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WINTER 2022
WASHINGTON DAILY NEWS
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PROFILE WINTER 2022
Their stories. Their words.
PROFILE
CHARLES CLARK 9 MICHELLE LEATHERS 11 RAY MIDGETT 15 MARCY DUNN 17 CHRIS ADAMS 21 REEM DARAR 23 ROBBIE KING 27 TRACY WARREN 29 DAVE HARRAGIN 33 CRAIG EDWARDS 37 PUBLISHER
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CHARLES CHARLES CLARK
My name is Charles Clark and I grew up in Washington and graduated from Washington High School a long time ago. I received my bachelors degree in mathematics from University of NC at f and my masters and specialist degrees from East Carolina University. I have been employed by Beaufort County Schools for 25 years and I currently serve as the principal at Bath Elementary School.
TRUE STORY
I quote movies and people a lot. I try to be funny all the time, but sometimes I probably laugh too loud at my own jokes.
ALTER EGO
If I could do another profession besides my current one, which I truly enjoy, I would enjoy being a baseball coach. I had some great coaches in my life and I really enjoyed coaching early in my career before I went into school administration. My coaches played a significant role in the person I am today and I very grateful for the time and commitment they provided in order to make me not only the best baseball player I could be, but more importantly, to improve and grow as a person.
FAVORITE PLACE
I enjoy going to the Outer Banks when I have the time.
PASSIONS
I enjoy sports, playing golf, fishing and spending time and traveling with my family.
DON’T ASK ME TO…
I have no desire to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
GUILTY PLEASURE
I enjoy watching all different kinds of movies from John Wayne to Adam Sandler and everything in between. Movies about sports are definitely my favorite such as Field of Dreams, Draft Day, The Blind Side, etc.
ONE WISH
I would love to go back in time and truly appreciate watching my children grow up. My advice to parents with young children is to enjoy every second with your children, because they will be grown and gone in no time.
FAVORITE MEMORY
I have had so many great experiences during my 25 year career, it would be hard to select just one. Serving as the principal at Chocowinity Middle, Northeast Elementary School, Northside High School and now Bath Elementary School has allowed me to meet and interact with so many great educators that truly care about kids and work extremely hard every day for their students to be successful. The students at these schools have made my job so rewarding and I am very proud of the accomplishments they have made in their lives. Teaching and coaching at Chocowinity High School and Northside High School provided me the opportunity to teach and coach some outstanding young people as well.
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MICHELLE MICHELLE LEATHERS
I am from Pantego, North Carolina. I reside in Pantego. I am an Exceptional Children's teacher with a bachelors degree in Juvenile Crime and Delinquency. (I added on license in special education.) I’m a graduate of Northside High School (Panthers of Pinetown), Louisburg Junior College (Hurricanes) and the University of Kansas (Jayhawks).
TRUE STORY
I cannot swim and I am a jokester. I love working outside. I really enjoy washing cars. I love being by myself.
ALTER EGO
If I was not teaching, I would probably be in the law enforcement field because it is always interesting and you get to help other people.
FAVORITE PLACE
I love going to the waterfront by myself and watching the boats along the river.
PASSIONS
I am very passionate about working with the youth whether coaching, teaching, inspiring or encouraging on and off the court, field, church etc.
DON’T ASK ME TO…
Don't ever ask me to go swimming or shopping. No one should ever ask me to wrong someone who has wronged me.
GUILTY PLEASURE
Eating my mom's hamburger steak. It is so good!
ONE WISH
Build my mom the house of her dreams.
FAVORITE MEMORY
Most memorable thing I have done was walking on the court of the University of Kansas for the first time coming, from a small town like Pantego. It was a while ago but sometimes I just sit and think about this, like it really happened.
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RAY
RAY MIDGETT I was born in Staten Island, NY where my father was stationed in the Coast Guard. We moved to Hatteras Village, where his family was from when I was in junior high, so I call the island home. I live here in Washington. I have a B.S. degree in geology from UNC and a Masters of Education from UNCG.
ALTER EGO
My current profession is ‘retired’ but if I were just starting my career I think I would choose to be an archeologist or professional historian.
FAVORITE PLACE
Having deep roots in the villages of Hatteras and Ocracoke, I have to say they are my favorite spots in eastern North Carolina. I love heading for Swan Quarter in anticipation of taking the incredible ferry ride across Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke.
PASSIONS
I’ve recently rekindled an interest in photography after purchasing a drone about eight years ago. I enjoy doing aerial photography and videography. My latest project is exploring 3D imaging of historic structures in town, which corresponds to my other passion, the history of Washington. I’m an avid fan of the Carolina Panthers.
DON’T ASK ME TO…
Free climb a rock cliff.
GUILTY PLEASURE
Collecting old photos of people, places, and buildings.
ONE WISH
My wish would be to travel back in time to get to know my ancestors and ask the hundreds of questions I have about their lives, their experience, and their times.
FAVORITE MEMORY
A group of eighth-graders I taught in a small private school my first year out of college will always have a special place in my heart.
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MARCY MARCY DUNN
I was born in California, but Louisiana was my childhood home. Through a series of moves, my husband and I landed in the beautiful town of Washington, NC, where we now reside. Although I skipped college to marry my high school sweetheart, I later earned a degree in Business Office Technology through Albany Tech.
TRUE STORY
I lived in three different states in less than a year.
ALTER EGO
I would write children's books. As a child, I loved making up bedtime stories and sharing them with my sisters and they actually enjoyed them.
FAVORITE PLACE Lake Phelps.
PASSIONS
There are two things I am extremely passionate about, God and family.
DON’T ASK ME TO… Hold a spider.
GUILTY PLEASURE Chocolate
ONE WISH
An end to cancer.
FAVORITE MEMORY
I earned a Mediterranean cruise.
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CHRIS CHRIS ADAMS
My name is Christopher Adams, the rector/pastor of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington, NC. I spent the first 12 years of life in Texas. Then, I moved to Rocky Mount, where I lived until attending college just down the road at East Carolina University. I went to graduate school at Duke Divinity School and then completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. Currently, I’m completing a Master’s in Philosophy from Staffordshire University in the UK.
TRUE STORY
If you come to church on a Sunday morning, you are likely to see me dressed in the very traditional garments of a Christian priest. However, if you see me at Gamestop one evening, I’d probably be wearing a Superman t-shirt with all of my tattoos visible. Sometimes, I actually have to convince people I’m a priest and not a musician in a heavy metal band (although I used to do that as well!)
ALTER EGO
When I’m asked this, it’s always the same two answers. If I wasn’t a priest, I would be a comic book writer during the day and a struggling stand-up comedian in the evenings. I’m a storyteller, and I love working with words to capture the whole range of human emotions. Comic books are a fascinating medium because they allow our imaginations to run free while simultaneously marrying two incredible art forms: storytelling and illustration. I love the energy of stand-up comedy and the way it can quickly move from laughing at a crass joke to pondering the meaning of human existence. Plus, I really do just love making people laugh!
FAVORITE PLACE
As you are walking along the downtown boardwalk towards the coast, eventually the path goes around a small, nearly enclosed pond full of turtles. During the summer, my family found ourselves going back to that spot over and over again. The responsiveness of the turtles, the serenity of the lily pads and cranes, and the smell of the water come together into a quiet spot full of beauty.
PASSIONS
Comic books are a major part of my life. I love to collect them, read them, share them. I’m even writing my own write now. The art is being handled by a friend I’ve had since middle school. Woodworking, particularly pyrography, has become a nice way to be artistic and meditative at the same time. I also am passionate about being the best human I can be and making sure that the people around me know they are loved and valued.
DON’T ASK ME TO…
Take care of house plants. I am notorious for neglecting my wife’s house plants.
GUILTY PLEASURE
Skittles. Without exaggeration, I admit to having no self-control when it comes to those little candies.
ONE WISH
That humanity would rise above the divisions maintained by borders and flags and pool our collective resources to ensure that nobody goes to sleep hungry.
FAVORITE MEMORY
Honestly, when I spent the day with somebody on suicide watch. We ate hamburgers, played cards, and watched movies before he was able to be taken to an in-patient psych unit. It was memorable because he’s still alive today, and it didn’t feel like work eating those hamburgers and watching Netflix. I’m not sure I can experience anything much more profound than that. I was the lucky one to be there with him, and count myself lucky to still call him friend today.
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REEM REEM DARAR
I was born and raised in New York. I came to NC for college. I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and I have a PhD in Natural Medicine. I’ve lived in Raleigh for 27 years. I have four sons: 23, 22, 21and 20 years old. And I’ve been married for 25 years to my beloved husband, Mohamed Darar.
TRUE STORY
I care about everyone and I’m generous to a fault. I’m a strong empath and can feel people’s pain and happiness. I’ve made it my life’s work to alleviate the suffering of others.
ALTER EGO
I wouldn’t be anything else. I’m a doctor, a general contractor, an entrepreneur and a restaurateur. There is no one else I’d rather be.
FAVORITE PLACE
My favorite place to be is Washington, which is why I just bought a house here! It’s a charming town with a beautiful waterfront. Its people have hearts of gold. You can’t find that anywhere else.
PASSIONS
I love ice skating, snow skiing, dancing and singing. I love to read and spend time with my boys (including my husband). I love the beach and the water. I also love to work. It might seem strange but I’m not happy unless I’m working
DON’T ASK ME TO…
Ignore someone in need. I cannot do it.
GUILTY PLEASURE
I absolutely love pizza! I can eat a whole pie by myself! Every once in a while I’ll treat myself to a pizza all by myself. I’d love to go to Italy one day and eat pizza there.
ONE WISH
I’d love to have enough money so my husband can retire. He has worked really hard his whole life and deserves a break. He takes care of his whole family. He’s the eldest of eight siblings, each of them with families of their own. And he’s responsible for all of them. He doesn’t have a selfish bone in his whole body.
FAVORITE MEMORY
When my husband and I first started our lives together, he had a small business start up and after work we’d each drive a cab until 3 a.m. to make extra money. We were the happiest when we were working towards building our life together.
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ROBBIE ROBBIE KING
Originally From Collinsville, Virginia. Lived in Washington, NC since 2006. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Ferrum College, Ferrum, Virginia. Married since 2005 to Cynthia King and have one son, Robert Edward Eddie King.
ALTER EGO
I would be a professional camp ranger program director in scouting because I think it's the best program to make better citizens.
FAVORITE PLACE
Hardee's on John Small Boulevard to pray with my friends.
PASSIONS
Family and the ability to help young people become better citizens.
DON’T ASK ME TO… Be a politician.
GUILTY PLEASURE Ice cream in the evening.
ONE WISH
For all scout news and activities to be paid for and the program cost nothing for the children.
FAVORITE MEMORY Building teams to be better.
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TRACY TRACY WARREN
I’m from Greenville originally and now live in Washington. I earned my BA in Education from UNC-CH and my MA in Education Administration from ECU.
TRUE STORY
I had the great fortune to be observed by a conference supervisor of officials while I was officiating an ECU football scrimmage back in the early 1990s. From that observation, I had the opportunity to officiate D-1 football on the field for C-USA from 1993-1998. After working on the field, I continued to work as the TV Liaison official on the sidelines and then as a Replay official upstairs for ECU for a number of years.
ALTER EGO
I could have been a professional musician. I have played electric bass guitar since I was 16 years old in bands and now occasionally with praise bands in churches. I have also played classical music on a concert bass in high school and in college for the UNC Symphony.
FAVORITE PLACE
My wife and I really enjoy our place at the beach in Indian Beach/ Salter Path, NC. It’s nice to be on the sound side of Bogue Island and yet have access to the beach if we choose.
PASSIONS
I am passionate about officiating high school football and umpiring recreation league fast pitch girls softball. I’ve done both for 30-plus years. As a high school football referee, it gives me great pleasure to be the clinic leader for high school football officials in the Washington area and coaching veteran officials to become better officials and teaching young officials the skills to become a good official.
DON’T ASK ME TO…
Give up my conservative views of politics or deny my Christian faith. I am a staunch believer in our country being a constitutional republic with our constitution to be interpreted in the spirit the founders wrote it and that it is not a living document to be changed easily. My Christian faith is solid in that I know Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior without question.
GUILTY PLEASURE
I do like a good dark beer or a good Kentucky Straight bourbon with only water and maybe an orange slice.
ONE WISH
Being a cancer survivor and my wife being a cancer survivor, I wish the cure(s) for cancer will be revealed.
FAVORITE MEMORY
My proudest moment(s) of having been an teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle school, high school and college levels have been and continue to be when I see former students who still remember a lesson that was taught, or a lesson that was learned, or an experience that was meaningful to them from my being involved in their life. I’ve never know how far my influence has extended.
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For the Love of Learning Washington Montessori Public Charter School 2330 Old Bath Highway ay Washington, NC 27889 252-946-1977 www.wmpcs.org
Kindergarten through 12th Grade - Public Charter School
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DAVE
DAVE HARRAGIN My earlier experience comes from Upstate New York where I ran a water treatment business for many years. I am NY schooled and SUNY College educated. I raised five children and moved to NC about 14 years ago. I now reside in Washington with my wife of 45 years, Bonnie.
TRUE STORY
We moved to NC and our kids followed.
ALTER EGO
I would be fully retired and working in my garden.
FAVORITE PLACE
Ocracoke appears to be a unique and fun place to visit.
PASSIONS
I am passionate about singing and playing guitar in some of the small venues around here.
DON’T ASK ME TO… Lie for you.
GUILTY PLEASURE I like a good Cognac.
ONE WISH
Travel freely all over the world’s most beautiful beaches.
FAVORITE MEMORY
I won an Island cruise for meeting my sales goals. My wife and I had a great time.
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CRAIG CRAIG EDWARDS
Born in Memphis, Tennessee; Raised in Leachville, Arkansas (family was in the cotton ginning business); Currently reside in Washington, NC; attended Watson Chapel High School (Pine Bluff, AR); attended Arkansas State University (1980-83)
TRUE STORY
I actually vomited in the White House bathroom ... 1993?
ALTER EGO
Motivational speaking and/or sports commentator...I simply have a passion for leading/motivating/mentoring others and I also like sports and had a desire to pursue that early in my career.
FAVORITE PLACE
On the boat on the Pamlico of course! (or visiting at Two Rivers Alehouse)
PASSIONS
Family, golf and yard work.
DON’T ASK ME TO…
Sky dive or bungee jump (not so much on heights).
GUILTY PLEASURE
Jelly Beans (I can’t eat just one, or 10, or...)
ONE WISH No cancer.
FAVORITE MEMORY
In 2013, I spoke on the same stage with Steve Forbes at a national conference in Las Vegas.
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