“Kindness is a language which the deaf and the blind can read.” This quote, which has been attributed to Mark Twain, was shared by Robbins Elementary Student Lana Marley Monday at the beginning of the first Moore County Board of Education Regular Meeting of 2019.
It was also a fitting introduction for a meeting dedicated to recognizing the hard work and diligence of the people who are committed to helping Moore County students excel both in the classroom, and to prepare them to lead a successful life.
Recognition went to Robbins Elementary School Students Adrianna Sexton(L) and Lana Marley(M) for citing inspirational quotes and Conner Hurley(R) for reciting Pledge of Allegiance.
In front of a large and enthusiastic audience, the following students, staff, and volunteers were honored as part of the Engage, Inspire, Succeed initiative.
Barbara Colson; Certified Staff, Aberdeen Elementary School
Tammy Garner; Support Staff, Sandhills Farmlife Elementary School
Diana Hampson; Volunteer, Southern Pines Primary School
Devon Armstrong; Student, Pinecrest High School
Additionally, the Pinecrest FFA Vet Science Team; Tanner Speer, Brooklyn Kuhn, Brianna Diaz, and Kendall Snyder placed first among 51 high schools at the NC FFA. They will now go on to compete in the Nationals in Indianapolis this October. The team was judged on administrating medication, a general knowledge test and muzzling a cat (fortunately for all concerned the cat was stuffed).
Matt Quinn, Union Pines High School Football Coach, was selected as a Carolina Panthers coach of the week. He is one of 11 to be recognized from North and South Carolina. Coach Quinn led the Viking’s to a surprising 3rd place finish in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Additionally, he has been instrumental in getting his players involved in numerous volunteer and mentoring programs to build successful young men off the field as well as on it.
Chris Metzger, Pinecrest High School Football Coach, was named Most Valuable Coach in a national competition sponsored by US Cellular and Samsung. 2018 was a groundbreaking year as Coach Metzer led the Patriots to the final four of the state 4-AA high school football playoffs for the first time in school history. Additionally, this was the first 10 victory for the Patriots and now makes Metzer the winningest coach in Pinecrest history.
Mariah Morris, second grade teacher at West Pine Elementary, was named the Region IV Sandhills/South Central Regional Teacher of the Year. Morris was selected over nominees from 11 school districts and is now one of nine finalists for North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded this April.
Libby Carter(L) Vice Chair of Board of Education and Helena Wallin-Miller (R) Chair of Board of Education.
The recognition portion of the evening came to a conclusion with a presentation in honor of School Board Appreciation Month. Students from various Moore County Schools created artwork which adorned the meeting room, and superintendent Bob Grimesey recapped the many significant accomplishments of the last year, including the issuance of School Bonds, a passage of a sales tax increase to help fund school construction and the groundbreaking of several new schools.
The next regular School Board meeting is February 11 at 5 pm.
Feature photo: West Pine Elementary 2nd grade teacher, Mariah Morris, being recognized by the school board as the Region IV Sandhills/South Central Regional Teacher of the Year and is now one of nine finalists for North Carolina Teacher of the Year. Also pictured are Helena Wallin-Miller (L) Board of Education, Chair and Libby Carter(R), Vice Chair.
Article and video by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter, Chris Prentice.
