Education
Chandler Kearsey Awarded Quincy Mills Scholarship to Pursue Dreams at ECU
Chandler Kearsey is the first recipient of the Quincy Markel Mills Scholarship, an award named after a young man whose life ended tragically.
Chandler Kearsey, a recent graduate of Warren Early College High School (WECHS), has been named the recipient of the first Quincy Markel Mills Scholarship, one that will help her pursue higher education at East Carolina University (ECU). Kearsey was awarded $750, which she will use to support her studies as she embarks on her journey toward a degree in Management with a concentration in Human Resources.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Kearsey has set her sights on a career in Human Resources and wants to work with a Fortune 500 company. She stated she chose ECU for its diverse campus and the range of opportunities that align with her career aspirations.
The Quincy Mills Scholarship is named in honor of Quincy Mills, a 19-year-old whose life was tragically cut short in 2023. His father, Walter Mills described his son as “a good kid with a big, bright smile and everybody loved him.” Eric Copeland, a friend of the family initiated the idea to start a scholarship in Mills’s name, and received the approval from Walter. With the help of Eric’s wife, Jackie, they were able to implement it. The initial scholarship amount was set to be $500 until local Warren County group, The Brotherhood contributed an additional $250, making it a total of $750.
Copeland stated the scholarship was established to keep his memory alive and support students in their pursuit of higher education. The scholarship committee, composed of Larry Jones, Jr. and Shrounda Douglas-Riddick selected Kearsey based on being thorough in her application, and also her academic achievements, community involvement, and clear vision for her future.
WECHS principal, Shena Judkins described Kearsey as an “amazing student with a heart for people.”
Kearsey’s ambition, coupled with the support of the Quincy Mills Scholarship, places her on a promising path toward achieving her dreams. As she prepares to start her freshman year at ECU, Kearsey is eager to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.
To read more about Quincy Mills, read this RRDailyHerald.com article.
Education
Governor Cooper Opens 2024-2025 RISE Award Competition
Nominate an unsung education hero for this incredible honor.
This week, Governor Roy Cooper announced the 2024-2025 application period for the North Carolina Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award is underway. The award, passed by Congress in 2019 and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.
“School employees are the backbone of our education system,” says Governor Cooper. “They work tirelessly behind the scenes to support students, teachers, and families. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the unsung heroes of North Carolina schools and the crucial work that they do every day.”
For the purposes of the award, a classified school employee is defined as an employee of a state or any political subdivision of a state, or an employee of a nonprofit entity, who works in any grade from pre-kindergarten through high school in any of the following occupational specialties: paraprofessional, clerical and administrative services, transportation services, food and nutrition services, custodial and maintenance services, security services, health and student services, technical services, and skilled trades.
Award winners demonstrate excellence in the following areas: (A) Work performance; (B) School and community involvement; (C) Leadership and commitment; (D) Local support (from co-workers, school administrators, community members, etc., who speak to the nominee’s exemplary work); (E) Enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and schools.
Public school units, school administrators, professional associations, labor organizations, educational service agencies, nonprofit entities, private schools and their representatives, parents, and students may nominate by September 30.
The two winners in North Carolina will be nominated to the U.S. Department of Education by November 1st. The U.S. Secretary of Education will select a single classified school employee from among the nominees to receive the RISE Award in the spring. The Office of the Governor of North Carolina will honor nominees and finalists. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education will recognize the honoree and communicate their story in order to inspire excellence among classified school employees.
Nominate an unsung education hero for the 2024 RISE Award. Submit your nomination by September 30th at 5pm through https://forms.office.com/g/SuEnGi73qm.
Education
VIDEO: Dr. Montague-Davis is Sworn-In as Warren County Schools Interim Superintendent
Dr. Carol Montague-Davis sworn in as Interim Superintendent of Warren County Schools.
On Monday, August 12 at 7:15am, right before the doors officially opened for the new school year, Dr. Carol Montague-Davis was sworn-in as Interim Superintendent of Warren County Schools.
Education
Welcome Home: Montague-Davis Appointed Warren County Schools Interim Superintendent
A familiar face returns as Warren County Schools Interim Superintendent.
The Warren County Board of Education voted Thursday evening to appoint Dr. Carol Montague-Davis as Interim Superintendent, effective August 12, 2024.
This is a homecoming for Dr. Montague-Davis. She and her husband, Garrett Davis, were born and raised in Warren County and currently own a home here. They were both educated in Warren County Schools. She served as Principal of Warren County High School for six years from 1998 – 2004. Dr. Montague-Davis has a bonus daughter Brittany, a bonus son Nelson, and two bonus grandsons Ace and Win.
Dr. Montague-Davis brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in educational leadership to Warren County Schools. Her extensive background in administration and commitment to student success will be invaluable as she steps into this interim role.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Montague-Davis as our interim superintendent and look forward to her leadership as we begin the 2024-2025 school year,” said Victoria Lehman, Chair of the Warren County Schools Board of Education. “Dr. Montague-Davis has dedicated her professional life to promoting the interests of North Carolina’s public schools, and we are grateful for her commitment to promoting student achievement in Warren County during this time of transition for our school system.”
Dr. Montague-Davis’ professional background includes extensive experience in curriculum development, discipline implementation, teacher training modeling, and community support programs. She has worked in middle and high schools as a classroom teacher, in athletic programs, and as an administrator.
In 2004, Dr. Montague-Davis left Warren County to work in Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools until her retirement in 2022. During her time there, she served as Principal of Carver High School twice, for a total of nearly 10 years. She also worked nine years as the district’s Instructional Superintendent for Continuous Improvement.
Dr. Montague-Davis received her undergraduate degree from Elizabeth City State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She earned a Master of Education in School Administration in 1991 from The University of Maryland at College Park and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University in 2017.
She is a member of United Way Women United Executive Board and Chair of the Membership Committee, Vice-President of the Greater Triad ECSU Alumni Chapter, Big Brothers Big Sisters, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Greensboro.
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