The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Trustees welcomed a new member Tuesday night at their monthly meeting. Halifax County Judge Teresa Freeman administered the oath to Phil Hux who is filling the term left vacant by Valencia Davis, which will go through 2029. Mr. Hux’s children held the Bible as he took the oath, while his wife and several of his grandchildren looked on from the audience.
“I look forward to serving on this board. As a graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School, I am pleased to be able to serve. All of my family graduated from here and my grandchildren are still in school here. I want to contribute to help ensure that they get the same education and opportunities that I did when going to school here.”
Judge Teresa Freeman looks on as Phil Hux signs the oath of office
During the Special Recognitions portion of the meeting the recipients of the Newsom Family Endowment for the Arts Grant were announced. Four grants were awarded, totaling $5000. Mac Newsom, who is a 1961 RRHS graduate, established the endowment as a way of giving back to the community and furthering art programs within the district. To date, the endowment has awarded more than $27,000 to teachers in the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District.
RRGSD Board Chair Dr. Mike Williams, Brooks Ard, Mary Durham, Laura Manning, Superintendent Dr. Julie Thompson
Shelley Rideout, art teacher at Chaloner Middle School, was awarded funds to purchase a Screenflex Mobile Display Tower to enhance the Night of the Arts show, which takes place twice a year. These events are well attended and contribute to the success of the overall arts program at CMS.
Mary Durham, 3rd grade teacher at Belmont Elementary, was awarded funds to purchase books and art supplies for her third grade team’s Biography Unit in order to increase project based learning opportunities for her students. She plans to purchase more of the “Who Was/Who Is” book series to expand the students’ interest in the arts and artists such as Picasso, Rembrandt, and Frida Kahlo. “I am just so appreciative, because anytime I can be an advocate for my awesome students, it is more than an honor. I am super energized that I have been entrusted to be funded with this project,” Durham said.
Brooks Ard and the Manning 4th grade team were awarded funds to increase participation in the annual 4th grade pumpkin decoration contest. Students will choose a book to read and write and short report on and will then decorate a pumpkin to represent a character from their chosen book. Ard shared, “The pumpkin decorating contest is a cherished tradition at Manning. We had noticed that in the last few years, participation has really declined since it is an at-home project, so we really wanted to find a way to make it a little more accessible for all of our students. We’re really appreciative and thank the Newsom Family Endowment for this great opportunity for our students.”
Ashley Baucom, Chaloner Middle School band teacher, was awarded funds to purchase a new instrument for her classroom that students can use if they can’t afford to purchase or rent one. Laura Manning, Roanoke Rapids High School Director of Bands, gave a statement on Ms. Baucom’s behalf, stating, “These funds will allow another student to join the band who may not have otherwise had the opportunity, so we are very thankful.”