VOLUME 145 ISSUE 37 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Class of 2025 spirit rock was shining bright in Bulldog blue in front of Albemarle High School on Tuesday afternoon.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Air Force Reserve colonel announces bid for lieutenant governor Raleigh U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Dr. Josh McConkey announced his candidacy for North Carolina lieutenant governor Tuesday. McConkey is an emergency physician, author of “Be The Weight Behind The Spear” and founder of The Weight Behind the Spear Foundation, a nonprofit providing disaster relief. The Republican says his campaign will focus on faith, family, freedom and service while championing conservative principles, including parental rights, fiscal responsibility and public safety. McConkey came fifth in the 2024 GOP primary for U.S. House District 13.
Inflation fell again in April as some tariffs went into effect Washington, D.C. Inflation cooled for the third straight month in April even after some of President Donald Trump’s tariffs took effect. Consumer prices rose 2.3% in April from a year ago, the Labor Department said Tuesday, down from 2.4% in March and the smallest increase in more than four years. Grocery prices dipped 0.4% from March to April in what will come as a relief to many people stretching family budgets for the basics. It was the biggest decline in food costs at home since September 2020, the government said. Egg prices fell sharply, declining 12.7%, the most in 41 years. Overall, the report suggests tariffs haven’t yet impacted prices for many items.
Stanly Schools’ career, technical programs see strong enrollment Local SkillsUSA winners were recognized by the school board By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Schools has revealed its annual presentation on the highlights and accomplishments of the school district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. At the Stanly County Board of Education meeting May 6, CTE Director Mandy Melton provided an update on the career pathway program that adds up to 67 different course offerings within the county. “A total of 1,518 students — 68.8% of our students — have taken or enrolled in a high school CTE course, filling 3,120 seats,” Melton said. “Also, 671
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
Stanly County Schools were well represented at the SkillsUSA North Carolina Games on April 14. students, or 45.9%, have taken a middle school CTE exploration class. In the fall of 2024, students earned 2,563 workplace credentials. That was 75% of our credential potential for that semester.” Additionally, 46 students are participating in the internship
program, while seven students are participating in the preapprenticeship program. As of this past year, SCS has introduced a new program where it advertises CTE by sending every eighth grade student in the county a book explaining the depart-
More than 600 graduate from 49 different programs at SCC “On this joyous day, I hope you are filled with gratitude, humility, and love.” SCC President John Enamait
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Some 760 different credentials were awarded By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly Community College held its graduation ceremonies and commencement events at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center last Thursday night. This year’s graduating class of 603 people completed 760 credentials in 49 programs. Many of them attended the event in person to walk across the stage and receive their credentials as they were cheered on by family and friends, as well as faculty and staff from the college. The SCC Student Honors
Ceremony was held the night prior in the same venue, during which numerous awards and honor cords were handed out by SCC President John Enamait, VP of Student Success Carmen Nunalee and Chief Academic Officer Jeff Parsons. Laura Sides was named the recipient of the Shirley Dennis Outstanding Student Award, given to an individual who has overcome notable obstacles to achieve a high school diploma. The Annie Ruth Kelley Leadership Award, created in 2001 to honor the service and leadership of the first chairperson of the college board of trustees and the first woman to chair a community college board in the state, went to Albemarle High See SCC, page A4
ment, complete with a list of courses offered at their high schools, descriptions of the classes, and pictures and names of instructors. “I think that’s really helping kids go ahead and get a head start of what they like, and that’s awesome,” board member Meghan Almond said. SCS also introduced three new CTE courses during the 2024-25 academic calendar year: Interior Design Studio at Albemarle High School, Electrical Trades II at North Stanly High School and Natural Resources at South Stanley High School. Along with classes and skills competitions, the county’s CTE department has been involved in numerous events for students, including Be Pro Be Proud (BPBP) See SCHOOLS, page A2