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Kenansville, NC - Philip Gladden - Congratulations to Amirah Loveless! As recounted in an article in The Duplin Journal three weeks ago, Amirah, a junior at James Kenan High School, recently received a $40,000 scholarship. This scholarship is provided by the BigFuture program of the College Board which, according to the website (www.collegeboard.org), is a not-for-profit organization that “helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers.” In her article, reporter Ena Sellers wrote, “The lucky junior filled out a career list of jobs that she was interested in, and through doing that her name went into a lottery pick. Amirah told Duplin Journal she had no idea filling out a list on BigFuture would win her a scholarship.” When he presented Amirah with her scholarship, Brian Barnes, College Board senior director, encouraged students to explore the possibilities before them, just as Amirah did. “It doesn’t matter what your grades are. It doesn’t matter what courses you’ve taken. What matters is that you took some action toward your future. You can begin applying in your sophomore year and you can be awarded in your junior or senior year — and there’s just one step. You go and you register and you might have this opportunity.” The dictionary offers two definitions of the word “scholarship.” The first is “a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.” The second is “academic study or achievement or learning of a high level.” Our Duplin County Schools system is dedicated to both. One of the governing principles of Duplin Schools states, “A system of excellent schools in which every student has an opportunity to receive a sound basic education has as its first priority to provide opportunities for individual students to succeed and overall student performance to improve.” In other words, the teachers, staff, and administration of Duplin Schools are committed to the pursuit of scholarship in order to prepare our students to be productive and engaged citizens in our communities. Duplin Schools are also committed to helping those students who desire to continue their educations beyond high school. This support is provided through scholarships.  Through the generosity of numerous individuals and groups, many scholarships are available through the Education Foundation of Duplin County. The foundation’s purpose “is to promote scholarship by promoting the development of character, integrity, leadership, and scholarship of young people attending public schools in Duplin County.” In 2024, the foundation awarded sixty-two scholarships totaling $76,050. As Mr. Barnes said and Amirah demonstrated, taking some action toward your future can result in unexpected and welcome support. Students and parents can find much helpful information about scholarships by visiting www.duplinschools.net and searching for “scholarship.” You can also find detailed information about the Education Foundation’s scholarships by visiting www.duplinschools.net/our-district/duplin-county-education-foundation/scholarship-descriptions-and-applications. And, as always, be sure to talk with your school counselor about other available scholarships. You will discover there are plenty of people interested in supporting your scholarship with the gift of scholarships.

Mackenzie Pate, an ambitious member of the Duplin Agribusiness Academy and a Duplin Early College 11th grade student, recently completed a seven-week internship with Prestage Farms in Clinton, North Carolina. Prestage Farms is a multi-generational, family-owned, and operated business specializing in processing turkey and pork. It provided Mackenzie with a unique and hands-on learning experience.

Mackenzie worked closely with piglets throughout her internship and engaged in various exciting farm activities. Her experience at Prestage Farms reinforced her passion for animals and aspiration to become a Livestock Veterinarian. With her sights set on a future at NC State University, Mackenzie is determined to pursue her dream career.

Wesley Ackerman, Farm Manager at Prestage Farms, praised Mackenzie's performance, stating, "Interns like Mackenzie should be what the company strives to find every year. Mackenzie is an enthusiastic employee who is always willing to pitch in without needing to be asked. Her dedication to the job and her passion for animals shone through this summer as she consistently demonstrated eagerness and a strong work ethic. Hopefully, she will join us again next summer."

Mackenzie expressed her gratitude to Ms. Best, Administrator of the Duplin Agribusiness Academy, for her unwavering support throughout this remarkable internship experience. In addition to her love for animals, Mackenzie has a keen interest in Chemistry, her favorite subject. She also attended Campbell University's Academy for Emerging Scholars this past summer, showcasing her academic and personal growth commitment.

As Mackenzie continues her educational journey, her experience at Prestage Farms will undoubtedly serve as a solid foundation for her future endeavors as a Livestock Veterinarian. The Duplin Agribusiness Academy, Duplin Early College High School, and the Duplin County community are proud to celebrate the achievements of this exceptional young lady and look forward to her continued success.