[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6357434,"mediaKeyId","2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26","parentId",2215086,"title","Johnston County names Melissa Hurst principal of the year and Shannon Pavlok assistant principal of the year","audioSeconds",912,"startMs",3536000,"endMs",4448000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26&start=3536&end=4448","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26/thumbnail_3536000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357434/North-Carolina/Johnston-County-names-Melissa-Hurst-principal-of-the-year-and-Shannon-Pavlok-assistant-principal-of-the-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357434-fc2dad2357a1538cbe09af47239d3e53/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139885&Signature=eDZEF8yR6e0EWluyibI-cd8OveXfLjDCeIn7ffdaQuA4zlPg2sfUS3xx9ePGjO9i3hl3yOSvneIuXLf1N5ey4j9CsuWeksvsEIGnZ02ZJ5WMQg0AO~0BwYcRaf0QMXIEJZQb0fHfwKPapjG4DbwxoGLCrJZmREpSqZXxjfZDBedWZtIy0yGSV5yLbTg~Pj6ojwgtVAfwvKiUn-xZ5amsVlqBxCbo0gp4PurRqxccchThujYb8V0YUp7Y6Mh04QsOk8bXEM0ancc7EpQrGLYt0Pa04aD0AbIAr5l3w1ZRUSyH6-QbL334tVuw52rTikV6PuVSEOzEE7qZF4fVhXUVhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-31T12:33:44Z","article","Johnston County Public Schools presented its 2024–25 principal and assistant principal of the year awards at the district’s fall recognition ceremony.

Superintendent‑level presenters introduced Melissa Hurst as the district’s principal of the year. The program noted Hurst’s 25‑year education career and administrative experience, including six years at Princeton Elementary. The district credited Hurst’s leadership with improving Princeton Elementary’s school performance grade from a C (58) to a B (71) during the 2023–24 school year and ranking the school in the top 15 percent in North Carolina for academic growth. The program also noted that Princeton Elementary’s performance composite increased from 53.1% to 64.6% while Hurst served as principal.

Hurst, who the event said is a first‑generation college graduate and a district product, told the audience she felt “a heart full of gratitude” and described being “proud” to serve in the district.

The district named Shannon Pavlok as assistant principal of the year and cited her 27‑year education career, including 20 years as a teacher and three years as Riverwood Elementary’s assistant principal. The program referenced North Carolina Department of Instruction data showing Riverwood Elementary exceeded growth and ranked in the top 10 percent in the state for academic growth for 2023–24. Pavlok said her “guiding light is service” and emphasized supporting teachers and families.

Both honorees received commemorative rings through a partnership with Herff Jones; district staff presented awards onstage and thanked school and district colleagues for their support.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JCPS Fall Special Recognition Celebration","oneSentenceSummary","Johnston County Public Schools honored Melissa Hurst as 2024–25 principal of the year and Shannon Pavlok as assistant principal of the year, citing school performance gains, years of service and community engagement.","taxTitle","Johnston County Public Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14189,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6357438,"Johnston County cheers state titles and all‑state athletes at awards night",496,2710000,3206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26&start=2710&end=3206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26/thumbnail_2710000.jpg","/articles/6357438/North-Carolina/Johnston-County-cheers-state-titles-and-allstate-athletes-at-awards-night","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357438-fd40e88190828863f3ef908c048307cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139884&Signature=Gt8q7c-cyVupkjGE1h-MkpcerZdXnP54KlB27GMNFs0WQXnzUpSGhv7w3wnCRkGyofpZdcyHq66pgaKXfdlc4nK-eXnnhYwRcA0W~AjutuvQ4yV12zKwUw99Pr9yNkAst81k84nfQgEhqlxXohLZrD1JycIL2doqU0vhZsJCc3vPa-Hi9COEu0YcNIet300CMFem88BYoFHle~pBUU4y3cXxi-qrBt9Jg2ZGLbr1zy8Qw01fg24rqfa5h1puRrxNhnCXcu5fs25q4OYobOHnDji1IkHXpYCxro-BKSk58knFeenod3Dyvci1LtV5UaCpmBFVaD0o0s47y40Fig-8Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County Public Schools recognized fall athletics achievements at its fall special recognition event, honoring two cheer squads that won divisional state championships and singling out students selected for all‑state or all‑region honors.

Josh Plisco, declared in the program as JCPS athletic director, praised student‑athletes and parents and introduced the North Johnston Panthers cheer team, winners of the North Carolina High School Coach Association Division 2 large non‑tumbling team award. He read the roster of student members present and thanked their coach for the team’s “determination from the fall all the way through.”

Plisco then recognized the Princeton Bulldogs cheer team for winning the North Carolina High School Coach Association Division 2 medium large varsity tumbling division; he noted several seniors on the team who have multiple conference titles and that this was the program’s fourth divisional state title. Plisco read the names of the students and the coaching staff onstage.

The district also recognized individual all‑state or all‑region athletes. Plisco named Cody Larkins (Clayton High School), selected for an East‑West all‑star football team, and Chris Serrano (Clayton High School), a junior forward named to an all‑soccer all‑region team after scoring 24 goals and recording six assists during the season. Plisco praised their classroom performance and community representation alongside athletic success.

Certificates and stage recognition followed each announcement. The athletics segment emphasized teamwork, persistence and school representation at state‑level competitions.","JCPS honored cheer teams that won divisional state championships and named students selected for all‑state or all‑region competitions in multiple sports.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6357443,"North Johnston team and top individuals advance from district MathCounts to regional invite",395,2276000,2671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26&start=2276&end=2671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26/thumbnail_2276000.jpg","/articles/6357443/North-Carolina/North-Johnston-team-and-top-individuals-advance-from-district-MathCounts-to-regional-invite","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357443-324ddc77d97db67a93c78169554bcaf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139884&Signature=JdzLBCQEzRgTsWcchueYaibURZTgGAWQCzvhdAyweCy3wOGyHDL1iBhmPsVozkFWfDHwUL6Lhq4FZukQVvr45Wp6Q6gvnXRDlET4RUM2pXy8z0dHD0ne9oRt-trAFKEjo7vwKTqBPSbDdxn52gZ3m~5EotegR0hMoF60tYjzZjlsD1KVJuk~mBseREHW8ya6NEN-ARe7a5KUphkS8tDkL8cJlCBCnCUPrMqgTDPabWTXBN6TmVrJvUrKCDVYVOPX~p2c3TvjJxdpaXcanLTZaqFyNl6oOF6OS9qOok8D3eFlQpn9Fyl9JHbjZe7MaCgFkfU9sKB7QgNjaRtfKpAwow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County Public Schools presented awards for the district MathCounts competition held Dec. 6 at the Wood Engineering Building at Johnston Community College and announced that the top three teams were invited to the North Carolina regionals on Feb. 15.

Dolisa Johnson Cowart, identified as the district official presenting MathCounts awards, thanked coaches, principals and volunteers and announced individual and team placings. She named Sam McLeod (Innovation Academy) as the individual champion, Aidan Ernst (North Johnston Middle School) as second, and Edgar Gordon Juarez (McGees Crossroads Middle School) as third. She also named additional individual placements and team rosters onstage.

Cowart announced the team winners: third place Princeton Middle High School (Bulldogs); second place Innovation Academy (Pioneers); and first place North Johnston Middle School, whose team members were Graydon Foster, Sophia Zenobi, Aidan Ernst and Claire Kornegay. Cowart said the first, second and third place overall teams “are invited to attend the North Carolina regionals on February 15th.”

Cowart thanked the district math curriculum director, coaches and volunteers for organizing the event and encouraged the students as they prepare for regionals. Certificates and team recognitions were presented during the awards program.","At the district MathCounts held Dec. 6, North Johnston Middle School won the team competition; individual winners and top teams were named and invited to the North Carolina regionals on Feb. 15.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6357448,"Johnston County names elementary spelling‑bee champion and runners‑up",157,2115000,2272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26&start=2115&end=2272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","/articles/6357448/North-Carolina/Johnston-County-names-elementary-spellingbee-champion-and-runnersup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357448-1a5578d11da6dcb19094dad3737103c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139884&Signature=YkZDSjA7g5CRNgDLUUE0l76GQnMhaJ9~69nazFV7NA-y99ZuB-~1ZlyFvv7~lC7ZXWAfhIDqzLfkimIFCUtXL-Em9vVSGa7iJ1XqNq5LltohWrdCjFxgWGsYgJf~dSq4bjPt6DAiuOcM1EyKB9~9LRFoGbFi4ahMoM4aVpZ-Eb4~M95q9~ILicMuNjtbjOfozp3Lk~NQyGheeE8sMd-DqVaHK9DD7lhtI-iWJCR~MLHosAPtKZJ~2yVOoePuCBZvYG2Zx~oaEFyiWK98~v9RPdGKdxcgm8z-3d5PCBMtZCRIherZg12pcdQ5T70QNAAM2g4LoeFdo4DdomX8yK7fIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County Public Schools recognized the district winners of its elementary spelling bee at the Fall Special Recognition Celebration.

A presenter told the audience that the spelling bee “is more than a competition. It's a focused individual challenge that inspires students to strive for excellence,” and then announced the top three finishers: third place Jackson Lampman of Glendale Kenley Elementary; second place Joel Franklin of Dixon Road Elementary; and first place champion Benjamin Foxworth of Pine Level Elementary.

The event framed the spelling bee as an educational activity that supports vocabulary development, study habits and language mastery. Certificates were presented onstage to the named students.

The announcement was part of the district’s awards night that also recognized achievements in arts, MathCounts, athletics and school leadership.","Johnston County Public Schools announced the top three finishers in the district elementary spelling bee: Benjamin Foxworth (first), Joel Franklin (second) and Jackson Lampman (third).",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6357453,"Johnston County students win county, state and national honors in arts and music",1421,674000,2095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26&start=674&end=2095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215086-fd0f8e0ecae6792b817f2c7aed87df26/thumbnail_674000.jpg","/articles/6357453/North-Carolina/Johnston-County-students-win-county-state-and-national-honors-in-arts-and-music","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357453-733114614d5f70a19ea60ad5ffe5312e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139884&Signature=VLFQO7VeA4c77YIVv2-kbPaRJ5sb7Yd4YQ7YeM0Al73keyMRyDUO5-b9OFfd~C6OO5QqBvp6bVTsbDfy1tfm57D3NXdCuStvxZIogcKmC5BIRYzMUOam1FLO3Bqu9mUavx8cnpMXPjw~F4HNCqERRWtTSLFNVG-qZAY7NQQOac-AF0csVkxRJkYTH4RfA3Tknm~FJOO9FKrCJ9Rdb7KmG2du4djCaQLm5vOthCJXcN-0e5A2ciSiy2G9YwLDScA00DM0qhwwFTk5Mti6f8JMOx96qbaXQBPL3lmwBJawH4HmZbGRZ7rUR7mHQGAO9z3cQElsOuv0NUiLlrVeC3VhEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnston County Public Schools honored dozens of students Thursday night for achievements in visual arts, band, choir and marching band, including county juried art winners, North Carolina State Fair placings, selection to the North Carolina Honors Chorus and a Marching Bands of America regional championship.

At the start of the program, Sarah Fawn McClain, representing JCPS Fine Arts, summarized the scope of the district honors: “Our first recognition is for the students who were first place recipients in the Johnston County Public Schools High School, All County Honors Art Gallery on November 18, 2024.” She said teachers submitted student work for adjudication by judges from the Johnston County Arts Council and the North Carolina Museum of Art and that adjudication was aligned to state visual-arts curriculum standards.

McClain listed first-place winners across four proficiency levels and thanked teachers by name, including Kelly Harden (Smithfield‑Selma High School), Nathaniel Wicks (West Johnston High School) and Morgan Dickenswin (South Johnston High School). She also named students who placed at the North Carolina State Fair and asked them to come forward for certificates.

The program recognized high school All‑County Honor Band first‑chair students and All‑County Honor Choir section leaders and soloists. McClain read a long roster of first‑chair band students and choir leaders from schools across the district, noting that some designees were not in attendance. She described the audition and adjudication process as rigorous and aligned to North Carolina music standards and credited local band and choral staff for preparation.

McClain highlighted a district milestone in choral representation: “This is the first time in over a decade that all three grade spans have had representation from Johnston County in the same year,” referring to selections to the North Carolina Honors Chorus at elementary, middle and high‑school grade spans.

The program closed its arts segment by recognizing Cleveland High School’s marching ensemble for accomplishments at the Marching Bands of America regional championships in New Jersey, where the band won multiple awards including outstanding musical performance, outstanding visual performance, outstanding general effect, first place in Class AAA and first place overall regional champion. McClain said this was “the first time since 2008 that any band from a North Carolina high school earned regional champion at this event” and named Cleveland band directors Jason Heard and Steven Rainville in her remarks.

The district presented certificates onstage to the named students and thanked teachers and directors for their work. The arts recognition portion of the event ran from the district’s reading of the all‑county and state placings through the Cleveland High School band honors and included dozens of named students across schools.

Acknowledging the wider celebration, an event host noted the district was “proud to recognize individuals in 5 distinct categories” and said the evening shone “a spotlight on nearly 120 outstanding individuals.”","Johnston County Public Schools recognized students in visual arts, band and choir who placed in county juried shows, the North Carolina State Fair, North Carolina Honors Chorus and a national marching-band regional championship.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Johnston County names Melissa Hurst principal of the year and Shannon Pavlok assistant principal of the year

Johnston County cheers state titles and all‑state athletes at awards night

North Johnston team and top individuals advance from district MathCounts to regional invite

Johnston County names elementary spelling‑bee champion and runners‑up

Johnston County students win county, state and national honors in arts and music