Farm to School Culinary Competition Showcases Student Talent

Creekside Elementary School was filled with excitement and creativity as it hosted this year’s Farm to School Week Culinary Competition. The event brought together talented student chefs from Early College EAST, New Bern High School, and West Craven High School for a day of culinary innovation and friendly competition.

Students prepared a variety of dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, demonstrating not only their cooking skills but also their understanding of the importance of supporting local agriculture. Judges faced the difficult task of selecting winners after sampling an impressive array of flavorful, thoughtfully prepared dishes.

One of the highlights of the event was the involvement of Creekside Elementary students, who had the unique opportunity to serve as taste-testers. Their participation added an extra layer of excitement as they sampled dishes and shared their feedback.

2025 Culinary Competition Winners

• Poultry: Molly Janse (Early College EAST) – Buffalo Chicken Pot Pie
• Meat: Jeremiah Knockett, Ashley Lopez, and Aubrie Jones (West Craven High) – Meatloaf
• Vegetable Side Dish: Addelynn Brainard (New Bern High) – Tricolor Rotini Pasta Salad
• Fruit Side Dish: Aaron Rogers (Early College EAST) – Strawberry Shortcake
• Creative Creation: Malachi Blount and Marcia Lee (New Bern High) – Blueberry Cobbler
• Director’s Choice: Kassidy Taylor and Ava Cowan (West Craven High) – Sweet Potato Salad

The competition was a true celebration of student talent, collaboration, and the Farm to School initiative. Craven County Schools extends its appreciation to all students, staff, and judges who contributed to the success of this event. Their passion and creativity made this a memorable and meaningful experience for all involved.

Elementary Farmers Market Brings Learning to Life

Creekside Elementary School served as the host site for this year’s Elementary Farmers Market, welcoming students from across the district for a day of hands-on learning during Farm to School Week.

Students had the opportunity to explore the world of agriculture by learning about locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as crops that thrive in Eastern North Carolina, including strawberries, sweet potatoes, and peanuts. The event provided an engaging way for students to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences while gaining a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.

A highlight of the day was the involvement of local farmers and community partners, including Tidewater Grain Co., B & J Seafood, Farm Bureau, White’s Farm, and many others. These partners shared their expertise in farming, agriculture, and the seafood industry, offering students valuable insights into the importance of supporting local food systems.

Students also had the opportunity to earn “market dollars,” which they used to shop at the Farmers Market Gift Shop. There, they selected items from local vendors, including a special treat from Simply Natural Ice Cream, adding an extra layer of excitement to the experience.

Craven County Schools extends its sincere appreciation to all sponsors and community partners who helped make this year’s Farm to School Week event a success. Their support provided students with a meaningful and memorable learning experience that highlighted the importance of agriculture and healthy living.

Farm to School Week Concludes with Community Luncheon

The School Nutrition Department celebrated a successful Farm to School Week with a special luncheon that brought together local farmers, elected officials, and community partners for a meaningful celebration of collaboration and student impact.

Held as the culminating event of the week, the luncheon provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the importance of supporting local agriculture and to continue exploring ways to strengthen partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Guests enjoyed a delicious meal that mirrored the menus served to students throughout the week, featuring a variety of fresh, locally sourced items, including beef tips, brisket, blackened flounder, strawberries, jerk chicken, collards, sweet potatoes, and more. The luncheon was generously sponsored by the Craven County Farm Bureau.

During the event, attendees heard from Jason Jones, President of the Craven County Farm Bureau, who emphasized the importance of advocating for local farmers and supporting locally grown food. His message reinforced the idea that sustaining strong local food systems requires a collective effort from the entire community.

The luncheon also highlighted the generosity of the Greenbrier Angels, who donated more than $5,000 to the School Nutrition Fund. This contribution helped ensure that every student had access to meals during Farm to School Week, further demonstrating the power of community support.

Craven County Schools extends its sincere appreciation to the many local farmers and partners who made this week possible, including B&J Seafood, McCoy Cattle Farm, Tidewater Grain, Bridgeton Poultry, Working Landscapes, Burch Farms, White’s Farm, La Farm Bakery, and Carolina Ground.

Farm to School Week once again showcased the value of hands-on learning, strong community partnerships, and access to fresh, nutritious foods, creating a lasting impact on students and the broader community.

JTB CELEBRATES WITH PRIDE

The JT Barber Elementary EC Adaptive class has achieved an incredible milestone, publishing their very own book! This accomplishment reflects the students’ creativity, dedication, and the power of collaboration.

Through hard work and teamwork, the students brought their ideas to life, creating something truly meaningful that showcases their voices and talents on every page. Their achievement is an inspiring example of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.

Congratulations to the outstanding students from Havelock High School, New Bern High School, and West Craven High School on their induction into the CTE National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)!

NTHS is a nationally recognized organization that honors student achievement in Career and Technical Education, celebrating excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Being inducted into NTHS is a significant accomplishment and reflects each student’s commitment to success both in the classroom and in their future careers.

A special thank you to Mr. Lee Kirkman, Board Chair and keynote speaker, for sharing an inspiring message with our inductees about the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity presented to them.

We also extend our appreciation to Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent, and Mrs. Holly Tolston, CTE Director, for their continued support and participation in this meaningful ceremony. Thank you to the New Bern HS JROTC for their official presentation of colors for this esteemed event.

Thank you to our dedicated NTHS Advisors—Ms. Kelly Hoff (Havelock), Mrs. Lori Prescott (New Bern), and Ms. Holly Sutton (West Craven)—for their guidance and commitment to student success. We are also grateful to the many CTE staff members and teachers, as well as the school administrators, who came out to support our students and celebrate this achievement.

We are proud of each of you and look forward to all you will accomplish!

What an incredible journey to celebrate!

Last year, Mrs. Sonja Z.M. Williams, one of our outstanding district testing technicians, completed her final state—Hawaii—officially achieving the remarkable milestone of running a marathon in all 50 states. This week, she reached yet another pinnacle by qualifying for and competing in the prestigious Boston Marathon.

Beyond her personal accomplishments, Mrs. Williams continues to pour into others. She recently visited one of our Exceptional Children’s classrooms, where she shared her journey and spoke about the importance of perseverance and never giving up. Her story is a powerful reminder that with dedication and heart, even the biggest goals are within reach. We are so proud of Mrs. Williams and the inspiration she provides to our entire Craven County Schools community!