Dear Friend of Senate District 10,

I hope your week has been a great one thus far. Earlier last week, I had the chance to meet with a few of the Johnston County Community College Board of Trustees here in Raleigh. Thank you all for working on behalf of our students in District 10 and please continue to make Johnston County Community College the best place it can be.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in any way possible.

Get to Know My Legislative Team Here!

Legislative Recap

Public School Lunches Bill

Last week I filed S.B. 487 to assist with an ongoing issue of students not being able to eat while at school. The bill will allow for students to eat school meals without being restricted due to debt incurred over time. It was brought to our office’s attention that students were being denied lunches due to debt from being unable to fully pay for lunches in the past. The bill allows for students to continue to also receive free lunches and reduced lunches for those who still qualify.

From the District

Alternative Energy Day Tour

April 20th at 12:30pm - 4:30pm

Get ready to embark on a journey that will provide a behind-the-scenes view of how Duplin County produces alternative energy. People joining the tour will learn:

How hog waste is converted to energy at Smithfield.
What types of plants are raised for biofuels at the NCSU Williamsdale Research Farm.
The tour will begin at:
- Cowan Museum of History and Science
- 411 S. Main St., Kenansville, NC 28349
- (910) 296-2149, cowanmuseum.org

For questions about the event contact the Cowan Museum of History and Science at (910) 296-2149, or visit www.cowanmuseum.org.

Pictured from left are Benson Middle School Principal Takicey Dunston, South Smithfield Elementary Principal Laura Makey, North Johnston High Principal Ben Williams, Superintendent Ross Renfrow, Innovation Academy at South Campus Principal Kelley Johnson, Clayton High Principal Bennett Jones and West Clayton Elementary Principal Paige Barnes.

Principals Complete Leadership Training

Six Johnston County Public Schools principals recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program, a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals.

West Clayton Elementary Principal Paige Barnes, Benson Elementary Principal Takicey Dunston, Innovation Academy at South Campus Principal Kelley Johnson, Clayton High Principal Bennett Jones, South Smithfield Elementary Principal Laura Makey and North Johnston High Principal Ben Williams were recognized for their successful completion of the program on March 13. Thank you for all of your hard work for our students in Johnston County!

Sampson Community College Foundation to Award $100K

The application deadline for Sampson Community College Foundation scholarships is April 15. These scholarships are funded through donations from the local community and assist full-time students with academic needs.

By completing this single application, students are eligible for all potential SCC Foundation awards for the 2019-2020 academic year. SCC Foundation scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year are awarded for the fall 2019 semester and the spring 2020 semester.

For the upcoming school year, the foundation will award more than $100,000 in scholarships to more than 90 deserving applicants. The foundation scholarship application is open to all individuals who plan to enroll as a full-time student at SCC during the next academic year.

Each year the foundation works to raise funds to help make college admissions easier. Both the donors and the scholars benefit through reward of opportunities.

Students may apply for admission at anytime, however, staff encourages early admissions to guarantee course selection. The priority deadline to complete admissions for fall semester is May 1, although the school will continue to admit students after the deadline. School officials urge students to apply early, as they risk the chance of not having enough time to complete the admissions and financial aid process.

Scholarships will aid 90 students; deadline approaching

District Spotlight

American Legion’s Honored on 100th Anniversary

Johnston County Commissioners recognized the American Legion’s 100th Anniversary last week. Commissioners adopted a resolution at their April 1st meeting at the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a Patriotic Veterans Organization, focusing on services to Veterans, service members and their communities. The Legion evolved from a group of war-weary Veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Today, membership stands at more than 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide

The organization stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s Veterans.

Currently there are more than 1,294 registered members in Johnston County and 9 active American Legion posts and more than 14,000 Veterans within the county limits.