On Monday, February 5, 2024, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) hosted its Fall Special Recognition Celebration at Smithfield-Selma High.
During the event, students and staff were recognized for academic, athletic, extracurricular, and extraordinary achievements.
FINE ARTS:
Elena Dixon of Corinth-Holders Elementary was recognized as the PENC Young Artist Competition First Place winner in the Elementary Division.
(L-R) Madison Simmon and Teacher Dana Bottomley of Cleveland Middle were recognized for their participation in the NCMEA All-State Middle School Honors Chorus.
(L-R) Sarah Cooper, Bella Rose Cox, Jesse Cameron Murphy, Robert Woods, and Teacher Lekisha Crouch of North Johnston Middle were recognized for their participation in the NCMEA All-State Middle School Honors Chorus. Not pictured - Maxwell Cuddington, Malachi Davis, Jose Ramirez Garcia and Jason Eli Toole.
(L-R) Teacher Tracy Finch, Isaiah Johnson, and Leah Kennemur of Riverwood Middle were recognized for their participation in the NCMEA All-State Middle School Honors Chorus. Not pictured - Carson McIntosh, Christian Monroe, and Benjamin Germain.
Solana Jenkins and Teacher Ann Meigs of Clayton High were recognized for their participation in the NCMEA All-State High School Honors Chorus.
Lilly Grace Oglesby of Riverwood Elementary was recognized for winning 1st Place in the 2023-2024 Elementary District Spelling Bee.
(L-R) Claire Kornegay, Aiden Ernst, Teacher Kimberly Cuddington, Sophia Zenobi, and Grayden Foster of North Johnston Middle were recognized for winning 2nd Place in the 2023-24 District MATHCounts Competition. (Not Pictured): Arbie King, Elliot White, Collin Krull, Eli Gillis of Cleveland Middle who took home first place. Orrin Lam, Gabriel Lopez, Alex Swindell, and Edgar Cordon Juarez of McGee's Crossroads Middle won third place.
(L-R) Senior class representatives Brayden Jarrett, Kat Coberly, Megan Horn, Sofia Cira Garcia, Adrianis Caldero Negron, and Band Director Olivia Dove Spell of the Corinth Holders High Band Ensemble were recognized for their participation in the 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade.
(Not Pictured) - Scott McLeod, Grace Peters, Luke Meade (Teacher), Jessica Leighton (Teacher) of West Johnston High were recognized for their participation in the NCMEA All-State High School Honors Orchestra.
(Not Pictured) - Melanie Martinez Garcia, Brittany Johnson, Josselynn Martinez Martinez, Carlos Garcia Morales, Gracie Rauss, James Tolliver, and Christina Schaffer (Teacher) of Smithfield Middle were recognized for for their NC State Fair Art Gallery Selection.
ATHLETICS:
Chris Kinsey of Clayton High was recognized for being selected as a Shrine Bowl Participant.
Cleveland High’s football program had several members recognized for their athletic accomplishments. Kedar Mangum (left) was recognized for being selected as a Shrine Bowl Participant. Josiah Peters (left-center) and Gage Tremaine (right-center) were recognized for being selected as East West All-Star Football Game Participants. Coach Scott Riley (right) was recognized for being selected as a East West All-Star Football Game Coach.
Journhi Conyers of Corinth Holders High was recognized for being named the Gymnastics All-Star Division Vault Champion & All-Around Runner Up.
Cleveland High’s cheerleading team was recognized for being named NCHSAA State Cheer Invitational Divisional Champions; Front Row (from left): Anneliese Piatek, Gracie Sudbury, Janya Garcia, Chloe Hansen, Caleigh Cobb; Back Row (from left): Coach Samantha Caputo, Kayleigh Barbour, Liliana Duerrich, Lauryn Estep, Hailee Newberry, Susannah Piatek. Not pictured - Lauren London, Madelena O'Dell, Gabriella Massengill, Seni McKinnon.
Princeton Middle/High’s cheerleading team was recognized for being named NCHSAA State Cheer Invitational Divisional Champions; Front Row (L to R): Anna Cook, Taylor Massey, Heaven Whitman, Ryleigh Ward, Macie Allison, Emily Bronner, Kaley Johnson, Alexis Massengill, Coach Tara Hester; Back Row (L to R): Madison Baker, Finley Gardner, Gracyn Oliver, Avery Hester, Paige Bizzell, Kayla Sparks, D'Viyah Ruffin, Catey Arnold, Maddy Herring, Ansley Stafford, Karsyn King.
Hanley House of Cleveland High was recognized for being crowned Miss America’s Teen 2024.
(Not Pictured) - Deondre Johnson of Clayton High was recognized for his selection to the NCWCA East All-Star in the 285 lb. weight class.
2023-2024 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR:
Mrs. Paige Barnes, Principal of West Clayton Elementary, was recognized for being titled JCPS 2023-2024 Principal of the Year.
2023-2024 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR:
(Not Pictured) - Tobias Hocutt, Principal of Four Oaks Middle, was recognized for being named 2023-2024 Assistant Principal of the Year.