As we close the 2024–2025 school year, I find myself filled with deep gratitude and joy for the many accomplishments we have witnessed across our Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, and fittingly, the highlight of this Yellow Jacket Report is our most significant annual celebration — the graduation of the Roanoke Rapids High School Class of 2025.

On Friday, June 6th, we gathered in a packed RRHS Auditorium to honor and celebrate our newest graduates. 

These young men and women have spent years growing, striving, and becoming, and on Friday evening, we marked the culmination of their high school journey. It was my great honor to offer a few words of encouragement during the commencement ceremony:

“This evening is more than a celebration of academic success — it’s a celebration of who you’ve become and who you are becoming. Concentrate on doing your best and remember — ‘Seeds yield to the ground so they can be utilized for a greater purpose.’ Plant yourself. Grow deep and let your life be a harvest of joy, hope, and change.”

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•  

The evening also featured beautiful music from the Roanoke Rapids Chorus led by Director Denise Hackenburg and soloists Ehlana Pittard and Lydia Carroll and heartfelt and inspiring speeches from Valedictorian Jillian Ott, Salutatorians Casey Neal and Avery Qualls, Student Council President Lydia Carroll, and Senior Class President Ki’Asia Rawls. 

Each speaker reflected not only on the lessons learned in the classroom, but also on the community, friendships, and personal growth that defined their high school experience.

Our seniors' accomplishments continued to shine the week before at the annual Senior Awards Assembly on May 30th. 

This event recognized the impressive academic and extracurricular achievements of our Class of 2025, including a staggering $8.2 million in scholarships offered to our graduates. 

That number represents not just financial support, but also the faith our community, colleges, and organizations have placed in these young leaders.

During the assembly, the following scholarships and awards were presented:

Community and Local Scholarships

SECU People Helping People Scholarship – Jillian Ott

Lucy Pierce-Spruill Scholarship – Natalie Baker

Annie Shell Faison Nursing Scholarship – Casey Neal

Margo Allen Next Step Scholarship – Katie May

Ryan Barrett Memorial Scholarship – Connor Williams

First Presbyterian Church Scholarship – CharlesAnna Jenkins and Courtney King

Carleen Goodwin Scholarship – Maecy Garriss

C.L. Kelly Scholarship – Jeremy Dimaangay, Jacob Lyles, Briana Mabrey, Mario Moody, Logan Neathery, Jillian Ott, Ki’Asia Rawls, Blaine Warren, Connor Williams, and Ryland Yeatts

Joyce Lewis Crane Scholarship – Emma Snead

JROTC and Military Awards

Military Officers Association of America JROTC Award – Dakota Stansbury

Superior Cadet of the Year – Cadet Command Sergeant Major Yaqub Tawfiq

Semper Fi Musician Award – Sage Klotz and Jordan McCain

Marine Corps Outstanding Athlete Award – Jackson Midgette and Shandi Byrum

Academic and Special Recognition Awards

Woodmen of the World American History Award – Reagan Taylor

Philip Farrell Memorial Art Award – Marissa Swindells

Arion Music Award – Leland Benjamin

National Choral Award – Lydia Carroll and Courtney King

Fred Waring Choral Award – CharlesAnna Jenkins

Senior Drama Award – Lydia Carroll

English Achievement / Expository Writing Award – Rosa Carreno Ortuno

William P. Branch Academic Athletic Award – Kara Baird, Landen Briggs, Molly Coggins, Collin Elias, Savannah Medlin, Casey Neal, Jillian Ott, Avery Qualls, JC Skinner

Rotary Math Achievement Award – Casey Neal

Science Achievement Award – Logan Neathery and Maecy Garriss

Rightmyer Award (Highest Scholastic Average - Male) – Landen Briggs

Top Senior Honors

Salutatorian Awards – Casey Neal and Avery Qualls

Class of 1929 Academic Award and Valedictorian – Jillian Ott

Roanoke Rapids High School Service Award – Emma Snead

Roanoke Rapids High School Citizenship Award – Jillian Ott

Roanoke Rapids High School Best All-Around Award – Lydia Carroll

Seniors received honor cords for the following clubs, organizations, and achievements: 4-H, Eagle Scout, Governor’s School, Hunter Safety Skills Team, Margo Allen, Red Cross, Skills USA, Microsoft Office Word and Powerpoint, 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.

Each of these students represents a unique story—of perseverance, leadership, creativity, and commitment. 

Their accomplishments reflect not only their hard work but also the support of our incredible faculty, staff, and families who have nurtured their growth every step of the way. 

To the families, teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends who guided these students — thank you. 

You have been their roots, and now, they will grow beyond what we can imagine.

Both Manning Elementary and Belmont Elementary also celebrated their fifth-grade graduations, marking an exciting milestone for our rising middle schoolers! 

Students walked across the stage with big smiles, proud families cheered them on, and teachers beamed with joy as they reflected on all the growth and learning that have taken place over the years. We are so proud of our fifth graders and know they are ready to soar in sixth grade. 

As we close out the school year, we wish all of our students and families a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer. You’ve earned it!

This will be the final Yellow Jacket Report for the 2024–2025 school year. 

I will take a short break from the column over the summer and return in August as we launch the 2025–2026 school year together. 

Until then, I encourage our staff, families, students, and readers of the Yellow Jacket Report to take this time to rest, recharge, and reconnect.

To our Class of 2025: Your journey is just beginning. Wherever life takes you, remember that you are always a Yellow Jacket. Go out into the world with gratitude in your hearts, purpose in your steps, and fire in your spirits. 

The future needs your voice, your heart, and your light. We are so proud of you. Go forward with confidence, lead with kindness, and keep on keepin’ on.

Congratulations, Class of 2025—and thank you, Roanoke Rapids community, for another incredible year. 

Together we succeed!