group of students

Sampson County Board of Education members and Superintendent Dr. Jamie King recently spotlighted student and staff accomplishments during the Good News portion of the February and March board meetings.

At the February 27 board meeting, the following individuals were spotlighted:

Kevin Hunter, principal of Midway Middle School recognized MMS students who successfully auditioned for and earned placements in the Southeastern Districts' Midway School All-District Concert Band or Symphonic Band. The students are Alexandria Armwood, Makayla Holley, William Bass, Naylor Barbour, and Anna Faith Williams.

group of students from MMS

Joshua Tew and Jesse Shelton, band and chorus teachers at Midway High School recognized MHS students who successfully auditioned for and made the district and regional ensembles. 

  • All-District Band & Eastern Regional Jazz: Emily Dodson and Ella Love

  • All-District Band, Eastern Regional Jazz and Eastern Regional Orchestra: Meredith Jackson

  • All-District Band: Jacob Ratliff, Joseph AhSue, Daniel Mosqueda, Will Autry, Peyton Hair, Sophia Bryan

  • Eastern Regional Orchestra: Banks Autry

  • Eastern Regional Jazz: Gabe Dapuyen, Christian Gonzalez, Jerrod Wise, Ryan Victoria Monroy, Daylan Barefoot.

group of students from MHS

John Goode, director of SCS CTE recognized Midway High School Agriculture teachers Jessica Varley and Chris Jolly, and 52 of their students who earned over 140 industry certifications through iCEV online. These certifications included such credentials as Youth for the Quality Care of Animals, National Beef Quality Assurance, Veterinary Medical Applications, and OSHA Agriculture Safety Applications.

Midway High School received the largest iCEV sign awarded in North Carolina. Congratulations to Ms. Varley and Mr. Jolly for having the highest number of students at a single school to earn a certification hosted on the iCEV platform.

Students enrolled in Sampson County Schools CTE courses have access to over 96 industry recognized credentials. During the previous school year, Sampson County CTE participants had an opportunity to secured 2,449 out of the 5,742 available credentials. This is an attainment rate of approximately 43%.

These credentials are delivered through a variety of platforms, agencies, and vendors. Among these is iCEV, a Texas-based Career and Technical Education curriculum resource company who also partners with industries to host their certification & credential testing on the iCEV website.

teachers from MHS

Cyndi Mesimer, chief finance officer of SCS recognized Hannah Lee who successfully completed the North Carolina Association of School Business Officials (NCASBO) School Business Management Academy Director Certification. Certification requires completion of thirty-six courses with an assessment for each. The curriculum consists of courses in accounting, financial management, law, including legal responsibilities, and business office operations.

finance office

Dr. King, superintendent, recognized the SCS Board for obtaining North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) certifications. The NCSBA strives to offer board members up-to-date and relevant educational training opportunities. Each academy year runs from July 1 through June 30. Board members must earn at least 30 hours of training annually as approved by the local board and reviewed by NCSBA. Once this minimum requirement has been met, annual recognition will be given.

  • Board Member Robert Burley for receiving the NCSBA Certificate of Merit.

  • Board Member Sandra Carroll for receiving the NCSBA Certificate of Merit.

  • Board Member Sonya Powell for receiving the NCSBA Bronze Award.

  • The Sampson County Schools Board of Education Silver Bell Award for training excellence and commitment during the 2022-2023 NCSBA Academy Year of the North Carolina School Boards Association Academy of School Boardsmanship.

board members

At the March 25 board meeting, the following individuals were spotlighted:

SCS Superintendent Dr. King recognized Belva Lovitt, technology director of SCS as the Sandhills Technology Director of the Year; this qualified her as a finalist for the 2023-2024 North Carolina Technology Director of the Year award. In partnership with North Carolina Educational Technicians (NCET), North Carolina Consortium for School Networking (NCCoSN), and North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES), North Carolina Department Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Office of Digital Teaching and Learning (DTL) is pleased to recognize Mrs. Lovitt’s educational technology leader accomplishments. All regional nominees were recognized at the Annual State Technology Directors Meeting held at NCTIES on March 6, 2024.

Belva Lovitt headshot

Sallie Warren, media coordinator of Hobbton Middle School presented the HMS boys' basketball team which won their regular season and the conference tournament championship in February. The boys are coached by Travis Eldridege.

boys' basketball team

Michael Warren, principal of Hobbton High School and Coach Jacobs, HHS boys’ soccer coach presented the HHS boys’ soccer team as the Carolina 1A Conference Champions and a state runner-up. This is the first time in history that a HHS soccer team has advanced to the state championship. 

principal and coach