC Staff Writer
(919) 718-7265
kmcdonald@cccc.edu