 2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Contact:
Renarta C. Moyd
Communications Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
Phone: 910-678-2307
Email: renartac@ccs.k12.nc.us
For Immediate Release:
May 9, 2025
Cumberland County Schools Honored with
N.C. Purple Star Award for 5th Straight Year
District celebrating continued commitment to military families
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – For the fifth consecutive year, Cumberland County Schools (CCS) has been recognized with the prestigious State Superintendent's Purple Star Award during a special ceremony today. This year, every single school in the district helped earn the award, underscoring CCS’ ongoing commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
Presented by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the Purple Star Award recognizes schools and districts that implement military-friendly practices and demonstrate a strong dedication to the unique needs of students from military families. To earn the award, all schools in the district submitted comprehensive documentation detailing their efforts to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for military-connected students.
"For the fifth consecutive year, being recognized with the Purple Star Award is a powerful testament to Cumberland County Schools’ unwavering commitment to our military-connected students and their families,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr. “With more than 25 percent of our students coming from military families, it is our duty and honor to ensure they receive the support and resources they need to thrive. This award reflects our continued efforts to build a strong community where every student feels valued and empowered."
CCS maintains a deeply rooted partnership with the military community in Cumberland County, home to Fort Bragg—one of the largest military installations in the world. With more than 15,000 students identifying as military-connected, the district provides a wide array of tailored resources to help students navigate the challenges of frequent relocations, parental deployments and transitions between schools.
Originally established by NCDPI in 2019, the Purple Star Award celebrates schools that 'go above and beyond' in addressing the needs of military families. In a state with a significant number of active duty, guard, reserve and veteran service members, CCS continues to lead the way in building a culture of care and support for those who serve and their loved ones.
For more information about CCS’ military-related support initiatives, visit the CCS Military Connection website. To learn more about the Purple Star Award Designation and this year’s honorees, visit the NCDPI Purple Star Award webpage.
Pictured above are (l-r): NCDPI State Military Consultant Howard Lattimore; NCDPI Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin; CCS Military Family & Youth Liaison Isaac Rancour; Fort Bragg School Support Services Iris Pierce; CCS Military Family & Youth Liaison Reginald Fields; Fort Bragg School Support Services Dr. Shevelle Godwin; Fort Bragg School Support Services Gerhard Guevarra; CCS Board Attorney Nick Sojka; CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr.; and NC National Guard Brigadier General Charles W. Morrison (Assistant Adjutant General - Maneuver).
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