Lawrence Rosenfeld has been volunteering with the fourth grade Pioneer Scholars here at EKC for two years now and his students always gave him rave reviews. Little did they know that across town at UNC’s school of Communications Studies where he is a Professor, his college-aged students felt the same way.

Rosenfeld was nominated by the undergraduates and was then named this year’s recipient of the prestigious 2012 William C. Friday Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award recognizes members of the UNC faculty who have exemplified excellence in inspirational teaching and have had an exceptionally positive impact on the intellectual growth of students. We could not have said it better ourselves!

Thank you, Mr. Rosenfeld, for using your free time and your, obviously, exceptional talents to benefit EKC.

“A truly special teacher is very wise, and sees tomorrow in every child’s eyes.” -

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When Durham Magazine leads off its issue on the best and brightest high schools seniors in town with a student from your program, you know you’ve made the grade! So, the Emily K Center gives a huge ‘atta girl’ to our own Vianey Martinez, whose beautiful smile and list of academic and extra-curricular accomplishments a mile long graces the pages of the February/March issue. Editor, Matt Dees, refers to Vianey and her six senior peers as, “smart, talented and worldly beyond their years.” After participating in the Scholars to College program at EKC throughout high school, Vianey will head to college next fall armed with a strong academic base and tools for time management, budgeting and developing healthy college habits. Vianey credits the Emily K program with guiding her through the confusing straits of college admissions and financial aid, as well as other key aspects of being a successful high school student. “My parents have no idea about the process, so it would have been difficult without Emily K,” she said. Great job, Vianey. You have outdone yourself!

Winning an award that takes two people to carry is one pretty special award. That’s why the announcement of the winner of the Healthy Habit Award at the Emily K Center is much anticipated. Given to a student who consistently plays fair, makes good choices, stays active, and acts as a leader at all times, the honor was recently presented to San, a second grader in the Pioneer Scholars Program. San received a bushel basket of fresh fruits and vegetables piled high and spilling over the top.

The theme of providing fresh produce began with Emily K donor, Steve Serck of JAB Produce, who provides a gift to the students of daily fresh fruit. The students make it a habit of integrating the fruit snack into their activities and uniformly have developed a truly heightened fondness for the healthy fare.  According to Coordinator of Educational Programming, Heather Hindin, award winner San quickly became a wonderful example within the program, always trying his best, making sound choices, and showing a good sense of fairness.

Congratulations San and thank you for setting such a fine example!