Teacher Tuesday: Mr. Kevin McSwain — Heide Trask High School
Mr. Kevin McSwain is an EC teacher at HTHS and is in his second year of teaching. Staff shared that he is consistently available when students need support and does a strong job connecting with both students and families.
What stands out most about Mr. McSwain is the relationships he builds. He takes time to earn trust and helps students feel comfortable asking for help. He also communicates well with families and works with them as partners.
One example shared in his nomination involved students who have struggled to connect with some adults at school. Mr. McSwain has been able to build trusting relationships with those students and support them through learning challenges as well as personal difficulties they may be facing.
Thank you, Mr. McSwain, for the steady support you provide to students and families at HTHS. 💛
Mr. Kevin McSwain is an EC teacher at HTHS and is in his second year of teaching. Staff shared that he is consistently available when students need support and does a strong job connecting with both students and families.
What stands out most about Mr. McSwain is the relationships he builds. He takes time to earn trust and helps students feel comfortable asking for help. He also communicates well with families and works with them as partners.
One example shared in his nomination involved students who have struggled to connect with some adults at school. Mr. McSwain has been able to build trusting relationships with those students and support them through learning challenges as well as personal difficulties they may be facing.
Thank you, Mr. McSwain, for the steady support you provide to students and families at HTHS. 💛
Don't forget to visit your local Jersey Mike's location tomorrow (3/25)! 100% of the day’s sales (not just profits) will go towards the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and local Special Olympics North Carolina athletes. The fundraiser runs all day, with all in-store, online, and app purchases supporting the cause.
Also, our Adaptive Science fair will take place in the HTHS library at 1pm tomorrow.
And the winners are....*drumroll please* 🥁
Kelly Cromartie is our 2025–2026 HTHS Teacher of the Year! ✨ From powerful classroom discussions to creative writing sparks, Ms. Cromartie turns learning into something unforgettable.
Fabianna Seri is our 2025-2026 HTHS Beginning Teacher of the Year!✨ As an ESL teacher, she turns language into confidence and classrooms into communities.
Congratulations to you both! We are so blessed to have you in Titantown!
Kelly Cromartie is our 2025–2026 HTHS Teacher of the Year! ✨ From powerful classroom discussions to creative writing sparks, Ms. Cromartie turns learning into something unforgettable.
Fabianna Seri is our 2025-2026 HTHS Beginning Teacher of the Year!✨ As an ESL teacher, she turns language into confidence and classrooms into communities.
Congratulations to you both! We are so blessed to have you in Titantown!
👏 Congratulations to our PCS band students and directors on a strong showing at Music Performance Adjudication this year.
Five PCS schools with band programs participated in MPA, and the results reflect a lot of time, practice, and commitment from both students and staff.
🎶 Cape Fear Middle School Band — first time attending in 7 years
🎶 Topsail Middle School Band — Excellent
🎶 Surf City Middle School Band — Excellent
🎶 Heide Trask High School Symphonic Band — Superior
🎶 Topsail High School Symphonic Band — Superior
🎶 Topsail High School Wind Ensemble — Superior
For those unfamiliar with MPA, the ratings are given to the performing group and are similar to academic scoring:
⭐ Superior = A / 5
⭐ Excellent = B / 4
⭐ Average = C / 3
Thank you to our band directors for the work they are doing each day to support students and grow music programs across PCS. 🎺🥁🎼
Five PCS schools with band programs participated in MPA, and the results reflect a lot of time, practice, and commitment from both students and staff.
🎶 Cape Fear Middle School Band — first time attending in 7 years
🎶 Topsail Middle School Band — Excellent
🎶 Surf City Middle School Band — Excellent
🎶 Heide Trask High School Symphonic Band — Superior
🎶 Topsail High School Symphonic Band — Superior
🎶 Topsail High School Wind Ensemble — Superior
For those unfamiliar with MPA, the ratings are given to the performing group and are similar to academic scoring:
⭐ Superior = A / 5
⭐ Excellent = B / 4
⭐ Average = C / 3
Thank you to our band directors for the work they are doing each day to support students and grow music programs across PCS. 🎺🥁🎼
Huge congratulations to the HTHS Symphonic Band for earning a Superior rating at our annual MPA on Friday, March 20th — the very first Superior in Heide Trask High School history! 🎉 This rating is the equivalent of an “A” performance and speaks to the dedication of our students and Ms. Smith.
Please also join us in celebrating Luke Germain, Jaxsen Roark, and Miguel Manzano‑Mijangos for being selected to perform with the 2025 UNC Pembroke Honor Band this past Saturday, May 21st. Representatives from 45 high school band programs across North Carolina took part — their concert was amazing!
Please also join us in celebrating Luke Germain, Jaxsen Roark, and Miguel Manzano‑Mijangos for being selected to perform with the 2025 UNC Pembroke Honor Band this past Saturday, May 21st. Representatives from 45 high school band programs across North Carolina took part — their concert was amazing!
A big congratulations to the students from Cape Fear Middle, Surf City Middle, Heide Trask High, Pender High, and Topsail High who participated in Honor Band at UNC Pembroke this past weekend.
Students from across the state performed on Saturday at the Givens Performing Arts Center after spending just one day working with guest clinicians to prepare the concert. That is no small task, and our students did an outstanding job. We are proud to see them recognized for their talent and commitment.
Did you know World Down Syndrome Day is March 21? 💙🧡 Join us in raising awareness and celebrating inclusion!
Plus — mark your calendar for March 25: Jersey Mike’s is donating 100% of proceeds to the Special Olympics. 🥪💛 It’s an easy way to support an amazing cause.
And don’t miss the Pender County Schools Special Olympics on April 24 — come cheer on our athletes! 🎉👏 Who’ll be there to show support?
When Titantown answers the call — hearts and books lead the way. 💙✨
Ivey Clodfelter showed calm, competence, and compassion during a medical emergency last week — stepping up not for praise but because it mattered. 🙏👩⚕️
Amiya Codie crushed the Million Minute Challenge with the highest HTHS reading minutes for February — and she does it all with kindness and respect. 📚🌟
Titan Dream = dignity, responsibility, empowerment, positivity, maturity. Keep living it, Titans.
🌟 Student Spotlight 🌟
Stevie is an 11th grader at Heide Trask High School, nominated for her leadership skills.
Stevie is known for stepping up when help is needed. She served as one of the student speakers at the 2025–26 Convocation, representing her school in front of staff and district leaders. She also volunteers her time tutoring students in Math II and Math III at Pender Innovative Learning Academy.
Staff members share that Stevie leads by example. She maintains a positive attitude, works hard in her classes, and encourages others to keep going even when schoolwork becomes challenging. Her willingness to support other students shows how academic growth can open the door to helping others succeed.
Outside of school, Stevie enjoys dance 💃 and sports 🏀. Her favorite food is ice cream 🍨, and her favorite colors are purple and red 💜❤️. She has two dogs, Vera and Floyd 🐶. One interesting fact—her mom is the principal at Pender Innovative Learning Academy.
💜 Thank you, Stevie, for the leadership you show at Heide Trask High School.
Stevie is an 11th grader at Heide Trask High School, nominated for her leadership skills.
Stevie is known for stepping up when help is needed. She served as one of the student speakers at the 2025–26 Convocation, representing her school in front of staff and district leaders. She also volunteers her time tutoring students in Math II and Math III at Pender Innovative Learning Academy.
Staff members share that Stevie leads by example. She maintains a positive attitude, works hard in her classes, and encourages others to keep going even when schoolwork becomes challenging. Her willingness to support other students shows how academic growth can open the door to helping others succeed.
Outside of school, Stevie enjoys dance 💃 and sports 🏀. Her favorite food is ice cream 🍨, and her favorite colors are purple and red 💜❤️. She has two dogs, Vera and Floyd 🐶. One interesting fact—her mom is the principal at Pender Innovative Learning Academy.
💜 Thank you, Stevie, for the leadership you show at Heide Trask High School.
Want extra enrichment this term? FLEX registration for next week opened today! 🎉 Sign up by this Friday to secure your spot. Instructions are posted in your grade-level Google Classroom — please read them carefully. Have questions or need help? Email Ms. Ash at chelsea_ash@pender.k12.nc.us.
Missed the Adaptive Kickball Tournament last week? Don't worry! You can relive the fun by checking out our photo album ( https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12QVzVdkgxl8v2X0Savo1j87EbutMAlSm?usp=drive_link ).
You'll also have another chance to see your favorite athlete in action at the Pender County Special Olympics Spring Games on April 24, 2026 at HTHS! You can support the special olympics by using the link HERE to purchase a shirt. Orders are due Friday, March 28 ( https://tinyurl.com/pcsspecialolympicsshirts26 ).
Can't wait until April? Come out to the Adaptive Science Fair on March 25, 2026 at 1pm in the HTHS library to see your athletes take on the role of being scientists!
You'll also have another chance to see your favorite athlete in action at the Pender County Special Olympics Spring Games on April 24, 2026 at HTHS! You can support the special olympics by using the link HERE to purchase a shirt. Orders are due Friday, March 28 ( https://tinyurl.com/pcsspecialolympicsshirts26 ).
Can't wait until April? Come out to the Adaptive Science Fair on March 25, 2026 at 1pm in the HTHS library to see your athletes take on the role of being scientists!
Students, if you haven't done so already, today would be a great day to make sure you've signed up for your Flex enrichment. Visit your grade level Google Classroom for more details.
This is just a reminder that due to the threat of severe weather expected on Monday, March 16, 2026, Pender County Schools will operate on a remote learning and work day for all staff and students on the traditional calendar. Stay safe, Titans! We hope to see you soon!
Nothing says "Fun Friday" like Kickball! ✨ Students from Ms. Graham & Ms. Hutnik’s classes and other members of the Unified Titans Club brought heart, teamwork, and big smiles to today’s Unified Kickball Tournament at Ashley High School . From clutch kicks to joyful high-fives, this event showcased collaboration, leadership, and the power of sport to bring diverse learners together.❤️
Oh, the places Titans will go! 🚎🌎Thanks to the Hampstead Women’s Club for sponsoring Mrs. Seri’s students’ trip to the Burgwin‑Wright Historic Home — a perfect finale to the unit on American colonial history! Ms. Hamel’s AP English classes also explored the New Hanover County Arboretum to gather research for an essay assignment. Field trips = real-world learning + unforgettable inspiration + great cross-curricular connections. Where will our Titans go next?
A rep. from the CFCC Health Sciences program will visit HTHS on 3/25 from 10:00–10:40 am in Room 301. Students will be able to learn more about the Health Sciences program at CFCC and ask questions.
Interested students should visit Ms. Dennis in Student Services to register.
Interested students should visit Ms. Dennis in Student Services to register.
The HTHS Unified Titans Inclusion Club spent last week celebrating inclusion, kindness, and belonging during Spread the Word for Inclusion Spirit Week!
Throughout the week, students and staff stopped by during lunch to sign our Inclusion Pledge Poster, promising to help make Trask a school where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and included.
We were so excited to see so many Titans take the pledge and show that inclusion matters. Every signature represents a commitment to choosing respect, friendship, and acceptance every day.
Throughout the week, students and staff stopped by during lunch to sign our Inclusion Pledge Poster, promising to help make Trask a school where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and included.
We were so excited to see so many Titans take the pledge and show that inclusion matters. Every signature represents a commitment to choosing respect, friendship, and acceptance every day.
Rise & Shine Titans! Don't forget to wear your jersey today for "Spread the Word for Inclusion" Week!
See you soon!
Titans Coding for Nature 🌊🌴🎮
HTHS SparkLab + Community In Schools Game Jam
📅 Friday 3/13 | 2:05–8:30 PM
Build a game about reefs or rainforests under threat
…and how people come together to protect them.
👥 Teams up to 4
📲 Scan QR to register
Pender County students only
HTHS SparkLab + Community In Schools Game Jam
📅 Friday 3/13 | 2:05–8:30 PM
Build a game about reefs or rainforests under threat
…and how people come together to protect them.
👥 Teams up to 4
📲 Scan QR to register
Pender County students only
Next week, the Unified Titans are hosting the Spread the Word for Inclusion Spirit Week, and we are excited to celebrate inclusion across our campus! Please participate in our daily spirit themes and help us make this week impactful to show that inclusion matters!
Spread the Word is a global campaign that promotes respect, belonging, and meaningful inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. At Trask, this week is an opportunity to intentionally build a school culture where every student feels valued, supported, and included.
The Unified Titans will also have an Inclusion Pledge Poster available at all lunches throughout the week. Please stop by to sign the pledge and show your commitment to helping make Trask a welcoming and inclusive school for everyone.
