Garner is named Pitt TOY

LITTLEFIELD — Losing was not in Ayden-Grifton’s vocabulary last week as they experienced several wins, both academically and athletically. And for Ayden-Grifton’s English and Journalism teacher Dawn Garner, the wins couldn’t get any sweeter.

At the start of last week, Ayden-Grifon’s Guidance Counselor Travis Lewis was honored as the first recipient of the Barry Gaskins Pitt County Schools Ambassador award.

The award is named in honor of Barry Gaskins, a former Pitt County Schools Public Information Officer who died suddenly last year, leaving behind 29 years of service to Pitt County Schools.

Towards the end of the week, Ayden-Grifton students and staff experienced another exciting day as Dawn Garner was named Pitt County Teacher of the Year at an awards banquet. Garner was named Ayden-Grifton’s teacher of the year in September of last year and went on to compete for honors as Pitt County Teacher of the Year. Now, she will compete again for honors as State Teacher of the Year.

The lobby at Ayden-Grifton was full of congratulations for Garner as word spread about her exciting new honor. Even Garner seemed shocked, and speechless, as students and faculty crowded around to remind her of the honor bestowed upon her only an hour earlier.

“Everything happened so fast,” Garner said. “It’s very exciting.”

Principal Barbara Mallory attended the ceremony with Garner, along with Garner’s mother, Geraldine Garner, both of whom expressed their content with Garner’s accomplishments.

“You (Garner) honor us by being Teacher of the Year,” Mallory said. “It brings honor to all of us.”

Board of Education member Mary Grace Bright attended the ceremony and was also on hand at the school to personally congratulate Garner and help deliver all of Garner’s awards.

Along with the honor of being known as Teacher of the Year, Garner also won a car for a year from Greenville Toyota, car insurance $500 from Grady White Boats, $100 from the Principal’s Association, $500 from the Pitt County Education Foundation, $250 from Wellington Benefits, $500 from Wal-mart and gas for a year from Trademart.

Garner’s honor also awarded Ayden-Grifton High School some money as well, some of which Mallory says will go towards throwing a small celebration in Garner’s honor. Ayden-Grifton received $250 from Grady White Boats, $500 from Pitt County Education Foundation, $500 from Wellington Benefits and $1,000 from Wal-mart.

Although Garner was almost speechless after hearing of her award, she did have one thing to say, which she emphasized several times, to her students, to Dr. Mallory and to anyone who would listen. “I love my job. I love getting up and coming to work.”

Ayden-Grifton ended the week with one more win, as the Chargers advanced in the next round of playoffs.

And it looks as though this week may be full of wins for Ayden-Grifton as well, as the Chargers defeated Lejeune High School 51-50 in the NCHSAA Class 1-A Sectional Finals Monday night. The Chargers are scheduled to play Plymouth in the Eastern Regionals Thursday night, March 4 at 8:30 p.m. at Minges Coliseum and are hoping to end off with another winning week at Ayden-Grifton High School.

Copyright 2003 - Town of Grifton - All Rights Reserved