The Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education recently named the 2020 inductees to the school system’s Wall of Leadership and Service.
Previous students or graduates of Mount Airy High School who are serving or leading in their community, as well as those who have served or led, contributing to their community, have been nominated for the wall.
“The 2020 class represents a wide variety of careers, leadership skills, and service that embodies the district’s motto to lead, innovate and serve,” the school system said in a statement announcing the selections.
The inductees this year are Karl Allen, Class of 1979; Kelly Epperson, Class of 1980; Cedric Jessup, Class of 1993; Travis Manchester, Class of 1994; David Rowe, Class of 1962; and Eric Warren, Class of 1987.
“For some time the Board of Education has sought a way to recognize leadership and service from former graduates,” said Tim Matthews, board chair. “This honor provides an opportunity to publicly recognize those most notable graduates who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to their communities.”
“Our outstanding class of inductees represents the award well with outstanding leadership accomplishments and service to their community,”the school system said in making the announcement and giving a bit of background on each inductee.
• Karl Allen is the administrator of the Yadkin Valley Economic Development District Incorporated Head Start Program where he has strengthened the early start of hundreds of children. He has been a lifelong resident of Mount Airy and advocate for children. He was a 1979 graduate of Mount Airy High School and a 1981 graduate of Ferrum College in Ferrum, Virginia. He has gone on to receive many certifications in the area of early learning.
• Kelly Epperson is the owner and operator of WPAQ and WSYD. A 1980 graduate of Mount Airy High School, he has been a lifelong broadcaster with this Mount Airy based family radio station. Kelly Epperson has supported Mount Airy City Schools throughout his career by broadcasting spelling bees, Community Night, numerous other events, and Mount Airy High School athletics. He has served on many committees at Grace Moravian Church, as well as being inducted into the Mount Airy Sports Hall of Fame.
• Captain Cedrick L. Jessup was raised in Mount Airy and graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1993. He attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He received two masters, one from Webster University and Eisenhower School at the National Defense University in National Security and Resource Strategy with a concentration in Weapons of Mass Destruction. He is married to Lorraine May of Pensacola, Florida, and they have three children Theophilus, Theophany, and Theone.
Captain Jessup began his military as an officer in the U.S. Navy where he began Pilot Flight Training. He was later assigned as an Emergency Action Officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. He went on to be the Deputy Chief of Staff for Commander Naval Forces Europe/Commander Naval Forces Africa, Commanding Officer for SIXTH Fleet, and the commanding Officer for the European Personnel Exchange Program. His awards include Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Achievement Medals, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with one star and also holds his Airline Transport Pilot FAA qualification.
• Travis Manchester is a graduate of Mount Airy High School’s class of 1994, where he was active in student council and sports. He has worked for years in his family’s business, located in Mount Airy, that has been a supporter of Mount Airy City Schools. He has volunteered and coached with sports teams, including wrestling, JV volleyball, and varsity volleyball. He has contributed to many Innovation Days in the school system and shared careers and skills with students throughout the school system. He has also coached and sponsored sports teams from Reeves Community Center and been actively involved with community cancer walks, lupus walks, and other nonprofit fundraisers.
• David Rowe is a Mount Airy native, graduating from Mount Airy High School in 1962. He has established his home and a successful business in Mount Airy. He is mayor of Mount Airy and has offered his time over the years in many positions including civic boards, Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education, and the National Guard.
• Eric Warren was born and raised in Mount Airy and graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1987. He attended North Carolina State University from 1987-1997 earning a Bachelor of Science, Masters, and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. He worked for NASA on classified projects and research during his college years. After obtaining his Ph.D., he took a job with a NASCAR team serving as chief aerodynamicist. He has worked in the NASCAR industry for 20 years and has moved up the ranks to be technical director, competition director, and currently serves as the chief technology officer for Richard Childress Racing.
Source: https://www.mtairynews.com