As we transition into March, the energy across our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District remains high with exciting student achievements, educational initiatives, and opportunities for community engagement.
This past week showcased the incredible talent, hard work, and dedication of our students and staff.
Roanoke Rapids High School Basketball Makes Playoff Run
Our Roanoke Rapids High School Varsity Boys Basketball team was invited to the NCHSAA 2A State Playoffs! In the first round, our Yellow Jackets secured a thrilling victory against South Columbus, advancing to the second round of the tournament. On Friday night, our team traveled to South Granville to continue their quest for a state title. Even though the final score had South Granville on top, we are so proud of our student-athletes and coaches for their perseverance and teamwork. Their hard work on and off the court is a testament to the dedication and spirit of Roanoke Rapids athletics.
Healthcare Job Fair Connects Students to Future Careers
Tuesday, February 25, was a milestone for career readiness in our district as our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Career and Technical Education Department sponsored the Caring Careers, Connected Communities: Healthcare Job Fair at Kirkwood Adams Community Center.
This impactful event provided approximately 200 students from Roanoke Rapids High School, Roanoke Rapids Early College, Weldon City Schools, and Northampton County Schools with the chance to explore healthcare career opportunities.
Students engaged in hands-on learning, networked with professionals, and discovered pathways to careers in medicine, nursing, therapy, and other essential healthcare fields.
In the afternoon, community members also had the chance to interact with healthcare professionals and learn about job openings and career pathways.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Felicia Few, our executive director of CTE, Accountability, and Testing, for her outstanding coordination of this event, as well as to the 18 healthcare professionals who took the time to inspire and educate our students.
Student-Athletes Commit to Collegiate Baseball
We are thrilled to celebrate two outstanding student-athletes who have committed to playing collegiate baseball! Ayden Brantley from Roanoke Rapids Early College and Collin Elias from Roanoke Rapids High School have officially signed to continue their academic and athletic careers.
Ayden will be heading to Barton College, while Collin will be playing for Belmont Abbey.
Both of these young men have shown incredible dedication, discipline, and leadership on and off the field.
Their hard work has paid off, and we look forward to seeing their continued success at the collegiate level. Congratulations to Ayden and Collin, their families, coaches, and teammates who have supported them throughout their journey!
Chaloner Middle School Robotics Team Competes at State
On Sunday, our Chaloner Middle School robotics team Rapids Riverbots took part in the First Lego League “Submerged” state competition held at the Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, NC.
Their hard work, creativity, and problem-solving skills were on full display as they competed against other top teams from across the state and placed fourth out of more than 50 teams in the area of Core Values. We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and innovation, and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future.
Congratulations to our young engineers Alex Thompson, Tristan Short, Ninio Rollins, Dean Eller, Karis Angles, Seth Keeter, and Liam Harrington and their coaches Jenny Shives and Kay Allen for representing Roanoke Rapids with excellence!
Chess Team Competes at State
On Saturday, our chess teams competed for the first time in a state-level chess championship in the North Carolina K-12 Chess Tournament Chess Championship in Raleigh.
Our students were able to apply the skills they have learned this year during practices. Violet Lewis, Vishal Pannela, James Lee, and Juan Ortiz competed in the K8U category. Jack Moore, Colby Bobbitt, Josiah Ausby, Journey Garcia, James Havis, and Carlos Nery competed in the K12U category. Our chess teams are coached by Rob Scala, a community volunteer, and sponsored by Jenny Shives. Congratulations to our chess team and their coach and sponsor who represented our district so well!
Belmont Elementary Invites Parents to Spring Lunches
Belmont Elementary School is excited to welcome parents back into the building for Spring Parent Lunches!
This cherished tradition allows families to enjoy a meal with their children while fostering a strong school-community connection. Scheduled dates include March 7, March 21, April 4, May 2, and May 16.
More details, including lunch times for each grade level, can be found on the Belmont Facebook page. We encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity to share in their child's school experience.
Manning Elementary's Living History Museum Brings the Past to Life
On Friday, February 28, Manning Elementary School hosted its third annual Living History Museum, a highlight of the year for our fifth-grade students.
Each student researched a historical figure, created an informative poster, and delivered a presentation while dressed as their chosen person. Our fifth graders did an outstanding job bringing history to life for our younger students and staff, making learning engaging and memorable.
A huge thank you to our incredible fifth-grade teachers — Lauren Medlin, Rachel Tant, Morgan Acree, and Natalee Shearin — who guided our students through this enriching project. Their dedication ensures that our students develop not only research and public speaking skills but also a deeper appreciation for history.
Looking Ahead
With so many exciting opportunities happening throughout our district, we continue to be inspired by our students' accomplishments and our educators' dedication.
Thank you to our parents, staff, and community members for your continued support in making Roanoke Rapids Graded School District a place where students thrive.
As always, Go Jackets! Together we succeed!