As spring brings fresh blooms and longer days, it also brings one of my favorite seasons of the school year — recognition season!
This week’s The Yellow Jacket Report is full of celebrations as we honor the achievements of our dedicated staff, high-performing students, talented performers, and the youngest future members of our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District family.
Let’s begin with a standing ovation for our 2024-2025 school-level winners of Teacher of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the Year, and Support Person of the Year!
These honorees represent the heart and soul of RRGSD, going above and beyond to support student learning and growth every day.
Their hard work, creativity, and compassion make a profound difference in our schools and community.
Teacher of the Year honorees include:
Gary Edwards – Roanoke Rapids High School
Sumalatha Sura – Roanoke Rapids Early College
Kitty Archer – Chaloner Middle School
Brent Wood – Manning Elementary School
Adrienne Powell – Belmont Elementary School
Heather Dickens – ACES
Beth Brewer – Clara Hearne Pre-Kindergarten Center
Beginning Teacher of the Year honors go to:
Kalyn Long – Chaloner Middle School
Savannah Shearin – Manning Elementary School
And the ever-important Support Person of the Year honorees are:
Michelle Skipper (Finance and Maintenance Administrative Assistant) – Central Office
Marci Merritt (Media Coordinator) – Roanoke Rapids High School
Angela Rowe (School Counselor) – Roanoke Rapids Early College
Christina Skinner (Media Coordinator) – Chaloner Middle School
Jamari Edwards (Teacher Assistant) – Manning Elementary School
Casie Wright (Teacher Assistant) – Belmont Elementary School
John Taylor (Teacher Assistant) – ACES
Alexis Crumb (Teacher Assistant) – Clara Hearne Pre-Kindergarten Center
Each of these individuals plays a vital role in shaping the educational experience of our students.
Congratulations to all, and thank you for all you do!
We also extend a huge congratulations to two incredible seniors who have earned the SECU People Helping People Scholarship!
At RRHS, Jillian Ott will be heading to UNC Chapel Hill to major in Exercise Science, and at RREC, Khamauri Wood will attend North Carolina Central University to study Accounting.
These prestigious scholarships recognize not just academic excellence, but also leadership and service to others — qualities Jillian and Khamauri live out each day.
We are so proud of both of you!
While we’re looking ahead to our graduates, we are also excited to begin welcoming the Class of 2038!
Kindergarten registration for the 2025–2026 school year is officially open. If your child will be five years old by August 31, 2025, we encourage you to register them for an incredible year of learning, fun, and friendship.
To register, visit our website at this link
Families may also come to Central Office Building B on April 16 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. or April 17 from 2–6 p.m. to submit the required documents.
We are thrilled to welcome our newest Yellow Jackets to the family!
Shifting to the stage and performance arena, we are thrilled to recognize the outstanding achievements of our Roanoke Rapids High School Winterguard and Winter Percussion Ensemble at the Atlantic Indoor Association Championships!
Winterguard took third place, earning the bronze medal, and Winter Percussion placed second, earning the silver medal.
These results reflect months of hard work, teamwork, and passion.
Congratulations to our student performers and their dedicated Director of Bands Laura Manning — you’ve made us proud!
As graduation season approaches, we proudly announce Jillian Tanner Ott as Valedictorian, and Casey Gardner Neal and Charlotte Avery Qualls as Salutatorians for the Roanoke Rapids High School Class of 2025 and Jackson Matthew Taylor as Valedictorian and Khamauri I’ziah Wood as Salutatorian for the Roanoke Rapids Early College Class of 2025.
These students represent the highest standards of academic achievement and character. What a remarkable group of leaders!
We are also excited to introduce the Junior Marshals for the Class of 2025 — a high academic honor given to students who will assist with graduation ceremonies and represent their class with distinction.
At Roanoke Rapids High School, we recognize the following Junior Marshals: Chief Jeremy Thomas Robertson, Co-Chief Makenna Jade Whitely, Co-Chief Matti Margaret Cutchin, Co-Chief Morgan Beam, Jazlyn Delicia Brown, Emilee Eve Campbell, Sloan Elizabeth Bullock, Mary Elizabeth Lynch, Juleigh Paige Hall, Ashleigh Nicole Moseley, and Madison Paige Scott. At Roanoke Rapids Early College High School, we recognize the following Junior Marshals: Jack Moore, Noah Draughan, Katelyn Simmons, Colby Bobbitt, Kingston Keeter, and Jackson Lynch.
From our outstanding educators and support staff to our talented scholars and performers, there is so much to celebrate this week in RRGSD.
We are proud of every one of you — and grateful to be part of your journey.
Together we succeed!