On Monday, May 11, 2026, four Smithfield-Selma High seniors were surprised to learn they had each been awarded a Johnston County Teaching Educators and Coming Home (JOCO TEACH) Scholarship for $30,000.
This year’s recipients are Olivia Dillon, Lola Hansley, Brianna Huff, and Ariana Resaul, who were presented the JOCO TEACH Scholarship checks by JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce and Director of Recruitment and Retention Shelley Siegert during the program's Senior Celebration.
JOCO TEACH classmates and families looked on with excitement as each senior will soon begin their college journeys to become Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) educators.
Also in attendance to show their support of the program were SSS Principal Dr. Ryan Ewell, Johnston County Board of Education Chair Lyn Andrews, and Chief of Human Resources Linda Edmundson.
"JOCO TEACH is arguably the most connected community that I’ve ever been a part of."
-Olivia Dillon
JOCO TEACH scholarship recipient
Before the scholarship presentation, JOCO TEACH Coordinator Suzanne Sweat talked about some fun memories of each senior. Next, she honored them by giving each one memorabilia to remind them of their accomplishments while in the program, and revealed their colleges of choice.
Scholarship recipient Olivia Dillon plans to attend Meredith College in the fall to study High School English Education. Lola Hansley has chosen to attend the University of North Carolina-Wilmington (UNCW) and major in Middle Grades Education. Brianna Huff will also attend UNCW and study Elementary Education. Ariana Resaul has been accepted to the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNC-C) and will major in Elementary Education.
“JOCO TEACH is arguably the most connected community that I’ve ever been a part of,” scholarship recipient Oli Dillon said. “We’ve been able to succeed because of the closeness we share, and that’s what the program is all about. It’s gearing you up to be the best teacher you could ever be.”
The JOCO TEACH Scholarships are awarded to outstanding seniors to further their education in an accredited teacher preparation program. Each scholarship will be distributed for $10,000 for three years as they pursue a career in education. In return, the scholarship winners agree to teach for Johnston County Public Schools in the Smithfield-Selma High feeder pattern for three years.
The scholarship not only helps the students financially, relieving concerns about paying for school, but it also ensures the school district retains the best and brightest new educators.
To be considered for the scholarship, students must complete the rigorous curriculum of the JOCO TEACH program, earn a 3.0 GPA or higher, and be accepted into an accredited post-secondary teacher preparation program.
The completion of the JOCO TEACH program allows students to earn a high school diploma from JCPS and an Associate of Science in Teacher Preparation from Johnston Community College (JCC).
In its seventh year, JOCO TEACH has grown exponentially, and currently has 60 students in the program, the most ever. This year, JOCO TEACH has 16 students graduating with an associate’s degree, also the most students in the program’s history.
Additionally, seven seniors have also earned an associate’s degree from JCC, and many more have earned college credits through JCC and will enter their four-year universities as sophomores.
“I’m excited to see the program continuing to build that pipeline of teachers. It’s also wonderful to see the fruits of our labor as we’ve had our first scholarship recipient complete college and is now teaching at SSS across the hall from me.“ JOCO TEACH Coordinator Mrs. Suzanne Sweat said.
Congratulations to the 2026 JOCO TEACH scholarship winners and every senior who is part of the program!