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KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Board of Education acknowledged student and educator recipients of various grants, scholarships and certifications at its regular business meeting on Tuesday, June 3, with a period of special recognition. Eduardo Gonzalez and Mya Smith, recognized at May’s meeting for their acceptance into the North Carolina Governor’s School program, were presented certificates to commemorate the honor.
Brittany Baker with Chinquapin Elementary School, Garrick Purdie with Duplin Early College High School, Jessica Servin-Turcios with Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School and Juanito Hernandez with Wallace-Rose Hill High School were recognized as recipients of North Carolina Farm Bureau’s “Ag in the Classroom… Going Local” grants by Erica Edwards, presenting the awards on behalf of the Duplin County Farm Bureau.
According to the North Carolina Farm Bureau website, the grants help instructors provide students with valuable, real-world education and experiences directly related to the agricultural industry and the North Carolina standard course of study.
“I have the privilege of getting to read and see hundreds of grants, and I know that I’m biased, but our Duplin County teachers are amazing,” said Edwards.
Chairman Brent Davis thanked both Edwards and the recipients on behalf of the board and praised the educators for devoting their time and resources to their classrooms.
Nicole Murray, chief officer of STEAMA Curriculum and Instruction/Professional Development, presented Gonzalez and Smith with certificates commemorating their acceptance into the North Carolina Governor’s School program. Though Murray had previously highlighted each student’s achievements at the board’s May meeting, neither Smith nor Gonzalez had been able to attend.
“In order to attend Governor’s School, students go through a highly selective and highly competitive process after being nominated by their school district,” Murray explained.
Daniel Jones, a recent East Duplin High School graduate, was recognized for his receipt of the University of Chapel Hill’s Moorehead-Cain Scholarship, one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the nation. Jones intends to major in neuroscience and biomedical engineering.
Ellier Marquez-Chavez, former participant in the North Carolina Governor’s School program and recent graduate of Wallace-Rose Hill High School, was also acknowledged for his academic achievements.
“Our recognition of Ellier tonight is three-fold,” began Murray, recognizing Marquez-Chavez for his acceptance to not one but three Ivy League universities — Yale, Columbia and Cornell — as well as his selection for both the Bill and Melinda Gates Scholarship and the Benjamin Duke Scholarship. He plans to attend Duke University this Fall.
Recipients of Duplin County’s Grow Your Own scholarship were recognized by Darren Tyndall, assistant superintendent for human resources with Duplin County Schools. Lilliana White, Jerrick Kellum, Jaqueline Juan-Catalan, Savannah Kennedy, and Emory Raynor will receive up to $5,000 per year for up to four years as they pursue degrees in teaching. “These individuals commit to come back to Duplin County Schools and teach for four years for the support they receive,” explained Tyndall.
Tyndall also acknowledged three instructors who received National Board Certification: Heather Blackburn and Samantha Rouse, both with B.F. Grady Elementary School, and Hannah Bell with James Kenan High School.
Vice-Chairman Reginald Kenan voiced his appreciation for the parents and guardians of those honored at Tuesday’s meeting.“You trust us with the most precious gift God has given you,” said Kenan. “For us, it’s a privilege and an honor to be a part of trying to make sure your child becomes successful.”
The board unanimously approved an extensive consent agenda following the special recognition. The agenda, as with all prior meetings, can be found at
duplinschools.net.
