Moore County Schools once again celebrated academic excellence at a recent Board of Education meeting held on Monday, March 9.
“At tonight’s Moore County Schools Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized exceptional students and employees from across the district,” writes the school board in a Facebook post honoring the recipients. “From dedicated classroom teachers and support staff to inspiring student leaders, these honorees truly exemplify what it means to Engage. Inspire. Succeed.”
The list of March recipients as presented by the board can be found below.
Shaughnessy Lindquist, Elise Middle School, Certified Staff
Mrs. Lindquist is in her third year of teaching and her second year as a sixth-grade ELA teacher, but you would not know it when you step into her classroom. She brings energy and enthusiasm to her instruction and consistently teaches vocabulary and comprehension skills with purpose. She holds students to high expectations, and they rise to meet them.
Mrs. Lindquist is a positive team member who leads the ELA Professional Learning Team, serves on the MTSS team, and sponsors the weekly Debate Club. She is a valued asset to Elise Middle School, and we are grateful for her dedication.
Maria Rodriguez, Elise Middle School, Support Staff
Mrs. Rodriguez is one of the most hardworking and dependable custodians at Elise Middle School. Although the building is older and requires constant attention, the school is consistently clean and well maintained thanks to her efforts. The floors are always shining, and she is often seen wiping down surfaces or tidying areas throughout the day.
Mrs. Rodriguez completes every task with a positive attitude and a smile. We greatly appreciate her dedication, as her work plays a key role in keeping Elise Middle School a welcoming place for students and staff.
Shandy Dunlap, Highfalls Elementary School, Certified Staff
Mrs. Dunlap is a first-grade teacher whose dedication is evident both in and beyond the classroom. A respected leader, she serves on the School Improvement Team and contributes to the K–2 Professional Learning Team.
Mrs. Dunlap creates a welcoming classroom where students are encouraged to work hard and persevere through challenges. From celebrating milestones to providing steady support throughout the year, she helps build confidence and a strong sense of belonging among her students. Her commitment to her students and the Highfalls community makes a lasting impact.
Darlene Newton, Highfalls Elementary School, Support Staff
Mrs. Newton serves as a kindergarten teacher assistant and brings dedication and care to her role each day. She exemplifies one of our favorite school sayings, “All In, All Heart.”
This year, she transitioned into a new position and quickly became a steady and reliable presence in the classroom. Mrs. Newton works closely with her partner teacher to support daily instruction and classroom routines. Her adaptability, willingness to learn, and commitment to giving her best make her a valued member of the Highfalls team.
Kristin Kachmar, New Century Middle School, Certified Staff
Mrs. Kachmar is a guidance counselor at New Century Middle School who has quickly acclimated to the Centurion school community. She is committed to improving systems and building strong relationships with all stakeholders.
Students and staff benefit daily from her proactive, student-centered approach. She leads the Junior Student-to-Student organization and also coaches volleyball and basketball. Mrs. Kachmar’s impact on the school community is evident through her dedication to student success and her tireless support of staff and families.
Brandi Partington, New Century Middle School, Support Staff
Mrs. Partington serves as the receptionist at New Century Middle School. Her smiling face and gentle spirit greet students, staff, and parents alike each day.
She plays an instrumental role in communicating with all stakeholders. No task is too big or too small for Mrs. Partington; she approaches every challenge with a helpful attitude and a solution-oriented mindset. She is a vital member of the office staff, and her contributions are invaluable to the New Century school community.
Dr. Holly Appanaitis, Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School, Certified Staff
Dr. Appanaitis serves as the school psychologist for three schools and exemplifies the professionalism and dedication that represent the best of our district. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures every IEP is accurate and completed on time, and her reliability makes her a trusted partner for staff and families.
Beyond her technical expertise, Dr. Appanaitis builds strong relationships through clear communication and collaboration. Whether addressing complex student needs or supporting her colleagues, she approaches every situation with integrity and a deep commitment to student success. Sandhills Farm Life is grateful for the lasting impact she makes on our school community.
Tammy Garner, Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School, Support Staff
Mrs. Garner serves as Data Manager and has been a cornerstone of the school community for 37 years. Beginning her career in 1989, Mrs. Garner has gracefully navigated the evolution of student data systems, including SIMS, NC Wise, PowerSchool, and now Infinite Campus.
Through decades of change, including the school’s transition from a K–8 to a K–5 school, her steady and gentle presence has helped keep the front office running smoothly. A kind colleague to four principals and countless families, her strong work ethic is matched only by the warmth she shows every new student. Mrs. Garner truly is the glue of Sandhills Farm Life.
Kris Patton, Vass-Lakeview Elementary School, Certified Staff
Mrs. Patton truly embodies the spirit of Engage, Inspire, Succeed. As a fifth-grade science teacher at Vass-Lakeview Elementary, she brings enthusiasm, dedication, and energy to everything she does.
She has a remarkable ability to make learning engaging while explaining complex concepts in ways students clearly understand. Her classroom is a place where curiosity and confidence grow each day. Mrs. Patton inspires a love of learning and encourages students to believe in themselves.
This recognition honors her passion, commitment, and the lasting impact she makes on her students and school community.
Luz Melendez Alvarado, Vass-Lakeview Elementary School, Support Staff
Mrs. Melendez Alvarado truly represents the spirit of the Engage, Inspire, Succeed award. As an instructional assistant in the extended content classroom at Vass-Lakeview Elementary, she consistently takes initiative, supports her team, and advocates for her students.
Her hard work, creativity, and dedication are evident in everything she does. Mrs. Melendez Alvarado brings compassion, positivity, and purpose to her role, helping create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can grow and succeed.
Her commitment makes a meaningful difference each day, and this recognition celebrates the lasting impact she has on her students and school community.
Emma Morgan, North Moore High School, Student
A senior at North Moore, Emma ranks first in her class with a weighted GPA of 4.64. She serves as president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter and is a member of Beta Club, Leo Club, Interact Club, and Phi Theta Kappa at Sandhills Community College.
As a Career and College Promise student, she will earn her associate degree this spring and has contributed to published research as a psychology research assistant. She also volunteers extensively in the community.
Emma has been awarded North Carolina State University’s prestigious Goodnight Scholarship. The Goodnight Scholars Program prepares North Carolina’s top STEM talent to become transformational leaders at NC State, across North Carolina, and around the world.
She plans to double major in biology and political science at NC State and pursue a career in environmental law. We are incredibly proud of Emma and all of the hard work that led to this outstanding achievement!
Additional Recognitions
Emilia Mashburn, Connect Academy, District Spelling Bee Champion
Emilia, a fifth-grade Blend+Ed student at Connect Academy, was crowned the 2026 Moore County Schools District Spelling Bee Champion after nine competitive rounds at McDeeds Creek Elementary on January 29. She secured the title by correctly spelling “hydrophobia” to advance and “medusa” as the championship word.
Emilia went on to compete at the Carolina Panthers North Carolina Regional Spelling Bee at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on March 1, advancing to the third round of competition. We are so proud of Emilia’s preparation, poise, and determination, and we commend her for representing Connect Academy and Moore County Schools with excellence.
Peyton Robertson, Union Pines High School, Carolina Crown Drum Major
Peyton, a senior at Union Pines, was recently selected as Drum Major for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. She advanced through a rigorous audition process at multiple camps, competing against hundreds of candidates from across the country.
This is a remarkable accomplishment, as Carolina Crown is one of the top Drum Corps International (DCI) ensembles in the nation and is widely regarded as the major league of marching band performance.
Beginning this summer, Peyton will lead the group while representing the Union Pines Marching Vikings and Moore County Schools with distinction. We are incredibly proud of Peyton and look forward to her future performances with Carolina Crown.
Jeff Hewitt, Pinecrest High School, NCBCA Hall of Fame
Jeff Hewitt was inducted into the North Carolina Baseball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame on January 30, 2026. He has served as the head baseball coach at Pinecrest High School since 2000, leading his teams to 465 wins, 11 conference championships, and the 2022 Eastern Regional Championship.
Coach Hewitt has also served as a teacher and athletic director at Pinecrest for the past 10 years. Beyond team success, he has built lasting relationships with his players and students, with 56 advancing to play college baseball and five reaching the professional level.
Coach Hewitt exemplifies the principle of “leaving it better than you found it,” and his dedication has made a lasting impact on Pinecrest High School and Moore County Schools.
Kendt Eklund, SREC Director of Technology of the Year
Kendt was selected by his peers as the Sandhills Region Technology Director of the Year, recognizing his leadership and measurable impact in advancing educational technology across our district.
He was honored at the Annual State Technology Directors Meeting last week alongside other regional recipients from across North Carolina. In true fashion, Kendt credits this recognition to his dedicated technology team and district colleagues.
We are extremely proud of Kendt’s leadership and grateful for the expertise and collaboration he brings to Moore County Schools and the entire Sandhills region.
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Article/photo via Moore County Schools.
