CHAPEL HILL – Commissioner Que Tucker of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has announced the eight winners of the Commissioner’s Cup for community service in the 2019-2020 school year. This year’s winners for 1-A are East Carteret High School and Princeton High School. In 2-A the winners are Franklin High School and Mount Pleasant High School. In 3-A the award winners are North Henderson High School and Person High School. The 4-A winners are Athens Drive High School and Porter Ridge High Schools.
The Commissioner’s Cup Competition winners for the 2019-2020 Academic Year participated in and documented a team or athletic associated group performing some type of service project or community service. Schools had their team or teams identify a need within the community and create a plan to conduct the service project. They then submitted a 1-minute video of the project to explain how the team served, the impact of the project on the community, the number of people served, the theme of the project and photos or video from the event.
Seniors of the Princeton High School football team participated in a service trip abroad where they partnered with a school in Los Brasiles, Nicaragua. During the trip, they worked on improving the school facilities, donated food to the local community, and spent time with some of the students at the school. Coach Gaster said the trip left a lasting impression on the senior football players.
“This is a great honor and a feather in JCPS ‘s cap that Princeton High School Football Team was selected for the NCHSAA Commissioner’s Cup Award for community service. This is one of many examples of public service that Princeton Football Team has done year after year,” said Johnston County Board of Education member Mike Wooten of Princeton.
“Princeton Football Team has not only served abroad, but they also serve in the local community as well as other counties in times of need. Hands on experience with community service builds team pride and unity as well as giving students opportunities to learn cultures, make new friends and feel the power of being a servant and helping others in need. any Team success in athletics is directly related to team unity and the ability to work together. Coach Travis Gaster has chosen to serve people and communities in need, both locally and abroad, to build team pride and prove the power of working together. There is no better way to teach young people the power of teamwork and to be thankful. There is always others that are less fortunate than we are and always opportunities to help others. You don’t have to look far to find areas that you can serve at any capacity. To make this possible each year, there are many sacrifices of time and finances and I appreciate all that supported this program to make this possible for these students. Proud of the Bulldog Nation as well. There are many examples like this all across the country with all our JCPS teams and it makes me proud to live in Johnston County,” Mr. Wooten said.
Princeton High will receive a $1,000 stipend from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for their school athletic program.
