DURHAM

✨ Big news from C.C. Spaulding Elementary! 🎭 Their historic auditorium just got a stunning renovation — blending the building’s legacy with fresh, modern upgrades! 🏫🎉 Here’s what’s new: 🎨 Fresh paint & carpet 💺 Brand new seats 💡 Upgraded lighting, sound system & new aisle lights 🎭 New stage curtains, refinished stage, and ceiling fans ♿ Chair lift added so every student can shine 🖼️ Hand-painted murals were preserved on canvas and reinstalled to honor the space’s history A beautiful space, reimagined — ready for the next generation of performers, speakers, and stars! 🌟 Stay tuned as we continue transforming the capital landscape of our schools — one campus at a time. 🔧🏫 #WeAreDPS #CIPforDPS

🌟 Shoutout to Jennifer Painter of Jordan High! 🌟 Ms. Painter has earned Honorable Mention for the English Language Development Recognition Award for her outstanding work in the DPS ESL program! 👏📚 Recognized for her passion for teaching, ability to create a welcoming classroom, and her dedication to student success, Ms. Painter continues to make a lasting impact on her school and community. 💬❤️ “She’s earned the respect of both students and colleagues,” said Dr. Kristi Day of the Office of Teaching and Learning. As part of this honor, Ms. Painter will attend the Growing Success for MLs Summer Conference with full sponsorship! 🎉 #WeAreDPS #DPSExcellence

🎨 Huge Congrats to Hillside’s Shanea McLaughlin! 🎉 Shanea has been selected as the student artist for the 2024–2025 DPS Foundation Annual Impact Report — creating all the artwork for this major project! 👏🖌️ Chosen through a competitive interview process, Shanea worked side-by-side with the Foundation’s professional graphic designer, gained mentorship, and earned a stipend for her incredible work. Shanea brought vision, discipline, and serious creative talent to the table — and we couldn’t be prouder. The future is bright for this rising star! 💫 #DPSArts #HillsideHigh #StudentSuccess #DPSProud #WeAreDPS

🎶 Big News from Jordan High! 🎶 The Jordan High Jazz Combo has been selected to perform at the 2025 NC Music Educators Association (NCMEA) Conference — the highest honor a student ensemble can receive in North Carolina! 🎷👏 📍 Held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NCMEA is the largest gathering of music educators in the state. Only two other groups statewide were chosen — and they're one of them! This marks just the second time in school history that a Jordan ensemble has earned this honor. The last? 1976. Proud is an understatement. Let’s hear it for our incredible student musicians! 💙🎵 #JordanJazz #NCMEA2025 #DPSArts #WeAreDPS

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congrats to Robert McNair of Jordan High School — awarded the prestigious Diehl Scholarship to Rhodes College, valued at $136,000! Excellence, leadership, and a fully funded future. 🎓📘 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #RhodesCollege #DiehlScholarship #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Huge congratulations to Zahid Pinkard of Jordan High School — awarded multiple scholarships to Wingate University, totaling $154,000, including: 🎓 Honors College Merit Scholarship 🎓 Porter Byrum Scholarship 🎓 Bulldog Pride Scholarship 🎓 And more! Academic strength, leadership, and excellence — fully recognized and fully funded. 🐾🎓 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #WingateUniversity #HonorsScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Blair Brinson of Jordan High School — awarded the Access Scholarship to Howard University, totaling $28,000! Bright future. Bold path. Bison bound. 🎓🖤💛 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #HowardUniversity #AccessScholarship #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Shoutout to Keith McNeil of Jordan High School — awarded a total of $80,000 in scholarships to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, including: 🎨 Academic Honors 🎨 Achievement Honors 🎨 SCADnow Scholarship 🎨 Student Recognition Scholarship Designing the future — fully funded and full of vision. 🎓🎨 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #SCAD #ArtAndDesignScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congrats to Edith Orellana Argueta of Jordan High School — awarded a $96,000 Academic Merit Scholarship to Meredith College! Academic excellence paving the way to a bright future. 🎓🌟 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #MeredithCollege #MeritScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Journi Grice of Jordan High School — awarded the Trustee Scholarship and the Honors Program Scholarship to Emory & Henry University, totaling $94,000! Hard work. High honors. Fully supported. 🎓✨ #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #EmoryAndHenryUniversity #TrusteeScholar #HonorsProgram #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Big congratulations to Sam McBrierty of Jordan High School — awarded the Volunteer Scholarship to the University of Tennessee, totaling $52,000! Rocky Top bound with big goals and a big win. 🎓🧡🏔️ #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #UniversityOfTennessee #VolunteerScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Caroline McCulloch of Jordan High School — awarded the Academic Charter Scholarship to Auburn University, totaling $28,000! Excellence rewarded. War Eagle ready. 🎓🧡💙 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #AuburnUniversity #AcademicScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

🎭 Standing Ovation for Josiah Jennings! 🎭 We're thrilled to announce that Josiah Jennings has been awarded Best Actor at the 2025 DPAC Rising Star Awards, held on Thursday, May 29 at the Durham Performing Arts Center. This prestigious honor recognizes Josiah's exceptional talent and dedication to musical theater. As part of his award, he will receive a $2,000 scholarship and an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards®—the Jimmy Awards. The DPAC Rising Star Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in high school musical theater across central North Carolina. Hosted by Clay Aiken, the event featured 20 student finalists competing live on stage, with winners selected by a panel of esteemed judges. Congratulations, Josiah! Your passion and hard work have truly shone on stage. 🌟 #DPACRisingStarAwards #DPSProud #WeAreDPS

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Alexa Izquierdo of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Science Scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill, valued at $40,000! STEM excellence. Leadership potential. Tar Heel bound. 🎓🔬💙 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #UNCChapelHill #ChancellorsScienceScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Huge congratulations to Kevin Perla Martinez of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded the Wingate Academic Scholarship to Wingate University, totaling $116,000! Dedication. Achievement. Fully funded future. 🎓💼 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #WingateUniversity #AcademicScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Big congratulations to Zoe Johnson of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded a $56,000 Merit Scholarship to Randolph College! Excellence earned. Opportunity unlocked. 🎓🌟 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #RandolphCollege #MeritScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congrats to Errik Reid of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability — awarded a $25,000 Academic Merit Scholarship to Wingate University! Hard work. Strong finish. Bright future. 🎓🔥 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #WingateUniversity #MeritScholar #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

🏆 STATE CHAMP ALERT! Samone Arrington, a rising senior at J.D. Clement Early College and track star at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, is the NCHSAA 3A State Champion in the 100m hurdles! 🥇💨 She didn’t stop there—Samone shattered 15+ year-old school records in both the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles this season. 🔥💪 Southern. Speed. Legacy. #DPSProud #TrackStar #StateChampion

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Jolette Puebla of Northern High School — recipient of the Christopher Furr Scholarship from the Durham Public Schools Foundation, and heading to UNC-Chapel Hill! Established in 1987 by friends and family to honor Christopher Furr’s memory, this scholarship recognizes graduating seniors from Northern High School who demonstrate citizenship, responsibility, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Thank you to the DPS Foundation for your continued partnership and unwavering support of our scholars. 💙🎓 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #ChristopherFurrScholarship #UNCChapelHill #ThankYouDPSF #WeAreDPS #DPSProud

💰 Scholars securing the dollars! 💰 Congratulations to Samiaya Wilson of Northern High School — recipient of the Durham Promise Scholarship from the Durham Public Schools Foundation, and headed to UNC-Charlotte! Thank you to the DPS Foundation for your continued partnership and commitment to supporting our scholars’ futures. 🌟 Promise made. Promise kept. 🎓💚 #DPSScholarsSecuringDollars #DurhamPromise #UNCCBound #ThankYouDPSF #WeAreDPS #DPSProud