Jones nominated for U.S. Presidential Scholars
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 25, 2015 1:46 PM
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Carter Jones
Carter Jones, a Southern Wayne High School senior, has been named one of five North Carolina nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education, or CTE.
Jones has been an office of FFA, or Future Farmers of America, at three levels -- regional secretary of 2,625 members, federal vice president of 650 members and chapter vice president for 145 members.
In addition to being selected to attend the Institute for Future Agriculture Leaders at N.C. State University, he was on a national delegation representing the state at the National FFA Conference last year in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, he also participated in the FFA National Day of Service.
At Southern Wayne, he is executive president of the school's Student Government Association, a member of National Honor Society, the math honor society and science honor society. He is a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has been a member of the baseball team since freshman year.
"We are very proud of Carter for this achievement," said his principal, Dr. John Boldt. "He is an outstanding young man and one of the hardest working students I've ever had as principal. Carter is very deserving of the U.S. Presidential Scholars award in CTE.
"In addition to being highly involved in the FFA program, he is in the top of his class, a student athlete, a leader in several clubs, and is an integral member of his family farm."
Jones' family operates a production agriculture farm, which consists of an estimated 2-3,000 acres of crops, including 450 acres of flue-cured tobacco.
"I have worked on the farm since I was a child and my farming experiences are what connected me to the school's CTE program," he said. "I am very blessed to have such a strong family to support me in everything that I am involved with here at school.
"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to be a nominee in the scholars program."
The Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and has since honored more than 6,000 outstanding high school seniors.
All state-level nominees will be invited to submit an application, due in February, with winners announced in May. Those chosen will receive the Presidential Scholars medallion and an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June.