Wayne Week — Feb. 22, 2026

Wayne

WEEK FEBRUARY 22, 2026

“Proud of everything we gave.”

As the Charles B. Aycock Cheerleading Team's competition season comes to an end, Golden Falcon — and Wayne Week News Intern — Madeline Thomas takes us inside the danger, and the thrill, of an often-overlooked sport.

BY MADELINE TH OMA S / P.14

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. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

CONTENTS 4 Council backs drumline FEBRUARY 22, 2026 Volume 3, Issue 31

NEWOLDNORTH .CO M

EDITORIAL EDITOR Ken Fine EDITOR Renee Carey SPORTS EDITOR Aviel Smolka DESIGN DIRECTOR Shan Stumpf PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Casey Mozingo

Members of the Goldsboro City Council agreed that a proposed restriction on musical rehearsals should be amended, but the board did not back away entirely from embracing a cutoff time.

6 WCPS wants kids to toss vapes Next month, Wayne County Public Schools will launch a program that would give students who get caught vaping on campus the chance to avoid an out-of-school suspension if they agree to, among other things, take a cessation class.

NEWS INTERN Madeline Thomas

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Melissa Hamilton

PUBLISHER

New Old North Media LLC

CONTACTS EDITORS

kfine@newoldnorth.com rcarey@newoldnorth.com

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WAYNE WEEK (ISSN 2993-9666) is published weekly — except the week of Christmas, Easter, and July 4 — for $125 per year by New Old North Media, LLC, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC, 27530.

Periodicals postage paid at at Goldsboro, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WAYNE WEEK, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

9 Our take

The outrage began before members of the Goldsboro City Council had even looked at a staff-proposed amendment to the city's noise ordinance, and, in our view, those bringing race into the debate are going too far.

12 Our take

Wayne County Public Schools' new initiative — a measure that would keep students in class and bring stakeholders together in an attempt to end vaping on district campuses — is, in our view, a refreshing and bold idea.

14 Cover story

Ever wonder what it is like to be a cheerleader? Wayne Week News Intern Madeline Thomas gives us an inside look at the danger — and the thrill — associated with a sport that many feel doesn't get enough credit.

16 Sports + Rec

The Eastern Wayne High School Indoor Track team brought some hardware back to Wayne County from the state championship meet — ending a 40-year title drought.

21 Public Notices COVER DESIGN SHAN STUMPF newoldnorth.com

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Reginald Gooding leads members of the Funk Nation Drumline during a 2024 practice session along Center Street in downtown Goldsboro.

PHOTOS BY KEN FINE

NE WS +VIEWS

Council members back drumline, call for noise restriction compromise

Members of the Goldsboro City Council seemed to agree that asking Funk Nation Drumline to stop rehearsing by 7 p.m. could be detrimental to the group. But limits — even if that time got pushed back to 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. — they said, were necessary.

I

t included residential quiet hours, potential restrictions on businesses, and a warning to drivers who blare music on roadways, but the vast majority of the conversation about a proposed update to the city’s noise ordinance that unfolded Feb. 9 inside Goldsboro City Hall focused on the Funk Nation Drumline.

And despite a back-and-forth on social media that has seen residents speak passionately for both sides of the issue, members of the City Council — and the drumline’s leader, Reginald Gooding — seem to agree that the intent of noise restrictions in general is noble.

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BY KEN FINE The question moving forward though, as Mayor Charles Gaylor put it, is how to “strike a balance” between ensuring groups like Funk Nation have an ability to rehearse and allowing residents, particularly those who live in and around downtown, to maintain the quality of life they have come to expect.

The controversy started after a preview of the council’s meeting was published in the Feb. 8 edition of Wayne Week and shared on social media by a subscriber.

And while that story was meant to raise awareness among residents that the issue

would be coming to the fore — giving them an opportunity to come to the meeting to give input — it, instead, sparked heated debate that included accusations of discrimination and racism among council members who had not even discussed the ordinance.

Gooding, though, took a different approach, writing an email to members of the council to explain why Funk Nation was such a valuable organization and why a 7 p.m. cutoff time for the drumline’s downtown practices could “unintentionally eliminate our ability to practice altogether.”

The following is what he wrote.

It has not been edited: “Good evening Mayor and City Council Members, Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Reginald Gooding mostly known as “Trayvion”, I am the coach and director of a local drumline called Funk Nation. I appreciate the time you’re taking to consider updates to the city’s noise ordinance, and I’m here to share how those changes may impact our group and the young people my assistant “Emanuel Smoot” and I serve.

Funk Nation is a structured, supervised

drumline made up of students from our community. These are kids and teens who come together to learn music, discipline, teamwork, and accountability. We operate with clear expectations for behavior, respect for our surroundings, and responsibility to the community. This is not informal or unsupervised activity - it is an organized youth program with purpose and leadership.

Due to shared indoor practice space with Artistic Dance Academy downtown dance studio, we often practice outdoors on the sidewalk when weather permits. This is not our first choice, but it is the only workable solution that allows our students to continue practicing together. Our practices are scheduled intentionally during early evening hours, because that is when students are realistically able to attend after school, homework, and family commitments.

I fully understand the intent behind noise ordinances. Maintaining a livable, respectful environment for residents and businesses is important, and I support that goal. My concern is that moving the quiet time to 7:00 p.m. would unintentionally eliminate our ability to practice altogether. There simply isn’t a viable earlier time window that works consistently for our students and families.

If this change goes into effect without consideration for groups like ours, the result won’t just be quieter sidewalks - it will be fewer opportunities for young people to engage in structured, positive activities.

Programs like Funk Nation give students a place to belong, a constructive outlet for their energy, and mentorship that extends beyond music. We see firsthand how this kind of involvement builds confidence, discipline, and leadership.

Our drumline also contributes to the cultural life of our downtown area. Music and performance bring energy and connection to public spaces. Many people enjoy seeing young musicians practicing and growing in real time. It sends a message that this is a city where creativity and youth engagement are valued.

I’m not here tonight to ask for unlimited exceptions or to dismiss the concerns of residents. I’m asking for balance and flexibility. I believe there are solutions that can address noise concerns while still allowing organized youth arts groups to operate — whether through permits, limited exemptions, designated practice windows, or other thoughtful approaches.

As a coach, my goal is to keep kids engaged in something meaningful, positive, and community-oriented. When cities make room for programs like this, they help keep young people connected, motivated, and proud of where they live. That investment pays dividends far beyond a single evening’s

practice. We have won the “Rep Yo City 2025 Drumline Competition” one of the biggest Drumline competitions on the east coast!

And we are currently working hard keeping the title as we prepare for the Rep Yo City 2026 Drumline Competition May 2nd.

Thank you for your time, your service, and your willingness to consider how this decision affects all members of our community — especially our youth. I appreciate the opportunity to share our perspective, and I hope we can work together toward a solution that supports both quality of life and opportunities for young people.”

• • • Back in 2024, Gooding talked to Wayne Week about how Funk Nation came to be — and how the group ended up practicing along Center Street.

He said that growing up in Lincoln Homes housing project, he was in “the same shoes” as the members of his drumline — that he was hanging around “the wrong crowd,” saw how “everybody chose drugs over their talents,” and got “kicked out” of Goldsboro High School his freshman year for fighting.

He said he watched many of his friends join gangs.

“But those experiences, and me being around that and seeing all my friends going down the drain — and to this day, they are still down there — it made me want to be something better,” Gooding said then.

So, he poured himself into music and performing.

And when he was 25 years old and found

himself homeless, a prominent member of the community, Artistic Dance Academy’s Patricia Warren, showed him the importance of being there for those less fortunate.

She modeled, for Gooding, how to make an impact both among the youth he works with and the community.

“Over the years, she has really been there,” Gooding said. “I call her a second mom.”

Just as he has, in the years since, become a “father figure” to members of Funk Nation.

And as he shared in his recent email to council members, Gooding’s bond with Warren is why the drumline practices inside ADA — and outside along Center Street when the dancers are using the indoor rehearsal space — in the first place.

• • • Two things seemed clear during the council’s Feb. 9 meeting.

First, every council member supported Funk Nation and wanted to ensure Gooding was able to continue to mentor its members.

Councilwoman Beverly Weeks called the organization “extremely beneficial for those students.”

“This empowers them. It encourages them and affirms them. This group is also used for mentorship,” she said.

Councilwoman Hiawatha Jones agreed.

“I want to continue to encourage these young people,” she said. “They could be doing a whole lot of other things than what they’re doing.”

Gaylor called Funk Nation a “very constructive activity.”

And Councilman Roderick White went so far as to suggest the organization be given a dedicated city facility to use for its practices — perhaps the newly acquired facility formerly known as Edgewood Community Developmental School.

“Giving them a structure they can call theirs, I think, would be the ideal situation,” he said.

But beyond their seemingly unanimous support for Funk Nation, every council member who weighed in also agreed that some restriction was necessary — and that 7 p.m. was too early a time at which to make the drumline call it a night.

Gaylor opened that part of the discussion by saying he felt a compromise could be reached.

“We want to make sure we are finding that balance. I know we’ve had residents that have been concerned over the years, but I don’t know if 8 o’clock was the problem. I think the problem was 9 o’clock and 9:30,” the mayor said. “So, if we move to 8 p.m., again, is that kind of striking a balance? I think there needs to be a restriction, because I know a lot of residents down there, especially those with young kids, have really, really struggled.”

White, Weeks, and Gaylor all said changing the ordinance from a 7 p.m. cutoff for music rehearsals to 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. seemed to make sense.

And Councilwoman Brandi Matthews said 8 p.m. was “a good middle ground.”

But she also contended that when people move to and around downtown, they should anticipate noise.

“When we move downtown, we assume downtown and some things are to be expected when we are living in that space,” she said. “There are some things that just come with the territory.”

And she also noted that the ordinance, as written, would give city leaders the authority to grant Funk Nation a permit that would allow the group to avoid restrictions altogether.

But Councilman Chris Boyette said he wants more information before a vote on the matter is held.

“We need to have some more discussion with the players that are either in favor of or against it,” he said. “Don’t we need to figure that out?”

And in the end, his fellow council members agreed — and decided to hold off on a vote on the proposed ordinance changes until mid-March.

That move, Boyette said, was the right call, particularly when, as White and Matthews pointed out earlier in the meeting, the restrictions are not just about Funk Nation.

“This ordinance is going to affect everything,” White said. n newoldnorth.com

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. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

WCPS hopes new program will convince students to ditch vapes

The proposed “Alternative to Out-Of-School Suspension Cessation Program” would allow those who get caught vaping on school campuses to avoid suspension if they learn about the dangers of their behavior, meet with their principal, and attend a counseling session.

BY KEN FINE

T

hey would have to participate in a meeting with their parents and their school’s principal.

They would have to complete “courses” that address the dangers of tobacco and vaping.

They would have to participate in “individual counseling.”

And they would have to sign a behavior contract that, if broken, could result in a long-term suspension or assignment to “an alternative learning program.”

But should the Wayne County Board of

Education approve the proposed “Alternative to Out-Of-School Suspension Cessation Program” that was included in board members’ Feb. 9 meeting agenda packet, more local students could avoid being sent home for using vapes and tobacco products on campus, as district leaders hope to, instead, encourage “behavior change.”

Thanks to a $410,000 cut of the Wayne County government’s portion of opioid settlement funds, Wayne County Public Schools leaders have a better understanding

of vape use inside area schools, as high-tech vape sensors are now operational inside every traditional high school, Wayne Academy, and five middle schools — Brodgen Middle, Dillard Middle, Mount Olive Middle, Norwayne Middle, and Grantham Middle.

And by installing 149 sensors across campuses with a track record of vaping incidents, officials hoped to create a deterrent and track the use of the devices.

But WCPS spokesman Ken Derksen said the end game was never about simply catching and punishing those who were breaking the rules.

It was about finding a way to “help our students make wiser choices.”

That, he said, was the genesis of the alterative to suspension program.

For informational purposes, the following is what that program, that is expected to go into effect March 15, includes. It has not been edited: AR 4300-R Alternative to Out-Of-School Suspension Cessation Program Wayne County Public Schools recognizes that vaping and other tobacco product use among students are both disciplinary and health-related concerns. To provide opportunities for additional education and behavior change, an Alternative to OutOf-School Suspension Intervention Progra may be available for students in Grades 6-12 who commit repeat violations.

Eligible students must meet the following guidelines and expectations to participate:

ELIGIBILITY

In the absence of any other aggravating or mitigating factors, a student will be eligible for the Alternative to Out-Of-School Suspension Intervention Program upon a second offense involving the use or possession of vapes or other tobacco products as defined in Policy 4320.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The Alternative to Out-Of-School Suspension Intervention Program will include the following elements: • Family Engagement — A meeting shall occur between the parent/guardian and a school administrator to discuss the repeated violations, potential consequences, health concerns, and available resources for support. A parent/guardian must sign a participation agreement prior to the student entering the program.

• Tobacco/vaping education courses — The student will complete courses approved by the Superintendent, which will include online modules, videos, written activities, and a reflective assignment.

• Individual counseling — Upon completion of the courses, the student will meet with a school counselor to review the written activities and reflective assignment, discuss reasons for vape or tobacco use, and receive information on additional support resources as needed.

• Student behavior contract — Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will complete a behavior contract acknowledging the health risks associated with vaping and other tobacco products and the disciplinary consequences for any future offenses.

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COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

Students who choose this option must complete all assigned components of the program during the school day as determined by the administrator. The beginning of the suspension will be postponed for up to five days pending the parent meeting. Upon successful completion of the program, any remaining days of the assigned out-of-school suspension for that specific offense will be waived. The entire assigned out-of-school suspension will remain on the student’s record.

NON-COMPLETION

Failure to complete the intervention program as directed will result in reinstatement of the original disciplinary consequence for out-of-school suspension.

ADMINISTRATIVE DISCRETION

Participation in the Alternative to Out-OfSchool Suspension Intervention Program is not guaranteed and may be denied in cases involving aggravating or mitigating factors.

WCPS leaders are not the only people in Wayne County concerned about the dangers of vaping among the community’s youths.

In fact, in October 2025, the Goldsboro City Council unanimously voted to officially define a vape shop and set restrictions that could, in theory, result in no additional businesses of that kind being approved inside the city limits, as in order to gain approval from the city, the following restrictions would be in place: • A new vape shop cannot be located within 250 feet, measured property line to property line, from any residential zoning districts.

• A new vape shop cannot be located within 1,000 feet, measured property line to property line, from a school (public or private), church, daycare facility, youth facility, community center, city recreational facility, city park, or hospital.

• A new vape shop cannot be located within 1,000 feet, measured property line to property line, from a “similar establishment.” n

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. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

Continued on page 12

{ our TAKE }

I

ON THIS ONE, DON’T BELIEVE THE NOISE

t is the new default button.

Suggest a change that affects a certain organization and bingo, blam, out come the virtue-signalers.

You must be a racist.

And God forbid you should suggest that there might be a discussion of an issue that could affect the organization — and perhaps inform its supporters that they might want to make their voices heard.

You’re a racist, too, just for bringing it up.

The facts don’t matter.

The intent doesn’t matter.

And in the case of the discussion concerning the proposed amended city noise ordinance and how it might impact Funk Nation Drumline, it seems that the words that actually came out of the mouths of the members of Goldsboro City Council don’t matter either.

They are racist, too.

If you read the story in the front of this edition, you might wonder where this is coming from.

After all, it doesn’t really seem like any members of the City Council are out to get the drumline.

In fact, every person on the board who weighed in on the proposal to cut off the group’s outdoor rehearsals at 7 p.m. said that end time should be at least an hour later.

And one even suggested — garnering a “that’s actually a really good idea” from City Manager Matthew Livingston — offering Funk Nation dedicated space inside a city facility so its members would never have to practice in the rain, cold, or extreme heat.

But if you have been on social media this past week, a different narrative is being spun.

Mayor Charles Gaylor must want to shut down the drum-

line because of the demographic makeup of its members.

In fact, the mayor was hit so hard by that allegation that he posted on Facebook to try to appeal to those who actually believe that is the case.

News flash: It could not be further from the truth.

Here’s what is really going on: Residents who live in the downtown Goldsboro community are complaining — and have been for at least a year — that the almost-nightly drumline practices on Center Street were disturbing them.

More specifically, residents with young children who are trying to fall asleep shortly after sundown have been complaining.

And no, they were not griping because of the demographic makeup of Funk Nation.

Their concern was that a drumline is, by nature, loud and boisterous.

That, by the way, is what makes Funk Nation a must-see act at every city parade and event they attend.

If you haven’t seen what those young people are capable of, we highly recommend you seek them out on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s an awesome sight to behold.

But as you’re watching their videos, ask yourself how you might feel if, in the 9 p.m. wheelhouse, that group was doing their thing a block or two away from your sleeping 5-yearold’s window.

That is why Gaylor has been fielding calls.

And because he is a father of a young son, he understands their position.

That does not make him a racist.

So, we must admit that we were taken aback when allega-

tions against him started flying on the internet.

Because here’s something those keyboard warriors don’t know.

Gaylor — and his family — have a long tradition of supporting at-risk youth in this city.

They are legendary philanthropists and are seemingly always rallying behind worthy causes.

That is a fact.

So, no.

The, “if this were a bunch of white kids or an event downtown, they wouldn’t be saying anything,” is not a statement grounded in reality.

But let’s address it anyway.

An event like Center Street Jam, Freedom Fest, the Dillard-Goldsboro Alumni Homecoming Weekend festivities, or any other downtown festival is not the same thing as a nightly drumline practice session in downtown Goldsboro.

It just isn’t.

And while Councilwoman Brandi Matthews is right that when people choose to live downtown, they should expect a different experience than those who don’t, people who live in surrounding neighborhoods still have a right to expect peace and quiet late in the evening more often than not — with the occasional deviation for a special event.

So, the ask of those who requested some relief was not unreasonable.

And what makes the discourse unfolding online even more surreal is the fact that the council meeting did not include a finger-pointing, kill-the-drumline discussion.

It was exactly the opposite.

Members of the council agreed that Funk Nation is a very worthy organization — and a group that the city should be, Continued 0n page 11 newoldnorth.com

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Continued from page 9

and is, incredibly proud of.

They noted that the work that is done by the group’s leader gives local teens a choice to engage in something positive after school.

They praised the young musicians who participate in it for doing a great job and bringing something positive to the city.

Their approach was not to attack Funk Nation, but to try to find a compromise that would allow the group to practice while respecting residents’ right to be able to put their kids to bed at night.

And this was every member of the council — white, black, male, female, young, and old.

Watch the meeting on YouTube.

It was 99 percent positive.

And when Councilwoman Beverly Weeks suggested the cutoff time be pushed back to 8:30, it was Matthews who ultimately declared 8 p.m. the sweet spot.

It was Councilman Roderick White who said the city should let the drumline move inside the former Edgewood Community Developmental School building.

Let that sink in.

And while it’s marinating, help us make sense of those who are saying the “white councilmembers” want to “push the group off Center Street earlier” or move them “to a different neighborhood” away from downtown.

It’s nonsensical.

But in our view, the biggest shame in all of this is that is distracts from the incredible work Reginald Gooding and his mentees are doing while they proudly represent all of Goldsboro across the state and region.

And it flies in the face of what Gooding is trying to teach those young people about how to engage with their neighbors.

Want to know about the example he sets?

We wrote a lengthy feature about it back in the summer of 2024 after spending several hours with Funk Nation and would be happy to give those of you who are new to Wayne Week a copy of that story.

But you could also learn something about Gooding from how he handled being told that should the amended ordinance pass, his rehearsals would have to end by 7 p.m.

He drafted a thoughtful email — one that respectfully told council members and the mayor about Funk Nation’s story and mission.

He advised that the group was using its practices to prepare for upcoming competitions, and that his students had already earned honors for their performances.

He told them that a 7 p.m. cutoff time could have the unintended consequence of destroying the group.

But he did not rant.

He did not go off the deep end.

He did not start calling names or hurling insults.

He did not infer that race played a part in the recommendation that was being

made by city staff.

He simply asked for acknowledgement of the needs of his organization and made sure that council members knew he and his students were more than willing to be good neighbors.

That is how a man of integrity behaves.

That is how Gooding models for his students how to handle a situation like adults.

And the council and the mayor reacted appropriately — with respect.

They were not looking to end the Funk Nation practices or to hurt the group in any way.

They wanted to find a compromise that worked for both the drummers and residents who live within earshot of Center Street.

And we are more than confident that when the dust settles, both sides of the issue will be more than satisfied.

Unfortunately, that is not how most disputes are handled these days.

There seems to be a whole new decision that what we need to teach our children is that when you disagree with someone, the thing to do is to sketch out profane signs, march down a street, scream, and hurl unfounded, slanderous projectiles on social media.

We encourage victim mentality and the kind of “us against them” attitude that ends in unrest.

We have stopped teaching our youth how to respectfully listen to those with whom they disagree and to try to find common ground.

We have stopped discussing accountability and responsibility.

And, most importantly, we seem to be teaching them that facts are whatever comes across their social media feed, — that there is no reason to consider or to seek any other information.

The truth?

We need more programs like Funk Nation.

We need more opportunities for young people to gather to accomplish something positive and to realize just what they can achieve with hard work and dedication.

We need more outlets for those who are looking for the right kind of role model.

And yes, we need to make sure they know just how proud we are of them.

But we also need enforceable limits and rules that make life better for all Goldsboro residents.

We need to be brave enough to have real discussions when there is a need for a boundary.

And we need more mentors like Reginald Gooding to teach more young people that when there is an issue that you feel strongly about, you shouldn’t stay silent — but instead, you should present your case responsibly and respectfully and treat your opponent with the same respect you would give to your friend.

While they’re at it, maybe they can teach the same thing to the adults in this city who got this so wrong as well. n

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f you have been paying attention over the last few years — or if you have a teenager in your life — you have learned two very, very important facts.

First, students who are not in a classroom are not going to get the instruction they need to succeed.

The statistics are in and they are significant.

Trapping our students at home for months during COVID-19 — and putting them and their teachers through remote learning — put them behind.

Way behind.

The test scores show it, and the difference in grades and graduation rates now that they have been consistently back in school reinforce it.

So, it matters that the priority remains to keep students at their desks as much as possible.

Second, there are way too many influences on our young people — destructive impulses that are pushed through social media and peer pressure.

And many of our children do not always understand the risks they take when they dabble in everything from TikTok challenges to mimicking the influencers who are no more ready to make adult decisions than they are.

So, when we heard about the new Wayne County Public Schools policy for vaping violations, we were intrigued.

In case you did not already know, more and more young people are getting into the habit of vaping — a practice that has been touted as a less damaging alternative to smoking, and one that has caught the attention of many youths.

And vaping, by the way, is not without major health risks, and the lure of the tasty additives to make the vape more attractive — like fruit flavors, for example — have attracted more and more kids.

That’s right. We said kids.

Everybody in their right minds knows that this is not a practice that should be encouraged — not in a teenager or middle-schooler who cannot possibly understand the choice he or she is making or the long-term consequences.

And it also happens to be against the rules in our county schools.

But that has not stopped more and more students from trying to get away with vaping in the bathroom during class.

Trust us when we tell you it’s more of a problem than you might think.

So, to enforce its anti-vaping rules, the district installed vape sensors to let school officials know when the rules are being broken.

And those sophisticated devices are working.

But according to teachers, administrators, and others who have reached out to us this year, those sensors are, perhaps, working a little too well.

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WCPS makes bold move on vaping

The number of violations is staggering — even in some schools you might not expect.

And because possessing and using those vapes on a WCPS campus comes with severe consequences, not handling this issue properly could lead to way too many students who will be sitting at home suspended and not getting the education they need.

So, the district came up with a plan.

Get caught vaping and your first offense does not necessarily get you sent home for a week.

Instead, students will have a chance to take a class — a cessation class — that goes over why it might be a better plan to stop now, before vaping becomes a detrimental lifelong habit.

If the student completes the class — and, after meetings with parents, counselors, and the school’s principal agrees to keep vapes off campus — he or she does not face a serious penalty that stains his or her academic record.

And equally as important, that child does not miss time in school.

Frankly, we think it’s a great approach.

Here’s why: The idea is to educate students about the real risks of the choice they have made, to enforce the rules, and to give them the chance to make a different decision.

And it ensures that families and educators are communicating — that the “village,” so to speak, is on the same page.

Then, if the student chooses not to avail themselves of the get-out-of jail-free card and violates the policy again, the full weight of the penalties for vaping in school apply.

There is a lot of argument these days about students’ rights and parents’ rights when it comes to schools.

And there are some who think too many school officials — specifically educators and administrators — take on roles they do not have a right to claim.

Parents, the critics say, should be the only ones in charge of making decisions that affect their children’s futures and development.

We agree with that wholeheartedly.

Teachers are not parents.

And the authority over students should, in most cases, lie squarely with the parents.

But one of the challenges today is when there are rules — guidelines for how children and teens should behave in schools and what standards they should be expected to maintain while there — nobody at home is reenforcing them.

Too many parents are not involved enough in their children’s education to understand that violations that interfere with not only their ability to learn, but that also create an anti-learning environment for those around them, are serious.

So, if Wayne County Public Schools has decided that the vaping epidemic is consequential enough to allow educators and administrators to stand alongside parents on this issue, we support that.

And coming up with a program that gives students the chance to learn facts that allow them to make a better decision rather than throwing a book at them after a single violation, well, that is what education should be about.

So, we applaud Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard, WCPS’ Executive Director for Community Engagement and Student & Family Support, Ken Dersken, and the many others who decided to give this new approach a try.

It gives students the chance to decide to make a change themselves — one that just might stick — and to keep them learning and getting ready for a brighter future.

Sure sounds like our little district might be onto something other North Carolina school systems might learn from.

WCPS leading the way.

Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? n

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SPORTS +REC

"PROUD OF EVERYTHING WE GAVE."

As their competition season comes to an end, Charles B. Aycock cheerleader — and Wayne Week News Intern — Madeline Thomas takes us inside the danger — and the thrill — of an often-overlooked sport.

Y

ou would think a cheerleading competition would be loud — that the music blaring from the speakers and the sound of squads practicing and competing would be overwhelming.

But when you’re the one standing on the mat, it couldn’t be quieter.

There are only three things going through my head during a back tuck — when my entire body is off the ground — and the volume of the crowd is not one of them.

Set. Wrap.

Land.

That’s it.

But when my feet hit the ground, nothing beats that feeling.

Imagine it.

You’re standing up after flipping your body in

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the air and making eye contact with the judges — a group that is seated right in front of you, by the way.

I’ve never known anything more nervewracking than that experience.

Well, except for the fact that every one of my teammates is depending on me.

And not just for that one flip.

For the full two-and-a-half-minute routine.

But the truth is, I am depending on them, too.

That’s the thing about cheerleading people don’t always seem to understand.

You have no idea what it’s like to hold up your best friend over your head — your hands barely securing her foot, knowing that no matter what, she has to stay in the air.

It is, all at the same time, thrilling and terrifying.

The Charles B. Aycock Cheerleading Team wrapped up their 2025-26 season Monday.

PHOTOS BY AVIEL SMOLKA

• • • Our head coach, Jordyn McGhee, describes herself as “the nicest mean coach you will ever meet.”

And because she understands what could happen if a stunt goes wrong, she has to be that way.

One of her golden rules has always been: “Your flyer never touches the ground.”

And if they do during a practice, it doesn’t matter who’s to blame.

We are all running.

“Because it’s high school, you have to have a certain level of accountability,” Coach McGhee said. “There are a lot of people who need that sternness. Otherwise, they’ll run all over you.”

And failure, for a flyer, isn’t about losing a trophy.

It’s about a potential injury that no coach wants to have to respond to.

So, when she took over coaching the Charles B. Aycock Cheerleading Team in 2023, Coach McGhee knew the approach she needed to take to grow the program in the direction it needed to go.

Over the past few years, she’s done exactly that.

“I’m gonna hold everybody to my high expectations,” she said. “Whether you’re a freshman or a senior.”

Those expectations are pretty intense.

The cheerleading season lasts from May to February, nearly five months longer than the

typical high school sports season.

And when you practice three to five days a week for nine months straight, it takes a toll.

CBA Cheer Captain Adley Cumming knows what that pressure feels like.

“You have to tell yourself, ‘I’m here. I’m OK. I know what I’m doing,’” Adley said.

“Whenever you’re out there, you have to be fully committed to your team.”

Because whether you are a flyer or not, every aspect of a competitive cheerleading routine is about every person on the squad.

Whether it’s a stunt sequence or a tumbling pass, you’re doing it together.

So, it’s important that everybody gives their all at every single practice.

“Cheerleading requires a lot of hard work,” Adley said. “You have to persevere, and you can’t give up.”

But Coach McGhee knows how rare it is for someone to feel 100 percent all the time — especially when they are practicing for nine months straight.

So, her approach is about asking her cheerleaders to give everything they do have, even if they don’t have it all.

One day, she told me, “If you only have 70% to give, that’s fine. I want that 70%.”

Statements like that are what make her such a special mentor.

Because it takes a lot of hard work to get to the level at which you want to be, but

with a coach like Jordyn McGhee — a person who never shies away from an opportunity to defend cheerleading as a “real” sport — we’re getting closer to that level every single day.

She knows we are more than just the bows, uniforms, and makeup we wear.

We are athletes.

“The people who say cheer isn’t a sport, they look at it on the surface,” Coach McGhee said. “They see pretty girls with bows in their hair, cheering on the sidelines of games. They don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears, and practicing three to five days a week, getting ready for a competition. If holding girls above their head for an extended period of time isn’t showing strength and showing athleticism, they should come to one of my practices.”

• • • Monday, we competed for the final time this school year.

It was the conference meet and having already won the Wayne County Championships, the entire team was pumped.

We were determined to finish our season on a high note.

“It was bittersweet,” Adley said. “You have a sense of wanting to end the season and wanting to go out with a bang.”

For those two-and-a-half minutes, we left it

all on the mat.

We took every opportunity we had to show the passion and the work we put into that routine over the last nine months.

And every time a stunt hit, and we inched closer to the end of the routine, my heart beat faster.

At one point, it felt as though every bit of air I had in my lungs had seeped out.

I couldn’t tell if it was the adrenaline or the anticipation that we were almost done.

And then, after a near-perfect routine, I watched as the final piece of our pyramid fell to the ground.

It wasn’t the way we wanted our season to end.

We wanted to bring another championship back to Aycock.

But here’s the thing about cheering for CBA — and Coach McGhee.

I wasn’t upset.

I knew my teammates, my friends, had fought for that stunt.

They had battled to keep that flyer in the air.

They had given 100 percent.

And that’s all Coach McGhee has ever wanted from us: to fight.

In the end, I was proud of everything we gave, even if we didn’t go home with a trophy that night.

Instead, we left knowing that we were proud of our performance out there — that we had been there for each other.

And the truth is, nothing beats that. n

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WARRIORS INDOOR TRACK TEAM ENDS SCHOOL’S STATE TITLE DROUGHT

Until last week, it had been four decades since Eastern Wayne High School nabbed North Carolina’s top honor in any sport.

B Y AV I E L S M O L K A

E

astern Wayne High School had not won a state championship in 40 years.

In any sport.

And while several teams had come close since the 1986 Warriors baseball team brought a title back to Goldsboro, they always seemed to come up just short.

That all changed last week.

And it wasn’t even close, as the Warriors literally ran away from the field during the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A boys Indoor Track and Field Championship Meet.

Eastern Wayne finished with 55 points, a staggering 23 points ahead of second-place Salisbury and East Burke.

But while head coach Leander Oates acknowledged all the long-soughtafter title means to the school, he believes breaking the drought was just the beginning.

“This was a big thing, you know, happening for us at this time with this great group of kids,” he said. “Now, it’s a new mark for us to build off of. They’ll remember it forever. They took pictures, and when they did the wrap-around, it was almost like how you see these guys on TV when they win championships.”

That wrap-around would not have happened without Jeremiah Faison.

The young man delivered two standout performances, winning both the 55-meter hurdles and the high jump, which helped him earn the meet’s MVP honors.

But for him, more important than the individual glory was getting to celebrate with his teammates — and wake people up about a school and program he believes can no longer be slept on across the state.

“Winning as a team was excellent. You get to celebrate with all your guys, and nobody is left out. We all get a taste of victory,” Faison said. “It’s great for the school. I’ve heard a lot of feedback, people congratulating us. It’s just great to be able to bring something back to this small town. We love to give back any chance that we can get.”

And it meant something more because of what it took to get there — because this championship wasn’t just a fleeting victory, but instead, marked the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and belief that they could bring a state title

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Thanks to its Indoor Track and Field Team, Eastern Wayne High School ended its 40 year state title drought.

home to Eastern Wayne.

That belief was fortified last year after the Warriors won the 2A East Regional Championship in the spring and placed third at the state outdoor meet after finishing fourth at the 2025 indoor competition.

For Faison, those near-misses made a championship a “when” and not an “if.”

“We worked as hard as we could to prepare for this year, and we just piggybacked off of what we did last year,” he said. “We just knew that we could be competitors.”

Competitors fueled by memories that left a bad taste in their mouths.

For Faison, it was his performance at the state championship meet during his sophomore season he carried with him.

“Emotions were high for me, but that moment is what built up to what just happened,” he said. “I took the losses as lessons, and I turned them into victories.”

And while the young man would walk away from the 2026 meet with MVP honors, he was far from alone during the Warriors’ run to glory.

Eastern Wayne’s 4x200 relay team — Bobby Harrington, Valensky Louis, Cincere Battle, and Gavin Britcher — delivered a gold-medal performance that epitomized the team’s collective strength.

And they even had to endure a little drama when, down most of the race, the Warriors staged a thrilling comeback — with Britcher putting the finishing touches on the Warriors’ win.

“I knew going in that we had everything that we needed. We started coming back on the third leg, getting it to me on the anchor leg. I knew I had everything in place,” Britcher said. “I knew coming off the bend and merging in that I could finish it out.

Winning showed that in my mind, all the work we do out here isn’t for no reason.”

The young man, who also placed second in the 55-meter dash, brought another piece of hardware back to town — the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award.

But like Faison, his individual accomplishment is not what he values the most.

“It’s a beautiful blessing, and it’s big for the

PHOTOS BY MAURICE JONES

school and county,” Britcher said. “When we found out we won, we all just started jumping up, excited, you know. It’s everything we’ve been working for, and it finally happened.”

• • • Faison, Britcher, and their teammates have forever etched their names into Eastern Wayne history books.

And they have become — both across campus and social media — community heroes, as their school’s long-awaited state championship represents a legacy that will inspire future Warriors for generations.

But Oates, who savored the win in the moment, remains hungry.

And he and his Warriors, he said, are now focused on running it back this spring and turning that title drought into a title storm.

“We got a mark of winning it, and now, we’re trying to match it,” Oates said. “It’ll be lovely to have that spring state championship.

That’s going to be the piece to add to that hardware collection.” n

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. Wayne WEEK . 17

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the SPECTATOR Ring chasers

Wayne County's public school teams will not begin their playoff runs until this week, but Wayne Country Day is already one step closer to a championship.

Photos by Aviel Smolka

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NO T ICE S NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Redia Cannon Best, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 1st day of May, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 1st day of February, 2026.

Rita Best Linville, Executor of the Estate of Redia Cannon Best 251 Meadow Beauty Drive Apex, NC 27539 Published February 1, 2026, February 8, 2026, February 15, 2026, and February 22, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF SYLVIA BURROUGHS SASSER

Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Sylvia Burroughs Sasser, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before May 1, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 28th day of January, 2026.

Ronald Ransom Sasser IV, Administrator of the Estate of Sylvia Burroughs Sasser c/o Caroline Taylor Phillips, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P. O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 Published February 1, 2026, February 8, 2026, February 15, 2026, and February 22, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF BARBARA JEAN CHANCE

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Barbara Jean Chance, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of May, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 8th day of February, 2026.

Mark J. Hale, Jr., Administrator of the Estate of Barbara Jean Chance Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275 Published February 8, 2026, February 15, 2026, February 22, 2026, and March 1, 2026

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Albert Ray Jenkins, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 22nd day of May, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 22nd day of February, 2026.

Daniel Clay Jenkins, Administrator of the Estate of Albert Ray Jenkins 103 East Lockhaven Apt. G Goldsboro, NC 27534 Published February 22, 2026, March 1, 2026, March 8, 2026, and March 15, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against William Everett Wise, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 22nd day of May, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 22nd day of February, 2026.

Rena Gail Wise Johnson, Executor of the Estate of William Everett Wise 5417 U.S. Hwy 13 South Mount Olive, NC 28365 Published February 22, 2026, March 1, 2026, March 8, 2026, and March 15, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF EUGENE MILLER HEAD

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Eugene Miller Head, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of May, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 15th day of February, 2026.

Kimberly Head Glass, Executor of the Estate of Eugene Miller Head c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275 Published February 15, 2026, February 22, 2026, March 1, 2026, and March 8, 2026

NOTICE OF SERVICE

BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DUPLIN IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 25 CV002158-300 PEGGY ANN GAY, Plaintiff vs.

WILLIAM MATTHEW COOPER, II, INDIA SONTEIA WHITFIELD (Deceased), Defendants.

TO: WILLIAM MATTHEW COOPER, II TAKE NOTICE THAT: A pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled civil proceeding.

The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Complaint for Child Custody. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than March 20, 2026, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

This the 8th day of February, 2026.

J. Blake Phillips, Attorney at Law Post Office Box 525 Warsaw, North Carolina 28398 Telephone: (910) 293-2030 N. C. State Bar: 61836 Published February 8, 2026, February 15, 2026, and February 22, 2026

AMENDED GENERAL NOTICE OF TAX FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAYNE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 23CVD002253-950 WAYNE COUNTY, Plaintiff vs.

ERICK IVAN FABELA ROMERO, ARACELY PEREZ ROBLERO, Defendants TO: EMMA LOIS COLEMAN TAKE NOTICE THAT: Under and by virtue of an Order

of the Clerk of Superior Court of Wayne County, North Carolina, made and entered in the action entitled “WAYNE COUNTY vs.

ERICK IVAN FABELA ROMERO, ET AL., the undersigned Commissioner will on the 25th day of February, 2026, offer for sale and sell for cash, to the last and highest bidder at public auction, at the courthouse door in Wayne County, North Carolina, in Goldsboro at 10:00 a.m. the following described real property, lying and being in State and County aforesaid and more particularly described as follows: 857 STANLEY CHAPEL CHURCH ROAD, MOUNT OLIVE (PIN: 2593557914) Being Lot No. 6, containing 2.33 acres, more or less, as shown on a map entitled “Division of Property of Kenneth Mack Best & wife, Brenda Eddins Best, Indian Springs Township, Wayne County, N.C.” which is recorded in Wayne County Registry in Plat Cabinet L, Slide 50-H, of the Wayne County Registry.

The sale will be made subject to all outstanding city and county taxes and all local improvements assessments against the above-described property not included in the judgment in the above-entitled cause. A deposit of 5 percent (5%) of the successful bid will be required or $750.00, whichever is greater, in the form of cash, certified check or money order.

This the 15th day of January, 2026.

Andrew J. Neal Wayne County Staff Attorney Attorney for the Plaintiffs PO Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713 Published February 15, 2026, and February 22, 2026

WAYNE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS — CALL FOR UPSET BIDS

The Wayne County Board of Education has proposed to accept an offer of fifty one thousand three hundred and twenty seven dollars and fifty four cents ($51,327.54) to purchase approx-

imately 4.3 acres at the address of 105 Pender St., Fremont, North Carolina, 27830, and its adjoining lot, all of which are identified by the following PINs: 3605358293, 3605357258, 3605356361, 3605356129, 3605356104, 3605355088, 3605356099, 3605358049 and 3605348909 and approximately 4.2 acres at the address of 101 North Pine St., Fremont, North Carolina, 27830, identified by the following PIN: 3605441986, totaling 8.3 acres and hereinafter referred to as the “property” as identified in the Board’s December 1, 2025 resolution.

The property is being sold “as is” and on condition that the property shall not be used for a competing educational institution, and the deed shall contain a restrictive covenant preventing the use or sale of the property for any such purposes.

Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A269, the Board will accept upset bids for the next ten days, ending at 5:00 PM on March 2, 2026.

Any upset bid must increase the previous $51,327.54 offer by at least ten percent (10%) of the first one thousand dollars and five percent (5%) of the remainder. The bidder must deposit with the Board five percent (5%) of their total bid.

Upset bids and the accompanying bid deposit certified check or money order must be delivered to the Wayne County Public Schools Finance Department.

This process shall continue until no further qualifying upset bids are received. Inquiries about the property may be directed to Dr. Gary Hales, WCPS Assistant Superintendent.

The Board reserves the right to reject any offers.

Dr. Gary Hales Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Wayne County Public Schools 919-731-5900 Published February 22, 2026, and March 1, 2026

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NO T ICE S Continued from page 21

WAYNE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS —CALL FOR UPSET BIDS

The Wayne County Board of Education has proposed to accept an offer of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) to purchase approximately 0.46 acres at the address of 805 E. Holly St., Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27530, and identified by the following PIN: 3509375642, totaling 0.46 acres and hereinafter referred to as the “property” as identified in the Board’s February 3, 2025, resolution.

The property is being sold “as is” and on condition that the property shall not be used for a competing educational institution, and the deed shall contain a restrictive covenant preventing the use or sale of the property for any such purposes.

Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-269, the Board will accept upset bids for the next ten days, ending at 5:00 PM on February 27, 2026.

Any upset bid must increase the previous $2,000 offer by at least ten percent (10%) of the first one thousand dollars and five percent (5%) of the remainder. The bidder must deposit with the Board five percent (5%) of their total bid. Upset bids and the accompanying bid deposit check or money order must be delivered to the Wayne County Public Schools Finance Department.

This process shall continue until no further qualifying upset bids are received. Inquiries about the property may be directed to Dr. Gary Hales, WCPS Assistant Superintendent.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) — REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL SERVICES

The County of Wayne is soliciting proposals from qualified professional commercial real estate appraisers to appraise approximately 27 properties, which includes alI buildings, Iand and property owned or Ieased by the County of Wayne.

Copies of the Request for Proposal (RFP) may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Wayne County Procurement Specialist, phone (919) 705-1714 during regular business hours.

They can also be obtained on our website at https://www. wayneqov.com/Bids.aspx.

The County of Wayne reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals. The County of Wayne encourages all businesses, including minority, women owned businesses to respond to all Request for Proposals.

Proposals shall be submitted to Wayne County Attn: Mandy Trujillo, Procurement Specialist 224-226 E. Walnut Street, or P.O. Box 227, 4th Floor Attn: Finance Goldsboro, NC 27533, no later than 2:00 P.M. on Monday, March 9, 2026.

No request for bids will be accepted after the official time and date.

Mandy Trujillo Procurement Specialist Published February 22, 2026

The Board reserves the right to reject any offers.

Dr. Gary Hales Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Wayne County Public Schools 919-731-5900 Published February 22, 2026, and March 1, 2026

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS — ESTATE OF JANE PRICE GARDNER NORTH CAROLINA WAYNE COUNTY THE UNDERSIGNED, Donna Jill Price, having duly qualified as Executor of the Estate of Jane Price Gardner, deceased, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to Donna Jill Price, Executor, at 103 Eagle Lane, Hampstead, NC 28443 on or before the 22nd day of May, 2026, said date being three {3) months from the date of first publication hereof, or this notice will be pleaded in bar to their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

DATED: February 22, 2026.

DONNA JILL PRICE EXECUTOR ESTATE OF JANE PRICE GARDNER W. CARROLL TURNER ATTORNEY FOR THE ESTATE POST OFFICE BOX 547 MOUNT OLIVE, NC 28365 Published February 22, 2026, March 1, 2026, March 8, 2026, and March 15, 2026

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JERICHO FA R M S

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