KENANSVILLE — There was a time when even the idea of an Early College in Duplin County was somewhat in question. But now officials from both the community college and Duplin County Schools express their excitement and pleasure with the program’s birth and development as the school, which got under way a few weeks ago, progresses.

Cary Powers, Duplin County Schools assistant superintendent for instruction, stated that “Everything with the Early College is going very well. Dr. (Lawrence) Rouse and June Davis have worked so well with us in developing this joint effort. The students are doing well also. They seem to be adjusting to college life and are getting along in their new environment.”

Powers said everyone was pleased with how well the school staff and the James Sprunt staff were worked together to develop the curriculum and get the program up and running in a very short amount of time.

It was, he said, a great thing to see come together.

Powers also shared that a ribbon-cutting for the new school has been planned for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, and he encouraged the public to come out and help school officials celebrate. The event will be on the JSCC campus.

James Mullins, Duplin County Schools assistant superintendent for human resources, shared that the Early College added two non-certified and two-and-a-half instructional positions as they employed a custodian and secretary and moved from five and-a-half teachers to eight instructors at the new Early College.

Mullins also applauded Bobby Norwood, Duplin Schools maintenance director, and his staff, along with transportation director Jeff Thigpen and his staff in working to bring all the necessary items together so the school would be ready on opening day. “That is what it takes with an undertaking as large as this—teamwork,” Mullins said.

“ The students at this new facility will benefit from the countless hours that these two men and their staffs put into ensuring that everything was done in a timely manner.”

Duplin Early College High School principal Kevin Smith spoke enthusiastically about the school following the 15 day of classes, saying, “It has been the best start of school I have ever experienced. We simply have not had any glitches which is totally amazing with a new program and facility. You never know going into a new venture such as this, but I cannot be more pleased nor excited. This is a great opportunity for the students of Duplin County and it is something unique for them to better themselves.”

Smith praised and thanked the JSCC staff, singling out JSCC administratros June Davis, Tony Bland and John Hardison, “for heling make thiis process a success, ensuring we feel like we are at home.” The three, he said, were instrumental, too, in helping hammer out a memorandum of understanding that brought the Early College to fruition.

“ Everyone has just pulled together and made it happen. It has been truly an amazing undertaking. The students have been so receptive to having their own building and are excited about being on the college campus.”

Smith shared that there were 144 students enrolled, with 52 ninth-graders, who will be committed for the five-year program; 29 sophomores from the James Kenan district; and 63 juniors who have the choice of finishing the program next year as in their original agreement when they entered the S.T.E.M. school two years ago or remain for the fifth year option available to them. “Overall it has been a great experience working with JSCC, which has been very positive. They have been so receptive of the students have been so willing to assist us in any way we may have needs. We are looking for a very long and productive relationship with them as we continue to make the Early College our own.”

JSCC president Dr. Lawrence Rouse expressed how pleased he and the college had been with the entire process that made the Early College a reality. “I am really amazed at how well it all came together. After our trustees visited other Early College sites, they felt that is was something that would benefit the students of Duplin County and became very eager to see it a reality. The relationship between the college and the school system has been a very positive one and I feel the more experience we gain together the better the relationship and the program will become. I continue to be amazed how everything has come together and encourage everyone to come out for the open house on Tuesday. We have something worth the time to see what is developing on our campus.”

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.