Good News Spotlight

We are proud to recognize Swansboro High social studies teacher Cason Justice as the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Southeast Region Teacher of the Year. 

On Thursday, December 18, what began as an ordinary assembly turned into a celebration as Mr. Justice was honored by the SBHS Drum Line, current NC Teacher of the Year Rachel Candaso, 2025 NC Southeast Region Teacher of the Year Hannah Moon, his family, Dr. Barnes, Board Chair Elbert Garvey, Board Member Phillip Williams, and a group of district leaders. 

Mr. Justice is a National Board-Certified teacher, a proud NC State graduate, and brings thirteen years of teaching experience and exceptional academic credentials to Swansboro High. His passion for teaching is evident to all who know him. 

In her remarks, 2025 Southeast Region Teacher of the Year Hannah Moon described Mr. Justice as “Intentional, disciplined, fair, selfless, and kind,” adding, that “These are just a few of the words used to describe the 2026 Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year, Mr. Cason Justice.” 

She continued, sharing that, “Students, parents, teachers, admin... they all had wonderful things to say about Mr. Justice, but what struck me the most was this common theme of his belief in all students. There is no one type of student that he seemed to connect with the most. All of his students said Mr. Justice is a teacher for everyone.” 

In his comments, Mr. Justice reiterated his belief in his students, sharing that the reason he is a teacher today is because of a teacher who once believed in him. 

“I think about teachers that I had that poured into me and loved me, and that’s the reason, literally, why I’m up here today,” he said. 

He also shared how his time as a teacher at Swansboro High has bolstered his belief in the future of public education in North Carolina. 

“When it comes to North Carolina’s future, I think about not only everyone here in Swansboro and the whole community, but I think about my little boy. That’s what I believe in for North Carolina. We have problems; we know that, but we can meet them head on. I believe in the best for our state and our future because I have been here with you all.” 

After being named the OCS Teacher of the Year, Mr. Justice went through a series of interviews and observations. He has now been selected as one of the nine teachers statewide who will go on to compete for North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 2026. 

January is Board Appreciation Month, and we would like to thank our Board of Education members for their support and dedication to our local public school students and staff. As a token of our appreciation, it has been our custom to present our Board members with student artwork. 

The following students' work was selected and printed as Board member appreciation gifts this year: 

• Mianna Ramos – Grade 11 – Jacksonville High 

  • Bernie Rosage, Visual Arts Teacher 

• Adelaide Roberts – Grade 4 – Carolina Forest Elementary

  • Christina Norris, Visual Arts Teacher

• Hayden Maddox – Grade 11 – White Oak High 

  • Brandi Criscitiello, Visual Arts Teacher

• Makenzy Foust – Grade 12 – Dixon High 

  • William Chadwick, Visual Arts Teacher 

• Jazmine Petteway – Grade 5 – Stateside Elementary 

  • Amanda Walters, Visual Arts Teacher 

• Sophie Lopez and Alana Homesley – Grade 5 – Bell Fork Elementary 

  • Catheryn Bower, Visual Arts Teacher  

• Cady Gao – Grade 8 – Jacksonville Commons Middle – Grade 8 

  • Karissa Lawson, Visual Arts Teacher

Congratulations to these outstanding student artists and their teachers.  

Each year Onslow County Schools reaches out to students to submit holiday-themed artwork for our district Christmas Card. 

We would like to recognize the students whose artwork was selected to appear on this year’s card. 

• Raygen Robson – Grade 3 – Silverdale Elementary 

  • Jessica Smith, Visual Arts Teacher  

• Penelope Rivera Rosaly – Grade 6 – Swansboro Middle 

  • Megan Pinkerton, Art Teacher 

• Jada James – Grade 10 – White Oak High 

  • Korey Mitchell, Art Teacher

Congratulations to our amazing student artists and their dedicated teachers. 

 

We are thrilled to share that eleven talented string musicians from Onslow County Schools were selected to participate in the prestigious 15th Annual Southeast Honors String Festival at UNC Greensboro, held October 17-19, 2025. 

This intensive three-day festival brought together the region's most accomplished high school string students for an exceptional experience of rehearsals, sectionals, master classes, and performances. Our students had the privilege of working under the direction of Dr. Jungho Kim, Director of Orchestras at the UNCG School of Music, along with guest artist and clinician Mr. Taylor Morris, a professional violinist and fiddler from Mesa, Arizona. 

The festival concluded with a showcase concert by the Honors String Orchestra at Tew Recital Hall on Sunday, October 19, where our students performed alongside fellow musicians from across the Southeast. 

Congratulations to the following outstanding string musicians – and their directors – on this remarkable achievement! 

• Jacksonville High – Matthew Martinez, Orchestra Director; Brenda Hermann, Principal 

  • London Prakapenka, Double Bass – 10th grade 

  • Taylor Quickley, Viola – 12th grade 

• Richlands High – Alex Amengual, Orchestra Director; Nelson Blair, Principal 

  • Lilyanna Reyer, Violin – 10th grade 

  • Kayla Parker, Violin – 10th grade 

• Swansboro High – Kimberly Lake, Orchestra Director; Dr. Helen Gross, Principal 

  • Jillian Burns, Viola – 10th grade 

  • Alivia Squires, Viola – 11th grade 

  • Anna Eichenlaub, Cello – 12th grade 

  • Elizabeth Schofield, Cello – 12th grade 

  • Lily Scott, Violin – 12th grade 

• White Oak High – Gregory Dundore, Orchestra Director; Joycelyn Cassidy, Principal 

  • Kenley Irvin, Viola – 10th grade 

  • Anthony Jones, Cello – 10th grade 

It is our honor to recognize our outstanding Onslow County Schools string musicians who were selected to perform with the 2025 American String Teachers Association North Carolina All-State Honors Orchestra. 

On Saturday, October 4th, these talented students joined the top string musicians from across North Carolina at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro for this prestigious one-day clinic and performance. Under the direction of guest clinicians Bruce Walker and Dr. Alexandra Dee, students participated in full ensemble rehearsals, sectionals led by professional musicians, and concluded with a public concert showcasing their hard work and dedication. 

Selection to this elite ensemble is based on a competitive audition process including video recordings and teacher recommendations, making this achievement a true testament to our students' musical excellence and commitment. 

Congratulations to the following students and their directors on this outstanding accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of these young musicians who represented Onslow County Schools with such distinction. 

• Jacksonville High – Matthew Martinez, Orchestra Director; Brenda Hermann, Principal 

  • London Prakapenka, 1st Chair Double Bass – 10th grade 

  • Jonathan Berry, Double Bass – 11th grade 

• Richlands High – Alex Amengual, Orchestra Director; Nelson Blair, Principal 

  • Elizabeth-Grace Ahn, Violin – 12th grade 

• Swansboro High – Kimberly Lake, Orchestra Director; Dr. Helen Gross, Principal 

  • Jillian Burns, Viola – 10th grade 

  • Alivia Squires, First Chair Viola – 11th grade 

  • Elizabeth Schofield, Viola –12th grade 

• White Oak High – Greg Dundore, Orchestra Director; Joycelyn Cassidy, Principal 

  • Kenley Irvin, Viola – 10th grade 

  • Anthony Jones, Cello – 10th grade 

  • Autumn Higgins, Double Bass – 11th grade