Good News Abounds at CHS (2011-2012 archives)

CHS Marching Band Makes Finals of Crystal Coast Band Classic (11/6)
Croatan Sends Eight Students to Triangle Youth Leadership Conference at NCSU (11/4)
CHS Girls Cross Country:  2011 East Regional Runner-up (10/29)
CHS Boys Cross Country:   2011 East Regional Runner-up (10/29)
CHS Football Team Defeats Richlands, 38-16 (10/28)
Jesse Wagstaff’s Story on WITN News:  “Never Give Up”  (10/27)
Congrats:  Kylie Mroz, News-Times Student-Athlete of the Week (10/26)
Beta Club Inducts New Members for 2011  (remarks)
Cougar Soccer Teams Downs South Lenoir (10/24)
Congrats:  CHS Girls Golf–Regional Runners-up (10/24)
Football Team Beats South Lenoir, 26-7 (10/21)
CHS Girls Golf Team Takes Conference Title (10/18)
CHS Girls Tennis Team Advances in State 2A Duals Tourney (10/18)
Congrats:  Ms. Sutton, 2011 Classroom Educator Award  (Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Assoc)  (Palua Dive)
Congrats:  Mr. Blackstock, Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year (10/18)
Congrats:  Nick Pugh, Conference Runner of the Year (10/18)
Seven Harriers Make All-Conference (10/18)
Cross Country Boys Take First in Conference (10/18)
Cross Country Girls Take Second in Conference (10/18)
Volleyball Team Hands Richlands Defeat, 3-1 (10/18)
Girls Golf “Puts the Brakes” on Conference Foes Again (10/17)
Congrats:  Angel Wings (in memory of Anthony)…sophomore class winner of golf cart race!
Congrats:  Emily Farrington, Homecoming Queen
Congrats:  Jordan White, Homecoming King
Congrats:  Latifa Salim, Homecoming Princess
Congrats:  Daniel Roberts, Homecoming Prince
Cougar Booters Nip Northside, 2-1 (10/13)
Volleyballers Best South Lenoir, 3-0 (10/13)
Girls Golf Takes Another Conference Match (10/13)
Congrats:  SGA, for a Successful pre-Homecoming Week Dance (10/6)
Cougars Volley for the Cure (10/8)
Tennis Team Defeats Clinton, 8-1 (10/6)
CHS Soccer Team Sinks Swansboro, 5-0 (10/5)
Volleyball Team Takes Down Northside, 3-1 (10/4)
Girls Cross Country Finishes First, Boys Second at Northside (10/4)
Congrats:  Garrett Bridges, National Merit Outstanding Student (10/3)
Girls Golf Finishes First vs. Conference at Star Hill (10/3)
Girls Tennis Bests Clinton, 8-1 (10/3)
Volleyballers Defeat Clinton (9/29)
Soccer Team Downs So. Lenoir, 6-0 (9/28)
CHS Girls Tennis 6, East Duplin 3 (9/28)
Congrats:  Mrs. Moore opens year with three DonorsChoose awards (9/23)
Congrats:  Stephen Brinson, National Merit Commended Scholar (9/23)
Congrats:  Chelsea Gillikin, National Merit Commended Scholar (9/23)
Congrats:  Vance Miller, National Merit Commended Scholar (9/23)
CHS Students Make Pinwheels for Peace (9/23)
Band Takes Second in 2A at Panther Creek; Percussion 1st in Category (9/24)
Football Team Defeats Clinton, 31-7 (9/23)
CHS Volleyballers Down Richlands (9/23)
Congrats:  Nick Pugh, News-Times Student-Athlete of the Week (9/21)
CHS Girls Tennis Team 5, Swansboro 4 (9/22)
Boys and Girls Cross Country Win at Clinton (9/20)
Soccer Team Downs Northside, 5-2 (9/19)
35th in State:  2011 Avg SAT Score is 1568!
24th in State:  2011 SAT Participation Rate is 82%!
Girls Golf Beats Conference (9/15)
Tennis Team Blanks Richlands, 9-0 (9/13)
Volleyballers Sweep Northside in Conference Match (9/8)
Tennis Team Drops New Bern, 8-1 (9/8)
Volleyball Downs Clinton, 3-0 (9/6)
Tennis Team Defeats Topsail, 5-4 (9/6)
Congrats:  Caleb Carpenter, News-Times Student-Athlete of the Week (8/31)
JV Football Team Nips S-boro in OT Thriller (9/1)
JV Volleyball Team Handles Swansboro (9/1)

Soccer Team Defeats ECHS (8/31)
JV Volleyballers Down WCHS (8/31)
Tennis:  Croatan 9, Northside 0 (8/30)
Football Team Defeats Mariners 30-12 (8/25)
Tennis Team Downs Clinton, 6-0 (8/25)
CHS Tennis Handles East, 8-1 (8/24)
JV Football Tops Pamlico (8/24)
CHS Soccer Drops WCHS 3-0 (8/23)
Football Team Runs Past Pamlico 55-28 (8/19)
Cougar Booters Open Up with 6-2 Win Over Havelock (8/15)
Congrats: Kalen Perry, Student Athlete Advisory Council for the NCHSAA
93.5%  Croatan’s Performance Composite Remains in Top Ten of 345 Traditional NC Public High Schools  (System-wide Comprehensive Results)

Good News Abounds at CHS (archives for 2010-2011)

2011 Graduation Commendatory Speech
Congratulations Class of 2011:  You’ve done it!   (News-Times Graduation Pics)
Congrats:  Trevor Brownlow, Valedictorian
Congrats:  Spencer Watson, Salutatorian
Congrats:  Sam McCauley, Most Outstanding Male Athlete
Congrats:  Lauren Andreola, Most Outstanding Female Athlete
Congrats:  Jacob Oehl and Tanner Tolston, Best All-Around Male Athletes
Congrats:  Ellen Gould, Best All-Around Female Athlete
Congrats:  Abigail Rinehart, Drama Student of the Year
Congrats:  Ashley Haynes, John Phillip Sousa Award for Band
Congrats:  Spencer Lacy, Four-Year Perfect Attendance Recognition
Congrats:  Joseph Mauro, Four-Year Perfect Attendance Recognition
Congrats:  Coach Perry, 2A Wrestling Coach of the Year
Congrats:  Mr. Butler, Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching State Finalist
Congrats:  Kendra Dorn Signs to Run for Pembroke (6/8)
Congrats:  Anna Mixon, News-Times Student Athlete of the Week (6/2)
Congrats:  Tanner Tolston Signs with Mount Olive for Soccer (5/29)
Congrats:  Hope White, News-Times Student Athlete of the Week (5/25)
Girls 4×800 Relay Team Finishes 3rd in State (5/21)
Congrats:  Lauren Andreola Signs to Run with Barton (5/21)
Congrats:  SkillsUSA Team Qualifies for National Finals (5/21)
Lady Cougars Soccer Finish Strong “Elite Eight” Season at 16-7-3 (5/21)
Congrats:  May Concert Sizzles with Hot Jazz and Complex Concert Music (5/20)
Elite Eight:  Lady Cougars Topple Topsail 3-1; Advance to Rd. 4 of 2A Playoffs
Congrats:  Academic Achievement Award winners (5/18)
Prom Royalty:  Trevor Brownlow and Abigail Rinehart, king and queen (5/16)
Prom Royalty:  Jacob Springfield and Latifa Salim, prince and princess (5/16)
Lady Cougars 4×800 Relay Team Wins Regionals (5/14)
Lady Cougars Track Team Places Second at Regionals (5/14)
Ashley Williams, Jacob Oehl and Chris Whitney Advance to State Track Competition (5/14)
Congrats: 10th Grade Writing Scores = 89.9% Proficient; 19 Level IV’s!  (5/13)
Lady Cougars Soccer Team Drops First Flight, 5-1 (5/13)
Tennis Team Downs Greene Central; Advances in State Duals (5/12)
Girls Soccer Handles East Duplin in Round One of Playoffs (5/11)
Congrats: Mr. Banks and Yearbook Staff. The 2011 Edition of the CHS Yearbook has been inducted into the Walsworth Publishing’s Gallery of Excellence. (5/10)
Congrats:  JV Girls Soccer Finish Stellar Season as Conference Champs at 12-2
Congrats:  JV Baseball Finish Stellar Season as Conference Champs at 14-1-1
Congrats:  David Beard and Justin Merrell Place 2 & 3 at Regionals; Advance to State (5/10)
CHS Wins: Beaufort National Boat Building Championships for 3rd straight year
Congrats: Josh Fulp and Wesley Kittrell for defending the Boat Building title and Jordan Barnes and Caleb Fulp for placing second in the rowing race and sealing the deal!(5/7)
Congrats: CHS Jazz Ensemble earns Superior ratings at East Region Jazz MPA (5/6)
Girls Soccer Downs East Duplin; Captures Second in Conf at 10-2-2: Playoff Bound (5/7)
Congratulations: FFA Regional Competition FFA Results (5/6)
–Morgan Radford 1st Place Region Equine Science Proficiency Award
–Jennifer Jerrnigan 1st Place Region Fiber/Oil Crop Priduction Proficiency Award
–Emily Maxwell 1st Place Region Vegetable Production Proficiency Award
–Ashley Fitzgerald 2nd Place Region Small Animal Production
–1st Place Seashore Federation – 3rd Place Region Introduction to Horticulture CDE
–Philip Bowling, Savannah, Ethan Waycott, Tyler Smith
–1st Place Seashore Federation – 3rd Place Region Nursery Landscape Team CDE
Chris Jones, Allie Hall, Kelsey Whaley, Drew Bogey
Congrats:  Mrs. Weinhold, Masters of School Admin Degree from ECU (5/6)
AA Rips Two; Lady Cougars Triumph over Richlands;  (5/6)
Congrats:  Taylor Wright, News-Times Athlete of the Week (5/4)
Tennis Team Wins First Round of State Duals vs. Edenton Holmes (5/4)
JV Baseball Downs Swansboro; Moves to 14-01 (5/3)
JV Girls Soccer Up-ends Swansboro (5/3)
Congrats:  Corrie Wall, 1st Place in “Coastal Conservation Recycled Art Contest” (5/2)
Cougar Softballers Play for a Cure l (5/1)
Congrats:  Lauren Andreola, News-Times Student-Athlete of the Week (4/28)
Congrats:  Angel Metcalf, Level 10 Gymnastics Regionals (4/28)
Baseball Team Falls to West in CCBA; Linares = 2 Homers, Wright = 1 Homer (4/28)
Baseball Team Defeats Kinston in CCBA; Wright Parks One at the Puck (4/28)
Baseball Team Topples Topsail 9-8; Moves to 7-5 in Conference (4/21)
JV Baseball Avenges Topsail Tie; Remains Undefeated at 13-0-1 (4/21)
Girls Soccer Downs Topsail 1-0: Moves to 8-1-2 in Conference (4/21)
Softball Team Handles Clinton 8-3 (4/19)
JV and Varsity Baseball Handle Clinton (4/20)
Girls Soccer Defeats Clinton 1-0; Moves to 7-1-2 in Conference (4/18)
JV Baseball Downs So. Lenoir; Remains Undefeated at 12-0-1 (4/18)

Congrats:  FBLA State Officers

Emily Farrington – Vice President of Central Region

Haley Bowman – State Parliamentarian

Congrats: FBLA State Competitive Events

Kevin Baggs – Top 10 in Business and Personal Finance Recognition Testing
Kris Peters – Top 10 in Business Law
Trishna Patel – Top 10 Networking Concepts
Stephen Mauro, Haley Bowman, Hanitua Teai, Nathanial Mora – Parliamentary Procedure – 3^rd Place
Cassie Roman – Public Speaking I – 3^rd
Emily Farrington –Public Speaking II – 2^nd
Girls Soccer Downs South Lenoir, 8-1 (4/18)
Congrats: Lauren Andreola is the East Central 2A Conference Runner of the Year (4/18)
All-Conference:  Hope White, Anna Mixon, Claire O’Connor, Michelle Bennett and Lauren Andreola
Girls Track:  Cougars Take Second at Conference (4/18)
1st Place:  4×100 Relay–Temple, Carpenter, Tolston, Whitney (4/15)
Boys Track Takes 3rd at Conference.  Results (4/15)
Congrats:  Aspen Allen, News-Times Student-Athlete of the Week (4/15)
Congrats:  Trevor Brownlow Scores SECU Scholarship (4/14)
Girls Soccer Nips Northside in OT (4/14)
Baseball Team Defeats Richlands (4/14)
Upbeat Softballers Down Richlands (4/14)
JV Baseball Team Handles Richlands; Move to 10-0-1 on Season (4/14)
Ethan Ennis Signs with NC Wesleyan (4/13)
Congrats:  Mark Rickabaugh, acceptance to NC School of Science & Math (4/13)
Corrine LeBlanc to represent CHS at National Student Leadership Conference (4/11)
Baseball Team Defeats Northside (4/10)
Softballers Down Northside, 15-2 (4/10)
Congrats:  Spencer Lacy, News-Times Student Athlete of the Week (4/8)
Smashing:  Aida’s Opening Night a Success.  You must see this elaborate play! (4/8)
JV and Varsity Girls Soccer Teams Topple Northside (4/8)
Congrats: Mrs. Moore Scores 10th DonorsChoose Grant Award of the Year (4/7)
Softball Team Nips East Duplin in Bottom of 7th (4/7)
JV Boys Down East Duplin; Move to 10-0-1 (4/7)
JV and Varsity Girls Soccer Teams Dismantle East Duplin (4/6)
Percussion Ensemble Takes Silver at Atlantic Indoor Association Championships (4/3)
Cougar Baseball Downs Swansboro 9-8 (4/1)
Lady Booters Tie S-Boro 1-1 (4/1)
JV Baseball Defeats S-Boro 3-1 (4/1)
Congrats:  Wrestler Adam Kuchta Takes Third in Nation at 215 lbs; Becomes All-American!

Congrats:  Skills USA Team for Strong State Competition Finish

—–Josh Fulp…1st place Carpentry

—–Chris Pant…1st place Technical Computer Applications

—–Daniel Johnston…2nd place Technical Computer Applications

—–Regina Lacarrubba…2nd place Food & Beverage Service

—–Blake Young…3rd place First Aid/CPR

—–Lauren Davis…4th place Spelling

—–Matt Sirabian…5th place Extemporaneous Speaking

—–Trey Jones, Kenneth Palmer, & Josh Wells…2nd place Tool Identification Team Event

Congrats:  Science Olympians

• David Beard / Matt Valentine, Bottle Rockets, 4th Place
• Chelsie Gillikin / Ha Le, Chem Lab, 1st Place
• Trevor Brownlow / Michael Springfield, Disease Detectives, 4th Place
• Sally Defelice / Trishna Patel, Dynamic Planet, 3rd Place
• Spencer Lacy / Lisa Mijajlovic, Ecology, 4th Place
• David Beard / Sally Defelice / Trishna Patel, Experimental Design, 4th Place
• Trevor Brownlow / Chelsie Gillikin, Microbe Mission, 3rd Place
• Matt Belser, Josh Marks, Optics, 2nd Place
• Stephen Brinson / Will Ingram, Sounds of Music, 4th Place
• Hunter Russell / Matt Valentine, Storm the Castle, 2nd Place

Congrats:  Croatan Takes AA Class at ECU Math Competition
—-Geometry:  Nick Van Loan (3rd) and Cassie Zimmerman (5th).  Team = 3rd Place
—-Algebra II:  Rebekah Best (3rd).  Team = 5th Place
—-Comprehensive:  Robert Benson (4th)

Baseball Team Nips Topsail by Two (3/30)
Percussion Ensemble Sweeps Classification Categories at Broughton (3/27)
JV Boys Win Double-Header, Move to 8-0 (3/26)
Softball Team Clips Clinton (3/26)
Congrats:  Samantha Tracy Accepted to Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (3/25)
Congrats:  David Beard, Hillsdale College Summer Science Camp and Freedom Academy (3/25) 
Congrats:  Lucas Frye and Chelsie Gillikin, Accepted to NC Governor’s School (3/25)
Congrats:  Mark Rickabaugh Accepted to Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership (3/25)
CHS Students featured on News 14 Carolina
Varsity and JV Girls Soccer Up-end South Lenoir (3/23)
JV Baseball Moves to 6-0 (3/23)
Boys Track and Girls Track Win 4-team Meet (3/22)
Girls Soccer Solves Southwest Onslow (3/21)
Congrats:  Trevor Brownlow Named to WITN Class of 2011
Congrats:  Patrick Hernandez named among 214 National Beta Club Finalists (3/21)
Congrats:  Floyd Kornegay Wins Teaching Fellows Scholarship to Appalachian (3/21)
Boom Boom Pow:  Percussion Ensemble Takes First in all Classification Categories (3/20)
Festival:  Croatan Wind Ensemble Earns Straight Superior Ratings (3/18)
Girls Soccer Notches Richlands 1-0 (3/18)
JV Baseball Team Defeats Richlands, Moves to 5-0 on Season (3/18)
Congrats: Patrick Hernandez, National Beta Club Scholarship Semi-Finalist (3/18)
Congrats:  All State Band Members Vance Miller and Austin Clark (3/18)

Girls Track Defeats Topsail, East Duplin and Richlands (3/18)
Boys Track Defeats Swansboro and Lejeune (3/15)
Tennis Team Handles Clinton, 7-2 (3/17)
Croatan Netters Open Conference with Convincing Wins (3/16)
Baseballers Down Northside in First Conference Tilt (3/16)
Girls Soccer ties 4A New Bern, 1-1 (3/15)
JV Baseball Remains Undefeated with Victory over Mariners (3/15)
Vocal Ensemble received a Superior Rating (3/11)
Mixed Chorus received a Superior Rating (3/11)
Vindicated:  Arts on Trial (Band/Chorus/Art/Winterguard/Drum Line Show a Smashing Success)
Cougar Tennis Team Defeats Northside 9-0 (3/9)
Track Meet:  Boys Tie, Girls Defeat Topsail (3/8)
Cougar Niners Top Mariners; Lacy Hurls Win and Goes Yard (3/7)
Coach Lewis Holds 11th Annual CHS Bench Press Tournament: Croatan Takes Bronze (3/5)
—Weight Class Gold:  Daniel Hodges
—Weight Class Silver:  Brandon Formyduval, Cody Temple, Ethan Ennis, Conor Hopewell
—Weight Class Bronze:  Caleb Carpenter, Chris Lin
Lady Booters Handle Williams on Two Gould Goals (3/5)
Varsity and JV Baseball Dismiss White Oak (3/5)
From the Arc: Kari Eubanks Finishes Hoops Season with 47 Three-pointers (3/4)
Back2Back Wrestling Titles and State Championship Article (3/2)
Williams/Linares Pitch Cougars Past Vikes; Lacy Pines One (3/2)
JV Baseball Moves to 2-0 (3/2)
Congrats Coach Perry:  2A Wrestling Coach of the Year (3/2)
All Smiles! Wrestlers on State Champ Podium in Greensboro (3/1)
Writing Poster Winners: LeBlanc, Stuempf, E. Taylor, A. Turner, Heverly, Perry (3/1)
Coach Eatmon Returns to Head Up Croatan Softball (3/1)
Croatan Got Talent! Harpist Kelsi Gray Takes Talent Show; Drummers 2nd; Julia Mee 3rd  (3/1)
Girls Soccer Starts Season with 4-0 Victory over Havelock (3/1)
JV Girls Soccer Starts season with 5-0 win (3/1)
First in Class:  Colorguard and Percussion Ensemble Win at Clayton Competition  (2/28)
TEAM CROATAN: Cougars Dominate 2A Team Totals at State Wrestling Tournament (2/27)
Sam I Am: Sam McCauley Captures State Title at 145 lbs. (2/27)
State Silver: Robbie Gladwell Finishes #2 in State at 130 lbs.
State Bronze: Nate Fallon, Alex Bray, Kyle Colborn Finish 3rd in State (2/27)
State Wrestling Tournament Bracket Results
State 2nd Round Winners: Bray, Gladwell, McCauley, Bridges, Colborn (2/26)
–Still Competing for 3rd Place: Fallon, Mancini
Art from the Heart Winners: Tim Saenger, Lauren Wilson, and Gabrielle Kohutek
Silver Key Winner: Lauren Wilson won a Barton College Silver Key Award for “Crowded“
State First Round Winners: Fallon, Bray, Gladwell, McCauley, Mancini, Bridges, Colborn (2/24)
Cougar Grapplers Take Regionals; Advance 10 to State Championship (2/20)
Vote For: Lauren Morris as JDN Girls Hoopster of the Year (2/21)
Congrats All-Region Jazz Players:  Lucas Frye, Nathaniel Lewis, Austin Clark, Ben Warren and
Vance Miller  (2/21)
Regional Gold: Fallon, Bray, Gladwell, Mackey, McCauley
Regional Silver: Bridges, Colburn (2/20)
Regional Bronze: Oehl, Mancini  (Adam Kuchta takes a 4th place finish)  (2/20)
Molly O’Brien Signs with St. Anslem College for Field Hockey (2/20)
Congrats Austin Mackey:  News-Times Athlete of the Week (2/16)
Cougar Pride:  Road Ends in Richlands for Varsity Boy’s Shining Season (2/16)
Advance: Girls Dismiss S-Boro in Rd. 1 of Conference Tourney (2/14)
Swim-tastic: Cougars Excel at Regionals and States (2/13)
Most Outstanding: Austin Mackey Recognized for OT Win In Finals (2/12)
The Bracket: The Road to a State Championship (2/12)
REPEAT: Wrestlers Defeat Piedmont to Win State Dual Team Championship! (2/12)
Vote for Dillon as Jacksonville Daily News Best Hoopster (2/12)
Wrestlers Eliminate Louisburg and Topsail; Advance to State Finals (2/11)
Varsity Boys Finish Regular Season 13-9 (2/11)
Varsity Girls Finish Regular Season 12-6 (2/11)
JV Boys Finish Season 16-4; TBD in Conference (2/11)
JV Girls Finish Season 15-3; 2nd in Conference (2/11)
Congrats Hope White:  Indoor Track State Qualifier in 300m (2/10)
Varsity Boys Sink Northside in Thriller (2/9)
JV Girls Pound Northside; Move to 15-2 (2/9)
Grapplers Dominate Cummings and Northwood in Rd. 1 of State Duals (2/8)
Varsity Boys Get Conference Win Record w/ “W” over S-boro (2/8)
JV Boys beat S-boro; Compete for Conference Title vs. Northside on Wed. (2/8)
14 Swimmers Qualify for States! (2/7)
Swimming Relays:  3 Boys Teams and 3 Girls Teams Qualify for State (2/7)
Swimming Individual Finalists:  Petrilli, Linn (2), Bowman, and Maxwell (2/7)
Swimmers at Regionals: Girls = 4th of 26 teams; Boys = 8th of 28 teams (2/7)
Congrats Jessica Wackes:  “Spice” Editorial Published in News-Times (2/6)
Weight Class Gold: Colborn, Millis, Mancini, Gladwell, Bridges, Mackey, and McCauley (2/5)
Champs Again! Grapplers Take Conference (2/5)
Varsity Girls Outlast Topsail; Remain 3rd in Conference (2/4)
Both JV B-ball Teams Complete Sweep of Topsail (2/4)
Cougars Topple Topsail on the Hardwoods w/ 4 “W’s” (2/3)
Cougar Grapplers Blank Clinton (2/2)
Varsity Girls Thunder Past Dark Horses, Move to 10-5 on Season (2/1)
Congrats Vance Miller:  Makes Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps (1/31)
JV Boys Tame Dark Horses; Move to 12-3 on Season (1/31)
JV Girls Dust Clinton; Move to 12-1 on Season (1/31)
Congrats Mrs. Moore:  Wins 7th, 8th and 9th DonorsChoose Grant This Year! (1/31)
Croatan B-ballers and Wrestlers Sweep So. Lenoir (1/30)
Congrats: Outside Ace Kari Eubanks in NC Top Ten for 3-Pointers (1/28)
Congrats: CHS Jazz Combo Plays to Packed House at Nicky’s in Swansboro (1/28)
Grapplers Topple Richlands (1/27)
Polar Bear Indoor Track:  Hope White 2nd 300m, Michelle Bennett 3rd 500m (1/27)
Polar Bear Indoor Track:  Jasmine Johnson 4th 55dash, Anna Mixon 4th 500m (1/27)
Girls Tame Wildcats; JV’s Move to 11-1 and Varsity to 8-5 (1/26)
Grapplers Yield to Snowfall; Take Co-Championship of Coke Sundrop Tournament (1/26)
Grapplers Dominate Colt Clash Tournament (1/26)
8 Cougar Vocalists Venture to All-State Chorus (1/25)
History in the Making:  Varsity Boys Dismantle Panthers; Move to 9-5 (1/20)
JV Girls Move to 10-1 and JV Boys Move to 10-2 with “W’s” over East Duplin (1/20)
Grapplers Capture Cape Fear Colt Clash (1/19)
Croatan Girls Swim Over Competition:  CHS (130 pts), Wash HS (126 pts), WCHS (47 pts)
Matmen Prevail over Pirates to Remain Undefeated (1/17)
Cougar Varsity Ties Winning Record with “W” over Swansboro (1/14)
Lady Cougars Triumph over Swansboro; Move to 7-4 (1/14)
Lady Swimmers Finish Strong Third Behind 4A Powerhouses (1/13)
Congrats Madison Wall and Grace Bowman: Young Authors STATE winners! (1/13)
Congrats:  14 Cougars Make All-District Band (1/12)
Congrats Mark Rickabaugh: Attains Eagle Scout (1/9)
JV Boys Tame Dark Horses for Stellar 8-2 Start to Season (1/7)
Cougar Matmen Take Down Topsail, 39-31 (1/7)
Congrats Hope White: Winter Track First Place 300m @ White Oak (1/7)
Congrats Dillon Cochran: News-Times Athlete of the Week (1/6)
Congrats Mrs. Moore:  Wins 6th DonorsChoose Grant This Year! (1/6)
Varsity Boys Beat So. Lenoir 56-46; Move to 7-4 (1/4)
Cougar JV’s and Varsity Girls Defeat South Lenoir (1/4)
Cougars Best West to Capture Classic Crown; Cochran MVPs (12/30)
Conor Hopewell Reviving Big Dream (12/30)
Cougars Thrash Havelock; Face West in Christmas Classic Hoops Final (12/29)
Cougar Grapplers:  11th of 45 Teams @ King of the Mat (12/28)
Congrats Sam McCauley:  King of the Mat Tourney 5th Place @ 145 lbs. (12/28)
Congrats Robbie Gladwell:  King of the Mat Tourney 4th Place @ 130 lbs. (12/28)
Congrats Nate Fallon:  King of the Mat Tourney 8th Place @ 103 lbs. (12/28)
Congrats Kyle Colborn:  King of the Mat Tourney 5th Place @ 189 lbs. (12/28)
Congrats Gino Petrilli: News-Times Athlete of the Week (12/15)
Cougar Grapplers:  6th of 37 Teams @ WRAL Tournament (12/21)
Congrats Patrick Hernandez:  Advances in Morehead-Cain Scholarship Competition (12/21)
Congrats Swim Team:  Raises $850 for Domestic Violence (12/20)
Congrats Mrs. Moore:  Wins 5th DonorsChoose Grant This Year! (12/20)
Congrats Kyle Colborn:  WRAL Tourney 4th Place @ 189 lbs. (12/19)
Congrats Sam McCauley:  WRAL Tourney 4th Place @ 145 lbs. (12/19)
Congrats Alex Bray:  WRAL Tourney 5th Place @ 112 lbs. (12/19)
Congrats Nate Fallon:  WRAL Tourney 4th Place @ 103 lbs. (12/19)
Congrats Trevor Brownlow:  Park Scholarship Semifinalist (12/17)
Congrats Trevor Brownlow:  Advances in Morehead-Cain Scholarship Competition (12/17)
Congrats Ellen Gould:  WCTI Student-Athlete of the Week (12/17)
Cougars Take 3 of 4 from Richlands (12/17)
Congrats Tyler Owens:  Naval Academy Appointee
CHS Wrestlers Best Northside (12/16)
CHS Wrestlers are the Beasts of the East (12/11)
Congrats Madison Wall and Grace Bowman:  Young Authors County Winners (12/10)
Cougars Notch Three of Four vs. Mariners (12/10)
Swimming:  Girls 1st in New Bern 7 Team Meet (12/9)
Congrats Sam McCauley:  News-Times Athlete of the Week (12/8)
Cougar Ballers Sweep Dixon on the Road and at Home (12/6 and 12/9))
Grapplers Win Swiss Bear Classic; McCauley Named Most Outstanding (12/5)
Lady Swimmers Defeat West (12/2)
Matmen Pin to Win vs. NBHS Bears, 34-33 (12/1)
Cougar Hoopsters Handle Mariners (11/30)
Lady Cougars Defeat Lady Mariners (11/30)
Congrats Aaron Williams:  News-Times Athlete of the Week (11/30)
Congrats Tyler Owen:  West Point Presidential Appointee (11/29)
Congrats Tyler Owen:  Methodist U. ROTC Scholarship (11/29)
Congrats Mark Rickabaugh and Sam Tracy:  Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (11/29)
Congrats Governor’s School County Finalists:  Chelsie Gillikin, Virginia Bradshaw, Josh Marks, Will Henderson, Lucas Frye (11/27)
Croatan Takes 3 out of 4 from West on the Hardwoods (11/22)
Congrats Kim Meaney:  Bright Ideas Grant Recipient (11/22)
Cougar Matmen Take Down West in Season Opener (11/22)
Cougar Wrestlers Return for Another State Run (11/21)
Cougars Expect Much Improvement in Basketball (11/19)
Lady Cougars Return 3 Starters with New Coach (11/17)
Congrats NBCT’s:  Mrs. Bowles (renewal), Mr. and Mrs. Robinson (11/15)
Dorn Repeats All-State Honor in Senior Year (11/10)
Cougars Fall to East Duplin in Second Round of Playoffs (11/10)
Congrats Tanner Tolston and Ellen Gould:  Wendy’s High School Heisman’s (10/26)
Congrats Mr. Perry:  Growing Future Leaders (10/25)

The Gift of Croatan

I have often referred to Croatan as a gift, wrapped in shiny paper, with a big ol’ bow on top.  I’m not talking about the building, which is beautiful.  The building and grounds are the package.  Inside is the true gold:  All the people–faculty, staff, students and stakeholders– going about the daily ritual of developing potential and continuous improvement.

We are truly blessed to share the gift of Croatan.

We have worked extremely hard in our classrooms and with our extra-curriculars.  We have much more to do when we return.  In fact, we will have exams only two weeks after we return.  And we will be looking as much at growth as we do at proficiency.

But now it is time for a well deserved break.  May your holiday be bright and memorable, relaxing and rejuvenating, magical and meaningful.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Winter Holidays to all.

Be very very safe in representing your families and school over the holidays, and stay connected to your studies in preparation for final exams.

We look forward to seeing everyone back here in great shape in 2011.

On Any Given Day at Croatan…

871 students are enrolled.

About 30 are absent.

That brings it to 841.

Say about 10 find their ways to ALC.

That leaves us with 831.

And then we might have 15 that get rung up for HW non-compliance one way or another.

That leaves about 816 students on a daily basis who are in school and doing the right things.  816!

I applaud all students who accept the Croatan challenge and work their hardest to excel.

And I guarantee we will continue to try to help those who are struggling with the model of being successful in school.

As you know, the world has shrunk.  And one day our students will be competing for jobs with students who are currently enrolled in schools all over the globe.

Successful students make sure they take every opportunity possible to make themselves globally competitive.

One way that we are trying to encourage success at Croatan this year is by focusing on Individual Student Growth.  That is how well students do on current EOCs compared to prior performance on EOGs and EOCs.  Although we still aspire to be at least 96.2% proficient (that means making III’s and IV’s), we want to see more students this semester and next pushing themselves as far beyond the proficiency bar as they are capable.

If students are capable of making level III’s and Level IV’s–which last year occurred on 96.2% of all exams taken–then they should strive to make the highest level III’s and IV’s possible.

Future-ready students can ill afford to sandbag or settle for mediocrity in their marches to success in the highly competitive future workforce and the highly unpredictable future workplace.

Beta Club: Pinnacle of Success

In a school noted for academic excellence, Croatan’s Beta Club members represent the pinnacle of success.  They are stellar in academics, character, service and leadership.  They truly are paragons of the Croatan Way, the high standard to which we have an unwavering commitment.

I would like briefly to spotlight two Beta Club keys—Academics and Service.

Why is academic achievement so important to Croatan?  There are very smart students in great NC cities and towns like Beaufort (and east of the bridge), Morehead City, Topsail, Nags Head, Boone, Cary, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, etc and great US cities like Atlanta, Cleveland, Boston, Dallas, San Diego, New York, etc and great world cities like Shanghai, Jakarta, Montreal, Dublin, Tokyo, Rio, Johannesburg, Milan, etc.  just as there are very smart students in great western Carteret County locations like Emerald Isle, Peletier, Ocean, Cape Carteret, Stella, Bogue, Newport, Cedar Point.

These great students will inevitably and invariably compete for precious jobs—that are becoming increasingly more complex, creative and specialized—in a global economy.  Therefore, academic preparation and competitiveness is paramount.

And why is service so important?  Here is a prime example:  November 10, 2010, marks the 235^th birthday of the US Marine Corps; November 11^th is Veterans Day.  Not to steal thunder from our Beta Inductees, but the men and women of the United States armed forces epitomize the virtue of service by placing duty to country above self.  Without their service, we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today in this great nation.

We would be remiss not to recognize our service men and women and veterans who, along with Beta Club members, embrace the concept of service as a way of life.  Thank you for all you do.

Thank you, students, for your cooperation and respect during the Beta Club induction ceremony.   Thank you, parents, for your continual support of your student and Croatan High School.  Thank you, staff, for continually challenging our students to uncompromisingly high standards…and supporting them along the way.   Thank you, Ms. Sheila Moore and crew, for staging this prestigious event.

Thank you, Beta Club members and 2010 Beta Club inductees, for daring to excel.

Croatan SAT Scores are Solid

Carteret County students’ average 2010 Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores continue to improve while both the state and national results have leveled off since 2008. The county’s combined average score of 1550 is higher than the state average score of 1485 and higher than the national average score of 1509.

Croatan graduates posted an average critical reading score of 536, with an average of 540 in math and 507 in writing. East Carteret High School graduates averaged 518 in reading, 506 in math, and 482 in writing.  West Carteret High School graduates averaged 517 in reading, 536 in math, and 483 in writing.

Read press release

View comparison extract

Like the First Day Again

The Emergency Management Group for Carteret County made the cautious call to kick its long-planned and heavily resourced emergency response strategy into overdrive for monster Hurricane Earl.  That plan involved mandatory evacuation of the barrier island and the opening of shelters in a couple of schools.  This required the closing of schools for all county students on Thursday and Friday.

As predicted by every computer model and forecaster, the eye of Hurricane Earl was influenced by a classic low pressure steering current from the west and a high in the ocean.  As predicted, the eye stayed about 100 miles offshore of the Crystal Coast’s Emerald Isle area.  Of course, a westward wobble–for which a low probability existed–could have proven disastrous for Carteret with this Cat 3 monster.

Our down east Carteret neighbors, in very flood-prone land, would have had a closer brush.  In Morehead City, we did not see significant wind and rain until 8:00 pm Thursday.  (We had a gust of about 48 miles per hour and almost an inch of rain.)  And the last of Earl is still producing a gentle soaking rain at 5:30 am.

Also at 5:30 am, the mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted and tourists who did not run back home are now welcome to return to our barrier islands.

At this same early hour of the morning, the storm’s rotation is just about to clear western Carteret County…and will be long gone by 9:oo am.  This will be followed quickly by clearing, brilliant sun, and oven-like temps in the upper 90′s.  This will have a significant drying out effect.  And we should still be able to play the big cross-county rivalry game between West and Croatan scheduled for 7:30 tonight.  (Consult school websites for details as day progresses.)

Soon daylight will arrive and actual reports of damage will be reported.  I did not lose power here in Morehead.  However, a total of 226 residences in Morehead City and New Bern reportedly did lose power.

Our Outer Banks neighbors in places like Ocracoke, Hatteras, and Kill Devil Hills did not suffer a direct hit but did bear the brunt of the storm…as predicted.    As is traditional, significant flooding is being reported there.

So, all of our schools are closed for two days, which wrapped with the Labor Day weekend makes a five-day summer weekend for our students.  Tuesday will be like the first day of school again for many of our students.

FYI–Here’s how our neighboring school systems and Emergency Management Groups handled their situations:

• Onslow:  regular school day on Thursday with afternoon activities canceled; two-hour delay on Friday.
• Jones: 1:00 dismissal on Thursday; two-hour delay on Friday.
• Craven: 1:00 dismissal on Thursday; three-hour delay on Friday.
• Pamlico: 1:00 dismissal on Thursday; three-hour delay on Friday.
• Ocracoke schools: closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
• Hyde mainland schools: 1:00 dismissal on Thursday; closed on Friday.
• Dare: closed Thursday and Friday

Artistry

We welcome to the Cougar Den  our new art teacher, Mrs. Olander.  She is an experienced and energetic educator who shares her passion for art and education at her blog.

You Mess With One Man, You’ve Got Us All

The Friday night lights beamed as Coach Perry and staff took the mighty Cougars to the field for their first scrimmage of the season. Both JV and Varsity teams saw much action and acquitted themselves well against the Hurricanes of Pamlico.

As impressive as the action on the field, however, was the atmosphere at the stadium. It already had the Friday night feeling of the regular season. The students had a pre-game tailgating party. The stands were full. The parents and other spectators cheered and played catch-up.  The concession was open. The cross-town rivals showed up in their team colors. About the only elements missing were the cheerleaders and the band. But I can assure you, they are well on their way!

Little brings a community together like “The Boys of Fall.”

If you need a reminder of what that feeling is like, then check out this 8-minute YouTube video of Kenny Chesney’s great new hit song about high school football. It is at once sentimental and awe-inspiring.  As only he can do, KC captures the heralded American fall tradition that is just around the corner on Friday nights.

Fear not, band fans!  The Croatan marching band halftime show is reaping the benefits of much hard work over the two-week band camp.  For a sneak preview of what Director Gillespie and staff are conjuring up, toggle over to the band site Feng Shui and these Cougar Marching Band videos.

Sun Rising on a New School Year

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Diffee)