Notables

Martin remains on Mount Olive College Board

John Bryan Martin of Micro is serving his third year as a member of the Mount Olive College Board of Trustees.

Martin, who has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton), a master’s degree in education administration from Campbell University and his doctorate in education administration from North Carolina State University is the executive director for Personnel with Johnston County Schools.

The life-long member of the Free Will Baptist denomination, and educator says those two important aspects of his life intersect at Mount Olive College.

“I am dedicated to the ideal of an institution of higher learning which has its roots in the tenets of the Free Will Baptist Church.”

Martin who has more than 30 years experience as an educator was the Johnston County Schools Principal of the Year in 2001. He also won the Kenly Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award in 2001 and the Smithfield Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator award in 1996. Martin is also a past member of the Kenly Kiwanis and Triangle High Five.

Local scout completes Eagle project at JCC

Tate Wilkinson, 15, likes helping others and building things. That’s why the Scout decided to build a landing dock for the pond behind the main campus at Johnston Community College as his Eagle project.

The new 320-square foot dock will allow physical education students easier and safer access to canoes and paddle boats. Also, the dock will provide a platform for biology students to use to collect water samples for their studies.

“I’m just so thankful for this opportunity,” Wilkinson, a junior at North Johnston High said.

The Lucama resident is the son of Cad and Karen Wilkinson; grandson of L. G. and Eileen Fields of Four Oaks; and Lois Wilkinson of Kenly and the late Ernest Wilkinson Sr.

He’s been a Scout since he was six. Now he volunteers as a junior fireman with the Kenly Fire Department, is a member of Kenly Methodist Church, a member of the NJHS shooting team and president of the North Johnston High School Ducks Unlimited chapter.

Wilkinson says Scouting taught him leadership and maturity, traits that he now tries to pass on to younger Scouts in Kenly Troop 29 where he is the senior patrol leader.

He acknowledges the support of his Scout leaders, family, friends, and three fellow scouts – Travis Boyette, Alex Boykin, and Chase Stancil – for their help and “dedication in designing, constructing, and installing the dock.”

“I, as well as my dad, wanted me to get my Eagle before I got my driver’s license,” Wilkinson said. “Anytime I had the opportunity, I was working on it. I’ve learned so much about leadership in Scouts.”