WPCC Graduate Receives NCWorks Award of Distinction

Western Piedmont Community College alumni Tabitha Arrowood was selected to receive the 2022 Governor’s NCWorks Award of Distinction in the category of “Outstanding Adult.”

Arrowood, who graduated from WPCC in May 2021 with an Interpreter Education degree, will represent NCWorks – Burke and WPCC at the annual Workforce Development Conference in October 2022.

In a statewide nomination, Arrowood was nominated by NCWorks Career Center. The nomination process consisted of three detailed pieces – the nominee’s accomplishments and story, strength and skills and employment information.

Arrowood has been a participant in the NCWorks scholarship program since 2019 and has excelled in all aspects of training, exams, and employment.

“Having Tabitha as a participant in our program was extremely rewarding, and she is at the top of her game, with no end in sight for her ambitions and goals,” NCWorks Career Advisor Cynthia Watson said. “Just watching her achieve her goals, one by one, was a true inspiration!”

Watson continues by saying that Tabitha’s success was originally recognized by the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG), through a success story and photo, which was published in the WPCOG newsletter that was seen by all the Workforce Board members and anyone in the four-county area who receives the newsletter.

Arrowood said that the nomination itself was a surprise and winning the award was a greater surprise.

“To anyone who is struggling, and facing enormous obstacles, achieving your goals is possible. Reach deep into yourself and find that spark of motivation to keep fighting until you win,” Arrowood said. “Once you win, take the flame of your candle, and light the candles of others who have found their light dimmed or burned out. Hard work never ends, but it also never goes unnoticed, and it always pays off. It is how we use our successes to uplift, encourage and advocate for others that is the real win.”

Interpreter Education was a natural fit for Tabitha as Deafness was an embedded part of her life since birth. Tabitha grew up in a household where all were deaf, Mom, Dad, Sister, and Brother. Tabitha was the only hearing person in her family. American Sign Language (ASL) was Tabitha’s first primary language, with verbal English being her second language. Verbal English was a special accomplishment for Tabitha since there were no spoken words in the home.

Arrowood is currently employed with WPCC in the Office of Disability Services as an Independent Contractor. She assists the deaf and hard of hearing, independently and in team settings. Tabitha attends classes with them and interprets, explains lectures and course content. In addition to working at WPCC, Arrowood works as a freelance interpreter in the community.

To learn more about NCWorks Career Center, visit online at ncworks.gov