retiree

LUMBERTON, NC — The Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC) hosted its Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Southeastern Agricultural Center, located at 1027 US-74 Alternate, Lumberton, NC 28358. The event celebrated the exceptional dedication and achievements of the district’s educators and staff members.

During the banquet, the district honored individuals who demonstrated outstanding service to students, schools, and the broader community. 

The following awards were presented:

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Teacher Assistant of the Year: Heather Gibson

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Maintenance Employee of the Year: Furman Ray Locklear

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Social Worker of the Year: Kim Chavis

  • 2025-2026 PSRC School Counselor of the Year: Audrey Mayers

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Beginning Teacher of the Year: Rhyane Jacobs

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Teacher of the Year: Darryl Howington

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Assistant Principal of the Year: Jordan Strickland

  • 2025-2026 PSRC Principal of the Year: Clyde Leviner

  • National Board Certification Recipient: Laura Ashley Clark

In addition, Ryan Sampson of Horace Mann Insurance also presented a $250 check to 2025-2026 PSRC Teacher of the Year Darryl Howington.

Superintendent Dr. Williamson delivered heartfelt remarks, reflecting on the significance of the occasion.

“This banquet is a testament to the unwavering commitment and passion our staff bring to their work every day,” Dr. Williamson said. “Each honoree represents the very best of what it means to serve, lead, and inspire in public education. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Jamal Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at PSRC, also shared his appreciation for the district’s personnel.

“It’s an honor to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their roles,” Campbell said. “From the classroom to campus operations, every honoree has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. We thank them for their dedication and service.”

The evening served as a heartfelt celebration of leadership, excellence, and the spirit of service that defines the Public Schools of Robeson County.

The following individuals were recognized as school-level 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year:

  • Hollen Hunt, Deep Branch Elementary School

  • Darryl “Matt” Howington, East Robeson Primary School

  • Rileigh Hunt, Fairgrove Elementary School

  • Sherry W Musselwhite, Fairmont High School

  • Ailene Gimena Caya, Fairmont Middle School

  • Victoria A. Wallace, L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School

  • Seauna C. Richardson, Littlefield Middle School

  • Kelcey Callahan, Long Branch Elementary School

  • Cindy Gillespie Davis, Lumberton Junior High School

  • Darlene Pittman, Lumberton Senior High School

  • Maritza Perez Carter, Magnolia Elementary School

  • April Stone, Orrum Middle School

  • Jaclyn A. Locklear, Oxendine Elementary School

  • Jessica Norton, Parkton Elementary School

  • Cassie K. L. Chavis, Pembroke Elementary School

  • Robert Quintero, Pembroke Middle School

  • Lemuel Swiney, Peterson Elementary School

  • Stacy Locklear, Piney Grove Elementary School

  • Sommer Cutsail, Prospect Elementary School

  • Shitan Jones, PSRC Early College at RCC

  • Shelly Christina Chavis, Purnell Swett High School

  • Toni Lee, Red Springs High School

  • James C. Candedeir, Red Springs Middle School

  • Reagan Lowry Dial, Rex-Rennert Elementary School

  • Matthew T. Locklear, Robeson County Career Center

  • Erica Quick, Rosenwald Elementary School

  • Charlene Y. Whitted, Rowland-Norment Elementary School

  • Bridget Smith, St. Pauls Elementary School

  • Matthew B. Blue, St. Pauls High School

  • Harry A. Holt, St. Pauls Middle School

  • La'Shanda D. Douglas, Shining Stars

  • Daniel Kidjp Adiku, South Robeson Middle School

  • Joanne McGirt, Southside-Ashpole Elementary School

  • Alisha D. Lawson, Tanglewood Elementary School

  • Cathy Ellis-McRae, Townsend Elementary School

  • Ashley Kurfurst, Union Chapel Elementary School

  • Wanda Murchison, W.H. Knuckles Elementary School

  • Anita Jacobs, Union Elementary School


The following individuals were recognized as school-level 2025-2026 Teacher Assistants of the Year:

  • Larichele J. Collins, L. Gilbert Carroll School

  • Wanda Callahan, Deep Branch Elementary School

  • Tiffany L. Wilkins, East Robeson Elementary School

  • Tracy T. Rothwell, Fairgrove Elementary School

  • April L. Bullock, Fairmont High School

  • Deanna A. Locklear, Fairmont Middle School

  • Katrina S. Rodriguez, Learning Acceleration Program

  • Mary A. Bryant, Littlefield Middle School

  • Barbara A. Edwards, Long Branch Elementary School

  • Gwendolyn G. Colvin, Lumberton Senior High School

  • Herbert E. Washington Jr., Lumberton Junior High School

  • Cathy Bell, Magnolia Elementary School

  • Cadence M. Oxendine, Orrum Middle School

  • Lottie Chavis, Oxendine Elementary School

  • Pamela M. Shaw, Parkton Elementary School

  • Lindsey K. Hunt, Pembroke Elementary School

  • Louise Locklear, Pembroke Middle School

  • Heather V. Gibson, Peterson Elementary School

  • Kayla M. Hammond, Piney Grove Elementary School

  • Nikki M. Locklear, Prospect Elementary School

  • Pat Harris, Purnell Swett High School

  • Sara A. Locklear, Red Springs High School

  • Artisa V. Love, Red Springs Middle School

  • Amberly L. Lane, Rex-Rennert Elementary School

  • Myra L. Campbell, Rosenwald Elementary School

  • Barbara A. Carter, Rowland-Norment Elementary School

  • Zakiyyah A. Aquil, Shining Stars Preschool

  • Cynthia O. Thompson, South Robeson Middle School

  • Madison J. Strickland, Southside Ashpole Elementary School

  • Yolanda D. McNair, St. Pauls Middle School

  • Andradese L. Rozier, St. Pauls Elementary School

  • Myrtle C. Williams, St. Pauls High School

  • Sharon L. Lewis, Tanglewood Elementary School

  • Anastasia N. Galbreath, Townsend Elementary School

  • Joan M. Scott, Union Chapel Elementary School

  • Rebecca M. Locklear, Union Elementary School

  • Teri J. Taylor, W.H. Knuckles Elementary School

The following retirees were honored during the ceremony:

  • Jeffrey Andrews, Custodian, Fairmont Middle School

  • Ellis Baker, Custodian, Lumberton Jr. High School

  • Virginia Bell, Custodian, Rex-Rennert Elementary School

  • Carrie Brooks, Custodian, Oxendine Elementary School

  • Deborah Byrd, Academic Coach, Oxendine Elementary School

  • Emma Carter, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Deep Branch Elementary School

  • Katharine Charles, Media Specialist, St. Pauls Middle School

  • Shantonia Chavis-Bullard, Teacher, Purnell Swett High School

  • Jennie Davis, Teacher Assistant, Long Branch Elementary School

  • Cletis Deese, School Social Worker, Union Elementary School

  • Tommy Edwards, Custodian, Lumberton High School

  • Deborah Floyd, Cafeteria Assistant, L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School

  • Celina Fonseca, Teacher, Littlefield Middle School

  • Catherine Foxworth, Academic Coach, Southside-Ashpole Elementary School

  • Rhonda Horne, Guidance Counselor, Lumberton High School

  • Doreen Jacobs Locklear, Cafeteria Assistant, Union Chapel Elementary School

  • Retha Johnson, Teacher, Southside-Ashpole Elementary School

  • Jeffery Lamb, Teacher, Purnell Swett High School

  • Mary Lewis, Teacher, East Robeson Primary School

  • Glenda Locklear, Cafeteria Manager, Union Elementary School

  • Annie Lowery, Teacher Assistant, Lumberton High School

  • Gregory Lowery, Warehouse Driver, Child Nutrition

  • Sally Milczakowski, Teacher, W. H. Knuckles Elementary School

  • Elsie Moore, Teacher Assistant, St. Pauls Elementary School

  • Linda Moore, Community In Schools Coordinator, Central Office

  • Cheryl Nantz, Teacher Assistant, Long Branch Elementary School

  • Rosemary Pipkin, Teacher, Prospect Elementary School

  • Patricia Pittman, Teacher Assistant, Tanglewood Elementary School

  • George Seals, Head Custodian, East Robeson Primary School

  • Daniel Whittington, HVAC Technician, Plant Operation

  • Doris Hunt, Cafeteria Assistant, East Robeson Primary School

  • Martha Parker, Teacher Assistant, Lumberton High School

  • Christina Pearson, Teacher, Red Springs Middle School

  • Connie McDougald, Cafeteria Assistant, Shining Stars Preschool

  • Rhonda Hunter, Teacher, Orrum Middle School

  • Norma Blue, Teacher Assistant, Fairgrove Elementary School

  • Jerry Bullock, School Social Worker, Parkton Elementary School

  • Eugenia Stephens, Technology Assistant, Rowland-Norment Elementary School

  • Nena Blue, Art Teacher, Prospect Elementary School

  • Cindy Bryant, Secretary, Piney Grove Elementary School

  • Shirlene Strickland, Head Custodian, Lumberton High School

  • Teresa Riddell, Teacher, L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School

  • Christopher Sanderson, Teacher, Oxendine Elementary School

  • John Blount, Teacher Assistant, Long Branch Elementary School

  • Debbie Troutman, Technology Assistant, Union Chapel Elementary School

  • Donna Dial-Jacobs, Media Specialist, St. Pauls Elementary School

  • Kimberly Locklear, Counselor, Pembroke Elementary School

  • Vickie Smith, Teacher Assistant, Townsend Elementary School

  • Brenda Chavis, Teacher Assistant, Lumberton Jr. High School

  • Angela Faulkner, Principal, Townsend Elementary School

  • Michael Lewis, Teacher, Robeson County Career Center

  • Vicki Gibson, Teacher, Peterson Elementary School

  • Debra Jackson, Secretary, W. H. Knuckles Elementary School

  • Betty Buie, Teacher, Fairmont Middle School

  • Eric Sanders, Assistant Principal, St. Pauls High School

  • Susan Grooms, Cafeteria Manager, East Robeson Primary School

  • Bonnie Mack, Teacher Assistant, Peterson Elementary School

  • Janet Jacobs, Teacher, Prospect Elementary School

  • Maureen Andrews, Teacher, Parkton Elementary School

  • Sara Locklear, Teacher Assistant, Red Springs High School

  • Shelia Jacobs, Teacher Assistant, L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School

  • Joanna Hunt, Principal, Pembroke Elementary School

  • Teena Locklear, Teacher, Pembroke Elementary School

  • Shannon Brown, Teacher, Rowland-Norment Elementary School

  • Nancy Stevens, Teacher, Peterson Elementary School

  • James Rosemond, Teacher, Orrum Middle School

  • Annie Evington, Teacher, Prospect Elementary School

  • Chasidy Jones, Teacher Assistant, Magnolia Elementary School

  • Teresa Patterson, Teacher, Red Springs High School

  • Michael Locklear, Electrician, Maintenance Department

  • Adrian Sinclair, Assistant Principal, L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School

  • Barbara Collins, Teacher, Littlefield Middle School

  • Tammy Wilkerson, AIG Teacher, Prospect Elementary School

  • Mark DeCarlo, Teacher, Lumberton High School

  • Sonia Lawson, Occupational Therapist, Central Office

  • Barbara Dunn, Teacher Assistant, St. Pauls Middle School

  • Beverly Brewer, Teacher Assistant, Red Springs High School

  • Christopher Burton, Principal, L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School

  • Timothy Jacobs, Teacher, Purnell Swett High School

  • Graylen Mitchell, Jr. ROTC Instructor, Lumberton High School

  • Pattie Mitchell, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Central Office

  • Rhonda Dial, Teacher, Union Elementary School

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