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KENANSVILLE — Students from various schools across the county were honored in a special ceremony last week at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville. This recognition was part of the Board of Education’s monthly meeting, celebrating participants in the annual North Carolina State Beta Convention, the Duplin County Schools STEAMA Fair, and the Beyond the Books events.
The elementary, middle and high school participants were awarded certificates commemorating their excellence by Nicole Murray, chief academic officer for STEAMA Curriculum and Instruction/Professional Development, during Tuesday night’s ceremony.
“These academic competitions have challenged our students to excel, and the students we will honor tonight rose to this challenge and earned the highest honor,” said Murray in her opening address.
The annual state-level Beta Convention in February saw competition from every school in Duplin County, with students winning 115 Top-Five awards along with the eligibility to compete at the national convention in Florida this summer.
“To be in the Beta club, students have to have academic excellence, excellent character, and they have to have a mind and heart for service,” explained Murray, adding that these students had risen above thousands of other competitors to bring home their first-place prizes.
Duplin County Schools also celebrated the district winners of the county’s annual STEAMA fair competition who had been invited to represent the county at the Southeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair in February. The competition required students to present their original STEAMA projects completed using either the engineering design process or the scientific method, with many Duplin County students advancing to the state level.
“Each one of these students that we’re recognizing tonight for the STEAMA fair received some sort of reward and recognition at the regional level,” said Murray. “We were very proud; our students won more awards than any other district.”
This year was the county’s first-ever Beyond the Books event, a program designed to encourage students to engage with books in innovative ways. Lindsay Skidmore, director of 6-8 curriculum and digital innovation for Duplin County Schools, presented awards for Best in Show for each category at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“These amazing students blew us away with their creativity and their critical thinking, and their connections with books,” said Skidmore.
Following the presentation, members of the board offered thanks, congratulations and encouragement to the students in recognition of their accomplishments and to their parents for their continued support.
“The time you spend in these clubs, participating in these events and getting to this level does not go unnoticed,” said Chairman Brent Davis, who expressed the importance of support from parents, family and the community to the success of the school system, as well as the contributions of staff that work behind the scenes to get the students to where they need to be.
According to Vice-Chairman Reginald Kenan, the success of these students is evidence that Duplin County continues to lead the state in education. He also thanked the parents and guardians assembled for their support. “We really appreciate your trust. Thank you for letting us add something to the lives of your children and grandchildren.”
Pamela Edwards spoke directly to the students in her remarks, indicating the importance of recognizing those who excel in their classwork as well as in athletics.
“Everything you can do and accomplish in school, we appreciate it as adults,” said Edwards. “Thank you for what you’re doing. You are our future.”
