GRAHAM — Lillia Kathryn Diez, an Alamance Community College student in Automotive Systems Technology, was among a small group of honorees recognized by the N.C. Community College System at an awards dinner on April 17.
More than 230 people gathered at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary to celebrate three students and five employees for community college excellence.
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was given to Lillia Diez of Alamance Community College. The award, established by the N.C. Community College System, honors the late Dallas Herring, whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the community college system.
In her prepared remarks before the audience, Diez credited ACC for changing her life.
“When you’re the one living through hard times, it’s just life. I didn’t realize working hard to make a better life was something to be proud of until I started to share more of my story with other people, who found inspiration in my perseverance,” Diez said. “I feel incredibly fortunate not only to be here tonight, but to have made the choice to attend Alamance Community College.”
Diez enrolled at ACC while homeless and struggling daily to afford food. Despite tremendous odds, she persevered to earn her GED and excel in the college’s Automotive Systems Technology program.
Even before completing her studies, Diez was hired as the first female automotive technician at Cox Dodge in Burlington. While working toward her associate’s degree, Diez will concurrently qualify for the Automotive Service Excellence certification and master technician status. Diez’s career ambitions also include studying for a degree in fire protection as a second career option.
GRAHAM — Two men shot a man and stole his pickup Saturday afternoon, the Graham Police Department said.
The shooting victim’s name was not released.
The man told police that two men in a grapy pickup followed him to the Pilot gas station in the 1000 block of Jimmie Kerr Road about 5 p.m., where one of them confronted and shot him, then left in the man’s white Ford F-150, police said.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment. No information about his injury or condition was available.
The Ford F-150 was later found in Guilford County.
The gray pickup was described as a Dodge Ram 1500 with no tailgate, dark tinted windows, and black aftermarket wheels.
The man driving the Dodge was described as Black, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing a gray, striped polo shirt and black gym shorts, and having a short haircut.
Police ask that anyone with information contact the Graham Police Department at 336-570-6711 or Alamance County Crime Stoppers at 336-229-7100.
We urgently need your help in solving this case. If you have any information, please contact the Graham Police Department at 336-570-6711 or Alamance County Crime Stoppers at 336-229-7100.