CHINA GROVE — Parks and Recreation Director Jill Sellers was recently recognized as the state’s young professional of the year by the N.C. Recreation and Parks Association (NCRPA).

Sellers was recognized at the N.C. Recreation and Park conference in Wilmington a few weeks ago. That association’s executive director, Michelle Wells, was on tap at the China Grove Town Council meeting on Tuesday to say a few more words on Sellers’ behalf.

Addressing the council, Wells said, “I am sure you already knew (Sellers) was outstanding and you did not need me to come here tonight to share with you some of the reasons why she is an outstanding professional and received that recognition in our state.”

Sellers has been in the field for six years, joining the China Grove staff in 2022 as the events coordinator, since being promoted to parks and recreation director.

“During that time, she has been a very busy young lady,” Wells said.

Throughout the past year, Sellers secured the own’s first parks and recreation trust fund grant and received a scholarship from NCPRA to attend her first national conference back in October in Dallas.

“She became a certified parks and recreation professional and also received her playground safety inspector certification,” Wells said. “I have sat in on that course. It is not an easy course. Kudos to anybody who has that recognition.”

Sellers will also be attending the NCRPA Directors School later this year.

“In addition to her professional accomplishments, as you sole parks and recreation employee, she coordinates 20 plus events annually,” Wells said.

Sellers’ department oversees four parks in China Grove and also assists with the local little league.

“She is always on the go looking out for new classes, workshops and ideas that she can learn from others so that she can bring them back to her community,” Wells said. “Her heart is in her home town where she thrives on planning new and creative programs … keeping local playgrounds safe and planning new recreational events.”

China Grove Councilman Don Bringle serves as the Rowan County Parks and Recreation facilities management director.

“I have seen individuals annually who have been awarded this recognition and I have seen those same individuals excel and move on throughout the parks programs throughout the state and outside of the state.” Bringle said. “I hope we are able to retain Jill for a while.”

Bringle also touched on the difficulty of the playground certification coursework.

“That’s a three-day course and it’s tough,” Bringle said.

Sellers plans to attend another national conference in Denver later this year.