Roanoke Rapids High School held its annual Senior Awards Assembly on Friday, May 29th. This ceremony is held each year in honor and recognition of the achievements that the Senior Class has made. The future plans of each graduating senior are read aloud, followed by the presentation of several scholarships from local community organizations. This year, the RRHS Class of 2026 was offered $3,606,467 in scholarships!
The following Community and Local Scholarships were presented during the assembly.
The SECU People Helping People Scholarship was awarded to Ashleigh Moseley. This $10,000 scholarship, funded by the State Employees' Credit Union Foundation, supports North Carolina public high school seniors attending UNC System universities. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, leadership, character, and community involvement.
The Lucy Pierce-Spruill Scholarship was awarded to Abygail Magana in memory of Lucy Pierce-Spruill, a 1988 RRHS graduate and NC State alumna who was active in agriculture and community service. The scholarship was created by the Class of 1988 to honor her legacy of academic excellence and civic engagement.
The Faison Teacher Prep Scholarship was awarded to Emilee Campbell. This scholarship is given by Becky and Cecil Faison, lifelong educators who dedicated their careers to serving the students of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. Together, they contributed more than 60 years of service to RRGSD and made a lasting impact on countless students and families. This scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior who plans to pursue a degree in education.
The Margo Allen Next Step Scholarship was awarded to Alex Griffin and AJ Batten. Created in memory of former teacher Margo Allen, this scholarship assists students in taking the next step toward higher education while honoring her commitment to student development.
The First Presbyterian Church Scholarship was awarded to Timmy Little and Jackson Watkins by First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids. This scholarship supports graduating seniors who are active in assisting the church and planning to pursue higher education.
The Carleen Goodwin Scholarship, named after longtime RRHS teacher and softball coach Carleen Goodwin, was presented to Morgan Beam. This scholarship is awarded to a senior Lady Jackets softball player, recognizing athletic and academic excellence.
The C.L. Kelly Scholarship, named in honor of a beloved champion for youth and education, is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to success and was presented to Jazlyn Brown, Matti Margaret Cutchin, Miley Lynch, Jackson Watkins, and Jeremy Robertson.
Emilee Campbell received the Joyce Lewis Crane Scholarship, which was set up to provide money to a high school student who would attend college. The ideal winner is a student who demonstrates school spirit and is a “Yellow Jacket for life.”
Keziah Vick was recognized as the recipient of the Enfield/Roanoke Rapids Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship, awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and service to their school and community.
The CHICK Scholarship, established in memory of Jessica Clements, is awarded to a graduating senior female who exemplifies courage, humility, intelligence, compassion, and kindness. This year’s recipient is Morgan Beam.
The Halifax-Northampton Retired School Personnel Scholarship was awarded to Morgan Beam.
Morgan Beam and Emilee Campbell were recognized as the recipients of the Charles T. Patton Scholarship, awarded to graduating seniors who have demonstrated leadership, aptitude, and financial need while pursuing a future career in education.
Morgan Beam was recognized as both a Maynard Scholar and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. The Maynard Scholars Program at East Carolina University supports outstanding future educators through scholarship funding, leadership development, and mentoring. The highly competitive North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program provides financial assistance and professional development opportunities for students who commit to teaching in North Carolina public schools after graduation.
Seniors received honor cords for the following clubs, organizations, and achievements: Girl Scouts, Governor’s School, Hunter Safety Skills Team, Margo Allen, Red Cross, Skills USA, Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint, Chick-fil-a Leadership Academy, Ladies of Eminence, Pharmacy Technician, DECA, Emergency Medical Technician, National Honors Society, Key Club, Student Council, Spanish National Honor Society, National Art Honors Society, Yearbook, Dramatic Arts, and Tri-M.
Students who completed the Halifax Community College College and Career Promise Program were recognized for earning more than 30 hours of transferable college credit while still in high school. This year's completers are Madison Scott, Jazlyn Brown, Morgan Beam, and Natasha Le.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) JROTC Award was presented to Dennis Bradford, Jr. This award is given to a senior cadet for demonstrating outstanding citizenship, personal responsibility and service to the community and country as a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
The Superior Junior Cadet of the Year was presented to Cadet Command Sergeant Major Gabriel Godfrey. This award is given by the direction of the Secretary of the Army to the most outstanding cadet in the class for the academic year 2025-2026.
The Woodman of the World American History Award, sponsored by the Woodmen of the World, is given to the senior who maintained high academic excellence, displayed a positive attitude, and contributed regularly to a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom in the Social Studies area during the four years at RRHS. This year's recipient is Jeremy Robertson.
The Philip Farrell Memorial Award is given by the Art Department in memory of Philip Farrell to the senior who exhibits outstanding promise in the field of art. This year’s recipient is Makayla Chambers.
Several choral and drama awards were presented during the assembly. Camille Myrick-Laureano received the Outstanding Senior Choir Award, while Chloe Porch and Edenilson Saravia received the Senior Drama Award.
The Expository Writing Award is given annually to the student who in the estimation of the English Department exhibits the ability to write in a variety of analytical forms. The winner this year is Camille Myrick-Laureano.
The William P. Branch Academic Athletic Award is given by the school in memory of the late principal of RRHS. It is awarded to senior athletes who participated in 3 or more sports during their senior year and maintained a cumulative 3.75 (88) GPA or better average for their 4 years of high school. The recipients this year are Morgan Beam, Emilee Campbell, Matti Margaret Cutchin, and Dekker Pernesky.
The Rotary Math Achievement Award is given to the senior with the highest average in four years of math. This year’s recipient is Morgan Beam.
The Science Award is given by the Science Department each year in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science. This year’s recipient is Jeremy Robertson.
The Rightmyer Award is given by the family of Frank M. Rightmyer III, Class of 1966 to the senior male with the highest scholastic average in grades 9-12. This year’s recipient is Jeremy Robertson.
The Salutatorian Award is given to the member of the senior class that has the second highest GPA for grades 9-12. The recipient of the Salutatorian Award is Makenna Whitley.
The Class of 1929 Academic Award is given to the senior female who has achieved the highest scholastic average in grades 9-12. This year's recipient is also the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, Morgan Beam.
The final three awards that were presented are the most prestigious awards that Roanoke Rapids High School can bestow upon a senior. These three awards are given to students, who in the estimation of the faculty, exhibit the traits that are mentioned in the criteria for each award. This senior class is full of outstanding seniors and the faculty found it difficult to choose just one student for each award.
The Roanoke Rapids High School Service Award is given to the senior who has rendered outstanding service during high school. It is given in recognition of exceptional ability, interest, dependability, and initiative toward serving the entire school program in various capacities. This year, the faculty chose to give the Service Award to Emilee Campbell.
The Roanoke Rapids High School Citizenship Award is given to the senior who in the judgment of the faculty has shown the most outstanding qualities of citizenship during high school. It is given in recognition of character, dependability, potential leadership, and commendable attitude towards school. This year, the faculty chose to give the Citizenship Award to Edenilson Saravia.
The Roanoke Rapids High School Best All-Around Award is given to the senior judged by the faculty as having been the most outstanding all-around student in not just one area, but in several areas. This student must have shown admirable qualities in the following areas: scholarship, citizenship, versatility, leadership, and participation in school activities. This year, the faculty chose to give the Best All-Around Award to Morgan Beam.
