Top Stories of 2024

In March, NC Senator Danny Britt and State Superintendent Catherine Truitt presented PSRC with $12 million to fund the Robeson Career and Technical Education Center, Planetarium, and Science Center.

The Public Schools of Robeson County’s Migrant Education Program was honored with the 2023-2024 Outstanding Program Award by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, recognizing it as the best in the state.

The Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC) marked steady academic improvements in the 2023-24 school year, with gains in student proficiency across several subjects, including Math, Science, and English.

Graduation rates experienced a significant rise from 79.2% to 83.4%, outpacing the state average. Additionally, the performance of English Language Learners improved, and six schools were removed from the Targeted Support and Improvement list due to better subgroup performance.

While challenges persist, including the district's low-performing status with 26 schools identified as such, 58.3% of PSRC schools met or exceeded growth expectations, with eight schools improving their performance grades. Eight schools earned a grade of C, two schools earned an A, and 28 schools increased or maintained their grades.

The district remains committed to progress through its Relay Framework for school improvement and strategic plan, focusing on leadership development, robust support systems, and collective accountability. Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson emphasized the district's mission to create a student-centered learning environment that prepares all students for success in college, career, and life.

PSRC earned a total of seven Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association.

The Public Schools of Robeson County received a $74,955 Afterschool Robotics Competitive Grant, funded through ESSER III, to support robotics programs. The grant was allocated to cover team registrations, teacher coaching stipends, travel for competitions, and robotics equipment, enhancing STEM opportunities district-wide.

The school district received a $200,000 safety grant from the Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools to enhance bus security. The funding equipped all elementary buses and remaining high school and activity buses with cameras, enhancing safety across the district.

In June, 1,276 students were celebrated across the district as they crossed the stage and stepped into their next chapter after high school during commencement ceremonies. These students and the 59 graduates from PSRC Early College also had the opportunity to celebrate their graduation at Project Graduation in June.

Robeson County FFA chapters represented well at the NC FFA Convention, with chapters bringing home several awards and the Lumberton FFA Chapter being named the top chapter in the state.

The convention took place June 25-27, 2024 in Raleigh.

The PSRC Early College RobCoBots team completed an exhilarating season of robotics competitions, earning multiple awards and accolades and ending the season in the top 15 teams across the state.

Robeson County Career Center students excelled at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference held April 23-25 in Greensboro, with two students advancing to the national championships this summer. Competing against peers statewide, 29 PSRC high school students showcased their skills, with 10 placing in the top five of their categories. Highlights included second-place finishes in automotive competitions and a first-place win by the Career Center’s cybersecurity team in the state contest.

Chloe Hammonds was named a semifinalist for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Selected from over 6,000 candidates nationwide, Chloe is one of 625 students to achieve this honor. Her mother, Cynthia Hammonds, expressed pride in Chloe’s accomplishments, highlighting her integrity, humility, and passion for making a positive community impact.

Fairmont High School students achieved national recognition at the FCCLA Nationals in Seattle, Washington, with their Hospitality and Tourism Team and Event Management Team both earning 3rd place finishes. The teams qualified for the National Leadership Conference, held June 29 to July 3, 2024, after placing second and third respectively at the state-level competition.

PSRC made history in July at the National Beta Club Conventions in Savannah, Georgia, as several students earned awards, including a groundbreaking achievement by South Robeson Middle School student Terrell McNeill. McNeill became the first state officer from North Carolina to serve as National Junior Beta Secretary, a role he will hold for one year starting July 1, 2024. The conventions, held June 10-19, featured Junior, Elementary, and Senior Beta events, showcasing the talent and dedication of PSRC students on a national stage.

In January, Lumberton Junior High School’s Technology Club earned the Core Value Award at the Future City Competition held at N.C. State University. The competition, which challenges students to design innovative solutions to sustainability issues, focused this year on creating an all-electric city for a Puerto Rican community in 2124. Using the Engineering Design Process, the 7th and 8th-grade students impressed judges with their creative and thoughtful approach to the challenge.

Junior Torres Diaz, Harmony Brooks, Kenleigh Freeman and Haley Lewter were among 130 individuals to receive North Carolina Teaching Fellows awards for the Class of 2024 during its early-decision window.

Orrum Middle School student Zoe Ogan completed the NC Flight Crew program, a STEM-focused initiative that provides career exploration and hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Participating during her seventh-grade year in 2023-2024, Zoe emerged from the program with increased confidence and new ideas to positively impact her community.

Thirty-two students from the Public Schools of Robeson County recently participated in a three-day Youth Preparedness Summer Camp at Camp Rockfish where they learned emergency response skills for use in events such as natural disasters.

Perseverance paid off for Aidan Mulroy, who won a brand-new 2024 Honda Civic at the 2024 Beasley Media Group Driven 2 Excel event. Mulroy, recognized for his outstanding grades and perfect attendance, expressed his excitement, stating, “I’ve always tried to be driven to do my best and get good grades.”

Sponsored by Lumberton Honda and Piedmont Natural Gas, the program rewards students maintaining a 3.2 GPA and excellent attendance, with a record 362 students qualifying in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Additionally, six $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Robeson County seniors, alongside a teacher recognition prize, reinforcing the program’s commitment to fostering academic success and community support.

Fairmont High School student Jordyn Hunt was among 16 students selected for the N.C. Youth Advocacy Council, representing the diverse experiences of youth across the state. As a council member, Jordyn engaged with elected officials, advocated for issues like youth mental health access, and helped organize community events. She was recently recognized in Raleigh for her contributions, highlighting the importance of youth advocacy and mental health awareness.

Lumberton High School students took top spots during the NC A Cappella Choir and Show Choir Competitions.

The Lumberton Senior A Cappella Choir, Noteworthy, took the fourth-place spot in the state competition held on April 13 at Overhills High School. Each competing choir is judged on 10 objectives of Vocal Production and 5 objectives of Visual Production. The group performed for a prestigious panel of judges including composer/arranger Andy Beck.

The Public Schools of Robeson County’s Director of Technology was named the Technology Director of the Year for the Sandhills Region and will advance to compete for the state-level award.

Everette Teal was selected by Chief Technology Officers across the region to receive the distinction and advance to the state for the selection process of the Technology Director of the Year for North Carolina.

Teal will receive the Sandhills award at the NC Technology in Education Conference on March 5, 2025 in Raleigh. The Technology Director of the Year for North Carolina will also be announced during the conference.

PSRC Family Engagement Specialist Brendalyn Thompson has been elected to serve on the North Carolina Parent Teacher Association Board of Directors.

Serving on the board will allow Thompson to use her expertise to amplify family voices and shape statewide and national policy discussions on topics impacting youth. Her term on the board extends through June 30, 2026.

Two PSRC leaders, Dr. Connie Locklear, Director of Indian Education, and Susan Miller-Hendrix, Science Supervisor, were recognized for their exceptional contributions to STEM education at the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center Celebration in Cary. Dr. Locklear received the Informal Educator Award for her innovative integration of cultural competencies and STEM opportunities for Robeson County students, while Miller-Hendrix was honored with the Outstanding Instructional Leader Award for her passion in inspiring teachers and students in science and STEM education.

The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) honored Brian Freeman, Principal of Peterson Elementary in Red Springs, with its “Principal of the Year” Award.

The Public Schools of Robeson County’s Relay-Leverage Leadership Coach has received the highest honor for her work in the 2023-2024 cohort of the Relay Graduate School of Education’s Leverage Leadership Institute Fellowship.

PSRC Relay-Leverage Leadership Coach Amanda Graham has been recognized as a Platinum Plus Leader for hard work and dedication in the Relay Graduate School of Education’s Leverage Leadership Institute Fellowship.

The Public Schools of Robeson County hosted a special ceremony in May to celebrate retirees, national board certification recipients, and standout educators. Honorees included Foris Allen as the 2024-2025 PSRC Teacher Assistant of the Year, Sarah Griffin-Greene as the 2024-2025 PSRC Teacher of the Year, Alisa Hammonds as the 2024-2025 PSRC Beginning Teacher of the Year, and Joanna Hunt as the 2024-2025 PSRC Principal of the Year. During the event, Sarah Griffin-Greene also received a $250 award from Ryan Sampson of Horace Mann Insurance. Additionally, Purnell Swett High School educators Corey Deese and Tracy Locklear were recognized for achieving national board certification, showcasing the district's dedication to excellence in education.

The NEA Foundation has announced that Elaina Bouncer, a dedicated educator at Peterson Elementary, has been selected as one of the 48 recipients of the 2025 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence. This esteemed recognition celebrates exceptional public school educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, leadership in the teaching profession, and a commitment to equity and diversity.

Lisa Thoman, Digital Teaching and Learning Instructional Technology Facilitator for the Public Schools of Robeson County, was chosen to join the 2024 cohort of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Artificial Intelligence Collaborative. Running from February 28 to June 20, the program supported educators in responsibly integrating generative AI into schools. Thoman collaborated with peers to develop resources aligned with the state’s AI implementation recommendations, helping prepare students for the future. Selected from nearly 300 applicants, Thoman joined a group of educators dedicated to advancing AI education in North Carolina.

Kelsey Cummings, Assistant Principal at Union Elementary School, participated in the N.C. Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA) Future-Ready Leadership Program. This cohort-based initiative provided six day-long sessions and hands-on projects aimed at enhancing participants' skills as instructional leaders and preparing them for future school leadership roles.

Hampton Miller recently received the Region 4 North Carolina Science Teachers Association Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher Award.

Miller received the award for his innovative and creative teaching methods during his time at Fairmont Middle School, where he inspired students and challenged them to apply scientific methods to understand the world around them and solve complex problems.

Although he now teaches at Fairmont High School, his nomination for the award was submitted while he was working at the middle school.

Martha Locklear, who serves as an assistant principal at Fairmont High School, will participate in the Assistant Principal Accelerator Program to further develop her leadership capabilities, strengthen her administrative expertise, and contribute to the continued success and improvement of the school community.

Phyllis King, who is a Career and Technical Education teacher at Lumberton Junior High School, was one of 24 finalists for the 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award.

The prestigious award is given to an exceptional CTE educator for their dedication and excellence as an educator.

Mrs. Sandra Lopez Greenfield, PSRC’s Multilingual Learner Lead Teacher, has been invited to represent the school district in an Ignite Online Professional Learning Community (PLC) designed to support administrators and educators working with multilingual learners and their families.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastation in western North Carolina, staff members from the Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC) stepped up to support Buncombe County schools as they resumed classes. Two social workers, two counselors, and a custodian/bus driver traveled to provide emotional and logistical support, drawing on their own experiences from past hurricanes in Robeson County. Social workers Regina Bullard and Brittany Evans reflected on the resilience of the students and staff at Pisgah Elementary, describing the experience as both humbling and healing. Counselors Gina Jacobs and Wendell Acosta emphasized the importance of presence and encouragement, while custodian and bus driver Matthew Chavis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness the community’s strength firsthand. Their efforts, marked by compassion and solidarity, were celebrated during a PSRC Board of Education meeting, where they were commended for embodying the true spirit of service and community support in a time of need.

Twenty-eight educators were awarded funding through the Lumbee River EMC Bright Ideas Grant program to enhance student learning and create innovative educational experiences.

"These educators are leading the way in creating engaging learning experiences, helping their students thrive in and out of the classroom. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year's grant recipients for their hard work, dedication, and vision," a statement on Lumbee River EMC's website reads in part.

FOCUS Broadband awarded $4,362 in grant funds to support educational programs in Robeson County, as part of its long-standing commitment to enhancing local education. This year’s recipients included East Robeson Primary School, where funds were allocated to purchase LEGO education learning tools to support language activities for multilingual learners, and Southside-Ashpole Elementary School, which used funds to acquire ten Tello drones for a STEM lab project teaching coding skills to K-5 students.

The North Carolina Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA NC) announced the recipients of its 2024 STEM Grant Program, including four educators from Robeson County. This prestigious program supports initiatives that enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning. Charles "Robbie" Perdue from Robeson County Career Center received $1,000 to establish a virtual server farm for hands-on cybersecurity training. At Peterson Elementary, Camry Blue was awarded $1,000 to expand science education for kindergarten students, while Kayla Hendrix received $1,000 for her "First Time Flyers Program," introducing students to drone technology. Monica Britt of East Robeson Elementary secured $1,000 to create an interactive plant biology project involving planting and design activities.

Littlefield Middle School in Lumberton has received two prestigious recognitions from Imagine Learning for its exemplary use of digital curriculum solutions. The school was named an Imagine Nation School of Excellence for the 2023-2024 school year, joining 220 other schools and districts in being honored for its implementation of Imagine Language & Literacy®. This personalized learning program supports students' language and literacy development, helping them improve their English skills.

Additionally, Samantha Odom’s fifth-grade ELA class at Littlefield Middle earned the Literacy Bowl MVP Classroom Title, one of only 40 classrooms nationwide to receive this award. The class achieved this recognition by logging over 240 minutes of learning during a month-long competition. Educators highlighted the effectiveness of Imagine Learning in boosting students’ language skills, which they described as essential for academic success. The classroom celebrated their win with a pizza party gift card. Both awards showcase Littlefield Middle's dedication to fostering student engagement and academic growth through innovative educational tools.

Peterson Elementary School celebrated the Month of the Military Child with a patriotic program featuring performances by the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division All-American Brass Quintet and Woodwind Ensemble. The event honored military children and their families, with students singing, dancing, and recognizing the resilience and sacrifices of military kids. Staff and students wore purple to symbolize support for military children, while Red Springs High School JROTC participated in the ceremony.

Additionally, Peterson Elementary students gained a field trip opportunity to the North Carolina Museum of Science and NC Freedom Park, funded by a $10,912 grant from the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund. The trip aims to provide interactive learning opportunities outside the classroom, immersing students in science and history. Principal Brian Freeman and educators expressed gratitude for the grant, highlighting the value of this hands-on educational experience.

Oxendine Elementary School was one of 29 schools in North Carolina to receive funding through House Bill 259. The school was recognized for exceeding expected growth during the 2022-2023 school year and for meeting the criteria of serving at least 80% economically disadvantaged students. Oxendine Elementary was awarded $113,611 from the PRC251-Economically Disadvantaged Public School Support Funds to further support its continued academic success.

W.H. Knuckles Elementary School celebrated the legacy of its former principals by unveiling five new bricks in the school's "Principal Garden," a dedicated space at the front of the school, during a special ceremony. Each brick bears the name and years of service of a principal who made a significant impact on the school community.

The new bricks honor Gary Patrick, Karen Brooks-Floyd, Adrian Sinclair-Davis, Eric Sanders, and Lisa Troy. These bricks join those of previous principals, including George H. Young, Thomas A. Walker, Robert Jones, James T. Blue, and Susan M. Blackmon.

The event was made possible through the support of community partners, including the Lambda Eta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, Bristol McCormick, Sandy Grove Baptist Church, and Tammara Abernathy Jones. The Lambda Eta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta funded the project. The ceremony served as a heartfelt tribute to the contributions of the school’s past leadership.

The Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC) is working to address homelessness among its students through the McKinney-Vento Program, which ensures that children facing housing insecurity have the same educational opportunities as their peers. Led by McKinney-Vento Liaison Shaneitha Nance, the program has seen increasing collaboration with community partners, such as the Lumbee Tribe, Lumber River United Way, and local churches, which provide essential support like transitional housing and case management. Recent successes include a clean audit report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, which praised the program’s outreach and compliance with federal requirements. Nance’s work has been highlighted in documentaries, showcasing the community’s collective effort to support these vulnerable students. Looking ahead, Nance aims to establish a summer camp for homeless students and create a family shelter to provide long-term stability, continuing her mission to remove barriers and ensure all students can succeed.

As teachers returned to the classroom, they were welcomed by community partners who provided meals, hospitality and encouragement for them ahead of the school year. Multiple local churches and organizations provided meals for various schools.