Pender Early College High School (PECHS) and Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) came together Friday afternoon to honor the life and legacy of Kerrie Holian Ostrosky with a tree-planting ceremony on CFCC’s Burgaw campus.
Holian, an English instructor at CFCC and the mother of PECHS alumna Grace Ostrosky, was deeply loved by students and colleagues alike. Known for her compassion and unwavering dedication, she cared for students far beyond the walls of her classroom. If a student needed help—whether or not they were enrolled in her class—Kerrie was there.
Her passion for writing and for young people led her to create a writing lab during PECHS’ Wolf Lunch period, offering support to any student who walked through the door. For Kerrie, helping students succeed was never an obligation—it was who she was. She believed in every student’s potential and gave freely of her time to support them.
Kerrie was also an advocate for PECHS, attending recruitment parent nights to speak with prospective families and share her belief in the school’s mission. Her presence reassured parents, inspired students, and strengthened the partnership between PECHS and CFCC.
In her honor, PECHS and CFCC planted a Live Oak tree on the Burgaw campus, a place Kerrie loved and where she made a lasting impact. The ceremony brought together PECHS students and staff, CFCC faculty and staff to remember a woman whose influence will continue to grow for years to come.
“Kerrie will be deeply missed,” said PECHS Principal Daniel Sidor. “She was an extraordinary instructor, a passionate advocate for our school, and a truly special person who made a difference in countless lives.”