School & District News
Back Row: Elijah Woods, Jonathan Britt, John Wiggins, Michelle Cash
Front Row: Bruce Hill, Chair W.D. Anderson, Vice Chair Kimberly Outlaw-Starkey
This week, the Lenoir County Public Schools’ Board of Education met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting, but this meeting was extra special both for the Board, and the students that were invited to attend.
Re-elected board members Bruce Hill, Elijah Woods, Dr. Kimberly Outlaw-Starkey and John Wiggins took their oath of office for a new four-year term, while newly elected member Jonathan Britt was sworn in for the first time. The Board of Education also voted to elect W.D. Anderson to serve as the new Chair, with Dr. Kimberly Outlaw-Starkey serving as the Vice Chair.
Once the votes were cast and the agenda handed to Mr. Anderson, Superintendent Brent Williams presented the board with multiple recognitions of student success, highlighting that LCPS students are not only succeeding at the local level, but at the state and regional level as well.
Six students from North Lenoir High School had the opportunity this past summer to attend the North Carolina Governor’s School, a highly selective residential program for academically or intellectually gifted students. Eagan Ballard attended for social science, Kayla Britt attended the English program, Lillian Daughety and Madeline Gilmore both attended for dance and Hayden Hall attended for theater. Since 2022, LCPS has sent 17 students to the Governor’s School. The program accepts roughly 650 students from over 1,800 applications each year, and LCPS is proud of these students for their selection and continuing in that success.
Superintendent Brent Williams, Mackenzie Hood, Eagan Ballard, Kayla Britt, Lillian Daughety, Madeline Gilmore, Hayden Hall, Vice Chair Kimberly Outlaw-Starkey
The North Carolina School Boards Association selected several of our elementary school students’ artwork as honorable mentions in conjunction with the NCSBA Annual Conference for Board Member Development. Elementary students were encouraged to create posters of themselves in the future, achieving their dreams and making a positive impact on the world due to their education. LCPS had eight students receive honorable mentions: Eden Oliver and Brissa Santilian from La Grange Elementary, Hance Davis, Yhadira Venegas Cortez and Josue Barrios Morales from Moss Hill Elementary, as well as Rilee Hooker, Janella Saul and Daylen Ratliff from Northwest Elementary School.
The NCSAB also recognized E.B. Frink Middle School, who placed second in their video contest. Students were asked to create a video with the theme “More than a School.” Digital Learning Specialist Jonathan Smith coached the team of students Allisen Ponce, Ethan Gray, Laila Landers, Layla Edwards, Kai Manley and Hudson Horton. The NCSBA conference was held in Greensboro this past November.
Continuing with student success, the North Carolina Association for Scholastic Activities sponsors an annual writing competition for middle and high school students called The Quill. LCPS students excelled in the competition at both the regional and state level. Woodington Middle School finished second in their division, Early College High School was the highest scoring fourth place team across the state, and South Lenoir High School came in third place in their division.
Competing for Woodington in The Quill were students Nikki Bellamy, Leila Culhane, Jasmine Williams and Alia Brown, coached by Caroline Stucker. Representing Early College were students Arianna Aviles, Macy Schmidt, Destiny Hernandez Salaissa and Asher Eubanks, coached by Elizabeth Vick-Smith. Competing for South Lenoir were students Abby Whaley, Wesley Vernon, Carter Johnson and Joanna Prybylinksi, coached by Greta Hill.
Not only are LCPS students succeeding, but our teachers are as well. Tameka Gaskill of Northeast Elementary has been named the North Carolina Science Teachers Association’s Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher for Region 2. Ms. Gaskill goes above and beyond for her students every day, and was recognized and presented a plaque at the NCSTA Awards ceremony this past November.
Woodington Students include Nikki Bellamy and Alia Brown. Not pictured are Leila Culhane and Jasmine Williams. ECHS students include Arianna Aviles, Macy Schmidt, Destiny Hernandez Salaissa and Asher Eubanks. South Lenoir Students include Abby Whaley, Wesley Vernon, Carter Johnson and Joanna Prybylinski
Last school marked strong academic achievement for our schools and our students. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. presented these schools with graduation and growth certificates for the 2023-2024 school year, representing an impressive amount of hard work by both students and their educators. Lenoir County Early College High School was recognized for a 100% graduation rate and for meeting growth expectations. Banks Elementary, La Grange Elementary, Moss Hill Elementary, Pink Hill Elementary and Woodington Middle School were all recognized for exceeding growth expectations, while Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School, E.B. Frink Middle School, Lenoir County Learning Academy, Northeast Elementary, Northwest Elementary and Rochelle Middle School were all celebrated for meeting academic growth expectations.
Highlighting the successes of our district and the achievements of our students, educators, and staff is essential for fostering a positive and supportive school community. LCPS would like to share our heartfelt congratulations to those who were recognized at this month’s Board of Education meeting for their outstanding achievements. Your contributions reflect the values of excellence, commitment, and collaboration that make our district a place where success thrives.