The Craven County Board of Education recognized dozens of students and staff for academic, artistic and extracurricular achievements at its regular meeting on May 15 at Grover C. Fields Middle School, and approved the meeting agenda after a separate motion to add a closed session failed on a 3-3 vote.

The recognitions opened with Board member Lee Kirkman announcing 10 Craven County students selected to attend the North Carolina Governor's School this summer, the statewide four‑week residential program for gifted and talented high school students administered by the State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction through the Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education. The board named the students and their schools: Alan Balangio (Early College Eastern), Lena Levine (New Bern High School), Maya Alshubi (New Bern High School), Carson Warren (West Craven High School), Veil Brewer (New Bern High School), Amelie Saxon (New Bern High School), Morgan Johnson (New Bern High School), Hudson Hartman (New Bern High School), Madison Game (New Bern High School) and Connor Burtling (New Bern High School).

Why it matters: local student recognitions highlight district academic and arts achievement and connect Craven County Schools with state-level opportunities that can affect students’ academic trajectories and college or scholarship prospects.

Among other honors, the board recognized winners from writing and reading contests, regional and state competitions and career-technical events: state and local winners in the Young Authors Project; West Craven High School’s Battle of the Books team (local first place on 04/04/2025 and regional competition in Wilmington on 04/07/2025); all‑state band and orchestra selections from Havelock High School; Future Business Leaders of America and SkillsUSA winners from Havelock High and Craven Early College; and Tucker Creek Middle School students advancing to national TSA competition in Nashville.

The board also honored individual achievements. Emily Baldio Singh of Havelock High School was recognized as Craven County’s recipient of Operation Homefront’s 2025 Military Child of the Year; district materials state she was selected from about 1,000 applicants and received a $10,000 award, a laptop and other prizes. The district noted she will attend High Point University in the fall.

District staff and adult accomplishments were highlighted as well: employees who completed advanced degrees were named, several educators earned National Board Certification, and Craven County Schools was recognized as a Purple Star District for the fourth consecutive year by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, a designation the district said recognizes dedicated supports for more than 3,000 military‑connected students. The district described elements used to earn the designation, including a military point of contact at each school, staff training, student transition groups and a partnership with MCAS Cherry Point.

Transportation staff and drivers were also recognized after a recently revived bus rodeo: the district said the event, the first in more than 10 years, required drivers to maneuver a 72‑student‑capacity, 26,000‑pound, 36‑foot bus; a Jones County driver won first place and Diana Moore of West Craven High placed second.

Procedural actions: early in the meeting a board member identified as "Ms. Stacy" moved to add a closed session at the end of the agenda; the motion received a second but failed on a 3-3 tie. The board then approved the agenda as presented with a second from Mr. Lee Kirkman and a recorded voice vote in favor; the chair declared the motion carried.

The meeting closed after the spring awards recognition and a motion to adjourn. There were no formal policy votes or budget actions announced during the recognitions portion of the meeting.

The board’s recognitions reflect a range of student and staff accomplishments across academics, the arts, career‑technical education and athletics; district officials said they will continue to publicize state and national competitions and supports for military families.