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“Grow Your Own” Scholarship Recipients Honored by Board of Education
Congratulations!
The 2017 "Grow Your Own" Scholarship Recipients were recognized by the Board of Education.
(From left) Cindy Trejo-Mendieta, Johnny Shaver, Lydia Soto, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources/Leadership Development Felicia Brown, and Yesenia Romero. (not pictured is Sara Darling)
KENANSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – July 21, 2017- Five members of the Class of 2017 who were awarded Duplin County Schools’ “Grow Your Own” Scholarships were recognized by the Board of Education during its meeting last week. Sara Darling, Cindy Trejo-Mendieta, Yesenia (Jessi) Romero, Johnny Shaver, and Lydia Soto will each have a maximum of $20,000 paid to their college or university to be used to help them obtain their education degree. One of the stipulations requires them to come back to Duplin County to teach.
Sara Darling attended Wallace-Rose Hill High School where she was involved in school clubs and athletics. She is also very involved in her church and community. She maintained excellent academic standings throughout high school while working part time. Sara is seeking a degree in elementary education and will attend Methodist University in the fall.
James Kenan High School graduate Cindy Trejo-Mendieta had many academic awards throughout her high school career. She believes teaching will give her the opportunity to impact the lives of children in a positive way. Cindy will attend East Carolina University in the fall and major in elementary education.
Yesenia (Jessi) Romero is looking forward to teaching elementary students in Duplin County. While attending Duplin Early College High School, she was very active in her school, community and church. She says she has the patience and passion that it takes to be a teacher who can make a difference. She will attend Fayetteville State University and major in elementary education.
Johnny Shaver excelled in and out of the classroom while at James Kenan High School. He received many academic awards while working various part time jobs. He says he wants to teach because it is one of the most important duties an adult can fulfill. Johnny will attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington this fall and seek a secondary social studies teaching degree.
North Duplin Jr/Sr High School graduate Lydia Soto maintained a good academic standing while in high school and working 20-25 hours each week at her part time job. She is also very involved in her church and community. Lydia says it takes a tremendous amount of love and patience to teach and is eager to bring those attributes back to her own classroom. She plans to attend Johnson and Wales in the fall and major in special education.
“We are truly proud of all of these students,” said Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan. “Their desire to teach is a testimony to all of the teachers, administrators, school system employees and everyone who has had such a positive impact on their education and their lives. We know they will make us proud and do whatever it takes to earn their degrees and certifications and come back home to Duplin County. On behalf of our Board of Education, I congratulate each of them and their families.”