It has been a full and exciting week in the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District! 

From unforgettable memories made at prom to outstanding student achievements in academics and athletics, our Yellow Jackets continue to shine in every arena. 

I am thrilled to share some of this week’s highlights and updates with you in this edition of The Yellow Jacket Report.

A Magical Night at Prom

Last weekend, we had a truly magical evening at the Roanoke Rapids High School and Roanoke Rapids Early College High School Prom at Kirkwood Adams Community Center. 

The event was a celebration of elegance, friendship, and joy — and it could not have gone more smoothly. 

Students danced the night away, surrounded by dazzling décor and good vibes.

A huge congratulations goes out to our 2025 Prom Royalty: Prom Queen Ki’Asia Rawls and Prom King Michael Webb! 

These two students are admired by their peers for their school spirit, leadership, and kindness, and they wore their crowns with grace and pride.

An enormous thank you is due to the Junior Class and our phenomenal Prom Advisors Kelly Sparks and Ginger Duncan. Their tireless planning and attention to detail made prom not just a night to remember, but a beautiful reflection of what makes our school community so special.

Another All-Star Joins the Ranks

Our Yellow Jacket pride continues to soar with news that RRHS student-athlete Casey Neal has been selected to the 2025 East roster for the prestigious North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All Star Soccer Game. This is a tremendous honor, as only 16 players are selected for the East team across the entire state.

Casey now joins an elite group of RRHS alumni who have competed in the East-West All Star game since its inception in 1992. She follows in the footsteps of Gin Watson (1995), Kelly McDonald (1998), Jenna Minton (2002), Jami Dickerson (2004), and Catherine MacNichol (2021). This accomplishment speaks volumes about Casey’s dedication, skill, and commitment to excellence on and off the field.

Mark your calendars! The All Star game will be played at 6:30 PM on July 22 at Jamieson Stadium Field at Grimsley High School in Greensboro. Join us in cheering Casey on!

Readers, Rejoice! Chaloner Takes 3rd in Region

Our scholars at Chaloner Middle School proved once again that reading is a team sport! 

The CMS Battle of the Books team traveled to Beaufort Community College on Wednesday to compete in the Region 1 Middle School Battle of the Books — and they came home with a 3rd Place finish after a highly competitive day of literary trivia.

Congratulations to the students and their advisors who poured their hearts into weeks of preparation.

This success reflects the hard work and deep reading comprehension that our students bring to every challenge.

Science Sparks Curiosity

Across our elementary schools, science has taken center stage this week!

At Manning Elementary School, students showed off their curiosity, research, and problem-solving skills during the annual Science Fair. 

Projects ranged from environmental experiments to explorations of the life cycle of the butterfly, egg float, plant life to weather, growing crystals, and tornados in a bottle. 

It was wonderful to see young minds thinking critically and creatively — the foundation of future scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Meanwhile, Belmont Elementary School hosted an exciting Duke Energy Science Night, filled with interactive activities that brought families together around hands-on learning. These types of events not only spark a love of science in our students, but they also build lasting memories for families and foster a strong sense of community.

Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday

Finally, a reminder that the April Board of Trustees Meeting will be held tonight (Tuesday) at 6:00 PM in our Board Room at Central Office. The agenda is an important one and includes the election of a new Board Member, review of the 2025-26 budget and capital outlay requests, discussion of the 2024-25 EOG/EOC retesting plan, and consideration of the 2025-26 school calendar. We appreciate the continued engagement of our Board members and the public as we make thoughtful decisions that shape the future of our district.

As we look ahead to the final stretch of the school year, I am proud of the energy, resilience, and talent displayed in every building of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District. 

Whether our students are dazzling under the prom lights, scoring goals on the field, tackling literary challenges, or diving into science experiments — they are living proof of the greatness within our schools.

Let’s keep cheering them on and supporting each other as we finish this year strong. 

Together We Succeed!