Marie Hurst 2023

Marie Hurst is a 1978 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She takes pride in her Tar Heel heritage. Born and raised in Morehead City, where wanted to make a difference in her community.  She taught at West Carteret, her own alma mater, where she became the National Honos Society Faculty Advisor, Chair of the School Accreditation Leadership Team, Chair of the Site-Based Management Team, First Responder for athletics., Co-Athletic Director, Foreign Language Department Chair, Initially-Certified Teacher Mentor, School Testing Coordinator, and ad-hoc volunteer. In 1985 Marie was recognized as the Carteret County Teacher of the Year.

After college, Marie joined the Morehead City Rescue Squad and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. She spent 20 years as a volunteer with the squad and, during that time, served as a Regional Director for the North Carolina Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. She served as a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Instructor and an EMT Examiner for North Carolina. As paid positions became available, Marie devoted more time to church, school, and civic activities.

Marie served as chairman of the Morehead City Board of Adjustment and the Morehead City Planning Board. An active member of the First Baptist Church of Morehead City, Marie was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, Bible school volunteer, choir member, and servant leader wherever needed.

In 1986, Marie joined the Alpha Chi Chapter of North Carolina Alpha Delta Kappa. In 1992 Marie became state chaplain and served on the national and international levels.

In 2003, Marie married Weston Hurst while serving as North Carolina State President. She has two wonderful stepdaughters, Emily and Ariel. Marie's mom, Alva, lived next to where Marie was raised. Currently, Marie is serving a second term as Treasurer of CCARP. She enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Swansboro, North Carolina.

Julia Yamaoka Thorn 2020

Carteret County Retired School Personnel has named Julia Yamaoka Thorn as its 2020 Member of the Year. After finishing high school, this class Valedictorian enrolled in Stanford University’s English program and completed 3 degrees, including a Master of Arts in English Education. She also holds a Master’s in School Administration from East Carolina University and earned National Board Certification.

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After graduating from Stanford, Ms. Thorn began a teaching career that would take her to Hawaii, California, Washington, and North Carolina. She accepted positions as an ESL Instructor in Hiroshima, Japan, in the late 70s and again in the early 90s.

She is recognized here in Carteret County for her outstanding work at East Carteret High School, especially with Speech and Debate. This creative educator, with no precedent to follow and no funding provided, began a speech team from the ground up, believing that students can become confident young adults through speech and debate. Her hard work paid off when individual students won national titles, the team received a Chapter of the Year Award, and Ms. Thorn won the National Forensic League Distinguished Service Award.

Carteret County Retired School Personnel has recognized Ms. Thorn for her creativity and enthusiasm as Chair of the Brag Board Committee. She took the idea of a single brag board and turned it to 22 mini brag boards, one for each school system location, plus 4 full size brag boards for display at other locations around the county. She conducted a brag board workshop for NC Retired School Personnel Region 7B and prepared the Brag Board Starlight Award entry for state recognition. Ms. Thorn serves wherever she is needed, whether anchoring the checkin table or taking photos at local and regional meetings.

In 2020, she won Volunteer of the Year for the Carteret County unit and for Region 7B. Many hours were given to Retired School Personnel and also to Delta Kappa Gamma. As President of DKG in Carteret County, she is credited with increasing membership and bringing special recognition to the local group of key women educators. Education continues to be in the forefront of Ms. Thorn’s thoughts and activities.

Julia Yamaoka Thorn

Local and Region 7B Community Service Top Volunteer

     Julia Thorn accumulated 1,738.5 hours in service to others.  She was recognized as CCRSP Top Volunteer for 2019 and presented a Certificate of Service by Retired School Personnel President Cathy Neagle and Community

Service Chair Bonnie Ferneau.  Julia is also Top Volunteer for Region 7B.  Although educational activities are her priority, Julia attends various political meetings and helps with other community drives and events.

Sarah Catherine “Cathy” Hewitt Neagle 2011

Sarah Catherine “Cathy” Hewitt Neagle was born November 6, 1941, in Statesville, NC, in Iredell County and grew up in the rural community of Elmwood. She graduated from Pfeiffer College in 1963 with an AB Degree; later on, she would earn two MAEd degrees from East Carolina University, one in Adult Education and the other in Mathematics Education.

Cathy began her teaching career at South Stanly High School in Norwood, NC, and taught at nearby Albemarle High School the following year. The next 3 years she spent at W. G. Enloe High School in Raleigh before coming to West Carteret High School in Morehead City in 1972 where she would remain until she retired in June of 1998. While at West Carteret, Cathy served as math department chair and was named Teacher of the Year several times. In 1994, she was the recipient of the $1,000 Teacher of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Morehead City. Throughout her teaching career, Cathy always focused on what was best for the students.

After retiring, Cathy decided to run for the Carteret County Board of Education and continue working for the students of the county. She was elected in May of 1998 and served 4 consecutive terms or 16 years. She chaired the Board for 2 of the 4 terms; from 2008 until 2011, she served on the Board of Directors for the NC School Board Trust, which is the insurance company for the NC School Board Association. It was in 2011 that Cathy was named CCRSP Member of the year. She feels very fortunate to have served on the school board when board elections were nonpartisan.

When Cathy decided not to seek reelection, she had the time to become more active in CCRSP. She accepted the President’s position and served 2014-15 and again in 2018-2020. She had filled in earlier for June Merrill in times of family illness. Cathy has been instrumental in leading many of the legislative activities of the local unit; she initiated the practice of holding a working legislative session when the General Assembly is negotiating the budget. Starting with the simple notecard, she designed the postcard that members now use for contacting the legislators on the issues most important to retirees. Also a member of the League of Women Voters, she can spot opportunities that allow our local unit to work with the League in political activity. Building membership is another goal area that Cathy has concentrated on.

Cathy attends NCRSP conventions and serves on the Region 7B Executive Board. She served as Director of Region 7B for 2017-2019, a 2-year term, and is also Historian. She attends Committee days in Raleigh and makes every effort to support Region 7B. Cathy and her husband Yates are the parents of 3 children and are active members of First United Methodist Church in Morehead City.

Geraldine Mayo Beveridge 2007

Geraldine “Gerry” Mayo Beveridge, who taught school in Carteret County for 40 years, was an amazing lady whose philanthropy will last in perpetuity.  She lived a modest lifestyle, went about her work as a Home Economics teacher, and thought of her students as her children; she and “Captain David” had none of their own.

Soon after stepping into the classroom, Gerry began providing classroom supplies and clothing items for her students in need, always behind the scenes and without fanfare.  She became quite concerned about capable students who could not afford a college education and quietly contributed as she could.  Gerry cared about all of her students; race was never a barrier for her.  When integration came about, she volunteered to transfer to a school in Morehead City as one of the few white teachers there.  

When Gerry did finally retire, she was soon a member of Carteret County Retired School Personnel.  She convinced members of the importance of awarding a scholarship for a graduating senior in each high school – East Carteret and West Carteret and later Croatan.  To raise the money, she organized bake sales and brought plants and canned goods to sell to members.  In those days, the scholarships, though small, were a great effort for members and were greatly appreciated by recipients.

Arnold Kent Adams 2009

Arnold Kent Adams is known best for his accomplishments as Director of the East Carteret Marching Mariners.  He was brought up in Rocky Mount, NC, graduated from Rocky Mount High School, and earned his teaching degree from nearby North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Arnold spent his entire teaching career in Carteret County.  He came to East Carteret High School in 1967 with the goal of transforming the school’s failing band program into a success.  At the time, only 7 students were enrolled in the East Carteret band program.  This talented, resourceful, beginning young teacher found multiple ways to motivate, inspire, and challenge students to join the band and reach a performance level they could display in parades across the nation.  The East Carteret Marching Mariners marched twice in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and once in the Pasadena New Year’s Day Festival of Roses Parade.  Parents from the Down East community supported the reviving band program; students respected their Director; everyone felt great pride in being part of something beyond their previous expectation.

On Sunday, November 26, 2017, the History Museum of Carteret County opened a new exhibit showcasing the Marching Mariners under the direction of Arnold Adams.  Many of the items came from Arnold’s personal collection of band memorabilia; former students also contributed to the large display.  The exhibit, which honored both Arnold and the band members, had phenomenal support;   he was indeed pleased with how the designers brought everything together to recognize the hard work of all. 

June Harper Merrill 2012 and 2014

June Harper Merrill was born on February 4, 1941, in Kinston and grew up on her family’s farm in the Woodington area of Lenoir County. She graduated from Southwood School, a county school with grades 1-12, and knew by seventh grade that she wanted to become an English teacher.

After graduating from East Carolina University in 1963, with a B. S. in English and History, she returned to Southwood for her first year of teaching. The next year, Lenoir County schools consolidated and Deep Run School became South Lenoir High School. While at South Lenoir, June would earn her M. A. in English from ECU and take additional hours in Education to receive Master’s pay. She continued teaching English at South Lenoir for the next 19 years before coming to West Carteret High School for the last 10 years of her teaching career.

Carrie Campen, a close friend, invited June to attend the Carteret County Retired School Personnel meetings and encouraged her to take an active part in the organization. June accepted the office of Vice President under Eva McLaughlin and then served as President. She was in awe of the work done by CCRSP leaders and asked if they could receive state recognition for their leadership.

Around 2011, the Gold Star Awards Program was being developed by Betty Huffman. June insisted that Carteret County study the program and develop a local program of work that would win state recognition. From 2012 until the present, Carteret County has received one or more state awards each year; Platinum Recognition received in 2017 has perhaps meant the most.

Unita Pope Hayden 2013

Unita Pope Hayden, born October 13, 1934, in Kernersville, NC, was brought up in Greensboro. She graduated from Greensboro High School and then enrolled at East Carolina College, graduating in 1957 with a B. S. in Music. Unita returned home and went to work as a band teacher. She worked in Greensboro/Guilford County Schools, teaching on all grade levels: elementary, junior high/middle school, and high school. At times she traveled from school to school.

Unita’s musical talents have benefited her church and community as well as her school system. She has served as organist for St. Paul Presbyterian and Vandalia Presbyterian and has substituted for organists in other churches. She has also accompanied Community Senior Choir, served as State Treasurer for the Women Band Directors National Association, and been a member of the National Band Masters Association. Unita is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Throughout her teaching career, Unita always belonged to her professional organization. She was membership chair for Guilford County Association of Educators and served as delegate to NEA conventions in Kentucky, Los Angeles, Florida, and New Orleans. After retirement, she worked as receptionist for Guilford County Association of Educators and dealt with membership. Guilford County is much larger than Carteret and hires a fulltime president elected by its members.

Eventually Unita decided to make her way to Carteret County and enjoy life on the coast. She soon joined Carteret County Retired School Personnel and very quickly assumed leadership responsibilities. Unita has served as committee chair for membership, communications/media, and publications. She has been vice president and secretary, a position she held for several years.

Unita allowed the Executive Board to meet in her home, never hesitating to make them welcome at a moment’s notice. She was always ready to go to a district/ regional meeting and looked forward to attending state convention. She was named CCRSP Member of the Year in 2013 for being such a vital part of the organization.

Jane Cousins Burbella 2015

Jane Cousins Burbella, born October 25, 1948, grew up in Rocky Mount and graduated from Rocky Mount High School. She spent her freshman year at Presbyterian College in South Carolina and then transferred to East Carolina University in pursuit of her B. S. Degree from the School of Education with certification in English. Later she received her Master’s Degree in Library Science from James Madison University.

Jane taught 41 years before her retirement in 2011. She taught for 3 years in Edgecombe County in North Carolina and then for 17 years in Warrenton, Virginia, first as an English teacher and then as a librarian. She worked an additional 21 years as a librarian in the Carteret County Schools.

Since retiring, Jane has continued her involvement with libraries. She has volunteered in the library of The History Museum of Carteret County and in the library of Beaufort Elementary School. Jane is employed by the Carteret County Public Library in Beaufort to work part-time as a substitute librarian. She belongs to several book clubs and is active in an educational sorority.

Along with her other activities, Jane continues her tradition of loyalty to her professional organization. As Chairman of the CCRSP Scholarship Committee, she works closely with the North Carolina Community Foundation, Carteret Community College, and high school guidance counselors to attract qualifying scholarship applicants who want to become teachers. Jane makes an impressive presentation of all the current and new recipients at the May meeting of CCRSP. To help out in other ways, she has overseen the counting of ballots, given devotions, and attended Region 7B General meetings and Legislative luncheons. Jane brings grace to everything she does. She was named CCRSP Member of the Year for 2015.

Jane and her husband George live in Morehead City where family continues to be their main focus. For an occasional change of scenery, they retreat to the mountains of North Carolina where they can relax and reflect on what life may still have in store for them.

June Waldon Vann 2016

June Waldon Vann was born April 19, 1957, in Augsburg, Germany, and spent most of her early years in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She graduated from Reid Ross High School and enrolled at North Carolina Central University where she would earn a B. A. Degree in Elementary Education. She went on to East Carolina University for her M. A. Degree in Elementary Education. June taught 31 years, primarily fourth grade, at Beaufort Elementary. Her favorite subject was Language Arts.

June always regarded teachers as professionals and joined her professional organization in the beginning. She served as secretary of Carteret County NCAE for over 25 years. When she retired, she was transitioned into NCRSP the following month and began taking an active role almost immediately. She has served as assistant to the secretary and has managed the CCRSP brag board placed in various locations in the county. June is the NCAE liaison between CCRSP and the Carteret County Association of Educators. She attends Region 7B events and has represented the local unit at State Convention. June was named CCRSP Member of the Year for 2016.

June gives of her time and talent to other organizations as well. She is active in Delta Sigma Theta of the New Bern Alumnae and also Gamma Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She belongs to Order of the Eastern Star and Les Vingt Femmes of Carteret County. She serves on the Board of Directors for Coastal Community Action, with the goal of improving life for everyone from young children to senior citizens.

June and her family attend St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church where she is financial secretary, Director of Christian Education, and an usher. She and her husband Malcolm enjoy an active life, which includes time for extended visits from their grandchildren when school is not in session.

Anne Meekins Upchurch 2017

Carteret County Retired School Personnel named Anne Upchurch as its Member of the Year in 2017. Anne grew up in New Bern and graduated from New Bern High School. A graduate of Meredith College, she taught in Wake and Sampson counties and more recently in Pitt and Carteret counties. Anne continues to enjoy the rewards of teaching by tutoring at Teacher’s Pet in Morehead City.

Anne was recognized for outstanding service as Chairman of the CCRSP Legislative Committee. She volunteered early on to help achieve the legislative goals of Retired School Personnel. Working closely with the legislative leaders in NC Retired School Personnel, she brought local advocacy to a higher, more meaningful level. She prepared the entry for the Legislative Starlight Award, which won state recognition for the Carteret County local unit.

Emphasis was always more on the issues and less on partisanship. To increase effectiveness, Anne believes in networking with other like-minded groups. Her connections with the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce led to opportunities for members to work together on common legislative goals. Anne arranged for several members to help with open forum events and to attend the League’s annual Woman of the Year Luncheon. Several CCRSP members have attended the Chamber’s Legislative Luncheon and spoken with our Legislators.

On the regional level, Anne served as Legislative Co-chair for Region 7B. Her careful planning and her attention to every detail brought increased participation from both Legislators and members. Another regional contribution was attending Committee Day in Raleigh.

Locally, Anne has also helped with Community Service projects, worked at the check-in table, presented devotions, provided food for the Retirement Seminar, and attended State Convention. When she agrees to assume a responsibility, others know she will keep her commitment with the highest level of perfection.