As we enter the final week of the 2024–2025 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments, growth, and spirit of our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District community. 

From athletic triumphs to academic milestones, from state-level recognition to quiet perseverance during testing season, this past week has been a showcase of what makes Yellow Jackets truly exceptional.

Honoring Our Athletes: A Night to Remember

On Wednesday, May 28, Roanoke Rapids High School hosted its annual Athletic Awards Night, celebrating the accomplishments of more than 260 student-athletes across our sports programs. The event highlighted the dedication, sportsmanship, and teamwork our athletes displayed all year long.

We gave special recognition to our two conference championship teams, five Players of the Year, and two Coaches of the Year — incredible honors that reflect both individual excellence and team unity. A special shoutout goes to the recipients of this year’s major awards:

Spark Plug Award: Molly Coggins and Connor Williams

Aimee Erwin Award: Kara Baird

Mickey Gukich Award: Avery Garner

Cranford Hoyle Award: Shaniah Daniels and Carson Duncan

Best All-Around Athletes: Casey Neal, Avery Qualls, and Collin Elias

These awards are more than trophies—they symbolize the resilience, leadership, and positive energy that our student-athletes bring to Roanoke Rapids High School every day.

A Season to Remember for Women’s Soccer

We also celebrate the incredible run of our RRHS Lady Jackets Soccer Team, who fought valiantly in the Eastern Finals before falling to Franklin Academy. Ending the season ranked #3 in the state, their performance is a testament to hard work, grit, and determination. To our coaches and players: thank you for making our community proud. Your passion for the game inspired us all.

Senior Awards: A Bright Future Ahead

On Friday, May 30, we gathered to honor the achievements of the RRHS Class of 2025 during our annual Senior Awards Assembly. One of the most touching moments of the year, this event recognizes the hard work, perseverance, and bright futures of our graduating seniors. We were thrilled to announce that this year’s class has been offered a staggering $8,247,814 in scholarships—a record that speaks volumes about their talent and ambition.

We also celebrated three distinguished students with special honors:

Roanoke Rapids High School Service Award: Emma Snead, for her tireless contributions to the school community.

Roanoke Rapids High School Citizenship Award: Jillian Ott, for modeling character, leadership, and school spirit.

Roanoke Rapids High School Best All-Around Award: Lydia Carroll, whose achievements span academics, extracurriculars, and service.

Congratulations to all our seniors. We cannot wait to see the impact you will make in the world.

EOG Testing: Poise Amid Disruption

While celebrations were taking place at the high school, our students at Belmont, Manning, and Chaloner were quietly focused on End-of-Grade (EOG) testing. We thank our families for their support and encouragement during this critical time.

On May 28, a statewide disruption to the NCTest platform paused testing for approximately 40 minutes. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), a routine system command failed under heavy load, locking the system and preventing new connections. After a statewide restart, the system was restored and testing resumed.

We are grateful to our staff and students for their patience and professionalism throughout the disruption. Our local testing leaders worked quickly to follow NCDPI’s guidance, and I am proud of how smoothly we managed the situation under pressure.

Looking Ahead: Graduation and New Beginnings

This week marks the final days of the school year—and the final chapter for our seniors at Roanoke Rapids High School. On Friday night at 8 PM, we will gather for Graduation, a ceremony that honors years of learning, friendships, and growth. I invite our entire community to join us in celebrating this meaningful milestone by watching it on our RRGSD YouTube page.

To our students: thank you for your hard work this year. To our teachers and staff: thank you for your dedication and care. And to our families and community members: thank you for walking alongside us every step of the way.

As we close out this school year, I am filled with gratitude and pride. Our Yellow Jacket spirit is alive and well—determined, resilient, and always striving for excellence. 

Together we succeed!