Orange County Schools, NC

At its June 15, 2026, business meeting, the Orange County Board of Education approved a number of recommendations by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones for changes in school and district leadership roles.

We are proud to announce the following administrator assignments for the 2026-2027 school year:

✨ Avery Artis, Principal of Partnership Academy High School
✨ Signe Coffey, Principal of New Hope Elementary School
✨ James Franks, Director of School Nutrition Services
✨ Kumar Sathy, Director of Student Equity, Assessment, and Accountability
✨ Anderson Wyatt, Assistant Principal at Orange High School

Dr. Jones stated that these leaders will bring depth of experience in teaching, coaching, and building a positive culture to their new roles in school and district leadership.

“I am pleased to welcome these administrators to new roles in Orange County Schools,” said Dr. Jones. “I fully expect that these school and department leaders will help their schools and departments continue moving in a positive direction, as we embark on a new school year and launch our new five-year strategic plan to improve outcomes across our district.”

Visit orangecountyfirst.com to learn more about these incoming leaders and their experience!

Orange County Schools will provide free summer meal boxes available through OCS School Nutrition Services! Five day meal boxes will be available for children in the community from June 22 to July 29.

Five-day meal boxes will be available at the following locations:

📍 New Hope Elementary School, Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
📍 Pathways Elementary School, Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
📍 Gravelly Hill Middle School, Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Please note: There will be no pick up at New Hope Elementary on Monday, July 6 in observance of the July 4th holiday. New Hope registrants may pick up at an alternate site on July 7th or 8th.

You can find complete details at https://bit.ly/4eldL7x and register for your five-day meal boxes today at bit.ly/summermeals!

🎓 Toni Pettiford

⭐ Pathways Elementary, Orange Middle, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating Orange County Schools?

To Attend Durham Technical Community College for my Associates Degree In Nursing.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you've overcome?

Being a better person for myself & learning that all you need in life is to believe that you can do it, no matter the challenges you may face ahead. Always pray about it & have faith in the lord himself. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My family, but most importantly my mom & big sisters Nautica & Jada!

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

I appreciate all my educators! Thank you for helping me thrive and achieve my dreams. Without you guys I wouldn’t be where I am today! Your help throughout this journey in my life has made a big difference and I greatly appreciate you!

You can learn more about the Class of 2026 by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

🎓 Ahnastee Venabls

⭐Central Elementary, Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating Orange County Schools?

I plan to attend Durham Tech Community College.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you've overcome?

One of the greatest challenges I overcame was balancing the loss of a loved one, school responsibilities, and time management while staying focused on graduating.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My family.

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

Ms. Sharpe, thank you for being patient, understanding, and inspiring me to keep going through challenges.

You can learn more about the Class of 2026 by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

The wait is over — the Class of 2026 graduation photo albums are now available 🎓🎉 You can find links to the official albums and other 2026 graduation content on the Orange County Schools website (orangecountyfirst.com/graduation).

We are still processing content from this year's graduation ceremonies and we will continue to update our website as content becomes available.

If you have photos that you would like to share, tag us and use the !

Congratulations once again to our 2026 Orange County Schools graduates! We are so proud of you and are excited for your journeys ahead! You can learn more about some of our graduating seniors and what's ahead for them by reading our on our website at orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories.

Congratulations to the Cedar Ridge High School and Orange High School Class of 2026 🎓🎉 We are so proud of you and how far you've come!

Join us in celebrating our graduates, and their new journeys ahead! Stay tuned here and the Orange County Schools website (orangecountyfirst.com/graduation) as we continue to process photos and videos from this year's ceremony.

Congratulations to the Partnership Academy High School Class of 2026 🎓🎉 You made it — and we are so incredibly proud of all the hard work you've done to get here!

Join us in celebrating these graduating seniors as they begin their next chapter! Stay tuned here and the Orange County Schools website (orangecountyfirst.com/graduation) as we continue to process photos and videos from this year's graduation ceremonies.

🎓 Ellamarie Perel

⭐ New Hope Elementary, A.L. Stanback Middle, Cedar Ridge High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating Orange County Schools?

Attend East Carolina University as an Alston Burke Scholar and NC Teaching Fellow to major in elementary education with a literacy focus.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you've overcome?

Realizing the difficulty of balancing my sports, job, academics, and life. My junior year I was met with lots of obstacles and tough situations that challenged me and made me realize I had to figure out a balance if I wanted to continue doing everything I loved. It was really difficult but taught me a lot.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My friends, coaches, teachers, and family. Every person in my life helped me along the way and gave me important lessons and life skills that I will continue to use in the future.

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

My sixth grade English teacher, Ms. Thompson. I had always known I wanted to be a teacher, but Ms. Thompson solidified that dream for me. She showed me how important teachers can be to students, and she was one of my favorite teachers. I want to thank her for her kindness and patience, and for helping me realize exactly who I wanted to become in the future for my students.

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!

🎓 Morgan Pettiford

⭐ Pathways Elementary, Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating from Orange County Schools?

I Plan to attend Alamance Community College.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you’ve overcome?

Time management and organization for home life and school.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

My Village (my family) has helped me along the way!

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

We appreciate all educators who work "with their heart" and have been a part of my educational success. We want to say thank you and you are appreciated!

Message from Morgan Pettiford's Family: "Be determined in all you do! Remember being positive makes any situation manageable."

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!



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🎓 Logan Allison

⭐ Pathways Elementary, Orange Middle, Orange High School Class of 2026

⭐ What are your plans after graduating from Orange County Schools?

Logan has enrolled in the Fire Academy at Alamance Community College.

⭐ What is the greatest challenge you’ve overcome?

The greatest challenge for Logan would be navigating through high school math! Math has not been easy for Logan but the confidence instilled in him from Ms. Jessica Curasi was a turning point.

⭐ Who helped you along the way?

Logan has had so many wonderful people help him along the way. Ms. Kristen Sharpe, his School Counselor at OHS has been instrumental in working with Logan through his high school years to make sure he stayed on track working towards his goal of becoming a firefighter and get into the Ag classes he enjoyed. She has always had his best interest at heart. We are very grateful for her!

⭐ If you could send a message to an educator who had a profound impact on you, who would you send it to and what would you say?

Logan has two teachers that mean the world to him if you were to ask him. Ms. Kim Harshaw, his kindergarten teacher from Pathways Elementary and Ms. Shannon Dixon, his AVID teacher from Orange Middle School. These ladies loved, encouraged, supported and listened to more than a few of his country boy stories! If we see them now, he still runs to hug both of them with the biggest smile.

Message from Logan Allison's Family: "Logan, your Dad and I are so incredibly proud of the young man you are becoming. You are incredibly kind, respectful and compassionate to everyone you meet. You have had your heart set on becoming a firefighter as soon as you were old enough to put on your Dad's turnout gear! We love you so much. Keep shining your light!"

Submit your for your or your student by filling out the Orange County Schools Senior Spotlight Submission form (https://bit.ly/4loyZV7). You can also stay up to date with our by visiting orangecountyfirst.com/seniorstories!