Lake Waccamaw, NC – Thomas Academy honored more than 50 students for their academic achievements during the 2022 Awards Banquet in late May.
“It is going to be quite a night filled with recognition for our wonderful boys and girls of Thomas Academy,” said Principal Dr. Cathy Gantz in her welcome to the students, families, and staff in attendance. “We have a lot to celebrate.”
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina President/CEO Ricky Creech agreed. “Tonight is a night of celebration. It’s a night where years of hard work, persistence, and grit are validated by the awarding of scholarships and individual successful accomplishments. It’s also a night where personal hopes and dreams of continuing a higher educational path becomes more tangible. It’s also a night where some will go out into the world of work and forge a different path.”
Creech had the honor of announcing the Thomas Academy Class of 2022 Valedictorian Kaylee Skinner and Salutatorian Piper Hopkins.
The ceremony included the announcement of 25 scholarships for the graduates. Among the scholarships announced were the Puckett Scholarship presented to Jermaine Campbell, Cassidy Culpepper, Tyler Darran, Chase Lewis, Sahnora Maynor, Cenniya Williams, Emily Wise and Jose Young. The Black’s Tire Scholarship was presented to Evelin Bonilla-Gutierrez and Piper Hopkins. Bonilla-Gutierrez also received the Civitan East Scholarship while Hopkins earned the Crutchfield Family Scholarship and Success Scholars Scholarship. Additional Success Scholars Scholarships were presented to Kiara Fowler, Kaylee Skinner and Cenniya Williams.
Skinner also received the Anthony J. Brill Foundation Valedictorian Scholarship and the SCC Family Scholarship. Maynor and Williams also received the Her Highness Scholarship and Ottis Edward Graham Memorial Scholarship. Williams earned the Lloyd and Beth Batten Scholarship in addition to the Las Amigas Scholarship.
Dr. W.F. and Wilma Barefoot Scholarship recipient Ethan Malpass was also honored with the 2022 Principal’s Award for most improved student.
“Thomas Academy is blessed to have many friends who are interested in and supportive of our students’ pursuit of higher education,” BGHNC Chief Mission Officer Ray Cockrell said. “We are grateful for their support and the scholarship funds presented tonight. Congratulations to all.”
Cockrell presented the top award for the evening, the inaugural Rye Foundation Leadership Award.
“What a wonderful partner we have in the Rye Foundation,” Cockrell said. “The mission of the Rye Foundation is to make a life changing impact on the North Carolina children by providing grants in the areas of religion, youth, and education, hence the name Rye. The Rye Foundation has provided gifts to BGHNC of over $30,000 with the most recent gift supporting our music program and establishing the Rye Leadership Award.
“Leadership is not always being up front,” he continued. “Leadership is often setting the example of perseverance. Not always necessarily making the right choices but recognizing that and taking the challenge to make those choices right. Meeting a challenge head on in the face of adversity. Setting the example for others. The first Rye Leadership Award goes to Kelise Lewis.”
Keynote speaker for the evening Rev. Drake Harper challenged all in attendance to be leaders in chasing their own dreams.
“Life doesn’t always give you the perfect hand,” Harper said. “For some of you, you feel like life is already against you. Or that you don’t have it as good as someone else. Here’s the thing, we have three types of people – quitters, campers, and climbers. Are you just going to give up on life and quit? Or are you going to be a camper and just be satisfied and settle for what life gives you? Or are you going to be a climber and strive for your dreams, strive for success? Each and every one of you guys I know has a dream deep down somewhere. Each one of us has an urge, a drive that we would like to do. You’re already on the right track because it starts with your academics. Academics is the foundation of chasing your dreams.
“You guys are in an awesome position,” he continued. “You didn’t make it here by accident or by fate. You made it here tonight because you made a choice to put in the effort academically and that’s where it starts. I want to challenge you guys to not settle, but to climb and chase your dreams.”
The evening of recognitions was made possible through the generosity of the D.M. Campbell family of Elizabethtown.
“Many, many years ago the Campbell family helped us to start this event,” Cockrell said. “Every year since then, they have helped us by sponsoring this event and helping us make this a reality for our children. Thank you to Mr. Mac Campbell and the Campbell family for everything they’ve done for Thomas Academy and Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina.”
About Thomas Academy
Thomas Academy is a North Carolina Public Charter School that educates middle and high school students. Located on the campus of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina in Lake Waccamaw, the academy provides a tailored academic experience to students who are oftentimes in need of a more specialized, integrated curriculum. Thomas Academy was founded on personalization in education, unique offerings and educating through purposeful design. Enrollment is open to any student in grades six through 12.
