The Moore County School Board praised staff members and students Monday, October 12. Among those recognized at the board’s Regular Business Meeting were Dylan Thomas, Sam Kearns and Adin Patterson, a student at Union Pines High School.
Thomas, in his third year teaching and coaching at Union Pines, is known for his optimism and confidence. A 2010 graduate of Union Pines, he received praise for being a great asset for the entire school.
Kearns, who drives a bus for Vass-Lakeview Elementary, was recognized for being a caring advocate for all kids. Following his graduation from Pinecrest High School, Kearns served 20 years in the United States Marines.
A senior at Union Pines, Patterson received accolades for excelling in the classroom, in leadership roles, in club activities, and sports. As a freshman, he won a certificate in an American Legion History Essay competition.
Additionally, the board recognized the 2019-20 8th grade Odyssey of the Mind team from West Pine Middle. The squad – comprised of Sanem Cobb, Elle Wadas, Anna Kathryn Foster, Thomas Mann, Cooper Ogden, Jackson Locklear and Connor Cuthrell – participated in the 2020 Odyssey of the Mind Virtual World Finals. After virtually presenting its solution to a problem on networking, the team placed second in the competition. The performance marks the highest finish by any team from Moore County in the known history of the Odyssey program.
Later in the meeting, the board approved the proposed original budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, a move recommended by the district. The vote on the budget was 7-0.
The district also recommended the school board approve a transition from Plan B to Plan A for students in grades K through 5. With the change, associated students would get in-person instruction up to five days per week. Following a lengthy discussion, the board voted, 6-1, to move to Plan A in January.
Governor Roy Cooper announced the re-entry option, for public schools, September 17.
Feature photo: Sam Kearns, support staff at Vass-Lakeview Elementary School. Photo via Moore County Schools.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Dave Lukow.
