GREENSBORO, NC - Pender County Schools is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of students, coaches, and athletic programs that were recognized at the 2025 North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Annual Awards Ceremony in Greensboro.
“We’re incredibly proud of the recognition our student-athletes, coaches, and schools received at this year’s NCHSAA Awards,” said Matt Davis, Pender County Schools Athletic Director. “These honors reflect the dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship that define our athletic programs across the district. It’s a testament to the hard work of our students, the guidance of our coaches, and the support of our school communities.”
Heide Trask, Pender, and Topsail High School each received honors that reflect excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service.
Pender High School
Three individuals from Pender High were celebrated for their commitment to student leadership and selfless service:
Olivia White and Melia Fullwood were honored as graduates of the NCHSAA Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), having served as key voices for student-athletes across the state.
Coach Laura Eakins received both the Homer Thompson “Eight Who Make a Difference” Award and the Tony Simeon Courage Award. In addition to leading one of Pender’s largest athletic programs, she demonstrated extraordinary compassion by donating a kidney to help a student-athlete move up the transplant waiting list—an act that exemplifies the values of courage, humility, and service.
Heide Trask High School
Dominick Graham, a standout athlete and leader at Heide Trask, was awarded the prestigious Charlie Adams Endowment Scholarship. Dominick’s accomplishments extend beyond the wrestling mat and track—he is also the President of Unified Titans, a Special Olympics volunteer, and a future Duke University student planning to major in Biomedical Engineering.
Topsail High School
Topsail High School was honored in multiple categories, underscoring its strong culture of academic and athletic excellence:
The Girls’ Lacrosse team earned the Scholar-Athlete Team Award, finishing the 2023–2024 season with the highest unweighted team GPA in the state (3.7).
Emmy Clark received the Heart of a Champion Award for her resilience and leadership as a dual-sport athlete and NCHSAA Scholar-Athlete. She plans to continue her athletic and academic journey at UNC Greensboro.
Topsail was named an Exemplary School for its outstanding commitment to sportsmanship, leadership development, and academic success. The school’s participation in statewide initiatives, ejection-free record, and overall team GPA of 3.5 or higher were key factors in earning this honor.
Tod Morgan, Topsail’s Athletic Director, received the Dave Harris Athletic Director Award of Excellence for his long-standing dedication to student-athletes across North Carolina and his leadership in education-based athletics.
Martha Smith, a senior lacrosse and cross-country athlete, was selected for the Tony Cullen Memorial Scholarship. Her extensive involvement in school, athletics, and community initiatives highlights her as a role model on and off the field.
These recognitions speak to the strength of Pender County Schools' commitment to developing student-athletes who lead with integrity, work hard academically, and give back to their communities. We are proud of these students, coaches, and schools for representing Pender County with distinction on the state stage.
