Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 14

Duplin Journal

Turn the page for our salute to Duplin’s graduating seniors

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2024

Mount Olive man gets 25 years in prison Duplin County Last Friday, Christopher Arthur, 40, of Mount Olive, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs and for possessing explosives on his farm located in Mount Olive. According to U.S. Attorney’s O ce, the former U.S. Army and N.C. National Guard veteran was arrested in 2022 after providing bomb-making instructions to an undercover con dential source. “Arthur walked the CS through how to create IEDs and how to place them to create ‘fatal funnels,’ which could be used to maim or murder anyone entering the CS’s home,” stated the release. “Violence directed toward police, judges, and public servants will never be tolerated in a free society,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant’s property was wired with IEDs, the same design he sold to help others kill American law enforcement. Anyone teaching bombmaking to target American heroes gets a lesson today — 25 years in federal prison.”

DJS

Emerald ash borer detected in Duplin

Duplin County

The North Carolina Forest Service announced that Duplin County is among those newly impacted with a tree-killing insect known as an emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB is a metallic green beetle that bores into ash trees killing the tree slowly, typically in three to ve years. Adult EAB beetles are about a half-inch long and ⅛-inch wide. Under their wing covers, their bodies are a metallic purple-red color. The spread of invasive insects in the state is often due to human activity through the transportation of infested wood products such as rewood. People who suspect there is an infested tree in an area near them should contact their county ranger. Contact information can be found online at ncforestservice.gov/ contacts.

DJS

Mexican Consulate comes to JSCC June 3-7

Duplin County The Mexican Consulate will be present at James Sprunt College on June 3-7, o ering passport services, consular registration, birth certi cate certi ed copies and voting credential processing for Mexican nationals. Visit citas.sre.gob.mx to schedule an appointment.

DJS

‘All gave some, some gave all’

A Memorial Day Observance held Monday morning at the Duplin County Square monuments in Kenansville honored the lives of America’s war heroes and the memory of the fallen souls whose lives were cut short ghting for our freedom. Unpredictable weather that brought in heavy rain and a roaring thunderstorm did not deter many participants, who, despite getting soaked, remained proudly in place. See page 16 for more photos.

Business booming in Duplin

New Dollar General Markets now open in Beulaville and Rose Hill

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THE PAST FEW months have brought a number of new businesses to Duplin County, with more still to come in the near future. Both Beulaville and Rose Hill now have Dollar General Market stores. While Beulaville’s other Dollar General store on North Jackson Street remains open, the Dollar General in Rose Hill has been relocated down the street. “Dollar General recently relocated and upgraded its previous DG store at 578 South Sycamore Street to a DG Market now located at 511 South Sycamore Street in Rose Hill,” a statement from Dollar General Public Relations reads. DG Markets are an upgraded and expanded version of regular Dollar General stores. “In addition to the general merchandise Rose Hill customers trust Dollar General to carry, the new DG Market store o ers expanded produce, refrigerated and frozen food o erings, dairy products and more, in addition to an assortment of fresh meats,” said Dollar General public relations in an email. “Our fresh produce o ering includes a curated assortment of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, apples, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes, salad mixes, and more.”

In addition to the brand new DG Market stores, a new Sheetz store is scheduled to open in Warsaw later this summer.

The convenience store is known not only for its fuel, beverages and snacks, but also made-to-order meal items like burgers, pizzas, chicken sandwiches, fries and breakfast sandwiches. The stores also feature espresso bars with made-to-order co ees.

The fountain honors Emanuel Pickett and other veterans killed in action

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — After an extensive renovation, the veterans memorial fountain in front of Wallace Town Hall and Police Department was rededicated during a brief ceremony last Friday morning. The fountain honors Emanuel Pickett, a detective captain with the Wallace PD and a sta sergeant in the Army National Guard, who was killed in Iraq in 2008, as well as other veterans who paid the ultimate price in combat. Pickett’s family members were in attendance at the ceremony, as

said of the fountain renovation. “You know, Emanuel meant a lot to this town, both as a police ocer who rose to the rank of captain for over 13 years, but also serving in the Army National Guard and making the ultimate sacri ce so we can all continue to live in the land of the free in the greatest country in the world.” Rob Lapp, interim pastor at Wallace Presbyterian Church gave the invocation, recalling Je-

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

The family of Emanuel Pickett pose behind the memorial fountain dedicated in his honor on Friday.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

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104 W. Main Street, Wallace, North Carolina 28466

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Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County:

MAY 23

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County:

MAY 31

The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce 9th annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be on May 31 at the Bear Trail Golf Club in Maple Hill, N.C., with Tee times at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 910-2625272 for more information.

JUNE 3-7

The Mexican Consulate will be present at James Sprunt College June 3 through June 7. They will offer passport services, consular registration, birth certificate certified copies, and voting credential processing for Mexican nationals. Appointments are required. Call or send a message via WhatsApp to 424-309-0009 or visit citas.sre.gob.mx to schedule an appointment.

James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center offers free online seminars every month for small business owners, or those wishing to start their own businesses. On May 23, JSCC will conduct Optimizing Team Leader Effectiveness from 6 to 8 p.m. To register for any of these courses, visit ncsbc.net/Events.aspx and select James Sprunt Community College as the location.

MAY 24

The Town of Wallace will hold a rededication of the Veterans Memorial Fountain at Town Hall, 316 Murray Street on May 24 at 10 a.m.

MAY 27

JUNE 6

A Memorial Day Observance will take place at the monuments on the Courthouse Square in Kenansville on May 27 at 11 a.m. Please bring your own chairs.

Murphy Family Ventures is holding a blood drive on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5752 S. US Highway 117 in Wallace. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS and use the sponsor code “Murphy Family.”

JUNE 8

The Disaster Preparedness Expo will be on June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charity Mission Center, located at 1333 W Charity Rd, Rose Hill.

JUNE 15

The Mexican Consulate will be present at James Sprunt College June 3 through June 7. They will offer passport services, consular registration, birth certificate certified copies, and voting credential processing for Mexican nationals. Appointments are required. Call or send a message via WhatsApp to 424-309-0009 or visit citas.sre.gob.mx to schedule an appointment.

JUNE 6

There will be a community health fair at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Mount Olive on June 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. What do you need? Pantries? Haircut? Medical services? You can find all that and more completely free at the health fair. The event will also feature Zumba, music, free food, and activities for children.

JUNE 22

p.m. Gates Open at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $5 at the door.

HAPPENING MONTHLY

the stage at noon, followed by the soulful sounds of Mamer’s own Dalton Davis at 2 p.m. Heart Breaker will take the stage at 4 p.m. and Rivermist will close the night with performances kicking off at 6 p.m. Gates Open at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $5 at the door.

The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the rst and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.

HAPPENING MONTHLY

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910-2893078.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For more information, call 910-2857564.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910-285-7564.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For more information, call 910-2937814.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For information, call 910-293-7814.

The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910-2893205.

Murphy Family Ventures is holding a blood drive on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Murphy Family Ventures Corporate Office, located at 5752 S. US Highway 117 in Wallace. To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS and use the sponsor code “Murphy Family.”

The Beulaville town board meets the rst Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910-298-4647.

The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the rst and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.

The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910-2893205.

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910289-3159.

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910289-3159.

For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232

CONTACT US

For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232

To place a classi ed or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042

To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232 ena@northstatejournal.com

To place a classi ed or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042

To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232 ena@northstatejournal.com

The Town of Warsaw and the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce will host a Memorial Day Service on May 27 at 9 a.m. at Warsaw Parks and Recreation, located at 309 Memorial Drive. The service will honor all the patriots who gave everything answering to the call of duty to fight for our freedoms.

MAY 31

The Duplin Hospital Foundation will hold its 2024 Golf Tournament at Duplin Country Club in Kenansville on June 7. Lunch is at noon, registration/check in starts at 1 p.m. For more information, call 910-296-2605

The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce 9th annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be on May 31 at the Bear Trail Golf Club in Maple Hill, N.C., with Tee times at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 910-2625272 for more information.

JUNE 3-7

MAY 15

“Since the days I’ve heard of the hardships they wrestled against, I have been inspired to provide a better life for my family.”

JUNE 8

The Disaster Preparedness Expo will be on June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charity Mission Center, located at 1333 W Charity Rd, Rose Hill.

JUNE 22

Join the Duplin County Food Truck & Vendor Fest at the Duplin Events Center on June 22, from noon to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, live music & more. The British Invaders Band, a sensational Beatles and ‘60s Tribute Band, will take the stage at noon, followed by the soulful sounds of Mamer’s own Dalton Davis at 2 p.m. Heart Breaker will take the stage at 4 p.m. and Rivermist will close the night with performances kicking off at 6

Join the Duplin County Food Truck & Vendor Fest at the Duplin Events Center on June 22, from noon to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, live music & more. The British Invaders Band, a sensational Beatles and ‘60s Tribute Band, will take

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the rst Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade Street. For information, call 919-6589221.

The Beulaville town board meets the rst Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910-298-4647.

The Faison town board meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910-2672721.

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the rst Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade Street. For information, call 919-6589221.

The Economic Development Board meets the rst Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.

The Faison town board meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910-2672721.

The Economic Development Board meets the rst Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910-2893078.

The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For more information, call 910-3729178.

The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For information, call 910-3729178.

The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-285-4136.

The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-285-4136.

Duplin County Beekeepers meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.

Friends of Horticulture meet the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.

The Duplin County Airport Commission Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.

Student Spotlight WALLACE-ROSE

felony larceny. Bond was set at $20,000.

Susan Bell, 44, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of misdemeanor assault (habitual), possession of drug paraphernalia, assault on a government employee, communicating threats, and violating a domestic violence protective order. Bond was set at $40,000.

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

In this special edition of Duplin Journal saluting our 2024 Duplin County high school seniors, we would like to introduce you to Josue Cadena of Wallace-Rose Hill High School. Josue is one of ve high school seniors who were selected by Duplin County Schools to participate in Duplin Journal’s Student Spotlight Q&A.

Christian Botello-Salina, 23, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for reckless driving, injury to personal property, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and assault on a female. A secure bond of $7,030 was set.

Levis Jesus Lemus Castro, 24, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on multiple charges including no liability insurance, driving with a revoked license, possession of an open container in the passenger area, consumption of alcohol by a person aged 19 or 20, driving while impaired, exceeding posted speed, not having an operator’s license, reckless driving, and driving while license revoked (not impaired rev). Bond was set at $11,400.

MAY 16

Tell us about yourself (tell us something not many people know about you).

MAY 18

What will you miss the most about school?

Benjamin Chad Moye, 48, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of communicating threats. No was bond set.

Gary Melvin Shingleton, 42, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of

What I will miss the most in school will be the unity and family I have found among my peers and instructors. Everyone at my school has been crucial to my development throughout these four years. Whether it’s the blessing of opportunities Mrs. Raynor has provided, Mr. Nagel’s stoicism, or Mr. Naramore’s morning teaching personifying the vitality of life found within learning, my teachers have instilled a foundation of values such as sel essness, truth, and vibrancy within me. As for my classmates, my brothers have continuously challenged me to excel and move forward despite hardships, and I will miss their encouragement.

Charles Cornelius Collins, 49, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of driving while license revoked (two counts) and driving left of center (two counts). Bond was set at $1,500. Samuel Barrie, 38, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for a crime of domestic violence. No bond was set.

To report crime anonymously, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202 or you may also submit information at cc.southernsoftware. com/tipsubmission/ through the Duplin County Citizens Connect website.

for over 21 years. Since the days I’ve heard of the hardships they wrestled against, I have been inspired to provide a better life for my family.

Payments will be issued as applications are approved

Duplin Journal Sta

The USDA recently announced they will be accepting applications to help cover the cost of Organic Certi cations through the Organic Certi cation Cost Share Program.

According to the announcement, USDA’s Farm Service Agency will cover up to 75% of organic certi cation costs at a

maximum of $750 per certication category. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved. Applications from organic producers and handlers will be accepted through Oct. 31, for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024. Eligible applicants must have paid the organic certi cation fee to a USDA-accredited certifying agent. Cost-sharing assistance covers expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to

One aspect of myself that many people are not familiar with is my desire to become a published author and poet. I have an immense appreciation for literature and poetry. I wholeheartedly believe it has been a quintessential factor in my successes as they have strengthened my communication skills and personal expression to others.

Thirty years from now, looking back at your high school years, how do you think your friends or teachers will remember you?

What is your biggest academic accomplishment?

USDA now accepting applications for organic certi cation funding

the equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales evaluations, and shipping costs.

My biggest academic accomplishment is getting accepted into Yale University with a full scholarship. It represents the culmination of patience, discipline, and unity predominant throughout my life.

“Costs associated with obtaining organic certi cation can be a barrier for North Carolina producers wanting to get certi ed,” said Bob Etheridge, FSA State Executive Director in North Carolina.

Thirty years from now, friends and teachers will remember me as a diligent and disciplined student who transitioned into a leader and who maximized his potential from the opportunities given within the local area. I hope to be remembered for representing our school’s tenacity and showcasing the depths of success we can reach.

for commodities and access to broader markets and additional technical assistance.”

What are your plans for the future? Have you decided what career path you will follow? If going away for college, do you plan on coming back to Duplin? Why?

What is your driving force? Who inspires you?

“Through OCCSP assistance, FSA helps North Carolina organic producers obtain certi cation and leverage related bene ts like premium prices

My driving force is my family. My mother, father, and older brother came to America seeking access to opportunities. Despite not being a citizen, my brother graduated from college on a full scholarship. His presence has placed expectations on me that have inspired me for years. My parents have been ghting to provide our family with a better life

To apply, contact FSA at your local USDA service center and be prepared to provide organic certi cation documentation and eligible expenses. Applications can also be submitted through the departments of agriculture. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov/ programs-and-services/occsp/ index. Visit Farmers.gov/organic for more information on organic farming.

In the future, I plan to graduate from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree and then receive a Master’s in Business Administration from another prestigious university to pursue a career in either Private Consulting or Investment Banking. I also wish to pursue a career as a published author after graduating. Although I do not plan on living in Duplin County, I strive to return to the community and create a scholarship foundation to support students to nance their advanced education.

“Costs associated with obtaining organic certi cation can be a barrier for North Carolina producers wanting to get certi ed.”

Bob Etheridge, FSA state executive director in North Carolina

Josue Cadena

SPONSORED BY

DUPLIN CALENDAR

Wallace-Rose Hill High School Congrats Class of 2024!

Aris Aida Aguirre Ramos

Edwin Eduardo Aleman

Ester Abigail Alfaro Hernandez

• Denis Noel Almendarez Ortega

• Asma Jamal Atik Almontaser

• Vivian Celeste Alvarado

Sauceda

Bryan Jose Arevalo Martinez

Maynor Obed Argueta

Bautista

Mayra Adelina Argueta

Bautista

• Cinthia Armijo Sotelo

• Jennifer Arroyo-Sanchez

• Ashley Damariz

Aviles-Orellana

• James Austin Bond

• Malcom JaCorey Boney

Zaniya NaShe’ Boney

Antonio Borja-Gomez

Nasir Tyrell Boykin-Newkirk

Seth Daniel Bradshaw

Tyler Clayton Bradshaw

Echelon Jamason Brown

Josue Daniel Cadena

• Lizeth Campos

• Jabari Ahmad Carney

• Martez Jamal Carr

• Brevin Thomas Carter

• Gabriella Jannieca Carter

• Emily Rosaly Castro Galeas

• Elijah Devon Chestnutt

• Josue Emanuel Contreras-Caceres

• Ti any Louann Corum

Johnathan James Covington Jr.

Henry Alexis Cruz Rivera

Diego Ronaldo Cruz-Camarillo

• Elle Raegan Davis

• Ian Connor Davis

• Meriweather Jane Dean

• Theo Rin Dove

• Ashton Luke Du

• Naije Nicole Faison

• Tynisha Nevaeh Faison

• Shania Janae Farrior

• Ryan Olivia Fisher

Javyn Devon Frederick

Brayden Joseph Fussell

Daniel Cole Galvin

Ashley Jhoani Garay-Yanez

Charles Dylan Gardner

Geneva Lynee’ Gelbhaar

Treagan Lamar Glasper

Anahi Gomez-Olmedo

Angie Alessandra Gonzales

Sevilla

• Kimberli Jissel Gonzalez Flores

• Kahlee Ann Gore

• Destiny Kierra Grogan

• Davis Ted Guthrie

• Haleigh Catherine Hanchey

Carolyn Rosa Hardee

Brantley Patrick Hawes

Victor Manuel Hernandez-Arevalo

Ay’Niya Ja’nai Herndon

• Jeancarlos Herrera Hernandez

• Angely Nicole Herrera Ordonez

• Craig Santio Herring

• Imani Joann Hill

Hannah Noel Horne

Ziamauria Janiya Hu n

Shamara Laine’ Humphrey

Juan Carlos Inestroza-Zelaya

Dallas Coleman James

Aliyaha Maria Jones

Jakell Demontay Jones-Hall

Alexis Jean Kennedy

• De’Marcus Edward Kennion

• Corbin Kanye Kerr

• Dylan Slade Kornegay

• Janiya Chi-na Lamb

• Sarah Elizabeth Lanier

• Mia Lara Martinez

• Jaleiny Briana Laracuente

Midence

• Kimora Arionna Lee-Kenan

Eric Umberto Teran Leon

Jorge Loredo-Vazquez

Emaleigh Marie Lyons

Anthony Machado Yanez

Takenya Andrewnea Malloy

Austin Tyler Marks

Rusel Jahir Martinez Acosta

Miguel Angel Martinez

Murillo

• Ashley Analy Martinez

Orellana

• Jarol Antonio Martinez

Gomez

Kyler Glenn Mateer

Marvalas Rayven McKoy

Marvin Ray McKoy II

Ashley Nicolle Medina Corea

Jacob Garrett Medlin

Sabis Januario Mejia-Delarca

Shaell Mejia-Hernandez

Noel Steven Mendoza

• Al-Syheir Shakur Metz

• Ivan Molina

• Jose Armando Montejo-Gomez

• Wykishia India Tanea

Montgomery

• Janiya Chanel Moore

JiQavia Darchea Moore

Shamiyah Monae Moore

Jhaydyn Tamaj Morisseau

Ashton Said Munguia Mejia

Mia Belen Munguia-Pena

Khemani Na’zai Murphy

Rasheed Monte Newkirk

• Janayzia Ayana Nolon

• Lester Alexander Nunez Munguia

• Anner David Oliva Nunez

• Jose Adalid Ortega Rodriguez

• Danny Ortez Lagos

• Elton Josue Pacheco Melgar

• Anthony Pacheco Gonzalez

• Reid Jackson Page

• Zachery Heath Page

George-Allen Parker

Tradeca Matai Parker

Craig Allen Parker-Collins

Christopher Perez-Arias

Jaden Mykel Zacarion Pickett

Zakora Chanteice Pickett

Sahira Vanessa Pineda

• Janay Attoria Pittman

• Elizabeth Lamis Plummer

• Kaylee Morgan Powell

• Jasmin Ny’India Powers

• Justin Hayes Price

• Ashley Yosmara Quintero

Ramos

• Scarlett Irene Ramirez

Rodriguez

Mayra Lissette Reyes

Alvarenga

• Mirna Lizeth Reyes-Rosales

• Richard Addiel Rivera

Rosales

• Luis Yamil Rodriguez

• Emilio Rolando

Rodriguez-Acosta

• Maryory Yineth

Rodriguez-Mejia

Brando Anderi Romero

Nataly Jissel Romero-Pineda

Tulio Rolando

Rosales Gallardo

• Frelin Rolando

Rosales-Martinez

• Loida Raquel Sales Sapalu

• Luis Carlos Sanchez Padilla

• Bryant Sandoval Cuevas

• Maverick Sandoval Solis

• Ka’shawn Germaine Scarbrough

Da’Veion Najai Scott

Sarah Elizabeth Sessoms

Maybelline Nicole Sisco Alvarado

• Gabriel Cruz Smith

• Angie Michel Soliz Corea

• Genesis Sotelo

• Katey Rebecca Stalker

• Cierrah Jacqueline Stallings

• Camarie Tyril Stokes

• Steven Ray Suggs Jr.

• Jayla Mariah Sutton

• Nathaniel Webster Tanner

• Blayne Rooks Tart

Deashawn Thomas Taylor

Jaxon Ryan Taylor

Litzi Janet Tena Nieto

Serena Marie Terry

Nakiyah Nicole Tinsley

Jace Hinton Turner

Felipe Roney

Valdez-Maldonado

• Christian Joel Valdez-Robles

• Christofer Josue

Valdez-Robles

• Luis Andre Valle-Rivera

• Maycol Antony Varela

Chirinos

Astrid Samantha Vega Moncada

• Estrella Vela

• Rafael Alexander

Villalobos-Maldonado

• Janiah Akiya Warren

• Jordan Anthony Wells

• Lamarri Deon Willams

• Talieh Naziir Williams

• Trinidy De’Maia Williams

Janiyah Amber Wilson

• Jovan Tirrell Wilson

• Jada Faith Ann Wooten

• Mikaela Gracelyn Young

Jazmin Alexandra Zuniga

Orellana

PHOTO COURTESY WALLACE-ROSE HILL HIGH SCHOOL

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Class of 2024: ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’

“Oh, the places you’ll go! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”

Dr. Seuss

RECENTLY I RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS about the 50th reunion of my high school graduating class. Fifty years!

Because my family moved frequently, I attended six schools between kindergarten and high school. Although I only went to the high school I graduated from for two years, I have good memories of the friends I made there, the academic challenges met and the support from many teachers. The education I received throughout my elementary, middle and high school years prepared me well for my future education and career.

During this graduation season, it is good to remember the value of a high school diploma.

In addition to the sense of accomplishment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, members of the Class of 2024 can expect to be hired at a higher rate (33%) and earn signi cantly higher wages (40%) than those without a high school diploma.

A high school degree also enhances one’s chances of advancing in a job or continuing in higher education, owning a home, being a role model in the community, and having family members attend college. The bureau also notes that high school graduates “are less likely to have serious struggles like long-term unemployment, poverty, and going to prison.”

Dr. Austin Obasohan often writes about the Duplin County Schools being “One Family.” When our graduates receive their diplomas, we celebrate their hard work and accomplishments. We also recognize the many people who helped them reach that milestone, such as parents, teachers, school administrators, coaches, mentors and friends.

Thanks to the generosity of sororities, fraternities, civic groups, alumni, businesses and individuals, graduates

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

Preserving freedom

“What we need are critical lovers of America — patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.”

Hubert H. Humphrey

FORMER PRESIDENT, Ronald Reagan, once said, “I do not want to go back to the past; I want to go back to the past way of facing the future.” Those thoughts are still consistent with the desire of a majority of Americans today.

However, there is a portent of very stormy weather ahead for those of us who still want to emulate how past generations have faced the future. There are evil forces who, with great cunning, are working 24/7 to destroy the three main pillars of society upon which rested our forebear’s faith. They depended on and had faith in religion, family and education. The family is the great foundation, established by God himself, to prepare children for future responsibilities. Thus, today’s evil forces attack the family by trying to control education and eroding religion. They do not use guns, bullets or bombs. Quite the contrary; they use the subtlety of words and thoughts to make good look like evil and evil to look like good. They have cleverly changed the de nition of marriage and distorted gender.

Decades ago they analyzed the e ectiveness of some of the world’s most terrible revolutionaries; Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and others. They concluded that those dictators were successful, but their success was only temporary. They found that the God- given yearning for

receive much needed scholarship assistance to continue their education.

One group that supports excellence in education is the Duplin County Education Foundation. According to their Mission Statement, “The purpose of the Duplin County Education Foundation is to ... promote scholarship in the Duplin County School System by providing nancial support, leadership ability, and professional expertise.”

This year, the foundation’s Board of Directors is able to award 33 scholarships totaling $74,050 to members of the graduating classes of our ve high schools. The foundation board also recognizes the academic achievements of K-12 students in all 13 schools at the end of the year. Even though graduation marks the completion of 13 years of education, we refer to the ceremony as “commencement” because the students are making important decisions as they begin the next phase of their lives, whether that is attending college, entering the job market or serving in the military.

That is probably why Dr. Seuss’s last book published during his lifetime, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” continues to be a popular graduation gift.

The book has this important message, “Oh, the places you’ll go! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”

Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2024! Best wishes as you head out to all of the places you’ll go!

Philip Gladden lives in Wallace. He can be reached at gladdenphilip620@gmail.com.

freedom and liberty always came back. They wondered if they could keep that God- given yearning from coming back to those they conquered.

They concluded, put your guns and bullets down; In ltrate and Indoctrinate. Wow! They also know the proverb is true, “As the twig is bent so grows the tree.” So, they are now in the nal stages of their cunning plan.

After gaining control of fashion, entertainment, journalism, media (excepting Fox) and most universities, they are targeting one of their nal objectives — K12 education. “Under the impact of fake science, religion has lost its social authority. Under the impact of technology, family life has disintegrated.”

We need to remember this fact from Rudyard Kipling, “All we have of freedom, all we use or know; This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.”

From various sources I now realize that only one - fth of the world’s population lives in free countries. Four - fths of all people on Earth are held down by dictatorships of one kind or another.

All the free nations still look to the United States as the last best chance for liberty. In the July 5, 1976, issue of U.S. News and World Report, the headline says, “World statesmen look to United States leadership in the times ahead.”

Then they quote James Callaghan, then prime minister of Great Britain, who says that America must take the

leadership. Also Mark Petersen, who stated the leaders of France, Canada, West Germany and the secretary general of the United Nations all said they look to the United States leadership in preserving freedom.

George Bernard Shaw gave proper perspective with this advice, “We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” We now face a unique challenge for which we have too much experience; the task of preserving freedom while surviving the legacy of prosperity our forbearers passed on to us.

We need a revival of the Patriotism of labor as de ned by Adlai Stevenson; “Patriotism ... is not short, frenzied outburst of emotions, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”

Hubert H. Humphrey provides us with a conclusion to consider; “What we need are critical lovers of America — patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.”

We, the people must realize that our freedom is not free and we should elect men and women of sound understanding who will fundamentally change America back to our founding principles and obey the God of this land, Jesus the Christ.

Jimmy Dixon (R-NC04) represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

Duplin Early College High School Congrats Class of 2024!

Atik Almontaser

Odalis Arguijo-Espinal

• Gerica Cabrera

Hernandez

• Brooklyn Cyrus Mclean

• Josephine Diaz

Southgate

• Dezire’ Dixon

Brandon Figueroa

Britney Funez

Hernandez Genesis Galan-Galindo

• Myranda George

“My driving force is my family. They are constantly making sacri ces for me so I can accomplish my dreams.”

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

Blanca Jassmin

Gonzales Perez

• Gabriel Guerrero

• Joanna Guo

• Maribel Gutierrez-Gomez

• Alanna Harper

• Angelica Hernandez

Rashawn Hill

Eddie Iraheta-Avila

Ivy Jiang

Jaylynne Lee

Erick Lemus Morales

Zoila Lontero Martinez

• Nicol Lopez

• Robert Orellana Figueroa

• Alan Ortiz-Velasquez

• Taica Philoxene

• Emanuel Puentes-Villafranco

Carlos Ramos-Montoya

Christian Repass

Maria Del Rosario

Rodriguez Izara

• Amelia Rogers

Leslie Silva-Serrato

• Brianna Thomas

• Allison Torres Ramos

• Johan Trejo Mendieta

• Eric Louis Valentin

• Daniel Velasco Lopez

• Bryan Velazquez-Ramirez

• Antonio Villalon-Chairez

• Trustine Vu

• Taylor Wilson Taekwon Wright

ECU Health Duplin Hospital nurses attend Nurses Night at the Legislature

Kenansville

Members of ECU Health Duplin Hospital’s nursing team recently attended Nurses Night at the Legislature. “The event o ered an opportunity to connect with our elected o cials, advocate for our community, share our pride in the high-quality care we deliver and to talk about some of the challenges we face,” the hospital shared in a Facebook post.

Wallace Chamber partners with United Bank on small business seminars

Wallace The Wallace Chamber of Commerce has partnered with United Bank to o er a series of quarterly small business seminars. The rst of these will be June 11 at 5:30 p.m., and it will focus on “Borrowing Basics.” Space is limited to 20 individuals. Email Chamber president Teresa Carter at thislittlepigmarket@ gmail.com to reserve your seat.

JSCC o ers free online seminars for small business owners

Duplin County James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center o ers free online seminars every month for small business owners, or those wishing to start their own businesses. These are the seminars available over the next few weeks: Content Marketing: What’s Working Now, June 4, 6-8 p.m.; Beyond the Business Plan, June 5, 1-8:30 p.m.; Launching your Airbnb Biz: A Beginner Masterclass - Part 1, June 6, 6-8 p.m. To register, visit ncsbc.net/ Events.aspx and select James Sprunt Community College as the location.

Student Spotlight

DUPLIN EARLY COLLEGE: DEZIRE’ DIXON CLASS OF 2024

Meet Wallace-Rose Hill High School

senior Dezire’ Dixon. Dezire’ is one of ve Duplin County high school

seniors who were selected by Duplin County Schools to participate in Duplin Journal’s Student Spotlight Q&A, a special feature saluting the Class of 2024.

Tell us about yourself (tell us something not many people know about you).

My name is Dezire’ but my friends and family call me Dezi. Something not many people know about me is that I enjoy painting. I love making abstract art because I feel free to express myself, unrestricted by rules and expectations.

Thirty years from now, looking back at your high school years, how do you think your friends or teachers will remember you?

In 30 years from now, I think my teachers and friends will remember me as someone who would not be afraid to speak my mind. They would probably say I had a vivid and vibrant imagination.

What will you miss the most about school?

I will miss my Economics and Personal Finance Honors class the most. I will also miss the best teacher, Mr. Williams. He was really fun to talk to and made all students feel seen and heard.

What is your biggest academic accomplishment?

Dezire’ Dixon

My biggest academic accomplishment is getting into my dream school, UNC Chapel Hill.

What is your driving force and who inspires you?

My driving force is my family. They are constantly making sacri ces for me so I can accomplish my dreams. They inspire me to always show kindness and compassion to others as they did for me.

What are your plans for the future? Do you plan on coming back to Duplin?

In the future, I want to be an orthodontist with my own practice. I volunteered through BETA from middle school to high school. That always made me feel good so I look forward to coming back to Duplin County and helping give back to my community.

PHOTO COURTESY DUPLIN EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School Congrats Class of 2024!

• Jose Aleman Rodriguez

• Juan Alvarado

• Dujuan Armwood

• Mason Blust

• Whitley Butler

• James Byrd

• Nilmar Cabrera-Lopez

• Zachary Craig

• Henrry Cruz-Cortez

• Kevin DeHoyos-Garza

• Santiago Diaz-Martinez

Mason Dixon

Yosmar

Dominguez-Gonzalez

Miguel Escudero-Mata

• Quentin Faulk

• Alondra Favila Chavez

• Skyler Figueroa

• Lizbeth Flores-Ramirez

• Marcellus Foust

• Jose Funez-Gonzalez

• Francisco Gomez Maldonado

• Henry Gonzalez

• Crismy Gonzalez-Vazquez

• Lana Grant

• Luis Guerrero

• Samuel Henderson

• Chalino Hernandez

• Juan Hernandez

• Carlos Hernandez-Morales

• Amari Hill

• Kyree Hill

• Genesys Holguin

• David Holland

Hannah Holloman

Kaiden Holloman

Madison Holmes

Colby Holtz

Roselyn Ibarra

Asiya Jacobs

Jacob Kelly

Tanner Kornegay

• Khamari Leak

• Justin Lee

• Henry Lopez Cabrera

• Rocsana Lopez-Ramirez

• James Lupper

• Meghan Martin

• Ashley Matul Marroquin

• Michelle Matute-Sosa

• Gisselle Mejia

• Antony Mejia-Zelaya

• Xander Mele

• Harbel Minoso Mendoza

• Jacqueline Molina-Guzman

• Lily Monnin

• Maria Montalvo-Garcia

• Lisbeth Morales-Perez

D’Andrea Morrisey

Thomas Morrisey

Jonathan Nieves

Edgar Orona Montalvo

Maggie Outlaw

Diamond Parker

Joseph Parrish

Samy Perez Perez

• Francis Pineda Alcerro

• Mitchell Powell

• Isabella Quintanilla

• Judith Rangel

• Branden Reyna

• Ingrid Riscajche-Olvera

CLASS OF 2024

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

“My driving force is to make my family proud.”

• Oscar Romero-Hernandez

• Lena Rouse

• Isabel Ruiz

• Abigail Sabaj-Chilel

• Esteban Santos-Clark

• Yahir Saucedo-Maldonado

• Ana Serna-Mejia

• Valencya Stemmler

• Waylen Stemmler

• Benjamin Stone

Sara Tucker

Aydan Tucux-Sosa

James Tyndall

Aylin Valenzuela Sepulveda

Vincenzo Varas

Danias Velasquez Lopez

Emilio Velasquez

• Ricardo Velazquez Robles

• Salvador Vera Bernal

• Valaja Wallace

• James Ward

• Gracie Wheeler

• Sara Williams

Student Spotlight

NORTH DUPLIN JR./SR. HIGH: LISBETH MORALES-PEREZ

Meet Lisbeth Morales-Perez , a senior from North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School Lisbeth is one of ve senior high school students who were selected by Duplin County Schools to participate in our Student Spotlight Q&A, a special feature of Duplin Journal saluting the Class of 2024.

Tell us about yourself (tell us something not many people know about you).

Hey, my name is Lisbeth Morales and I am a student at North Duplin High School. I have been a resident of Duplin County for my entire life and I am passionate about contributing to the community through volunteer work. An interesting fact about me is that I have a deep appreciation for Korean culture and aspire to visit

South Korea in the future.

Thirty years from now, looking back at your high school years, how do you think your friends or teachers will remember you?

In 30 years, when I look back, I believe my friends and teachers will perceive me as someone who was constantly preoccupied with schoolwork and always focused on getting things done.

What will you miss the most about school?

The thing I will miss the most about school is the daily conversations and laughter with my friends, as well as the guidance from my teachers.

What is your biggest academic accomplishment?

My greatest academic

accomplishment is maintaining straight A’s throughout high school and being an active member of the Beta Club.

What is your driving force? Who inspires you?

My driving force is to make my family proud. I am inspired by my rst-grade teacher, Mrs. Dupree, who always encouraged me to learn more.

What are your plans for the future? Have you decided what career path you will follow? If going away for college, do you plan on coming back to Duplin? Why?

My future plans include attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a degree in computer science. I aspire to build a career in software development and I look forward to experiencing

PHOTO COURTESY NORTH DUPLIN JR./SR.

Lisbeth Morales-Perez

James Kenan High School Congrats Class of 2024!

Betsaida Aguirre Andres

• Reyna Barralaga-Gomez

Jhordan Ebanks

• Angel Fernando Limas

• Lisy Lizardo-Romero

Armin Lobo-Cruz

• Jose Lopez-Baltazar

Steven Maldonado

Carcamo

Daniel Mendez-Plascencia

Angelica Nava

• Antony Osorto Mendoza

Johnathan Wayne Pittman

Benjamin Quiroz

Luis Ramos

• William Simmons

Ashley Sutton-Parker

• Ka’Shawn Thaxton

• Sesar Aguinaga-Cruz

Bryan Nectaly Ajanel

• Marco Antonio Aleman Ruiz

• Beatriz Alfaro

Esmeralda Alva-Flores

• Montaviana KA Tajha Anderson

• Anna Morgan Armstrong

Amber Nicole Atkinson

• Fergie Avila Acosta

• Gabriel Avitia

Rafael Ayllon-Campos

• Aolani Baker

Ashley Yohana

Barralaga-Lopez

Marialis Barrios Gonzalez

• Colby Lee Bass

• Abigail Bautista-Munoz

Miciah Baysden

• Chelsea Marie Bell

James Allen Bell

• Daylen Blacknell

Lacie Suzanne Bledsoe

• Randy Bonilla Olivares

• Chris Nicolas Borja-Baltazar

• Rey Borja

CLASS OF 2024

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

“I want to make a di erence in the lives of children in our community.”

Mekhi Zykarious Boykin

• Trevor Lassiter Braswell

Shy’Mia T. Sherell Brinson

TKeysha Monique Brinson

Hope Burke

• Gabriel Thomas Capen

• Ashley Caranza Mejia

Emanuel Castaneda

• Leonel Castro

Ronald Scott Chestnutt

• Ja’Maury Hawkins Coe

Anthony Colon

• Karen Covarrubias

• Jose na Cruz-Sanchez

Student Spotlight

Javier De La Torre-Rodarte

Lesly Fabiola

Del no-Rivera

Bryan Terry Denning

• Tristan Alexi Diaz

Kaliyah Shantel Dixon

• Erin Michelle Dunn

• Bianca Eriza Torres

Janiyah Shanice Faison

• Khamari Faison

Quaron Marquis Faison

• Eduardo Figueroa

Ka marion J. Frederick

See JAMES KENAN, page 16

JAMES KENAN HIGH: ANNA MORGAN ARMSTRONG

Meet James Kenan High School

senior Anna Morgan Armstrong. Anna is one of ve Duplin County high school seniors who were selected by Duplin County Schools to participate in Duplin Journal’s Student Spotlight Q&A, a special feature saluting the Class of 2024. Tell us about yourself (tell us something not many people know about you).

My name is Anna Morgan Armstrong. I am the daughter of Craig and Jennifer Armstrong of Warsaw. I have attended James Kenan for four years. My hobbies include reading, going to the beach, hanging out with my family and friends, and playing softball.

Thirty years from now, looking back at your high school years,

BUSINESS from page 1

According to Sheetz.com, the stores also have the lowest prices on tobacco and cigarettes that are allowed by law.

The Warsaw Sheetz will be located at 2543 W. N.C. 24 Hwy. Construction is well under way on the store, and town o cials say it will be open in August.

While Sheetz convenience stores are de nitely popular and have gotten people talking, other big-name businesses may be on their way to Duplin County as well. Work has been ongoing on a

how do you think your friends or teachers will remember you?

Thirty years from now, I think my friends and teachers will remember me as hardworking, reliable and compassionate.

What will you miss the most about school?

I will miss the friendships I have made during my four years at James Kenan. I will also miss playing sports, especially softball with the girls I have played with since I was three years old.

What is your biggest academic accomplishment?

My biggest academic accomplishment was graduating from James Sprunt Community College with an Associates in Arts and a Certi cate in School Aged Education all while maintaining a 4.0

new strip mall, located between Sensations Restaurant and Realo Drug Store on N.C. Highway 41 in Wallace. However, which businesses may move into the shopping center are still up in the air, Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor said. “No concrete contracts have been signed yet for the strip mall,” Taylor told Duplin Journal. “We are talking to a lot of national chains.”

Dunkin’ Donuts has long been rumored to go in the retail space in the new strip mall that has a drive-thru window. However, Taylor said it’s not time to

Anna Morgan Armstrong

GPA

What is your driving force? Who inspires you?

My inspirations are my parents. My dad has been my coach since I was

“No concrete contracts have been signed yet for the [Wallace] strip mall. We are talking to a lot of national chains.”

Rob Taylor, town manager

order your munchkins and coffee yet. “Dunkin’ is pretty close,” he said, “but until you’re in the drive-thru line, don’t be sure it’s coming.”

Other possible tenants for the

three years old. He inspires me to always do my best, never give up and put in the work. He pushes me to be the best I can be on and o the eld. My mom is my inspiration to become a teacher. Like her, I want to make a di erence in the lives of children in our community. She also has supported me through my years of softball. I don’t know what I would do without them and their never-ending love and support.

What are your plans for the future? Have you decided what career path you will follow? If going away for college, do you plan on coming back to Duplin? Why?

I will be attending Meredith College in the fall where I will major in Elementary Education. While at Meredith, I will also continue my softball career. After graduating from Meredith, I plan to return to Duplin County to teach Kindergarten.

strip mall include an urgent care practice and a Starbucks has also been oated around.

One business that is de nitely coming to Wallace is Royal Farms, a gas station chain that has just started building stores in North Carolina. “Royal Farms has submitted everything and demolition has started on the site,” Taylor said. The new Royal Farms will be located on the site of the former Tin City Express, at the corner of Highways 41 and 11. Royal Farms has been in business since 1959, providing not only fuel and snacks but

breakfast, lunch and dinner foods as well.

Royal Farms is famous for its chicken and Western Fries. It also serves breakfast sandwiches, hot or cold subs and wraps, salads, fresh fruit and veggie cups, and 100% Colombian co ee. To learn more, visit royalfarms.com.

In addition to Royal Farms, a Snappy Lube oil change location should be open later this summer. “That project has gone slower than expected,” Taylor said, but it is nally moving forward and should be nished before the end of summer.

PHOTO COURTESY JAMES KENAN HIGH SCHOOL

at James Kenan.

CONGRATS Class of 2024!

On behalf of the Duplin County Board of Education, congratulations to the class of 2024. Graduates, you have achieved an amazing milestone as you prepare to graduate from high school very soon and we are so proud of everything that you have accomplished. All of the hard work and perseverance during your educational journey has paid off and you have made it!

As you look back over your high school years, I know you are able to reflect on, not only the many accomplishments you had, but also on the challenges you may have faced. None of us are without challenges, but your response to keep moving forward through those challenges, truly shows your resilience as a person to keep working hard and never give up. Our Duplin County Schools staff, your families, and the community have all played a tremendous part in supporting you along this amazing journey, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts.

As you move forward in this next season of life, please know that we love you and your Duplin County Schools family will always be here for you. Take what you have learned on your journey so far, and show this world what you are destined to become. May God continue to bless you abundantly in everything that you will do and continue to let your light shine bright in this world!

Best wishes,

Austin Obasohan, Superintendent

DUPLIN SPORTS

Rebels top Duplin 2As with historic year in 3 seasons

ND captured Sport School of the Year in Duplin County by besting its three bigger 2A counterpart

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — They are the school with large, impressive crowds for road games.

The school where fans return to their seats long after their child has graduated.

They are the school that has a gymnasium that looks steam punk cool and even retro. State playo banners hang in the middle among air control pipes. On two sides are high windows. On one end there are banners of senior athletes.

The entire gym has a coziness and comfort level for the home crowd, and it’s easy to see how the localites can become the sixth player on the court of a basketball game, especially with the school’s band playing and a student section that creatively teases the opposition with chants and hand gestures.

North Duplin, the smallest of four schools in Duplin County, is often overlooked in athletics because it is a 1A school, meaning it has a little more than 400 students in grades nine to 12. Yet the Rebels had the best athletic season, topping its larger cousins James Kenan, Wallace-Rose Hill and East Duplin for the Duplin Journal’s Sports School of the Year award for the 2023-24 school year.

Basic rules for the honor, which is totally uno cial, are in a story on this page.

To make a long story short, North Duplin won more conference titles and advanced further in the state playo s than its larger Duplin neighbors.

ND beat WRH by three points in our scoring system, with East Duplin three points

See REBELS, page 11

for D1 Seahawks

The former WRH hoopster jumps two divisions to play for UNCW

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WILMINGTON — A lot of high school and college coaches have opposed the transfer portal. Yet in some cases it’s worked out quite well for rising players who were often overlooked in the recruiting process but with a year experience are ready to jump to a higher division. Enter former Wallace-Rose Hill player Kendell Cave, an all-county forward in 2022 who transferred to play his senior

See CAVE, page 12

COLUMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE

“It’s been a good year for us, and I believe we won eight conference championships.”

Ricky Edwards, longtime ND athletics director

THE SMALLEST SCHOOL in Duplin County had the biggest winners in 2023 -24.

So, I decided to give points to each school for its accomplishments within their classi cation

The numbers don’t lie, though I was concerned if “just the facts” theory would not project what my eyes told me: 1A North Duplin bested its three Duplin 2A schools.

The Rebels de nitely passed the “eye test,” though I’ve been taught by veteran sports scribe Bill Rollins that statistics tell stories, often ones we can’t see.

Here’s the scale that was used to tabulate points for North Duplin, East Duplin, James Kenan and Wallace-Rose Hill. Each sport (aside from track and

See COLUMN, page 10

A method to determine Duplin County’s best sport school in 2023-24 Duplin Journal’s version of the Wachovia Cup reports North Duplin tallying 36 points, WallaceRose Hill 33, East Duplin 31 and James Kenan 16.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kendell Cave played at WRH and Northwood Temple before signing with Earlham College and then UNCW last week.

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

These seven athletes were named Iron winners at North Duplin for their work in the weight room. The heavy-lifting Rebels are: Reece Outlaw, rst row, from left) and Lilly Fulghum; second row, Trashawn Ru n, Wesley Holmes and Jonathan Nieves; and third row: Isaac Davis and Oscar Romero.

COLUMN from page 9

cross country) are rated from 1 to 10. Here’s a rough breakdown on the point system.

• 10 East Region or state nal appearance

• 8 points state playo , Rounds 3-4

• 7 points state playo Round 2

• 6 points conference title

• 4 points conference

runner-up

• 3 points .500 season

• 1 point within 5 wins of .500 (except football)

Other factors include the following:

• Breaking long playo and conference title jinxes

• Inter-county matchups

• Extra-ordinary individual performances

• 20-win seasons, even with an early playo exit.

• Holiday and other in-season tournament titles

• Signi cant winning streaks

• Upset losses and wins, particularly the former

To explain this a little, the Wallace-Rose Hill baseball team made the state playo s for the rst time since 2016. Certainly, you can say the Bulldogs earned another point.

Yet as the point breakdown shows, no one gets participation points.

Making the playo s is often a worthy goal. But on this scale a team must be .500 to get 3 points, yet being within ve games of .500 (i.e., 10-15, 12-17 records) hauls in just 1 point.

It’s extremely hard to make it to the third round of the playo s or to win a conference title, yet once there, that team reaps the rewards. And frequently, two teams in a conference are head and heels above the rest of the league.

Second-place teams are given an extra push on the scale.

So, at the end of the day, there’s a human stepping into the equation to interrupt statistics, make other important evaluations and add or subtract something to a team. Sometimes a school loads up on foes with unsuccessful histories, or beats up on teams from a lower classi cation.

The ND 1A girls’ basketball, for example, played eight 2A schools. Although, they were 2-6, they earn respect points, not lose them.

The ED softball team that was 12-10 also had one of the best schedules in the state with such powers as North Duplin (1A fourth-round exit), Richlands (third-round exit) and Midway (region nalist). Additionally, ED also lost three ECC games by a total of four runs. The league was exceptional this spring from top to bottom, sans Kinston.

And WRH also beat ED for the rst time in a decade and then tripped conference foe South Lenoir in its regular-season nale. That loss hurt the Blue Devils’ seed in the state playo s, and after winning twice in the postseason, SL was topped 5-0 by East Region nalist Greene Central.

Additionally, WRH was nipped 4-3 on the road against Seaforth in the opening round of the playo s, though it fought to its nal out.

So clearly, the Bulldogs had a better season than their 11-10 overall and 6-6 league records might indicate.

Now that you are aware of the blueprint it’s time to reveal the results.

Duplin Journal’s version of the Wachovia Cup reports North Duplin tallying 36 points, WallaceRose Hill 33, East Duplin 31 and James Kenan 16.

Player for more than one season

You’ll also notice another addition, Male and Female Player of the Year.

This award featured a pair of runaway winners: ND’s Dujuan Armwood and Reece Outlaw.

Armwood led the Rebels to a cochampionship Carolina Conference championship in football and an outright title in basketball. He was also one of the top sprinters in 1A.

Yet remember this is an athlete of the year, not season.

So while it wouldn’t be impossible for a one-sport athlete to win it, it might be rare, such as Javonte Williams might have in 2017 when he drove WRH to an overtime win over Reidsville in the 2A nal.

Moreso, the award represents an athlete leading a team in at least two of three seasons during the August to June academic school year.

MALE

Last hurrah: Armwood provided star-quality performances for ND

ND’s Dujuan Armwood led the grid team, hoop squad and track team to championship seasons

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Dujuan Armwood could have carried a special tag on his many North Duplin uniforms this school year that read: A special athlete.

Armwood was the most impactful male athlete and captured the Duplin Journal’s Male Athlete of the Year award for the 2023-23 academic year.

The June graduate was the guiding force for a basketball team that made it to the third round of the playo s, a football team that went 9-3 and lost in the second round of the postseason, and a sprinter on a track team that won the rst regional title in school history.

Armwood displayed a rare combination of power, speed and skill.

“He’s without a doubt one of the best athletes here and he’s a great competitor,” said ND head football coach and assistant athletics director Hugh Martin. “You know he’s going to lay it on the line every time he’s on the eld.”

Armwood has a rare 3,0001,000 double having run for more than 3,000-career yards on the gridiron and scoring more than 1,000 career points on the hoops oor.

He was the ringleader for stellar seasons for ND’s football and basketball teams.

Armwood took the honor over WRH junior Irving Brown (football, basketball), East Duplin’s Zach Brown (football, baseball) and onesport athlete Corbin Kerr (football).

Grid team wins rst playo game since 2017

Though a solid football team, North Duplin would have never beaten Northside-Pinetown (14-13), Southside-Chocowinity (20-18) nor Rosewood (39-22) during the regular season without Armwood. He scored both TDs against the Panthers and Seahawks as ND scored last to sweep the two Beaufort County schools to signal a Rebel uprising in the rst two weeks of the season. The lone spot on ND’s 5-1 start was a 21-12 loss to 3A Dixon. Armwood, who averaged 11.0 yards per carry last fall, was just warming up. He was clearly the lead dog on a team that played tough in the trench-

FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Checkmate:

Outlaw was named all-conference more than 10 times

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Reece Out-

law is the most talented female athlete at North Duplin in two decades.

She’s one of the best softball players in the state and helped ND to its most wins ever in a season.

She helped revive basketball from three- to fourwin seasons to back-to-back 20-win campaigns. In three years, the Rebels won more than 80% of their games.

She became the “Kill Queen” in volleyball, a fall sport that provided her with a warmup to a busy prep schedule.

ND’s do-it-all star is the Duplin Journal’s female Athlete of the Year for the 2023-24 academic school year.

In fact, she’s been an all-Carolina 1A Conference winner more than 10 times.

Outlaw was the Duplin County’s Ms. Softball in 2023 and Ms. Basketball in 2022.

Outlaw, arguably the best all-around female to wear the Green and Gold, signed to play softball at UNC next season.

Yet she leaves a legacy of winning and playing every game as if she were an All-Pro prep player. Yes, she’s known as a softball player rst. But she’s an on- and o -the-court winner in all matters, including academics.

In the view of some peo-

es and was constantly defending teams with passing attacks. ND fell to Lakewood 23-15 to open Carolina 1A Conference play but swarmed Union (49-8) and Hobbton (63-35), and controlled Rosewood 20-6 and 26-12 before the Eagles made a run in the fourth quarter to get close. Armwood had 235 yards and four TDs. Without victories over Rosewood and the Beaufort schools, ND may not have even made the state playo s. The Rebels beat Pamlico 37-25 in the opening round as Armwood ran for 149 yards and two scores. It was ND’s rst postseason with since 2017, when they went 14-1 and didn’t lose until the state 1A championship game against Cherokee (21-13).

Last fall, Armwood hit paydirt three times and galloped for 135 yards in ND’s 26-21 setback to Southeast Halifax in the second round. He nished with 1,785 yards, rushing for 27 touchdowns, having a pair of punt returns for scores and taking one kicko to the house.

He averaged 148 yards rushing per game, going over the 100-yard mark 10 times. Armwood was Duplin County’s Mr. O ense, though he trailed Wallace-Rose Hill running back Kerr (2,252 yards, 26 TDs).

The ND senior nished with slightly more than 3,000 career yards and 46 scores. Rebels win rst hoop crown in 22 years

While ND technically tied Lakewood for the CC crown in football, the Rebels owned their 1A foes in basketball. Armwood averaged 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assist during a 19-10 campaign which saw ND go 9-1 in CC play. They won both the league’s regular season and tournament titles. His stats would have been higher if not for coach Je Byrd’s platoon system, which helped ND win 13 straight before falling to No. 1-seed and eventual state champ Wilson Prep in the third round. The Rebels had repelled Tarboro and West Bladen in the opening two rounds. Armwood and ND earned a trip to the 1A nals in track and eld after tying Pender for the East Region championship. Martin said a couple of colleges have shown interest in Armwood.

And if one player could be responsible for igniting the ND boys to become the best in Duplin County in 2023-24, it would have to be a player with Armwood’s impact.

ple, Outlaw is the best softball player to come from talent-rich ND. That’s saying a lot from a program that has produced pitchers such as Callie Thornton, Rylee Pate, Alyssa Santos, Haley Brogden; eld players Logan Jones and Rayanna Koch; and two of her contemporary teammates, Addy Higginbotham (basketball, softball, volleyball) and Lilly Fulghum (basketball, volleyball, softball) — a pair of sure- re college players, barring injury.

She is just the fourth Rebels athlete — and rst female — to continue their collegiate career at an Atlantic Coast Conference school. Outlaw bested her two teammates for the Journal’s award. No player from another school gave her a serious run for the honor.

East Duplin junior Ja’Myah Pickett (basketball, track) and freshman Anamarie Rodriques (20 goals in soccer, which led the Panthers to the third round of the

playo s, and sixth place in the 800 at the 2A nals) both had outstanding seasons, though still paling in comparison to the glow of Outlaw’s seasons.

“She’s just an unbelievable athlete,” said softball coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham, who coached ND to a trip to the 1A nals in 2023. “She’s one of those rare ones who have it all, including anything and everything she does o a eld or court.”

Outlaw paced ND to a 17-2 mark in softball. The Rebels were eliminated in the fourth round by No. 9 Northside-Pinetown, which is playing West champ East Wilkes in the 1A nal this weekend.

But not before winning the Carolina Conference for the fourth straight time. She hit .627 with 10 doubles, six triples and eight homers. She scored 42 times and had 36 RBIs and had a .668 on-base percentage. Outlaw bashed at a .635 rate in 2023, with nine doubles, 13 triples and school and county records for HRs (14) and RBIs (50).

ND went 53-13 in the past three seasons, meaning ND won 80.3% of the time. She averaged 13.1 points in basketball this season, 20.8 in 2022 and 17.0 in 2021 as ND carved out marks of 18-8, 24-2 and 22-2 during those respective campaigns.

Outlaw’s brother Gage is a former Rebels athlete. Her father, Bill, is a former baseball player at ECU. Her mother, Candace, is a teacher for the Wayne County Public Schools.

FILE PHOTO

Dujuan Armwood ran for 1,758 yards, scored 30 TDs and averaged 11.0 yards per carry.

FILE PHOTO

Reece Outlaw scored more than 1,000 points during her hoops career, leading ND to a 53-13 record in three seasons.

Baseball/Softball Leaderboard

BASEBALL

· Reid Page, WRH: .534, 31 hits, 7 doubles, 3 triples, HR, 11 RBIs

· Kaiden Lui, WRH: .482, 27 hits, 7 doubles, 2 triples, HR, 22 RBIs

· Baines Raynor, ED: .480, 36 hits, 28 runs, 10 doubles, triple, 21 SB, 18 RBIs

· Austin Du , ND: .476, 30 hits, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 17 walks, 9 RBIs

· Caden Gavin, WRH: .411, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBIs

· Holden Williams, ND: .389, 21 hits, 16 RBIs.

· Eli Avent, JK: .394, 13 hits in 13 games

· Hunt Pate, ND: .382, 21 hits, 14 walks,19 RBIs, 31 runs, 5 doubles, 3 triples

· Wesley Holmes. ND: .360, 18 hits, 19 RBI

· Zach Brown, ED: .356, 26 hits, 29 runs, 5 doubles, triple, HR, 15 RBIs.

· Tanner Kornegay, ND: .349, 22 hits, 32 runs, 17 walks, 16 SB, 6 RBIs

· Mason Grady, JK: .340, 17 hits.

· Hansley McGee, JK: .333, 17 hits.

· Noa Quintanilla, ND: .333, 5 doubles, triple, HR, 16 RBIs.

· Hansley McGee, JK: .333, 17 hits.

· Will Brooks, WRH: .333

· Cal Avent, JK: .318, 3 doubles, 12 RBIs

· Garris Warren, ND: .317, 19 hits, 19 RBIs

· Gavin Holmes, ED: .308, 19 hits, 18 runs,14 RBIs, 13 SB

from page 9

away from the Bulldogs. The Tigers were a distant fourth.

While North Duplin may not have fared well in the past half-decade, everything came up roses for the Rebels during the past school year.

And winning at ND isn’t easy, since a higher number of students almost always equates to better competition in practice and better play in games.

All told, 180 students — or

· Hunter Whitman, JK: .300, 9 RBIs

· Dallas James, WRH: .288, 3 doubles

· Hayden Lovette, WRH: .277, 8 RBIs

· Sawyer Marshburn, ED: .270, 4 doubles, triple, 11 RBI

· Cain Graham, ED: .206, 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 22 RBIs

SOFTBALL

· Addy Higginbotham, ND: .629, 44 hits, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 3 HR, 37 runs 25 RBIs

· Reece Outlaw, ND: .627, 42 hits, 42 runs, 10 doubles, 6 triples, 8 HRs, 36 RBIs

· Jourdan Joe, JK: .627, 37 hits, 16 doubles, 4 HRs, 24 RBIs

· Lilly Fulghum, ND: .617, 37 hits, 38 runs, 11 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HRs, 31 RBIs

· Lexi Kennedy, WRH: .547, 29 hits, 11 doubles, triple, 20 RBIs

· Shylah Sloan, JK: .532 32 hits, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HRs

· Ava Noble, ED: .538, 35 hits, 34 runs, 7 doubles, 7 triples, 2 HRs, 16 RBI

· Anna Armstrong, JK: .508, 30 hits, 8 doubles, 7 HRs, 29 RBIs

· Sabrina Batts, HCA: .507, 37 hits, 29 runs, 3 doubles, 2 triples, HR, 22 RBIs

· LeNayah Jackson, Richlands: .480, 36 hits, 31 RBIs

· Erin Thibault, Richlands: .451, 37 hits 29 runs, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HRs, 42 RBIs

· Makenzie Goin, Richlands: .448, 1.17 ERA, 153 Ks, 3 walks

48% of all students at North Duplin — play at least one sport.

“That’s a little high but about where it always is,” said Athletics Director Ricky Edwards.

“It’s been a good year for us, and I believe we won eight conference championships.”

Yet Edwards paused before delivering the worst news of the season: boys’ soccer coach John Ross died in December, not long after working at the scorer’s table at a basketball game. Edwards knows how hard

· Karsyn Parker, ED: .435, 27 hits, 7 doubles, 16 RBIs, HR

· Mackenzie Jackson, HCA: .426, 26 hits, 20 runs, 19 RBIs

· Marissa Bernal, ND: .404, 4 doubles, triple, HR

· Kinsley Bond, ED: .391, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HRs, 33 RBIs

· Morgan Brown, ED: .390, 6 doubles, 13 walks, 19 runs, 13 RBIs

· Ady Spence, ND: .388, 26 hits, 4 doubles, triple, HR, 18 RBIs

· Reagan Stapleton, Rich: .375, 30 hits 30 runs, 8 RBIs

· Megan Pittman, Rich: .375, 6 doubles, 3 triples, HR

· Addison Tuck, ED: .370, 6 doubles, 17 RBIs

· Jansley Page, WRH: .367, 2 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs

· Kenadi Giddons, JK; .367

· Megan Pittman, Richlands: .365, 27 hits, 27 runs, 4 doubles, 2 triples

· M’Chelle Jaco, ND: .361, 2 doubles

· Brianna Carr, HCA: .359, 22 RBIs

· Carley Grace Jenkins, ED: .356, 4 doubles, 2 HRs, 17 RBIs

· Sophie Sloan, WRH: .354, 12 RBIs

· Iala Overton, ND: .328, 19 RBIs

· Kaylann Leon, JK: .319

· Tashi Allen, Rich: .319, 14 RBIs

· Kaylee Powell, WRH: .276, 3 doubles, triple

coaches at ND work and that they are in an extended family in a small town that refuses to let time overcome long-standing traditions and values.

The people count in this tiny farming community that sees athletics as a way of life, win, lose or draw.

Male Athlete of the Year Dujuan Armwood and Female Athlete of the Year Reece Outlaw are two major stars and reasons why ND teams were in the hunt for titles.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL

CARONE

Tanner Kornegay

North Duplin, baseball

Kornegay, a three-year starter, hit .349 this season with two doubles, two triples, 17 walks, 16 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .536.

The senior has a career average of .368 with nine doubles, two triples and 45 stolen bases. He’s made just two errors and has a elding percentage of .967 as his speed and arm were able to be defensive weapons.

ND has gone 51-17 for a winning percentage of 76.1% with Kornegay in the lineup.

But there is a bigger core of players to add to the e orts of the twosome, both of whom played three sports.

“Reece and Dujuan are both cut out of the same mold in that they are great competitors,” said football coach and assistant AD Hugh Martin. “But we have guys like Trashawn (Rufn), Anthony (Kornegay), Marcus (Hill), Khamari (Leak) and girls such as Addy (Higginbotham) and Lilly (Fulghum) who all play three sports that won a championship.

“Our kids have to play more than one sport, and what we’ve done this year is a testament to them.”

Three banner seasons for the Rebels

North Duplin won at least a share of a conference title in boys’ and girls’ basketball, football, track and eld and softball.

The Rebels football team started the winning party by going 9-3 and advancing to the second round of the 1A playo s. ED and WRH also left in the second round in 2A; JK in the rst round.

The ND boys’ basketball team won 14 in a row to win its CC crown, bowing out to No. 1 Wilson Prep in the third round of the postseason.

The girl hoopsters were beaten out by Union during the regular season but won the loop’s

postseason tournament, and 18 games.

The ND softball team (17-2) won its fourth straight league crown before losing in the fourth round of the state playo s to Northside-Pinetown, which is playing this week in the 1A nal.

The Rebels baseball team was second to Rosewood in the CC standings.

ND cleaned up in indoor and outdoor track, taking the boys’ and girls’ titles. The boys tied Pender at the East Region Championships.

Each season is a challenge for the football team, and the talent level for any given class can vary from newcomer to novice to inexperienced to letter-winner to top-rate talent. And those talent ows are uneven at most small schools, and ND is among the smallest in 1A, which is lled with charter schools which can recruit players, though no one ever calls it that.

Kudos go out to all the Rebel athletes and coaches.

It was a school year that exceeded expectations on virtually every eld of play.

“That school had a heck of a year,” said longtime ED softball coach Greg Jenkins. ND softball coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham says it’s a community e ort to make sports a part of their ber.

“The last thing we told our girls was to challenge them to leave a program or a job better than they found it,” she said.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

REBELS

season at Northwood Temple Academy in Fayetteville.

Last season, Cave played for Earlham College, a Division 3 program that has a student base of about 600.

In a week, Cave will be practicing for UNCW, a Division 1 school that’s had a little bit of national attention via its basketball.

Cave’s father Greg played for the Seahawks.

“I’m de nitely happy to be back home,” said the 6-foot-5, 195 -pound Cave, who has beefed up since playing for the Bulldogs. “That my dad played here makes it special, too.

UNCW went 24 -10 last season under fourth-year coach Takayo Siddle.

“I have a coach who believes in me,” Cave said. “I’m staying disciplined, keeping my grades and working on getting stronger and faster. We have 11 or 12 new players of the 17 on the roster.”

Cave, who scored more than 1,000 points during his prep career, survived a tough sea-

son in Indiana despite having small fractures in both of his ankles. The rst came in December. Another followed in February.

Through it all he remained positive and stayed on a program that features good nutrition and lots of time shooting a basketball.

“Preparation goes a long way to keep the body right and ready,” he said. “I have about 3,500 good calories with 20% protein every day. I started a nutrition program at Northwood and started taking care of myself better.

“I’m shooting until I get 500 to 600 makes a day and in the gym lifting every day.

I’m in there from 7 (a.m.) to 2 (p.m.). Brady Rankin and Jerrell Bradford have been training me.”

Cave will also be in the hot seat since he’s going from forward to guard.

“There’s some skill development for sure,” Cave said. “I hit 32% of my 3s last year, so I’m fairly happy with that. But I’ve been playing with D1 players since I went to Northwood, so

that won’t be anything that is new to me.

“I knew I could play at the D1 level and I’m happy to be here.”

In 2021, Cave averaged 12 points while leading WRH to a 17- 6 mark, its best record since 2016.

He averaged 12 points and 7.2 rebounds at Northwood, which went 22-12 the following season.

Cave put in 11.3 points, 5.8 boards and shot 76% from the free -throw line for Earlham College, which struggled to a 5 -20 mark.

“My coach (Joe Scheuers) told me he would have some good tapes on me to send out and he did,” Cave said. “I was in the transfer portal for about two weeks before I went to visit.

“This place is for me.”

UNCW went to the NCAA Tournament six times in the 2000s and the NIT in 1998 and 2001.

UNCW is 79 -39 under Siddle, who followed former head coach Kevin Keatts to NC State before returning in 2000.

TAKE NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000193

The undersigned GAIL D. PADRICK, having quali ed on the 13TH day of MAY, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROSE LEE DAVIS aka ROSE BROWN DAVIS aka ROSE LEE BROWN DAVIS, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 15TH Day of MAY, 2024.

GAIL D. PADRICK, EXECTOR 290 ARTHUR SLOAN RD. CHINQUAPIN, NC 28521

Run dates: M16,23,30,J6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000154

The undersigned SANDRA G. SWINSON, having quali ed on the 30TH day of APRIL, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ROBERT ANTHONY SWINSON, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 6TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 8TH Day of MAY, 2024.

SANDRA G. SWINSON, ADMINISTRATOR 881 NORWOOD EZZELL RD. MT. OLIVE, NC 28365

Congratulations to all graduates!

Kendell Cave’a father Greg played at UNCW, while his sister Kinsey is a rising sophomore at ED and will also play college ball.

East Duplin High School

Congrats Class of 2024!

• Fatima Rocio Amaya

Hernandez

• Amy Arellano

• Michael Aubrey Avery

• Sara Nicole Baines

• Braden Lee Baker

• Esmeralda Bartolon-Sanchez

Elena Marie Beckner

Sebastian Emmanuel Bell

Marisol Bernal-Alonso

Ruby Jamesan Blizzard

• Kinsley Ann Bond

• Malcolm Lee Boney

• Darwin Magdaleno Bonilla

• Alexandria Sky Brown

• Beaty Lanier Brown

• Meagan Yvonne Brown

• Zachary Chase Brown

• Evan Michael Byrd

• Swuendy Celenia Canales

• Sydney Lynn Cannon

• Yuliana Berenice Chavarria

• Taylor Leigh Cherry

• Kimberly Coria

Sheldon Riley Crain

Jahzirea Candelaria

Rakeil Cruz

JaCorey Devaughn Davis

• Damien Librado Diaz

• Reina Isabell Du

• Cameron Shane Dukes

• Hannah Leigh Dutton

• Hali Grace Edwards

• Frank McClear Elcock IV

• Ja’Kyla Ny’Asia Alexis Ellison-Chavis

• Hayden Gray Ethridge

• Jameco Kamarrion Farrior

Joana Jocelin Flores-Mendoza

Helena Fayth Futrell

Kevin Galarza

• Jesli Mileydi Garcia Vasquez

• Yessly Sarahi Garcia-Paz

• Kay’Lynn Nevaeh Gilliam

• Joshua Isacc Gomez

• Jessica Candela Gonzaga-Jiminez

Cadence Emily Gosnell

• Jaline Makell Graham

• Christian Scott Gray

• Channa Jenean Guy

• Tanner Davis Guy

• Angel Guzman Barrera

• Sarah Katherine Hall

• Tori-LaVonna Sharrie Hall

• Brody Lane Hamilton

• Sanaia Joann Hannah

• Allyson Caroline Hatcher

Sallie Merritt Hatcher

Ethan Wayne Hawkins

Camden Cole Heath

Drew Phillip Henderson

Obeli Beariz Hernandez

Lorenzo

• Daniel Hernandez-Diaz

• Ana Paola Hernandez-Lontero

• Je rey Hernandez-Lorenzo

• Lusita Hernandez-Ventura

• Adam Hernandez

• Brittany Solis Hernandez

• Madison Allena Herring

Megan Elizabeth Hobbs

Taylor Brooke Holmes

Emerson John Houston

Allie Spence Howard

De’Eric Isaiah Howard

Oliveah Brooke Jackson

Scott Alan Jackson

Addyson Gray Jarman

• Carley Grace Jenkins

• Garrett Miller Johnson

• Carson Ray Jones

• Nathaniel Bython Jones

• Richika Zanannya Jones

• Esmeralda Juarez-Sanchez

• Benito Juarez

• Jeremiah Emanuel Judge

• Jomone Markelle Judge Jr

• Maya Monique Judge

• Myron Unique Judge

• Vinaree Dae’Zhon Judge

• Mazilyn Hillton Kennedy

Jaiden Alyssa King

Rilee Deeann Kisler

Ansleigh Faith Kornegay

Elise Kennedy Krieger

• Austin Turner Lanier

• Sedrick Montrez Lawson

• Oscar Lemus

• Brayan Diego Lopez Lopez

• Juan Carlos Lopez-Perez

• Kevin Loreto-Gutierrez

• Mileny Lozano-Acero

• Rommel Mar Jr

• Joseph Stephen Marshburn

Garrett Brayden McClenny Zakiya Alexis McKoy

Jesus Medina Silva

Christofer Molina Pineda

• James Elam Moore

• Hunter Bryce Morales

• Jeyson Said Morales

• Emily Mae Moss

• Alexander Munoz-Torres

• James Earl Newkirk

• Mia Nicole Nuncio Gonzalez

• Matthew Courtland Overstreet

Dalton Delano Padgett

Chloe Michele Padrick

Jesse Ray Parker

Riley Nicole Parker

• Briana Amelia Pavucek

• Elisandro Javier Perez Morales

• Landon Perez-DeLeon

• Juan Perez-Ines

• Hannah Jade Perry

• Olivia Karsyn Pierce

• Davon Lamar Poole

• Kaleigh Paige Price

• Lucia Juliette Ramirez-Munos

Ivan Yovany Ramirez

Chase DeVane Ratli

Crystal Rebollar Velazquez

• Christian Rebollar

• Mariana Rebollar

• Lazaro Cruz Reyes

• Harmony Noel Rizor

• Gary Lee Roaden III

• Noemi’ Rodriguez-Barrios

• Alison Faith Rogers

• Elleanna Grace Rogers

• Ericka Valeria Roque Contreras

• Deyanira Alexa Salazar-Gabriel

Luis Enrique Sanchez Lopez

Bryan Sanchez Lorenzo

• Skylar Kay Sandlin

• Brandon Ray Scarborough

• Alexandrya Sue

Marie Scott

• Christopher Segura-Garcia

• Tobie Kaden Sholar

• Zoey Bryanne Shoup

• Malik Montez Simpson

• Kaylee Renee Singleton

Emma Grace Slaughter

Isaiah Mikail Smith

Kaitlyn Noel Smith

Riley Brooke Snyder

Austin Lee Spence

Ayden John Spence

Payton Laura-Jean

Ste ens

• James William Stokes

• Kailey Briann Stokes

• Kaleb Scott Strickland

• Jenna Elizabeth Sumner

• Audrey Deanna Sutton

• Neyland Olivia Tate

• Elijah Todd Thigpen

• Addison Caroline Tuck

• Jose Luis Vail

• Gabriela Vazquez

Maiko Angel Velasquez Perez

Brian Velazquez Bartolon

Delia Venegas-Garcia

• Ti any Noel Wallace

• John Halen Watkins

• Braydon Zachary Watts

• Jenson Allan Welborn

• Chase Lee Whaley

• Dharian O’Brien Whaley

• Hallie Noelle Whaley

• Conner Jacob Wilkins

• Kimberly Dawn Williams

• Macaelyn Marie Williams

• Marc Wayne Williford

PHOTO COURTESY EAST DUPLIN HIGH SCHOOL

“Friends made me look forward to school every day and they were a shoulder to lean on during the tougher days.”

CLASS OF 2024

Student Spotlight

EAST DUPLIN HIGH SCHOOL: JACOREY DAVIS

play and enjoy.

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

Meet East Duplin High School senior

JaCorey Davis. JaCorey is one of ve Duplin County high school seniors who were selected by Duplin County Schools to participate in Duplin Journal’s Student Spotlight Q&A, a special feature saluting the Class of 2024.

Tell us about yourself (tell us something not many people know about you).

My name is JaCorey Davis and I’m a graduating senior at East Duplin High School. Many people may know me from playing basketball at East Duplin, but they may not know that I have also helped coach youth sports and played AAU basketball. I enjoy teaching kids about sports, technique, and good showmanship. Another thing people may not know about me is that I enjoy learning about computers and coding. I have always been passionate about coding since I was a young child. My parents used to download programs to help me learn coding and building digital game sequences. Since then, I have wanted to create video games from scratch for people worldwide to

from page 1

sus’ words: “Greater love has no one than this, that they would lay down their life for their friend.”

Harvey Knowles also played the Army anthem and “God Bless America” on the harmonica.

“My dad meant a lot to the town and the town meant a lot to him,” Timberly Southerland, Emanuel’s daughter, stated, “so to see the town still coming out for him 16 years later, and to be here with his family, it means a lot to us.”

Kem Pickett, Emanuel’s older brother, also spoke during the

Thirty years from now, looking back at your high school years, how do you think your friends or teachers will remember you?

Looking back at my high school years, I hope my friends and teachers will remember me as someone who brightened their day. I hope my sense of humor made people smile, laugh, or improve their mood. I strive to bring joy and laughter to those around me and help people through their tougher days.

What is your biggest academic accomplishment?

My biggest academic accomplishment is getting into my number one college choice. It is the greatest step to achieving my dreams. Accomplishing my goal of getting into my top college shows me that through hard work and perseverance, I can achieve anything I set my mind to!

What is your driving force? Who inspires you?

One of my biggest inspirations is my parents. They have always been there and pushed me to do my best. During

ceremony, saying that Emanuel was killed on his birthday and he hasn’t celebrated a birthday ever since. “But we all grew up in Wallace,” he said. “We lived here all our lives. I’m 57 years old. I wish he was here longer.”

Emanuel was killed at the age of 34 in a mortar attack.

Wells remembered that Emanuel always did things quietly without seeking glory or praise. “It speaks to the person he was,” he said, adding that he hoped all those present had “a Memorial Day weekend that is full of joy and family time, but also remember the reason for the holiday.”

TOWN OF WARSAW NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The FY 2024-25 Budget Proposal has been submitted to the Warsaw Board of Commissioners. The Proposal is available for public inspection in the o ce of the town clerk, until the Budget Ordinance is adopted. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 10th, 2024 6:00PM. The hearing will take place at the Warsaw Town Hall, 121 S. Front St. The public is encouraged to attend.

JaCorey Davis

basketball and with academics they have always inspired me to put my best foot forward. Another driving force is striving to be the best version of myself. Wanting to be the best version of myself helps me to strive for personal growth and development and helps me achieve my goals.

What will you miss the most about school?

One thing I will miss most about high school is the friends I have made these last four years. The bonds I have made with my classmates during high school are a signi cant part of my experience.

Friends made me look forward to school every day and they were a shoulder to lean on during the tougher days. I try to repay the favor and help my friends get through their tougher days. We have created a sense of community here at East Duplin that I strive to recreate in college as well.

What are your plans for the future? Have you decided what career path you will follow? If going away for college, do you plan on coming back to Duplin? Why?

My plan for the future is to go to UNC Charlotte to obtain a degree

The Duplin County School District non-pro t School Nutrition Program in the Duplin County School District is soliciting bids to provide dairy milk products, bread products, and cleaning and supply products. For questions regarding the IFB, please submit them via email to lstokes@duplinschools.net. We kindly remind you that bids are due by 12pm on June 28, 2024. The bid opening will be held at the address listed below, on July 2, 2024 at 1:00pm. The Duplin County School District has the right to reject any or all proposals.

For information and a bid packet, contact:

L’nette Stokes, Director Duplin County Schools Child Nutrition 258 NC 11 & 903 HWY Kenansville, NC 28349 910-296-8786

An Equal Opportunity Provider

Servicing your HVAC systems twice per year is the best way to stay ahead of problems - and keep your manufacture warranty valid. Visit richsheatandairnc.com or scan the QR code for more information.

Bottom, Army veteran

played the Army’s anthem and “God Bless America”

the harmonica during Friday’s ceremony to rededicate the veterans memorial fountain at

PHOTOS BY ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Top, Kem Pickett, far right, at podium, spoke about his brother, Emanuel Pickett, during a ceremony to rededicate the town’s veterans memorial fountain while his family members looked on.

From left, Vivian Pickett, Jerome Pickett, Teyaka Pickett, Timberly Southerland, and Marlen Pickett.

Harvey Knowles

on

Town Hall.

FOUNTAIN

obituaries

Angela “Renee” Rouse Brown

July 28, 1957 – May 18, 2024 (age 66)

Angela “Renee” Rouse Brown, 66 of Wallace passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Wallace Rehab and Healthcare Center, Wallace.

She was born July 28, 1957 in La Grange, the daughter of Cecil Joel Rouse and Ferdelia James Rouse. In addition to her parents, Renee was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Daniel Brown; siblings, Kenneth Williams, John Robert Jolley, Gerald Rouse and Elaine Smith.

Survivors include: sons, James Lee (Ann) of Asheville, Paul Lee (Daisy) of Willard, Joshua Brown (Sarah Carter) of Wallace; daughters, Jennifer Lee of Chinquapin, Judy Lee of Asheville; sisters, Karen Scha houser of New York, Barbara Deweerd of Deep Run, Janice Stump of Goldsboro, Debbie Pierce (Je ) of Wallace; and 14 grandchildren.

Renee raised all ve of her children in the town of Pin Hook, which was no easy task if you knew any of them. Even through the hardships her children have grown up to be strong and independent adults creating beautiful families of their own. Renee loved Elvis and listening to gospel music. She loved when family visited and would bring her a home-cooked meal or her favorite treats, pork skins and Pepsi. She loved all of her kids and grandkids very much.

Renee was loved by her family and will truly be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 8, 2024 at 2041 Bay Road, Wallace, NC 28466 at 4 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

A special thank you to the sta of Wallace Rehab and Healthcare Center for taking great care of her the last few months of her life.

To send owers to the family, please send them to Westside Creations of Wallace.

Raymond Earl Cottle

April 10, 1934 – May 11, 2024 (age 90)

Raymond Earl Cottle passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

He’d recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters.

He was born April 10, 1934 to Delmas Cottle and Annie King Cottle in Duplin County.

Although Raymond lived in Northern Virginia a majority of his life, he always thought of North Carolina as home. He loved his family and lived life to the fullest.

He was a member of Hope

Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia and until a few years age volunteered for many mission trips. He was the true de nition of a giver and helper.

Memorial service was held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Beulaville. Burial was private.

June 6, 1978 – May 20, 2024 (age 45)

DURHAM — Ms. Candace

Alece Neely, age 45, of Durham, formerly of the Delway Community of Sampson County, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024 at home.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at St. James Church Cemetery, 2385 Delway Hwy in Rose Hill.

Left to cherish her precious memories: mother, Estella Neely of Rose Hill; brother, Justian A. Neely (Ebonee) of Clarksburg, Maryland; two nieces, Janelle and Jocelyn Neely; nephew, Mekhi Pruitt; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that will miss her dearly.

Jan. 3, 1946 – May 24, 2024 (age 78)

Linda Anderson Porter, age 78, of Rose Hill passed from this earthly life to be at home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born on Jan. 3, 1946, in Duplin County; the daughter of the late William Franklin and Lillie Benson Anderson. She was also preceded in death by her rst husband and father of her children, John Simpson “Buddy” Pike and her later husband, Henry Porter; her brothers, Lester Anderson and

Leonard Anderson. Mrs. Porter was a devoted member of Corinth Baptist Church where she served faithfully as pianist, Sunday School teacher, WM Director and any other ministries she was needed.

Surviving are her loving children, William Pike and wife Debbie of Raleigh and Lavonda Teachey and husband Neil of Rose Hill; grandchildren, Sunshine Johnson, Teagan Pike, Christopher Pike, Layla Daughhetee and Kayla Pike; great-grandchildren, Emmett Foster, Zachary Pike and Jamahri Lucas; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Linda dearly.

Linda was a loving mother and caring grandmother and friend. She was a simple woman who enjoyed the simplest things in life but her greatest joy was loving and serving her Lord Jesus Christ and her family.

Linda was a woman of great faith and to those who knew her, “an instrument of God’s love on this earth.” She never worried about anything; always trusting in the Lord with

Donna Lee Moore

July 26, 1954 – May 17, 2024 (age 69)

Donna Lee Judge Moore, 69, of Rose Hill, entered into eternal rest on May 17, 2024 in Raleigh.

Funeral service was Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home Chapel, Warsaw. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment followed in the Boney-Graham Family Cemetery of Rose-Hill.

Donna Lee Judge Moore was born to Robert Lee Judge and Elizabeth Dixon Judge. She attended the Duplin County Public School System as well as James Sprunt Community College. At James Sprunt, she earned her certi cate as a Certi ed Nursing Assistant. Pursuing her joy for caring for others, she did home health for many years.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, James Moore and daughter, Wanda Gaile Moore.

Left to cherish precious memories are: son, Shawn Graham (Brittany); granddaughter, Brooklyn Graham; grandson, Michael Graham; sister, Mizuria Bannerman; two nieces, Ti any Bannerman Holt and Fredia Bannerman; aunt, Charlotte Graham; special friend, Lenward Graham; like a sister, Barbra Carlton.

Reginald Wendell Melvin

Oct. 3, 1970 – May 17, 2024 (age 53)

Reginald Wendell Melvin, 53, of Warsaw, laid down all the cares of this world and quietly took the Master’s hand early on the morning of May 17, 2024 at Duke University Hospital.

Funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at New Christian Chapel MB Church, Rose Hill. Interment followed in the New Christian Chapel MB Church Cemetery.

whatever life threw at her. She was a great listener who never judged or condemned. Always nding ways to share God’s love, Linda started a bible study at Daysprings to help others learn about Jesus. Today Linda has fought her ght, she has kept the faith and has nished her course. She is more alive today than she has ever been with the One she lived for all these years. She will be missed here on this earth, but her family is comforted knowing that she is where she has longed to go for so long.

Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Wallace Chapel with Reverend Johnny Pike o ciating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and at other times at the home of Neil and Lavonda Teachey. Burial followed the service at Devotional Gardens in Warsaw. Casketbearers were Buster Pike, Jerry Pike, Gary Pike, Tommy Pike, Christopher Pike and Michael Williams.

Carl Maxwell Findeisen, Jr.

Jan. 5, 1960 – May 23, 2024 (age 64)

Carl “Buddy” Maxwell Findeisen, Jr., 64, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill. Survivors include: spouse, Jonelle “Jo” Craft Findeisen of Pin Hook; sons, Nicholas Ryan Findeisen of Pin Hook, Jacob “Jake” Findeisen of Pin Hook; sisters, Kay Smith of Richlands, Sue Carlyle (Douglas) of Richlands, Gwen Morton (Patrick) of Jacksonville, Pamela Parks (Bill) of Trenton; grandchildren, Ryan and Aubrey Findeisen.

Jerry Clifton Jones

May 7, 1952 – May 20, 2024 (age 72)

On Monday evening, May 20, 2024, Jerry Jones, our precious father, Papa, and beloved husband, left this world and entered the arms of his loving savior, Jesus Christ. He was 72 years old.

Jerry was born on May 7, 1952 to Lloyd and Inez Jones. He was younger brother of Charles Bell, whom proceeded him in death. He was raised in Fountaintown, where he made his life with his wife, Alice and two children, J.J. and Ashlea. Jerry and Alice married on July 20, 1973. This past year they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with a long, full and loving marriage. They were both members of Bethlehem Church, where he and their family attended faithfully. He was even there the day before his passing, enjoying his favorite thing, hearing and talking about the Lord.

Jerry loved his family and friends, but his six grandchildren, Zachary, Gavin, Noah, Nolan, Allie and Ava, held a special place in his heart. They will have a lifetime of memories to share of days on the golf cart, beach, and church.

Above all, Jerry loved the Lord. There wasn’t a time that you did not see or talk to him, that he did not bring up Jesus, scripture, heaven and all things holy. He was a walking testament of faith. Some of our favorite things that he would say was, “I can do nothing in and of myself, it is only with the help of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that I can do anything.” You would often hear him say, “The Lord is in perfect control and my self-righteousness is as lthy as rags.” He knew that his life was worth nothing without the goodness of God’s grace. Thank you, Daddy, Jerry, Papa, for sharing that love with us. You will be dearly missed but we know that you are now in paradise.

Merlese Louise Pickett

May 1, 1948 – May 19, 2024 (age 76)

Merlese Louise Pickett, 76, of Teachey placed her hand in the Master’s hand and entered into her eternal rest on May 19, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, Funeral service is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, 2024 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Wallace. Visitation was held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home Chapel, Warsaw. Interment was in Duplin Memorial Gardens of Teachey.

Betty Chestnutt Payne

Nov. 7, 1943 – May 22, 2024 (age 80)

Betty Chestnutt Payne, of Warsaw and formerly of Marshall, departed her earthly life on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, while at home. She is the daughter of the late Hubert Scott and Gertrude Elizabeth West Rouse. She is also preceded in death by two husbands, Norwood Connell Chestnutt and John Randolph Payne; a son, Larry Deane Chestnutt; and siblings, Grace Rouse and Ruby Rouse. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Holly C. McCurry and husband Steve of Asheville and William Connell Chestnutt of Warsaw; siblings, Ellen Straub and husband Al of Charleston (South Carolina) and Inez Rouse of Magnolia; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. As an exceptional artist, she taught oil painting and photography at James Sprunt Community College. Mrs. Payne and her daughter graduated college the same year her son graduated from high school.

During her 30-plus years of work with A ac, she held several management positions while earning numerous awards and recognitions, including the FAME award, convention trips, and achieved President’s Club. She also mentored many successful colleagues over her career.

Colleagues said she gave them a “great foundation to start a career, with wonderful memories,” and loved ones described her as a “very sweet, cheerful, and good friend” who was always smiling. Her love for family was tremendously important to her, and her love for her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren was her most cherished experience on earth.

The family will plan a memorial service at a later date. Instead of oral arrangements, the family requests contributions to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research michaeljfox.org.

Linda (Anderson) Porter

Candace Alece Neely

Honoring our fallen heroes

from page 7

• Aldo Joel Funez

A Nya Rena Furlow

• Semya Kelis Furlow

• Bryan German Garcia Garcia

• Christopher Garcia-Caldera

• Marvin A. Garcia-Carbajal

Ali’iefaolefalefa Isabel Garcia

Luis Garcia

• Ara Cesia Gomez Aguilar

Roman Gomez-Alviar

• Marisol Gomez-Bravo

Mason Tyler Grady

• Aaliyah Marie Graham

• Brayan Guardado

John Michael Gutierrez

• Samantha K. Gutierrez

Faith Yvonna Hall

• Lydia Aniyah Hall

• Tavion Harris

Stephanie Alondra Hernandez-Meza

Luis Carlos Hernandez

• ReyRamon Hernandez

Dakota Jamel Holmes

• Scarlett Eliana Johnson

Harrison Maze Jones

• Jaycen Deandre Jones

• Keelan Louis Jones

RonNyia December

Joyner

Dyi-Marrion Ya Leek

Kenan

LeCarra J’naye Kennon

• Lillie Mone Kornegay

Chasidy Tytiana Lacroix

• Amy Lagunas-Garcia

• Julius Z. Leonard Lamb

Ozziel Steven Lara

• Abigail Rose Lewis

Briel Chante’ Lewis

• Ashley Leyva-Flores

Andrew Lin

• Francis Alexander Lizardo

• Ariel Lopez

Jennifer Michelle Maldonado-Hernandez

Bleixen Ilsay Martel

• Anjel Cristian Martinez

• La Tonia Monea Mason

• Elijah Jahlil Maye

• Alexis Niasha McClamb

Jadyn Claire Mckinnie

• Cameron Melvin

Julio Alberto

Meza-Lizardo

Erick Fernando Midence Castillo

Gernyla Rena Miller

• Brenda Melissa Miranda

• Cinthia Montalvo-Escobedo

• Aaron M. Morales-Dominguez

• Kimberly Muniz-Padilla

Jasmyn Imani Murphy

• Ethan Newkirk

Roselin Fabiola Ocampo Jimenez

Levin Edgardo

Orellana-Herrera

Dennis Orozco Nunez

• Angel Ismael

Pacheco-Ortega

• Brian Gilberto Palacios

• Kayla Yudith

Palos-Delgado

• Shaft Norvell Parker

Ke Juan Payton

• Quincy Pina

Jonathan Jaheim Player

• Maria Guadalupe Ponce-Romero

• Natalie Quiroz

• Carlos Rafael-Jose

• Kendrick Axel Ramirez

Pena

• Erika Miguel Ramirez

• Lenny Dalton Real Renteria

A group of approximately 70 people gathered at the Courthouse Square in Kenansville on Monday to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day and pay respects to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacri ce while ghting for our freedom.

Ruthie Andrews

• Elizabeth Greene

• Sabrina Batts

• Chris Licona

• Savannah Tatum

Willa Grace Johnson

Alfredo Sabillon Jr.

• Brysen Smith

• Evan Boussias

• Scarlett Votaw

• Luke Allen Reaves

Valery Reyes Unas

• Amalia Elizabeth Reyes-Aviles

• Samuel Reynoso

• Carlos Rivera Cruz

Erialys Rivera

• Leia Rosita Rodriguez

Sharese Lashell Rogers

• Marelin Lisbet

Romero-Aviles

• Jayla Rouse

• Mel Salgado

• Alens Salomon

• Yesenia

Santibanez-Garcia

• Yoana Saravia

Taylor Grace Register

• Connor Pope

• Ariel Malpass

• Alex Farrior

• Brianna Carr

Piper Moore

Addison Long

• Georgia Pope

• Anna Grace Johnson

• Case Barber

• Jule Lee Shepard

Temira Ellen Sherrod

• Derek Simmons

• Gavin Reese Simpson

Alneilus Smith

• Christopher Mclyn Smith

Emily Ann Smith

• Nolan Tyrell Smith

Kyara Shada Stevens

• Mar’Keshia Ibony Strong

• Jennifer Tamez-Flores

Stephanie Toribio-Barrios

• Yaretzi Torres Medrano

Mikyah Nevaeh Turns

• Lilya Usher

• Tesly Layeska Valdez

Leelee Votaw

• Samiir Gibbs

• Malik Wider

• Michael Dale Williams

Samuel Mena-Martin

B.J. Bennett

Benny Mercer

• Josh deAndrade

• Spencer Newton

• Sindy E. Vasquez Perez

Roberto Carlos Vega-Valenzuela

Luciano Gabriel Venecia

• Michael Jacinto Venecia

• Alannah Sue Wallace

Bella Marie Wiggins

• Biore Williams

Kaelan Amari Williams

• Naszir Williams

• Shykwon Jiyrek Williams

• Tre’von Malik Williams

• Demorion LeeSean Willis

Tytiana Tychelle Wilson

• Sashary Nicole Zarate-Marcia

JAMES KENAN

PHOTO COURTESY HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL