Duplin Journal Vol. 10, Issue 1 by North State Journal

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

Woman involved in fatal crash sues

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Wallace Raylee Grieco, who claims she was wrongfully charged with DWI in a fatal crash that killed a man near the Wallace exit on I-40 last year, is suing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Grieco was initially charged with driving while impaired and failure to reduce speed by the NCSHP, but the DWI charge was later dismissed as blood results from the State Crime Lab showed there were no impairing substances in her system. Despite the dismissal of charges, Grieco is suing the NCHP for wrongful charges, alleging misconduct in the investigation. She is seeking monetary compensation, punitive damages and a public apology.

NCDOT to replace pipe in Lyman Road

Beulaville

A section of Lyman Road

N.C. 24 in Duplin County will be closed until March 14 while the N.C. Department of Transportation replaces a pipe to improve water flow in the area. Traffic will be detoured onto N.C. 24 and Edwards Road. NCDOT advises drivers to allow for extra time for their commute and to use caution when traveling near the work site.

Sheriff warns public about counterfeit weight-loss, diabetes drugs

Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes is warning the public about counterfeit versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound potentially containing dangerous substances. The sheriff warned that consuming or injecting these fake medications can cause serious side effects or even hospitalization. He also encouraged the public to contact local law enforcement if they see someone selling counterfeit drugs or active ingredients.

Duplin crews respond to traffic accident involving Kinston officer

Duplin County Highway 241 between Church Road and Parker Heath Road in Duplin was shut down for several hours last week following an accident involving a Kinston patrol car. According to Potter Hills Fire the vehicle struck a light pole leaving an officer and his K-9 trapped inside due to a live power line. Law enforcement stated that the officer fell asleep after a 12-hour shift when the vehicle crossed the center line and traveled off the roadway, ultimately striking the power pole.

Duplin celebrates ribbon cutting of $4M transportation building

The new facility aims to improve access to services and opportunities to build a better future

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Approximately 45 people, including local dignitaries, gathered at the Duplin Commons in Kenansville to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Duplin County Transportation facility on Feb. 18.

Wallace Mayor Jason Wells used a golden shovel to break ground on a renovation project at the Wallace-Pender Airport on Tuesday morning.

County Manager Bryan Miller welcomed guests to the $4.27 million facility, highlighting its significance for the community’s growth and future.

“This state-of-the-art facility stands as a testament to our county’s dedication to progress and innovation by enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of our transportation services. Our employees and the service will significantly improve the daily lives of our residents,” said Miller. “Transportation will continue to foster economic growth, and they will continue to pave a broader path-

“For families, it means the ability to support loved ones, to pursue opportunities, and be part of a thriving community.”

Brennan

Fuquay, NCDOT Integrated Mobility

way into the future for Duplin County.”

Miller acknowledged various stakeholders in attendance, including county com-

missioners, local dignitaries and transportation staff.

After an invocation by Warsaw Mayor A.J. Connors, Commissioner Dexter Edwards expressed gratitude for a successful project.

“It’s been a long time coming. Like a lot of other projects that we’ve had here in Duplin County, and as you can see, Duplin Commons seems to be really growing,” said Edwards. “And most of this comes from getting help from outside sources.”

Wallace breaks ground on $20M airport improvement project

The renovations will facilitate a runway expansion

By K.D. Beard and Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — With the symbolic shoveling of dirt on Tuesday morning, $20 million worth of renovations began at the Wallace-Pender Airport. The project will last through the end of 2026 and will in-

SO deputy will not face charges in shooting of Beulaville suspect

The DA determined no criminal charges were warranted based on the investigation’s findings

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

clude relocating roads around the airport to make way for an expanded runway, Airport Director Ben Jones said.

“Right now, the roads are in the way of the runway,” Jones explained. “After we move the roads, we can expand the runway to 5,500 feet.”

Jones said he expects the road relocation to be complete by December or January, and then the runway expansion will follow by the end of 2026.

“With the expansion comes economic opportunity.”

KENANSVILLE — Last week, District Attorney Ernie Lee issued a statement regarding the use of deadly force by a deputy from the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, which resulted in Joseph Ross Duncan Jr. being shot and injured on Jan. 23. Lee indicated that after reviewing the deputy’s body camera footage and examining the investigation conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, he concluded that the deputy’s actions were justified in self-defense and no evi-

dence suggested that the deputy acted inappropriately. Although the deputy did not sustain any injuries, his actions were deemed to be within his rights, and no criminal charges against him are warranted based on the circumstances revealed by the SBI investigation.

The deputy responded to a disturbance call at a residence on Howards Farm Road in Beulaville on the day of the incident, at around 4:15 a.m. Upon entering the dark residence with a flashlight, the deputy encountered Duncan, who appeared to be holding a knife, authorities said.

According to the District Attorney’s office, the deputy drew his service weapon and aimed it at Duncan, who advanced toward him, forcing the $2.00

See AIRPORT, page A2 See SHOOTING, page A2

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

See RIBBON, page A3

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

COURTESY PHOTO Joseph Ross Duncan

In front, Commissioner Dexter Edwards (left), Angel Venecia (center) and Brennan Fuquay cut the ribbon to celebrate the official opening of the new Duplin County Transportation facility on Feb. 18 while Wayne Branch, Elwood Garner, Ray Potts, Justin Edwards and Bryan Miller watch in the background.

Jason Wells, Wallace mayor

BEARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL

2.27.25 #63

Duplin Journal

www.duplinjournal.com

North State Media LLC

Neal Robbins Publisher

Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers

Ena Sellers News Editor

Abby Cavenaugh Features / Business Editor

K.D. Beard Reporter

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor

Loretta Carey Office Manager

news@duplinjournal.com

Office: 910 463-1240

To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042

SHOOTING from page A1

deputy to back out of the house toward the street. As Duncan continued to approach, the deputy fired his weapon once, striking Duncan in the wrist.

Duncan was subsequently apprehended by other deputies who arrived shortly afterward, and emergency medical services treated him for his injury. The shooting occurred approximately 10 minutes after the deputy activated his body camera upon arriving at the scene.

“The deputy acted quickly to neutralize what he perceived as a threat,” Lee stated. State law permits the use of deadly force when an officer reasonably believes they are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.

Duncan faces charges that include assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, resisting an officer, obstructing justice and communicating threats.

The renovations also mean that in the future, the runway can be expanded to 7,500 feet, if necessary.

“This will bring a lot of new jobs and opportunities,” he said. “There will be a lot of manufacturing jobs due to the new airport hub.”

The airport expansion will also benefit younger people who are just starting their careers, Jones said.

“It opens up a lot of jobs to young Americans who want to get into aviation but may not have otherwise had the opportunity,” he added.

“It means a lot to the future of not only Duplin, but Pender County as well as the Wallace area,” Mayor Jason Wells said. “With the expansion comes economic opportunity.”

The rapid growth the Wilmington area is experiencing has caused many recreational pilots to seek more rural airports,

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

DUPLIN CALENDAR

Happening Monthly

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

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade St. For information, call 919-658-9221.

• The Faison town board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 110 NE Center St. in Faison. For more information, call 910-267-2721.

The Economic Development Board meets the first 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 910-289-3078.

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 information, call 910-293-7814.

The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 108 Taylor St. in Magnolia. For information, call 910-289-3205.

• 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 910-289-3159.

• The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910-372-9178.

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

• Duplin County Beekeepers meet 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.

K.D.

Members of the Wallace Town Council and the town’s airport board gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday morning to commemorate the start of work at the airport, which includes relocating roads and expanding the runway. Pictured (left to right) are Town Council members Francisco Rivas-Diaz, Tasha Herring, Penny Thorne, Jason Davis, Mayor Jason Wells, airport board members Warren Hepler, Larry Debose and Fred McCoy, Pender County Commissioner and airport board member Jerry Groves, and Airport Director Ben Jones.

Suspect arrested for using counterfeit $50 bills

eral and Dollar General Market stores.

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — On Feb. 18, the Beulaville Police Department positively identified a suspect involved in two separate incidents in which counterfeit $50 bills were used at the Dollar Gen-

from page A1

He thanked the external partners, highlighting that federal funding from the Department of Transportation awarded in 2019 was crucial in making the project a reality.

Edwards recognized Duplin County Transportation Director Angel Venecia, her team and everyone involved, noting that the facility wouldn’t have been possible without the combination of external grants and local teamwork. He also emphasized the importance of public transportation in improving access to essential services like medical care and education.

“If my records are correct, y’all logged over 42,000 trips last year; a lot of these trips are just continuing to add value to the county,” said Edwards.

Brennan Fuquay, director of NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division, was next to address the crowd, praising the facility’s modern design and functionality. Fuquay stressed the project’s importance for the community.

“This facility isn’t just a building. It’s a hub for progress. It’s a place that can ensure our community members have access to reliable, safe, and efficient transportation. With over 4,000 square feet of space, this new facility includes more office space for the transit workers, a conference and training room … and also plenty of room for future expansion,” said Fuquay, adding that practical features like the covered parking and the wash bay for keeping the transit vehicles clean will enhance daily operations.

Fuquay acknowledged the resilience of Duplin County’s transit system, which has rebounded from a significant decline in ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duplin County is one of the few rural counties that has not only recovered but is now seeing growth in ridership.

“We’ve now reached more ridership than what we had pre-COVID,” said Fuquay. “And we’re one of the few counties that can say they were averaging 36,000 before COVID, and now we’re (at 42,000), as was mentioned before. This is such a testament to the resilience of the transit system here. Running a transit agency is not easy. It requires dedication, coordination and unwavering commitment to the community.”

Fuquay reflected on the broader importance of public transportation in supporting families and strengthening the community.

“The impact you make goes beyond the numbers — it

Beulaville police responded to the incidents on Feb. 13, learning that the suspect used the counterfeit bills to purchase gift cards and merchandise totaling $2,100. The police department received information on Feb. 18 identifying the suspect as Natesha Lashay Cheeks. Further investigation confirmed that Cheeks was the suspect.

Cheeks was arrested in Nash County by the N.C. State Highway Patrol on Feb. 17 and served with warrants on similar charges.

Beulaville PD obtained warrants for Cheeks on the following charges: two counts of possessing five or more counterfeit instruments, two counts of uttering forged instrument and two counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

The Beulaville Police Department contacted other local agen-

cies, including the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and the Rose Hill Police Department, both of which had similar incidents involving Cheeks. She was served by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office and given a $300,000 secured bond, in addition to her previous $320,000 secured bond. Cheeks was previously charged with passing counterfeit bills in 2019 and 2020 in Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia.

changes lives. For individuals who rely on it to get to work, to get to school or to their medical appointments, transit is essential. For families, it means the ability to support loved ones, to pursue opportunities and be part of a thriving community,” said Fuquay.

Venecia expressed gratitude for everyone who played a role in bringing the new public transportation facility to life in Duplin County, emphasizing the collaborative effort required to

make it a reality. She thanked the Federal Transit Administration for providing funding and the Department of Transportation for facilitating the distribution of those funds and providing technical assistance throughout the process. She also acknowledged the support and guidance from county leadership, which helped keep the project on track and ensured long-term planning for the county’s transportation needs.

Venecia gave special thanks to Jackson Builders, who were instrumental in turning the vision for the facility into a reality, highlighting their flexibility in managing the changes and challenges that arose during the project. She emphasized how the facility will directly benefit the community by improving access to essential services, employment and other opportunities that enhance quality of life.

She expressed excitement for

the future, underscoring the dedication of the staff and their enthusiasm for the growth and opportunities that the new facility will bring to the public transportation system and the county as a whole. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments and a tour of the new facility, marking a significant milestone for Duplin County’s future progress in transportation and community development.

Woman arrested in Nash County faces charges in Beulaville and Rose Hill

COURTESY PHOTO Natesha Lashay Cheeks

RIBBON

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL Top, Commissioner Dexter Edwards (left), Angel Venecia (center) and Brennan Fuquay smile as they prepare to cut the blue ribbon marking the official opening of the new Duplin County Transportation facility on Feb. 18. In the background are commissioners Wayne Branch and Elwood Garner. Bottom left, Brennan Fuquay, director of the NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division, was a guest speaker at the transportation facility ribbon-cutting ceremony for the transportation facility in Kenansville. Bottom right, approximately 45 people gathered at Duplin Commons in to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Duplin County Transportation facility.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

It really does take a village

Even though the adage can sometimes be overused, it really does take a village to raise a child.

RECENTLY, THERE HAS been some misunderstanding about the role of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The ED does not control our local public schools. For example, the ED website states, “Education is primarily a State and local responsibility. It is States and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation.”

According to its website, “The North Carolina State Board of Education sets policy and general procedures for public school systems across the state, including teacher pay and qualifications, course content, testing requirements, and manages state education funds.”

On a local level, our Duplin County Board of Education is charged with overseeing all aspects of operating our local public schools so as to ensure that all students receive a sound education. Interestingly and encouragingly, the 2024-25 organizational chart for Duplin County Schools places the students at the very top, above the Board of Education,

LETTERS

N.C. public schools need more to survive

THE SCHOOL choice program is pulling our children away from the public schools along with the 2025 per pupil spending of $9,528. Adjusting for regional cost differences, North Carolina ranks 48th in the nation in per student spending. Now that is a major problem, but the greater problem is what is happening to the public school funding and the damage to the core existence of public education.

What is the future of the public schools in North Carolina? How will the students left behind be adequately educated? What are public school superintendents, the State Department of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and the heads of colleges and universities doing to stop the drain of funds from public education? Are they asleep at the wheel? Is it not past time to stand up and demand that public education at all levels be a priority for funding from the legislature?

I have sleepless nights about our public educational system: the salary of teachers and support personnel, the safety of the school buildings, the availability of school bus drivers, the availability of qualified and certified teachers to fill the classrooms and much more. Here is the saddest part about teacher pay. Teachers with experience from years 15 to 24 do not get a yearly salary increase. At year 25 the salary increase is $2,070 and no more increase in yearly pay for as long as they teach. Please wake up and take action before it is too late.

Alice Smith Scott is a retired educator from Pink Hill.

superintendent, principals, administrators, teachers and support staff.

Even though the adage can sometimes be overused, it really does take a village to raise a child. I encourage you to take the time to visit the Duplin County Schools website at duplinschools.net and read about the numerous responsibilities required to operate our school system. Imagine how many employees are required to fill every position in our 13 schools, not to mention the staff members in the Kenansville offices who direct and work in 15 different departments.

These dedicated public servants are committed to being part of the village it takes to raise a child and to following these governing principles of Duplin County Schools: student success; parental involvement; safe, orderly and inviting environment; school initiatives; professional development; removal of barriers; and stewardship of resources.

In his Superintendent’s Message on the website, Austin Obasohan writes, “We have so many things to celebrate at Duplin County Schools. A student-centered Board

of Education; exceptional teachers, support staff, and administrators; dedicated advisory groups (i.e., students, parents, faith-based leaders, etc.) that are second to none … our list of celebrations never ends!”

Speaking of celebrations, the members of the Duplin County School Board were honored and thanked at their January meeting. Each member was presented with a white orchid and a piece of student artwork. According to an article on the DCS website, “These gifts served as a reminder of the healthy, vibrant, and thriving environment the board strives to foster for students, staff, and the entire community.”

Our DCS board members are Brent Davis, Reginald Kenan, Pam Edwards, David Jones and Claudius Morrisey. Board Chair Davis was quoted, “All members of this board are deeply invested in the success of Duplin County, its schools, and its students.”

They deserve our support and thanks as they lead all of us in being the best village we can be to raise our children.

Philip Gladden lives in Wallace and writes on behalf of Duplin County Schools.

Get ready for America’s ‘little tech’ revolution

THE SPECTACULAR dominance of America’s Magnificent Seven tech firms — with $1 trillion-plus market caps — has been a marvel to behold and a genuine source of American pride. This is a theme that both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have in celebration of American business prowess.

The Magnificent Seven companies — Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla — have a combined net worth greater than all the companies of Europe.

Now that’s Chiefs-versus-Eagles dominance.

The mystery is why many regulators in Washington view these digital-age companies, whose continued rocketship growth has created hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs for Americans, as villains not heroes. They keep calling for a blanket of smothering regulations via antitrust laws to rein in their market power.

Now we have lawyers and lawmakers in Europe taking action to slam the brakes on these companies. It would be like government calling on the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to stop writing so many hit records because it isn’t fair to all the other bands.

These court actions are particularly pernicious because the cost of internet services, search engines, cellphones, online shopping, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles has come down, but the courts and the lawyers say that they are crowding out the smaller startups. The sharks are apparently swallowing up the minnows.

But this whole “break up” Big Tech mentality advanced on the left and the right is particularly misguided because the tech industry of 2025 is characterized by thousands of smaller and often more nimble “little tech” companies that compete with each

other and Big Tech, providing exciting catalogs of new products.

A competitive tech sector is characterized by a healthy mix of established, scaled firms alongside smaller, nimbler firms — both working together and competing with each other to innovate and deliver for their customers.

On the back of recent breakthroughs in everything from AI to robotics to self-driving cars, tech companies of all sizes coexist in a vast and vibrant race to the top. Out of this ecosystem will surely emerge a new generation of monster hits as transformational as Steve Jobs’ personal computer and the first Google search engine.

Out of these thousands of startups will emerge the next generation of Googles and Apples. If history is any guide, it’s a good bet that, sometime in the years ahead, the young upstarts will knock the big guys off their exalted perches. We don’t worry too much anymore about AOL dominating the internet, nor Intel dominating microchip production.

Think about today’s high-rising titans. Raise your hand if you had heard of Nvidia or OpenAI five years ago. Big firms incubate the talent that starts small firms. Former employees of America’s tech leaders often go on to start their own hugely successful businesses. OpenAI cofounder Wojciech Zaremba worked at Meta. YouTube was founded by former PayPal employees. A former Tesla employee cofounded the news and opinion platform Substack.

Former Googlers have created over 2,000 startups, including Inflection AI, Adept AI, Cohere, Perplexity AI, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. And 14 out of the world’s 50 most successful AI startups were founded by former Google employees. Larger

firms play a key role in incubating tech talent and ideas, catalyzing new startups and innovation that benefits consumers and the wider economy.

How many times have you heard the complaint that American companies are too short-term- oriented and don’t look past the next quarterly report?

Then how is it that Google invests more than $10 billion a year in research and development? Why is it that Meta has invested over $46 billion since 2021 into Reality Labs, focusing on building augmented reality and virtual reality?

Many of the breakthrough achievements of the next decade are just as likely to come from venture capital-funded startups that no one has heard of today. In Silicon Valley these disruptive upstarts like OpenAI are known as unicorns. As of 2024, the world had more than 1,400 unicorns, over half of which were founded in the United States.

Why is “little tech” housed in Silicon Valley and other America tech corridors like Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City? Because they feed off the creativity and dynamism of a risktaking venture capital ecosystem that is nowhere else in the world to be found.

Federal regulators and the antitrust cops are the poisonous disrupters of these capitals of innovation. The ethos of Washington is: You can succeed and grow and become profitable — but not too much. If this antisuccess attitude is allowed to prevail, the casualties won’t be the Magnificent Seven but the next generation of trillion-dollar companies. Oh, they will come. Just not from America.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. His new book, coauthored with Arthur Laffer, is “The Trump Economic Miracle.”

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

Brinson Bell elected as NASED president

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Karen

Brinson Bell, a native of Duplin County and the N.C. State Board of Elections executive director, was recently elected as the incoming president of the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED).

According to the NCSBE announcement, Brinson Bell was sworn in earlier this month during the NASED conference in Washington, D.C., and will serve as association president in 2026. She served as the organization’s vice president last year.

“Through this role on the NASED board, I interact routinely with election officials from across the United States as we learn from each other and improve elections,” Brinson Bell said. “I am proud of the work NASED does to help all election administrators succeed in making voting accessible, secure, and fair across the country.”

Born and raised in Kenansville, Brinson Bell has served in her position at the State Board of Elections for nearly six years.

Karen Brinson Bell, N.C. State Board of Elections executive director

Brinson Bell currently leads about 65 employees at the state agency and has a long history in election administration, having worked in county, state and national roles since 2006.

Among her many accomplishments in her role, her department initiated a voter confidence campaign during her first year, updated voting equipment and managed elections during the height of the pandemic. Additionally, the department rolled out the absentee ballot request portal for citizens overseas, introduced ballot tracking for the public, and oversaw a website revamp to enhance security and accessibility. Her department jump-started a four-year plan to modernize the state’s election management system, which handles voter registration statewide and implemented field support to all 100 county boards of elections in the state, among other initiatives. Her significant role in NASED represents a key mile-

stone in her career, highlighting her leadership and commitment to enhancing the election process. Members of this nonpartisan organization meet twice a year to discuss the latest developments in election administration and share best practices, with the goal of promoting accessible, accurate and transparent elections.

ECU Health team attends legislative breakfast

Members of the ECU Health team recently attended the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation’s Legislative Breakfast, which focused on advocating for rural health, behavioral health and oral health policies. Following the event, Rep. Timothy Reeder gave the team a tour of the House Chamber at the North Carolina State Legislative Building. Pictured (left to right): Charmaine Reeder, ECU Health, Community Engagement; Laura Maready, ECU Health Duplin Hospital; Qua’Tavia White, ECU Health, Community Health Improvement; Reeder; Michelle Cherry, ECU Health Grants Office; Patricia Huerta, Department of Family Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at ECU; and Kasey Perkins, ECU Health, Community Engagement.

JSCC offers free online seminars for small business owners

Duplin County 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. Here are the online seminars available over the next few weeks: Entrepreneur Academy: How to Start a New Business, Feb. 27, 6-8 p.m.; How to Start a Mobile Food Business, March 5, 7-9 p.m.; Entrepreneur Academy: Start-up Business Planning and Budget 101, March 6, 6-8 p.m.; Start-up Loans: How to Start the Process, March 12, 7-8:30 p.m.; Entrepreneur Academy: Sell Lots More with a Low Budget and High Performance Marketing, March 13, 6-8 p.m.; Beginner’s Guide to Sales Funnels: Unlock Growth for Your Business, March 18, 7-8 p.m.; DIY Food & Product Photography, March 19, 7-8 p.m.; Entrepreneur Academy: How to Target, Find, Attract and Retain Customers, March 20, 6-8 p.m.; Harnessing the Facebook Algorithm, March 26, 7-8 p.m.; Entrepreneur Academy: Money — Credit Management and Cash Flowing a New Business, March 27, 6-8 p.m.

To register for any of these courses, visit Events/ Workshops, choose “At Center” as the location, and then select James Sprunt Community College as the center.

Sheriff reminds citizens to be vigilant against scams

Duplin County Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes released a statement on Slam the Scam Day, Feb. 21, to remind residents to be vigilant when it comes to Social Security-related scams. The Sheriff’s Office touted the importance of learning about the latest scams. Information can empower you to quickly recognize a scam. Signs of a scam include: An unexpected problem or offer of a prize or benefit increase, pressure to act immediately and a request for an unusual payment like cryptocurrency, gift cards, gold bars, and wire transfers, even with the promise of keeping your money “safe. Stokes said citizens should report scams as soon as possible. “Victims shouldn’t be embarrassed if they shared personal information or suffered a financial loss,” the sheriff said. “We are all vulnerable.” Report any Social Security-related scams to the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at Office of the Inspector General.

Got local business news? Let us know about any grand openings, new businesses, noteworthy achievements, or upcoming events, and we’ll share it with the community here! Note: editor reserves the right to edit for content, brevity and clarity. Email community@ duplinjournal.com.

CARLOS OSORIO / AP PHOTO

Executive Director of the State Board of Elections Karen Brinson Bell was recently elected president of the National Association of State Election Directors for 2026.

The Duplin native will assume her role at the National Association of State Election Directors in 2026

COURTESY ECU HEALTH

DUPLIN SPORTS

WHAT A RIDE

HCA’s “incredible run” ends in the final four

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BURLINGTON — Little has slowed down the Harrells Christian Academy basketball team this season.

Yet last Tuesday, The Bur lington School found a way to control the tempo during a 53‑48 come from behind win in the NCISAA’s 2A semifinals.

Caldwell Academy whipped the Spartans three nights later it Providence Day for the title.

“We picked the absolute worst time to play our abso lute worst game of the year,”

said HCA head coach Clayton Hall, whose club ended with a school record 30 3 mark. “They like to play in the half court set, and we want to play in transi tion, so that didn’t work out so well for us, especially offensive ly. I can’t remember when this team was held under 60 this season, much less 50.”

HCA, which averaged 71 points, was held to just 50 three times this season and had a 10 point lead in the third quar ter only to see a 16 9 sweep hand the Crusaders their third loss in the final four in as many appearances. Hall’s 2014 and 2015 teams also suffered tough final four losses.

Yet this one was tougher to

Consecutive wins for the Crusaders before their season‑ending loss to The Burlington School in the NCISAA’s 2A semifinals

digest given the talent on the team and how the 2014 and 2015 tournaments had a num ber of upsets leading up to the final four.

“I don’t want to say we played timid, but our kids felt

See HCA, page B4

Rebels push by Leopards for fourth consecutive Carolina Tourney title

North Duplin takes the No. 6 seed into 1A playoffs after its third 20-win season in four years

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

ROSEBORO — North Du plin had the best all around player on the floor last Satur day in its Carolina 1A Confer ence Tournament final against Lakewood.

The Rebels also had a player in the paint.

Point guard Addy Higgin botham had six of her 16 points and two assists during a 20 6 second quarter run.

Center Tateyawna Faison banked in half of her 12 points during the span as the Rebels (21 4) beat the Leopards 58 47 for the third time this season to earn their fourth straight tour ney title.

Abby Rose made consec utive hoops twice during the streak to stretch the lead into double digits.

Up 46 37 after three quar ters, the Rebels, who have won the CC league title three times in the past four seasons, saw Higginbotham sink five free

throws in the final 4:30 to seal the deal.

Lilly Fulghum, though, might have been the busiest player on the court since she had to cover Leopard sharp shooter Areona McKoy. She “limited” the freshman to 24 points.

ND double teamed her in the first half until Higginboth am picked up her third foul.

Once McKoy was somewhat under control, no Leopard was able to step up, though Alex is Rhodes hit back to back 3 pointers to end the third quarter to account for nearly half her 13 markers.

Maggie Brown connect ed for eight points with time ly buckets in three of four quarters.

Fulghum’s defense posture framed the Rebels’ offensive push.

“We knew she could score 20 or 25, but we wanted to not let her get 30 or 35,” Fulghum said. “We wanted to make her earn her layups and open looks. She’s a freshman so she’s going to make a few mistakes, and we had to pressure her.

“She’s going to be a special

ND, page B4

Grid talent, classroom prowess leads Wilson to Golden Bulls

James Kenan’s

Tyquise Wilson signed a letter of intent to play football at Johnson C. Smith next fall

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — James Kenan football coach Tim Grady said Tyquise Wilson brought an element to his football team that wasn’t there his first three seasons.

Then he said the senior, who helped the Tigers to a 12 2 re vival season, did better things in the classroom.

“As good as he was and as much as he added a new dimen

sion that opened up our run ning game, he was even better,” he said during Wilson’s sign ing of a letter of intent to play at Division II Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte.

“He had a 4.0 or maybe it was 4.2 or 4.3, I don’t know, but that’s impressive to me. We’ve had players with the talent to go on, but they were stopped because they didn’t get the kind of marks Tyquise got by doing it the right way.”

While most Tigers played both sides of the ball, Wilson rarely left the field, and each role he played was pivotal to James Kenan’s best season since 2016.

Wilson was a shutdown cor ner on a great defense, split end who caught passes and ran the

ball and he also returned kicks.

Grady said he also chose to run with the “right pack.”

“It was the streets or do ing his thing in practice and games, keeping his grades up, and that’s how you get multi ple offers,” said the fourth year coach.

The 5 foot 9, 160 pound er ran for 141 yards, caught 31 passes for 450 yards and made 51 tackles, a sack and five in terceptions. He had a pair of pick‑sixes.

With teammate David Ze leya nabbing six picks and mid dle linebacker Hassan Kor negay making 203 tackles, Ty Morrisey 134 and Josh Mitchell

See WILSON, page B2

PJ WARD-BROWN / DUPLIN JOURNAL

HCA junior Antonio McKoy has averaged more than 25 points this season and is 43 shy of 2,000 for his career.

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Tyquise Wilson signs a letter of intent to play football at Johnson C. Smith in front of his mother Katina Farrior, father Eric Sutton and James Kenan head football coach Tim Grady.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL North Duplin captured its fourth consecutive Carolina 1A Conference Tournament title.

Are Lane’s No. 3 Panthers ready to make long playoff run?

The ECC title-holder has won 46 games in the past two seasons and could be at home the first three rounds of the 2A playoffs

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — East Du plin has positioned itself into a top seed in the state playoffs.

Wallace Rose Hill needed a win over rival James Kenan to make the field.

And while the Panthers and Bulldogs didn’t get to play in the semifinals of the East Cen tral 2A Tournament, they met a third time in the first round of the postseason on Tuesday.

No. 3 East Duplin (22 2) en ters the NCHSAA event riding a 13 game winning streak. The Panthers handily beat WRH (64 33 and 58 28) during the regular season, and anything short of an ED win would be considered a major upset.

No. 30 WRH got into the dance by topping No. 20 James Kenan 44 40 in the first round of the ECC Tournament, though a winter storm canceled school the next three days and the tour nament as well.

That shouldn’t affect the Pan thers, though, as they will have gone 13 days since a 42 38 win over Southwest Onslow to finish out the regular season.

East Duplin has efficiently held off 2A schools this winter. Its two setbacks came by four points to Charles B. Aycock (19 5 and the No. 13 seed in the East in 3A) and by three points to New Hanover (19 8 and the No. 11 seed in 3A in the same region).

Yet the Panthers haven’t had a lot of close encounters, though more than last season when the No. 13 team upset No. 4 Eastern Wayne in the second round be fore losing a 47 45 nail biter to No. 12 West Carteret on the road.

The reference and compar ison makes sense since head coach Mark Lane’s club is ba sically the same team from a season ago, though two play ers have been lost to injury — shooting guard Zakoya Far rior and forward Ava Noble.

WILSON from page B1

110, James Kenan held teams to 12.1 points per game.

“Four years ago when I took over, we all saw this talent com ing, and we knew this was the group to beat Wallace Rose Hill and East Duplin and break our slump,” Grady said. “And you could see it all click for Ty quise. Well, we did all that this year, and today we’re celebrat ing his athletic skills and his work in school. He made sure he wouldn’t be held back by anything.”

No road to glory is easy, but the Panthers have a chance to play on Jerry Hunter Court through the first four rounds, and they will face ECC foes in the first two rounds.

If they beat the Bulldogs, they will face another league team they beat twice during the regular season, as No. 19 Southwest Onslow (12 8) and No. 14 Kinston (21 3) tangle in an NCHSSA selection favorite — a team facing another school from the same conference early in the postseason.

ED beat Kinston 26 24 on Jan. 28 on the Vikings’ floor and 56 45 three weeks earlier in Beulaville.

The last time WRH beat ED was in 2015 16 season when the Bulldogs won two of three encounters and finished 17‑9, ending its campaign in the third round of the playoffs.

It was the dreaded three‑play that got WRH into the field. The

James Kenan nipped WRH in the third round of the play offs before falling to Northeast ern in the fourth round.

Wilson, the son of Eric Sut ton and JK teacher and coach Katine Farrior, said the HBC that went 8 2 last season was a style fit for his talent.

“That’s what you have to look at, is it right for you, is it the right system?” he said. “And for me, everything is there. It’s possible for a player from a small‑town school to make it.

“I have to thank my mom and dad, all my coaches and

NOTICE

Bulldogs had lost twice to the Tigers during the regular sea son only to turn the tables in the conference tournament.

Should the Panthers prevail twice, they will likely face No. 6 Northeastern (14 6).

Look for No. 2 Seaforth (24‑2) to emerge in the quarterfinals of the postseason.

No. 1 Fairmont (21 1) and No. 4 Goldsboro (22 2) appear to be on a collision course in the top part of the bracket.

Few schools have been able to contain Panthers point guard and Ms. Basketball Kinsey Cave from a season ago.

The sophomore has her hand in everything that goes on for East Duplin, which had a con fidence building 58 53 win over Jacksonville (17 6 and No. 14 in the 3A East field).

Cave leads her team in points (11.5), assists (4.1) and is second in steals (2.4) and third in re bounds (4.5).

everyone who helped me along the way.”

The Golden Bulls passed for 2,379 yards and rushed for 1,405, with three players rushing for 400 plus yards, two receivers combining for 2,013 yards and three more for more than 800 yards. Return ing quarterback Darius Ocean threw 23 touchdown passes in 2024 for the liberal arts college with 1,306 students.

Last year, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Johnson C. Smith as the No. 1 HBCU in North Carolina.

Senior guard Makya Kornegay is perhaps the best defensive player on East Duplin, the No. 3-seed in the 2A playoffs.

deep and must play stellar de fense to advance deep into the tournament.

ED won the ECC for the first time since taking four in a row from 2018 to 2021 and have won 20 or more games nine times since 2009.

Yet the Panthers haven’t been a playoff team that goes deep into the postseason beyond last season’s 24 5 finish.

Could Pickett, Carr and Kor negay’s senior season be East Duplin’s time to rise in the East?

The third and fourth rounds are March 4 and March 7, re spectively. The region and state finals for all classifications are March 10 15 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston Salem.

Sweet revenge in a close rivalry

Wallace Rose Hill didn’t care if it had lost twice to James Ke nan during the regular season. It’s actually a rivalry that has been closely contested the past decade.

Fellow first team all Duplin post Ja’Myah Pickett is averag ing a double double, with 10.2 points and 10.1 rebounds. Mean while, sixth man turned start er Carrie Carr is putting in 5.6 points and hauling down 7.7 boards, numbers which have picked up with additional play ing time. Yet East Duplin needs pro duction from shooting guard Makya Kornegay, whose de fense and team leading 3.7 steals a night put more value in the play of the senior than her 5.5 points per game.

Meanwhile, forward Andraia Scarborough (3.9 points., 2.7 re bounds) and guard Zoe Cava naugh (2.8 points) have shown great promise after Noble and Farrior were forced to the side lines. And both will have to play well for the Panthers to keep advancing — offensively and defensively.

The Panthers are not as

Former Tiger Nevaeh Dobson scored a season high 18 points as WRH fought off a comeback from JK last Monday in the first round of the ECC tournament for a 54 40 win. It ended the Tigers’ three‑game winning streak in the series. JK holds a 9 8 edge since 2020, which includes three overtime games. Savannah Smith added 12 and Analiese Rivenback had eight markers, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

Y’Anna Rivers hit for 20 and Gabriel Outlaw and Za’Ny ia Brown eight apiece for the Tigers.

JK (9 8) has improved since last year, though the Tigers need one more win to match their vic tory total from 2024. It won’t come easy against No. 13 St. Pauls (19 4), which has seven wins against 3A and 4A classification schools, and a tough 54 51 loss to league foe Fairmont. The Golden Torna does have three players — Zahri Shipman, Zakoreya Davis and Alyssa Moore — who combine for more than 43 points and 23 rebounds a night.

OF PUBLIC HEARING

Tyquise Wilson had 51 tackles and five interceptions to go along with his passing, rushing and kick-returning yards as JK went 12-2, its best mark since 2016.

The Town of Teachey, North Carolina has scheduled a Public Hearing to be held at 6:00 p.m. at Teachey Town Hall, 116 E Second St. Teachey on the 10th day of March 2025 on the intent to annex the property into the town limits of parcel #094534 Deed: 1941 Pg: 658, which includes 11.64 acres in Teachey NC. Owner of record is Oscar Bautista. This parcel is adjoining to parcel #09-2059, #09-867, #09-36, #09-3059, and #09-1371. A map of the property is below.

Residents may submit written comments to the Town Commissioners with attention marked to the Town Clerk Morgan K. Jacobs P.O. Box 145 Teachey, NC 28464 or by email at morgan@ teacheytown.com. Please use subject “closing of public way” and include your first and last name, your address, and your phone number in your written statements. Written comments will be accepted until 3:00 PM on Friday, January 10, 2025. Questions should be directed to the Town Clerk’s Office at 910-285-7564.

Morgan K. Jacobs Teachey Town Clerk

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Bulldogs, Rebels punch tickets to state playoff fields

Wallace-Rose Hill and North Duplin will hit the road in the postseason; JK and ED miss the playoffs

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Duplin Coun

ty’s three 2A schools were look ing for a second chance to prove each were among the 64 best in the state.

All three got into the 2A play off bracket and so did 1A North Duplin, though all four faced long odds against highly seed ed foes in first round games on Tuesday.

No. 17 Wallace Rose Hill (11‑7) got the top seed of the group, with East Duplin (11 11) and James Kenan (8 12) missing the postseason after mediocre seasons.

There are 18 automatic berths in 1A as conference champs and runners up from 10 conferences were given a ticket to the Big Show, leaving at large bids for 14 schools in the 32 team field.

The 1A field has 16 automatic bids from 10 conferences and 14 at large selections.

While it’s a goal for most teams to be selected, winning has been hard for Duplin teams recently.

All first round games are Tuesday. The second round tips off Friday.

East Duplin and James Ke nan were the 31st and 34rd RPI teams in the 2A East.

North Duplin, meanwhile, got over a tough stretch early in the season to nab the No. 20 spot in the 1A East bracket. Bulldogs on road against No. 16 Fairmont

No. 17 WRH, which finished fourth in the ECC, opens with a trip to No. 16 Fairmont (15‑7), the second place team in the Southeastern 2A Conference to No. 1 West Bladen (23 1)

The Bulldogs have not gotten out of the first round since going 17 6 in 2022 during head coach Ervin Murray’s second season in Teachey.

Steve Robinson advanced WRH to that round in 2016 and 2017, and he guided the Bull dogs to titles in a 1A 1998 and a 2A crown in 2006. No other Duplin County coach has a state championship banner.

The Bulldogs have had a roll er coaster season. They went 3 1 in 2023 and 5 2 in its first trip around the ECC, losing to front runners Southwest On slow and Kinston, the third and fourth seed in the 2A East bracket.

Yet at 8 3, optimism was the word in between shots and dribbles.

The Bulldogs’ plate turned sour with a loss to North Le noir, which would pass WRH and finish in third place in the standings.

Setbacks to SWO, Kinston and East Duplin followed. And so did a win in the regular sea son finale against JK and an other win against the Tigers last Monday in the first round of the ECC Tournament.

A winter storm stopped the tourney wheel in the semifi nals as school was canceled last Wednesday through Friday in Duplin, Onslow and Lenoir counties.

Even so, a win over the Tigers was fourth straight and ninth in the past 11 games, though it did little to pump up WRH’s RPI rating.

Murray, who played on the 31 0 state winning club at WRH in 1998 and then went on to play at Wake Forest, has had winning records in each of his first five seasons.

Any chance WRH has in the first round will rest on the shoulders of the all around play of Jamarae Lamb and the shoot ing of Matthew Wells.

Panthers miss ticket to postseason

East Duplin (11 11) was one of the most improved teams in the East, as the Panthers rebound ed from a 2 22 mark last season but failed to make the 32 team bracket. The Panthers have missed the postseason for the previous three seasons.

East Duplin hasn’t been to second round since current as sistant coach Chase Ingram shot them there in 2016.

The best team of record is the 2009 squad, which current Panthers coach Blake Lanier led into the fourth round. That club went 23 7, the most wins since then came when the 2016 club was 19 9.

The Panthers jelled during a 66 62 triumph over WRH but then lost to SWO to end the reg ular season. A 68 42 setback to North Lenoir in the ECC Tour nament followed.

ED won four straight games before finishing 2024 but did not win back to back contests the rest of the way.

Tigers miss playoffs for second time in three years

James Kenan (8 12) is on the outside looking in for the sec ond time in three seasons.

The last time the Tigers ad vanced to the third round came when the 2017 team went 19 6 under current North Duplin coach Jeff Byrd.

Byrd guided JK to a 38 13 two year mark and was Du plin County Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

The Tigers have not won

more than 14 games since 2018, the junior season of three time Mr. Basketball Darrly McCast er Jr. (He shared the honor with ED’s Ingram in 2016).

James Kenan had to con tend with a slow start after its football team advanced to the fourth round, leading to a string of disappointing ear ly season losses.

Rebels rise at the right time

And speaking of Byrd, his team got beat up by 2A teams during an 0 7 start but re bounded to win 11 of their next 14 games.

No. 20 North Duplin (11‑11) travels to face No. 13 Northside Pinetown in the first round, with the survivor tak ing on the winner of No. 4 Voy ager Durham (20 5) and No. 29 Pender (6 12) on Friday.

Those three losses were to Carolina 1A Conference champ Lakewood (21 1), the last of which came on Friday during a 76 64 setback to the Leopards in the CC Tournament finals.

North Duplin, which lost nine seniors from a team in 2024 that advanced to the third round of the postseason, did not lose to another CC school.

Top scorer Donavan Arm wood leads all county players with a 17.4 point average. His brother Dujuan led ND to the third round last winter.

ED grad Hall turns around Stallions

Former East Duplin stand out Breon Hall has coached Southwest Onslow to its sec ond straight ECC title, which is big because of the presence of powerhouse Kinston in the league.

Hall’s club was 21 3 after a 23 6 campaign in 2024. His three year mark is 59 20.

SWO is the No. 2 seed in the field.

The Stallions completed their mission last Saturday by beat ing Kinston 39 39 on the Vi kings’ floor. The loss dropped Kinston to the No. 12 seed.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Bill Carone

Nevaeh Dobson

WRH, girls’ basketball

Nevaeh Dobson saved her best until the end.

The Wallace-Rose Hill senior scored a career-high 18 points to help the Bulldogs beat James Kenan in the first round of the ECC Tournament.

The senior went to JK for a year but has been a Bulldog for her other three varsity seasons.

The win likely got the Bulldogs into the 2A playoffs and avenged two losses to the Tigers earlier this season.

Duplin Journal staff

WINSTON SALEM — The Seaforth boys and Cummings girls won team trophies last week at the NCHSAA’s 1A/2A indoor track and field champi onships at JTL Track. And while the Cavaliers’ D’Anna Cotton was the MVP for winning the long jump, tri ple jump and high jump, there were other winners in the field who did not come home with a monster trophy. East Duplin’s Ja’Myah Pick ett and Andrea Scarborough and North Duplin’s Trashawn Ruffin come to mind. The Panthers pair took a break from basketball to com pete and will be expecting big ger things during the upcom ing outdoor season.

Pickett, a senior, landed in fifth place in the high jump with a 5 foot 2 leap and fifth in the shot put with a 35 foot, 5 inch heave. She came home with a bronze medal in the NCH SAA’s 2A spring champi onships last spring in the shot put and was fourth in the discus.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Senior guard Makya Kornegay is perhaps the best defensive player on East Duplin, the No. 3-seed in the 2A playoffs.

One-armed basketball player makes women’s Division III history with basket

Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel transferred from an N.C. school before this year

By Rodrique Ngowi

The Associated Press

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —

When her high school bas ketball coach cut her from the team senior year, Baileigh Sinaman Daniel refused to let that rejection, or the fact she was born with one arm, end her dream of playing the game that her childhood idol LeBron James made her fall in love with 15 years ago.

That determination led the 22 year old guard at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mas sachusetts, to become the first NCAA Division III women’s basketball player with one arm to score in a collegiate game.

“I kind of just shot the ball with the anticipation that I would have to go and get it back on a rebound,” Sinaman Dan iel said of the historic basket that she made from near the 3 point line, which snapped the net without hitting the rim.

“When the shot actually went

the pressure when the style of the game wasn’t going our way,” Hall said. “(Burlington) shot the ball well, and that stopped us from getting out and running like we like to do.

“Our kids wanted it so badly they played frustrated and pan icked, and that caused a bit of anxiety.”

Tied at 46 46 with two min utes left in the game, 6 foot 8 Kaden Hammond and guard Cam Flippen, who each scored 13 points, provided field goals and free throws to put their team on top 53 46.

The Spartans sank 6 of 7 free throws during the stretch run.

Antonio McKoy, who paced all scorers with 20 points, hit a shot at the buzzer which made it closer but did not change the outcome.

McKoy hit on 9 of 17 from the field, while the rest of the Cru saders were a combined 11 of 34 as HCA’s 17 game winning streak came to an end. He also had 10 rebounds.

HCA’s lone senior, Zicareian McNeil, added 12 and six re bounds. Dashaun McKoy had six markers and nine boards.

The Crusaders scored the first five points of the game and took a

player after being a four year starter.”

Yet despite a lot of flash, McKoy’s all around game didn’t compare to Higginboth am, who dribbled, shot and set up teammates.

Rebels home for first two playoff games

North Duplin nabbed the No. 6 seed in the playoffs and were to host No. 27 Weldon STEM (10 8) on Tuesday. A win keeps the party in Calypso, as the survivor of No. 11 Gates County (22 2) and No. 22 East Wake Academy (12 7) would travel for a second round affair on Friday.

A third round game with ei ther No. 14 Lakewood or No. 3 Northside Pinetown (24 1) looks likely, should the Rebels capture their first two matchups. No. 2 Wilson Prep (23 1) could be a fourth round foe. No. 1 Perquimans (24 2) is the favorite in the top half of the bracket, yet no one is selling stock of No. 4 Wake Prep Acad emy (20 3).

The Rebels won for the sev enth consecutive time follow ing its lone league loss to Neu se Charter on Jan. 31. ND won its final two contests of 2024 and are 15 1 in 2025. The Reb els lost to East Duplin, the No. 3 seed in the 2A playoffs, twice in December. Their oth er setback came to Kinston (21 3), the 14th seed in the 2 playoffs.

in, I was more so surprised.”

Coach Martin Rather imme diately called a timeout to mark the moment.

“My first thought was, ‘That’s history and we need to take a second to pause and celebrate it,’” Rather said. “Everybody just swarmed Baileigh, giving

27 22 halftime lead into the lock er room. They led 31 25 after a McKoy bomb, but Burlington’s 6 0 push later in the third tied it at 39 39. A McKoy hoop then gave HCA its final lead.

McKoy, who averaged 25.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and shot 62% from the field, finished his third season 43 points shy of the 2,000 point mark.

His cousin Dashaun, a junior, and McNeil both went over 1,000 for their respective careers.

Even though the season ended with a bitter loss, Hall said HCA’s days near the top will continue next winter.

“While you never know, I ex pect us to be in the same spot as we are next year,” said the 17 year HCA coach. “It was an incredible run, and I didn’t need to look up the history to tell our kids we’ve never won 30 games.

“We beat every team that beat us the previous year, won the Ter ry Hall Invitational at Christ mas, went unbeaten in the con ference and won the conference tournament. We just missed out on the ultimate goal of winning a state championship.”

HCA will be in a new confer ence next season that includes powerhouses Wayne County Day and The Greenfield School in

her high fives, celebrating her.”

The Stafford, Virginia, na tive’s path to history was sparked by a painful rejection at Moun tain View High School.

“I had played for my high school for about three years and my senior year of high school when I tried out again, as I al

ways did, I actually got cut and the coach basically told me that I wasn’t needed on the team,”

she said.

That led to two days of misery and crying until she made a bold decision while sitting in her car.

“I thought to myself, ‘I could do this in college. What’s stop ping me from doing this in col lege?’” Sinaman Daniel said. “So I started emailing hundreds of coaches, and it didn’t really mat ter what division it was. I was just trying to get a possible may be or even better — a yes.”

That persistence caught Rather’s attention when Sinaman Daniel, a 5 foot‑6 guard, entered the transfer portal after two years at War ren Wilson College in North Carolina.

At Lesley, Sinaman Daniel has become known for her work ethic with the Lynx.

She has completed more in dividual practice sessions than any other player on the team, which is having its best season in 14 years and has reached the playoffs, Rather said.

“I think any team in this country would benefit from having a player with Baileigh’s

heart on their team,” Rather said.

The achievement is particu larly notable given the scarci ty of one armed players in colle giate basketball who could have served as role models.

“It is not very common to see somebody with one arm playing basketball. I think there’s proba bly about two or three of us in the collegiate level,” Sinaman Dan iel said.

Since Sinaman Daniel could not always use standard balance and ball management tech niques used by two armed play ers, her on court success has re quired unique training methods allowing her to develop funda mental skills.

“Taking passes or giving a good pass or figuring out the right shooting form — I’ve had to tweak and adjust,” she said. Sinaman Daniel scored her second basket on her birthday, some seven weeks after her ini tial score, adding another lay er of satisfaction to her break through season.

The junior guard who was born with a tiny right arm that she is unable to use is studying psychology at the university just outside Boston and hopes her achievement will inspire others facing similar challenges.

“When people look at me, I just hope they see me as Baile igh. I hope they see me as a bas ketball player and also see me as somebody who’s willing and able to do everything that everybody else is doing,” she said.

Wilson. Other league teams are Rocky Mount Academy, Faith Christian, Liberty Christian and the Epiphany School in New Bern.

“It’s probably going to be one of the best conferences across the state,” said Hall, whose team also won five straight to open the season and eight straight games from Dec. 2 19.

“I know the attitude and hun ger of this team, and I’m excited about what some of our younger players can bring.”

McNeil and Dashaun McKoy both averaged 14 points. The for mer shot 53% from the field and 37% from the 3 point line. The latter hit on 57% from the field, made 41% of his 3s and 72% from the free throw line.

at the 1:21 mark. Rose got a hoop with 55 sec onds

HCA head coach Clayton Hall has taken three teams to the NCISAA’s final four. This year’s club set a schoolrecord with 30 wins.

Point guard J’Kaeshi Brun son (3.2 points, 5.0 assists) and center Amir Moore (7.4 points, 5.9 rebounds), both struggled against the Spartans, combining for seven points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the low scor ing, physical affair. Both return next season, as does top reserve/sixth man Ja mari Peterson.

ter McKoy cut the deficit to nine with 38 seconds left.

Higginbotham, who had a pair of 3 pointers, scored the game’s first five points, but McKoy’s play kept it close at 11‑10 after one quarter.

“We showed some resilien cy,” said Rebels head coach Jon Kornegay. “Addy played great, and Lilly did a great job on one of the best offensive players in the state. Abby got us moving in the third quarter, allowing us to build a lead.

“And to get a lead with Addy on the bench at the end of the half was what we needed. It gave us a confidence boost for the sec ond half. Faison netted six mark ers during the second quar ter. Brown tied it at 19 19 after McKoy went for a conventional 3 point play and a got a cheap one with an inbounds score.

Higginbotham left with foul trouble, but North Duplin ral lied without her to hold a 26 25 halftime lead.

Reserve Eva Quintanilla and Faison connected for baskets in the final 1:03 and Higginboth am reentered the game to knock down two free throws in the fi nal 45 seconds.

Faison poured in 19 points, Fulghum 13 and Higginboth am 11 last Tuesday when ND beat Rosewood 46 17 in the semifinals.

“I’m proud of these girls and what they’ve accomplished. We played in one of the best confer ences in the state, with three of the top 10 teams in the East,” Kornegay said.

HCA from page B1

ND from page B1

PJ WARD-BROWN / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Abby Rose’s play was key when ND beat Lakewood for the third time to take the CC Tournament crown.

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Lesley University basketball player Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel, who started her college career in North Carolina, passes the ball while practicing prior to a game.

obituaries

Katelyn (Giddeons) Toler

March 13, 1986 –Feb. 13, 2025

Katelyn Giddeons Toler, 38, of Rose Hill, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on March 13, 1986, in Wilmington, to Kay Henderson Giddeons Howard of Rose Hill and the late William A. Giddeons Jr.

Katelyn was a devoted child of God and a member of Christian Fellowship.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her best friend and husband of 14 years, Anthony Toler of the home; her daughter, Caroline Brianne Moore; her mother, Kay Giddeons Howard and husband Mike of Rose Hill; sister, Melissa Vann and husband Bradley of Wallace; brother, William “Billy” Giddeons III and wife Toni of Wallace; grandmother, Opal Henderson of Wallace; nieces and nephews, Bailey Giddeons, Ashton Duff, Madi Giddeons and Emma Giddeons; very special friend, Myranda Ross of Wallace; and numerous extended family and friends who loved Katelyn dearly.

Katelyn was a loving wife and caring mother, daughter and sister who really loved her family. She was a strong and courageous young lady who loved and trusted her Lord. A true worshipper of God, Katelyn was not ashamed of her relationship with Christ. To know Katelyn was to love her. She was Anthony’s heartbeat and was loved beyond words. With a compassionate heart, Katelyn was full of love, joy and generosity to others. Her favorite pastime was spending time with family, baking, gardening, and reading. Most of all, Katelyn loved to worship the Lord; at home, at church or wherever she was. God was always first in her life. Katelyn has fought a good fight; she has kept the faith and is now in the arms of Jesus. Her family and friends are saddened that Katelyn is no longer with us but we know Heaven is even more sweeter with her there. Katelyn will surely be missed but she will never be forgotten.

Funeral service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 at Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Billy Toler and Pastor Byron Murray officiating.

The family received friends on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at Christian Fellowship Church. Burial followed the funeral service at Riverview Memorial Park, Watha.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to SECU Family House, 1970 Baldwin Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103 or you may give online at familyhousews.org.

Marquis Wendell Bullock

Jan. 9, 1955 – Feb. 16, 2025

Marquis Wendell Bullock, 70, of Faison, passed away Feb.16, 2025 at his residence.

Funeral service was on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at Greater Six Runs Missionary Baptist Church located in Turkey. Public viewing was held one hour prior to service. Interment followed the service at Sandhills Cemetery in Clinton.

Wendell was born on Jan. 9, 1955. He was the seventh of nine children to Theodore and Allie M. Bullock. He was educated in the Sampson County School System. After graduating high school, Wendell worked on the family farm while being trained by his brother James as a mechanic. He went on to work as a mechanic for several car dealerships around Clinton.

Wendell had a passion for family gatherings and spent countless hours at his favorite fishing spots, locally and at the coast, with his brothers, cousins, and friends. After his illness progressed and he was not as active, Wendell loved visits from everyone but especially the children. They brought both smiles and tears of joy to his eyes. Wendell gave his life to the Lord many years ago but recently rededicated his life. His legacy is one of love, laughter, and kindness to everyone who knew him. His memory will live on through the countless lives he touched throughout his lifetime. Wendell was preceded in death by two brothers, John Jerry Bullock and James Edward Bullock; a sister, Vivian Burnell Bullock and his parents, Theodore and Allie Bullock. Wendell is survived by his partner and longtime companion and caregiver, April Newkirk; one adopted daughter, Mirandia (Marcus) Belvin; two adopted sons, Edward and Jordan; eight adopted grandchildren; two sisters, Priscilla (Marvin) Cobb of Raleigh, Aileen Lockhart of Charlotte; three brothers, Theodore Bullock Jr., Sidney Bullock, both of Greensboro, and Ronald (Patricia) Bullock of Faison; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mary Louise Logan

Dec. 3, 1942 – Feb. 8, 2025

Mary Louise Logan, 82, of Clayton, formerly of Duplin County, passed away Feb. 8, 2025 at home.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at Daisy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 808 S. Jackson St., Beulaville. Visitation was one hour prior to service. Interment followed the service at Middleton Cemetery, located in Kenansville.

Sandra Mobley LaVecchia

Feb. 14, 1949 – Feb. 21, 2025

Sandra Mobley Carter LaVecchia, 76, passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at her home. Memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2025, followed by visitation at Community Funeral Home Chapel, Beulaville. Survivors include: spouse, Greg LaVecchia of Jacksonville; son, Charlie Carter Jr. of Richlands; sisters, Delores Tobish of Hallsville, Mary Ann Wood (David) of Chinquapin; brother, Benny Mobley (Judy) of Hallsville; and grandchildren, Braxton Carter, Haiden Carter, Sarah Carter, Alisa Carter and Madison Carter.

Gloria HernandezCalix

March 22, 1954 –Feb. 13, 2025

Gloria Hernandez-Calix, 70, of Rose Hill, a native of Honduras, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville.

A visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at Iglesia Principe De Paz in Wallace. A funeral service was held on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at Los Seguidores De Cristo in Teachey. Burial followed at Duplin Memorial Gardens, Highway 117, Teachey.

Ethel Jones Graham

Feb. 15, 2025

Ethel Jones Graham put her hand in the Master’s hand on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 at her home. Born in Duplin County, she is the daughter of the late Lonnie Henry Jones and Bessie Sykes Jones and wife of the late John Graham.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of her daughters, Cheryl Oaten and Paula Graham; three grandchildren; one brother, Charles L. Jones; godson, Samuel Artis; godsister, Frances Atkinson; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Nancy Marie Simmons

Dec. 30, 1938 – Feb. 21, 2025

Nancy Marie Simmons passed from her earthly life on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, while a patient of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She was born on Dec. 30, 1938, to Robert Lee and Juanita White Simmons. Also preceding her in death are sisters Mary Ann Sasser and Mattie J. Simmons; daughter Julie Ann Harper; grandson Ryan Adam Barber; and stepmother Alma Simmons. Left to cherish her memory are her children, David Michael Bradham and wife Peg of Indiana and Lynn Bradham of Castle Hayne; grandchildren, Joseph Lee Garriss and wife Shannon of Castle Hayne, David Gilbert Barber of Castle Hayne, Abigail Bradham, Michael Bradham, Lisa Bradham, and Danny Bradham; great-grandchildren, Madison, Hailey, Triston, Ava, Caiden, Aria, and Bellamy; sister, Sarah of Beulaville; good friend, Barbara Sholar; and long-term feline companion, Smokey.

Mrs. Simmons was a waitress for the Norris family in their restaurant in Wallace for more than 15 years, where she worked very hard and was always on time. She was viewed as family by all of her customers. With an outgoing personality, she was always honest and never hesitated to tell one the truth, whether positive or negative. One could say she was a little outspoken at the same time. Second only to love for her God, her family was the most important love she felt on earth, especially in the case of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored. With a very kind love for all animals, she especially loved watching the birds. She also enjoyed bull fighting, PBS, the beach, and the mountains.

A memorial service to celebrate her life is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in the chapel of Padgett Funeral Home in Wallace.

Patricia Williams Cole

July 15, 1938 – Feb. 17, 2025

Patricia Williams Cole, 86, passed away on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

Funeral service was Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 with visitation one hour prior to the service at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment followed in A.P. Williams Cemetery, 555 Wagon Ford Road, Beulaville.

Survivors include: son, Curtis Cole (Cathy) of Beulaville; sister, Jenny Taylor of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Tess Eaddy (Jason), Chance Cole (Jade), and Katelin Howard (T.J.); greatgrandchildren, Talon Howard, Nora Eddy, Rosalie Cole, Everleigh Eaddy and Davis Howard.

Randy Jearl Norwood

March 15, 1958 –Feb. 18, 2025

Randy Jearl Norwood, 66, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Randy was born on March 15, 1958 in Kenansville to the late Bobby and Peggy Norwood. He was happily married to Annette Norwood for 46 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Tony Norwood and Jeff Norwood; and sister, Jan Barber.

Along with his wife, Randy is survived by his sons, Matthew Norwood and wife Jennifer, and Joshua Norwood and wife Lauren; six grandchildren, Camden Norwood, Sullivan Norwood, Grayson Norwood, Ryker Norwood, Gibson Norwood, and Margo Norwood; brother, Bobby Norwood and wife Joyce Norwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Randy served his country in the Army National Guard for 11 years. He recently retired from Duplin County Government after 20 years of service. Throughout his tenure he served as head of maintenance for the Social Services Department before being promoted to facilities coordinator for the county.

Randy had a deep passion for the outdoors, whether he was sitting in a deer stand or casting his line with a fishing pole in hand. As much as he loved the outdoors, he also enjoyed dancing and socializing with his Causeway Shag Club family and friends. He was a dedicated member for 23 years.

He loved the Lord with all his heart, finding strength and guidance in His presence every day. His sons were his pride and joy, and he poured his love and wisdom into them. The joy he felt in his in his grandchildren was beyond words, as they brought him a special kind of happiness that filled his life with light.

A Celebration of Life service was held at the Ed Emory Auditorium at Duplin Commons (165 Agriculture Dr., Kenansville) on Sunday, Feb. 23. Visitation immediately followed service. The family gathered and received additional visitors at the home of Josh and Lauren Norwood (115 Precythe St., Kenansville).

Flowers may be sent to Community Funeral Home in Warsaw, or memorial contributions may be made to City of Hope (600 Celebrate Life Parkway, Newnan, GA 30265).

More obituaries on page B6

Marie Casteen Batchelor

Nov. 12, 1923 – Feb. 20, 2025

Marie Batchelor, our beloved mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on Feb. 20 at the age of 101.

Marie, lovingly known to many as ‘Granny’ was born Marie Casteen on Nov. 12, 1923, in Rose Hill to Perry and Nancy (Maready) Casteen. After losing her mother at a young age, she was raised by her father and stepmother, Perry and Mary Casteen, as well as her aunt and uncle, Tempie and Lawrence Henderson. Marie grew up in a large family with seven siblings where she learned the importance of hard work and the value of education. She excelled academically, graduating as the Salutatorian of her class at Rose Hill High School. She went on to attend nursing school in Rocky Mount, where she graduated as the Valedictorian in 1944 and began her lifelong career in nursing.

While she had known Roland Batchelor since she was 13 years old, the two were reunited after his return from World War II and married in March 1946. Together, they built a life in Duplin County, raising their two children, Tim and Dale. Though her life was not without hardship, facing both losses and illnesses, she remained a woman of remarkable strength and grace, meeting each challenge with resilience and faith. In 1960, Marie began working with Dr. Edward Boyette in Chinquapin, later continuing with his partner, Dr. Crawford. She dedicated herself to caring for others, working as a nurse until the age of 83, when she retired to care for her husband, Roland, until his passing.

Granny’s home was always open and welcoming, filled with warmth, love, and especially good food! She took great joy in farming, gardening, and caring for a variety of animals — from dogs and a couple of adopted cats to rabbits and peacocks, which she absolutely loved — and of course hosting friends and family. She loved to watch things

grow and thrive, whether in her garden or amongst her family. She and Roland often had nieces and nephews come stay with them and loved the years that their grandson, Rivers, lived with them as well. She was also known for making every get-together special, especially her Mother’s Day and Christmas celebrations, that usually featured her famous collard greens.

In her later years, she continued to enjoy music, visits and calls from loved ones, and even recorded some of her life stories, ensuring her legacy would live on for generations. She also cherished the companionship of her beloved dog, Belle, and cat, Tommy, until their passing. She shared much of her time with her son, Tim, and his wife Mary as well, whose devoted care and support brought her comfort in her later years. At 101 years old, Marie remained as fiery as ever, always ready to advise on how things should be done, share her opinions on any number of topics, and still coloring her auburn hair — a testament to the vibrant spirit she carried throughout her life.

Above all, Granny treasured her family. Her children and grandchildren were also the lights of her life. In recent years, she was overjoyed to welcome her greatgrandchildren, Birdie Mae and Beau Gentry Batchelor. She also had a soft spot for her furry greatgrandchildren, Lou and Porter Heisler.

She is survived by her son, Tim (Mary); her daughter, Dale (John Thomas); her grandchildren, Hayden, Brandon (Lesley), and Brooke (Chris); and her brother, Reid (Bessie Ann); and many other extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Marie’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and home health workers who helped care for her in her final years.

While we grieve her passing, we find comfort in the long life she lived, the cherished memories she leaves behind, and the enduring love she shared. She now rests peacefully, reunited with those who journeyed to Heaven before her: her beloved husband, Roland; her sisters Faye, Ruby, and Macie; brothers Joe, Lonnie, and Donald; and her grandson, Rivers, as well as many friends and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army in her honor.

Funeral service was Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, with visitation one hour prior to service at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville and interment at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Cooperative Extension to offer canning classes in April

Canning is a popular way to preserve food

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

THE NORTH CAROLINA

Cooperative Extension Service’s Duplin County Center will be offering a free workshop on canning this April.

According to Rachel Ezzell, family and consumer services agent, Intro to Canning is the first in a series of classes that aims to educate novice and veteran canners alike on safely preserving foods at home while preventing the spread of dangerous food-borne illness.

Canning as an at-home method of food preservation gained traction during the late 1800s and peaked during World War II, with more than 4 billion cans and jars being processed within a year, Ezzell said. Popularity of the practice waned following the war, owing in part to in-home re -

frigeration’s newfound availability. It wasn’t until 2020’s pandemic that interest in athome canning was rekindled, a popularity that has remained consistent in the years proceeding.

Though Ezzell acknowledged the benefits of having information readily accessible online when discovering new interests or learning new skills, she also advised caution — especially with regard to canning.

“With an abundance of misinformation online, it’s crucial to learn how to keep food safe when home canning,” said Ezzell.

Even simple mistakes can lead to serious food-borne illnesses like botulism, a condition caused by bacteria-produced toxins that attack nerves and induce paralysis.

“Home canning can be both fun and safe, but it’s essential to have the right knowledge,” Ezzell said. “Understanding how to use tools correctly, where to find tested rec -

ipes, and which factors are controlled during the process is key to ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.”

Intro to Canning will be offered virtually on April 11 at 10 a.m. and in person on April 15 at 10 a.m., and it will cover the basics of canning. The introductory course will set the stage for the sessions to come, including hands- on components that focus on Boiling Water Canning (April 22) and Pressure Canning (April 29). Though these hands-on workshops carry a $10 fee and limited class sizes, Intro to Canning is free and available to anyone virtually or in person. Preregistration for the workshop is required. All face-to-face programming is offered at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office in Kenansville at 165-C Agriculture Drive. For more information or to register, visit go.ncsu. edu/duplin-hfp-2025 or call 910 -296 -2143.

During canning courses offered

many food items, including carrots.

From struggles to success: Gilbert’s journey to becoming an educator

The Chinquapin resident and UMO student longs to be a teacher

By K.D. Beard Duplin Journal

CHINQUAPIN RESIDENT and University of Mount Olive (UMO) student Brittney Gilbert has done something she once thought was impossible — twice. Despite an academic journey that began with hardship, the 30-year-old wife and mother of three has made the President’s List at UMO on two separate occasions. As she continues to work toward her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Gilbert hopes to inspire and support children who, like her, face challenges within the rigidities of traditional educational frameworks.

As a high school student, Gilbert struggled to keep up with her classmates, as her learning style was incompatible with the

conventional classroom model. The resulting frustration left her feeling discouraged and defeated, and it ultimately led the her to drop out of school entirely. Seeking to build a better fu-

ture for herself, Gilbert later attended James Sprunt Community College in pursuit of her GED. For this attempt at education, she would approach learning on her own terms, developing a

study routine that suited her needs and didn’t work against her. Once she successfully obtained her GED, her confidence surged, and with a renewed passion for education, she enrolled at UMO in the summer of 2023.

A key factor in her decision to enroll was UMO’s online learning environment, which allowed Gilbert the liberty to reconcile education with her other responsibilities. She attributed her success in balancing family, work and academics to strong time management and adaptability.

“Life is constantly changing, and being flexible allows me to stay productive and effective,” she said.

Gilbert’s passion for education stems from the joy she finds in children’s curiosity and their eagerness to learn. Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher, where she can create a nurturing, inclusive environment for her students. As her graduation in autumn of 2026 nears, she dreams of her future

classroom where children feel valued and supported, regardless of their learning abilities or backgrounds.

“Seeing the spark in children’s eyes when they grasp a new concept fuels my commitment to education,” she said. “I want to ensure every child in my classroom has a strong foundation for future academic and personal success.”

Describing her father as a guiding light who has inspired her through every challenge she’s faced, Gilbert credited Leroy Sanderson as one of the most significant influences in her life. His resilience and determination in the face of adversity instilled in her the belief that anything is possible with hard work and integrity. Through his unwavering support and encouragement to pursue her passions fearlessly, Gilbert’s father emphasized the values of commitment and honesty that continue to shape her personal and professional journey.

Share with your community! Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@duplinjournal.com. The weekly deadline is Monday at Noon.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE

Brittney Gilbert, a resident of Chinquapin who will graduate from the University of Mount Olive next fall, is studying to become an elementary teacher.

COURTESY RACHEL EZZELL

Cooperative Extension, students learn how to can