Adult learners at Southside Virginia Community College often tell stories about overcoming personal challenges. The determination they demonstrate in reaching their goals is and can be inspiring. One amazing recent graduate, Catrina Roberts, displayed outstanding courage as she pursued her desire to hold a postsecondary credential in her hands.

Catrina's life included many medical challenges. She endured 40 surgeries, including some related to kidney issues, some following an accident, and two heart valve replacements. Although these issues sometimes slowed her progress, they did not stop her. Her family supported her through these challenges; especially her brother, Robert Jackson, whom Catrina looked up to. He was always there for her and encouraged her after each surgery.

Catrina suffered a stroke after her second heart valve replacement surgery and set walking across the stage at graduation as her goal for recovery. She accomplished this at SVCC's ceremony on May 13, 2023. She stood up from her wheelchair and stepped forward to receive the Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate for which she had worked so hard.

It was a proud moment for her and her family, and on that stage, Catrina was able to savor her success. Sadly, just a few weeks later, she passed away.

Ryan Roberts, Catrina's husband says: "Catrina was a people person. She was always tenacious and would always find a way to push through every challenge she faced."

He explains that Catrina had a long-standing interest in early childhood education. She worked at Kenston Forest as a substitute teacher, as a bus driver, and in the cafeteria.

Her daughter, Elena, is a rising 10th grader at Nottoway High School. She notes that Catrina's involvement as a Girl Scouts leader and 4-H volunteer gave them a special bond.

The Roberts family credits Catrina's mother, Mary Gordon, for serving as a role model. Elena says her mother learned a lot from her grandmother, who worked in a school setting and in home health care and demonstrated a huge capacity for empathy. Ryan recalls his mother-in-law's willingness to take early retirement to become Catrina's caregiver, enabling him to remain employed at his job and keep the family's health insurance intact.

The Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate Catrina pursued is designed to prepare students for jobs in daycare or pre-school environments. During her studies, she learned about early childhood development and practical strategies for encouraging prosocial behavior. She studied conflict resolution and problem solving, and took courses that reviewed positive health, hygiene, nutrition, and safety issues. After finishing her coursework, Catrina worked at Pickett Park Daycare. This gave her an opportunity for hands-on experience implementing creative age-appropriate activities.

In honor of her mother's legacy, Elena plans to follow in her footsteps by continuing her own education after high-school graduation. "Education was a lifelong experience for my mom. She believed that education was a pathway to a better life."

Ryan explains that although Catrina had many medical challenges which required her to take most of her classes online, she found that she always had access to help through her teachers.

As Catrina's story demonstrates, determination can help a person overcome a multitude of obstacles. If you are a working adult and have been thinking about a new career, you can honor her memory by taking steps in your desired direction.

RICHMOND, Va. — In honor of Labor Day, Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks today issued the following statement renewing the organization's call for an economy in which all hardworking people can thrive: 

"Today we celebrate the accomplishments of the labor movement, who, thanks to Democratic majorities in the General Assembly, passed significant pro-worker laws that resulted in Virginia jumping from #51 to #28 in Oxfam's 'Best States to Work.' 

"We must also strive to make Virginia one of the best places for workers to live, and that starts with lowering the cost of living. While in power, Democrats capped the cost of insulin, lowered health insurance premiums by nearly 20 percent on the marketplace, brought more transparency to the price of medicine, and delivered refunds to ratepayers who were overcharged by utility companies. 

"Affordability is on the ballot this fall. Just this year, Virginia House Republicans sided with Big Pharma to kill a bill that would have capped the cost of certain medicines through a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. They passed a budget that included $1 billion in tax giveaways for corporations and the rich. And they killed a middle-class tax credit that would let hardworking parents keep more of what they earn.

"Pro-worker means fighting for workers not just at work but also outside of it. It means siding with working families over big corporations, big utilities, and Big Pharma. It means investing in our schools and our communities instead of tax schemes for the rich. Only one party has a proven track record fighting for working families, and in less than three weeks, working families will have the opportunity to vote for a Virginia that is truly pro-labor."

KENBRIDGE, VA, August 31, 2023 – Benchmark Community Bank is pleased to announce the promotions of Nicole Young to Vice President/Area Manager, and Loren Allen to Vice President/Branch Manager. Both veterans of the banking industry, Young is currently the Branch Manager of the South Hill branch. Allen currently serves as Assistant Vice President (AVP)/Residential Lending in the Emporia market.

A member of the Benchmark team since 2006, Young joined the Bank as a Relationship Teller. She moved through the ranks until being promoted in 2016 to AVP/Branch Manager for Benchmark’s Lawrenceville market. In 2019, Young was named Vice President/Branch Manager for the South Hill branch. As Area Manager, she will oversee both the Lawrenceville and South Hill branches.

A fifteen-year veteran in the banking industry, Allen joined Benchmark in September 2023, upon the Bank’s acquisition of the First Community Bank branch in Emporia. For the past several months, she has split her time between Emporia and Lawrenceville getting to know the Brunswick County market. She is excited for this new adventure in her banking journey.

“Benchmark is so fortunate to have two seasoned bankers like Nicole and Loren working in tandem to serve our customers in South Hill and Lawrenceville,” said President/CEO Jay Stafford of the promotions. “Their track records speak for themselves and we’re excited to have them leading these two strategic markets.”

Current Lawrenceville AVP/Assistant Branch Manager Kristen Sadler will be returning to her home market of South Hill when Young’s and Allen’s promotions become effective September 1, 2023.

About Benchmark Community Bank - Benchmark Community Bank, founded in 1971, is head­quartered in Kenbridge, VA. It is the sole subsidiary of Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. and oper­ates seventeen banking offices through­out central Southside Vir­ginia and northern North Carolina. The common stock of Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. trades on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol BMBN. Any stockbroker can assist with purchases of the company's stock, as well as with sales of holdings. Additional information is available at the company’s website, www.BCBonline.com. #MemberFDIC #EqualHousingLender #WithYouForLife