|
May 30, 2025
Inspiring Graduates, Breakthrough Stories: Media Invitation to Local High School’s Commencement
Meet Douglas Byrd High seniors who are making headlines
WHAT, WHEN & WHERE: Douglas Byrd High School (DBHS) Graduation Ceremony Tuesday, June 3, 2025 8:00 a.m. Cumberland County Crown Coliseum 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville, NC
COVERAGE OPPORTUNITY:
Interview Opportunities: After the graduation ceremony, media will be escorted to the reunion area for interviews with DBHS Principal Kenneth Williams and the following graduates about their college, career, and life plans:
- Aaron Scott is celebrating a remarkable milestone—he’s finally pain-free after a lifetime battling sickle cell disease. As the first child under 18 in North Carolina to receive FDA-approved gene therapy, Aaron’s recovery marks a medical breakthrough and a deeply personal triumph. Just months ago, frequent hospital stays and daily pain defined his life; now, he's looking ahead to a future full of possibility.
- Maura Richard, a standout graduate, is a passionate student leader with a heart for service. Involved in 10 clubs over four years—including DECA, Robotics, and Student Government—Maura has dedicated herself to both school and community, from promoting literacy to advancing sustainability as a part of the school's Academy of Green Technology. She is headed to UNC-Greensboro to pursue a career as a Nurse Anesthetist.
- Michael Rice Jr., a top graduate at DBHS, is a nationally ranked middle-distance runner and standout scholar-athlete. A two-time state champion and Adidas Outdoor Nationals winner, he holds multiple school and county records, all while graduating summa cum laude and ranking third in his class. This June, he’ll compete at the USATF U20 National Championships and Nike Outdoor Nationals in Oregon. With plans to study engineering and run track in college, Michael also has his sights set on representing Team USA at the Pan American Games in Paraguay this August.
B-Roll Opportunity: Douglas Byrd High School's (DBHS) Graduation Ceremony
MEDIA'S PARAMETERS FOR ATTENDANCE:
-
Interested media are asked to arrive @ 7:30 a.m. to attend the graduation ceremony.
-
Credentialed media should enter via the West VIP entrance, where they will pass through a weapons detection system. A CCS Communications rep will escort all media to the Coliseum floor (behind the blue hockey dashers) for photo and video coverage of the graduation, which begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.
-
During the ceremony, media that need live or look-live shots may be escorted by a Communications rep to an approved secondary media area.
-
If you are interested in this opportunity, email mediarequest@ccs.k12.nc.us by Monday, June 2 at 11:00 a.m.
###
|
|
|
|