Duplin County sends four students to NC Governor’s School

By Abby Cavenaugh

Duplin Journal

Four Duplin County students have been selected to attend the prestigious North Carolina Governor’s School this summer. The four students were each honored at the April 9 meeting of the Duplin County Board of Education.

Nicole Murray, chief officer of STEAMA Curriculum and Instruction/Professional Development for Duplin County Schools, introduced the students to the school board members. “The NC Governor’s School is the oldest summer residential program in the nation that serves gifted high school students,” Murray explained. “These students will participate in a four-week residential on-campus program, where they will work on academics, the arts and lots of unique courses on each of two campuses across the state.”

Governor’s School East will be at Meredith College in Raleigh, while Governor’s School West will be at Greensboro College.

“The interesting thing about Governor’s School is that the curriculum is all about exploration,” Murray added. “There are no grades, no tests, these students just get to go and learn about the things that they love and enjoy.”

The four Duplin County Schools students selected for the honor are:

• Jordan Hooper, son of Jenyse McMillan, a student at Duplin Early College High School. He was selected to attend Governors School West, where he’ll study English.
• Elier Marquez-Chavez, son of Adela Chavez and Lutgardo Marquez, a student at Wallace-Rose Hill High School. He was chosen to attend Governors School East, where he will study social science.
• Lily Stringer, daughter of Jamie Alphin and Forrest Stringer, a student at North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School. She was selected to attend Governors School West, where she will study natural science.
• Jaclyn Williams-Briggs, daughter of Gretchen Williams and Anthony Briggs, a student at Wallace-Rose Hill High School. She was chosen to attend Governors School East, where she’s going to study choral music as a first soprano.

“So, these students represent the best of Duplin County and North Carolina students based on what they have worked for and what they’ve achieved,” Murray said. “The application process to get into Governors School is extensive, and it’s very, very strenuous. The fact that we had four students chosen from Duplin County, we’re very proud of that.”

She went on to thank each of the students’ parents, as well as their teachers, administrators, and counselors.

“Congratulations to all four of you,” School Board Chairman Brent Davis told the students. “It’s really an amazing accomplishment, a real testament to your work ethic. We hope the experience is all that you want it to be and that you get a whole lot out of it.”

In other business at the April 9 school board meeting, the board approved the consent agenda, which included various field trip requests and contracts for IEP (individualized education plan) services, including a sign language interpreter, nursing care. The consent agenda also included approval to name the East Duplin High School Track & Field after former principal, Kenneth Kennedy.

After a closed executive session, the board approved the superintendent’s request for personnel changes. Board Member Pam Edwards also motioned to continue to pay positions in exceptional children math and science bonus money, which was approved unanimously.

Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan reminded the board that a strategic plan review is scheduled for May 6 at 6 p.m. at the Kenansville Elementary School cafeteria.

“Our annual review of the DCS Strategic Plan is important as it will clarify our vision, goals, priorities and action plan,” Dr. Obasohan said. “It also gives us an opportunity as a family to measure our progress, celebrate successes and find ways to improve.”