Lenoir County students, staff honored at March school board meeting

Lenoir County Public Schools honored multiple students and staff at its March 3 regular board meeting, recognizing scholarship recipients, regional and state competition winners and this year’s teacher finalists.

Among the awards, Lily Dawdy of North Lenoir High School was named a recipient of the Goodnight scholarship at North Carolina State University. Dawdy told the board the award “means so much to me because it really shows how much my hard work has paid off. It also alleviates some of the financial burden in my family and it allows me to have the education needed for my degree and I hope to pursue dentistry.” The board also noted Dawdy’s placement as second runner-up in the Distinguished Young Women statewide competition.

The district announced four finalists for Teacher of the Year for 2025–26: Tara Carroll (South Lenoir High School), April Modlin (Northwest Elementary School), Beverly McLawhorn (Pink Hill Elementary School) and Deshauna Ingram (Southwood Elementary School). The board said the screening committee expanded this year’s finalist pool from three to four due to the strength of applicants.

District staff also recognized dozens of students who placed at regional science competitions. The superintendent’s remarks listed wins at the regional science fair and robotics competitions, with the board noting that district students earned a majority of awards in the Northeast region events referenced by staff.

The board presented additional employee awards, naming Salisa Cobb (Moss Hill Elementary) as Teacher Assistant of the Year and recognizing other noninstructional and support staff for the year.

The recognitions took place during the board’s regular meeting and were followed by updates on curriculum, improvement initiatives and facilities projects.