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March 19, 2024

Northern High School Culinary Arts Team Wins the N.C. Junior Top Chef Competition

“You just want to take my mold home with you?” was Northern High School Culinary Arts teacher Peter Brodsky’s response on a recent afternoon, offering his chocolate mold to a student who needed a little more practice perfecting his truffles.

Brodsky, also credentialed as a Chef, is not only generous with his cooking equipment, but he’s also giving of his time. The last bell of the day had rung close to an hour earlier, and there he was, helping several students who had stayed late to get their truffles right.

Perhaps that is one reason why the Northern High School Culinary Arts Team won the North Carolina Junior Top Chef Competition on March 12. The team will now compete nationally in Tennessee.



The competition required participants to create and prepare an original recipe. The Northern team’s entry was Crispy Taquitos, which are chicken and vegetable filled tortillas, prepared with a tangy chipotle sauce. Students were required to record a video of the preparation process, all in one continuous shot with no edits.

Click the button below to watch the video and read more about the competition.

Hillside Senior Olivia Henson Awarded Prestigious National Honor Society Scholarship

The National Honor Society (NHS) has announced that Olivia Henson, a senior at Hillside High School and member of NHS, has been selected as an NHS Scholarship semifinalist.

“Olivia is so deserving of the scholarship, because she has grown over the years. She has not allowed the hardship of the pandemic to alter her academics and dedication to community service. To be the first student to receive this scholarship from Hillside High School, at least in the last 12 years, she deserves this recognition. Olivia is the personification of on purpose, with purpose,” said Jahara Davis, her Hillside High School NHS Advisor.

Click the button below to read more about Henson and the award.

Athletic Directors Recognized for Leadership Excellence

Four Durham Public Schools Athletic Directors have been recognized at the state level by the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association:

• Joe Sharrow, Jordan High School – 2024 Athletic Director of Excellence
• Robert Duncan, Riverside High School – 2024 Athletic Director of Excellence
• Amy Green, Northern High School – 2024 NCADA Citation Award
• Shlisa Stackhouse, Githens Middle School – 2024 Middle School Athletic Director of Excellence

“Congratulations to this fine group of athletic leaders on this great accomplishment. DPS Athletics has a great tradition of being state champion schools, athletes, and coaches. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the greatness of our athletic leadership. To be recognized as some of the best athletic directors in our great state is a wonderful and deserving accomplishment. I am proud to lead and witness the greatness of this awesome group of individuals in continuing our tradition of excellence in DPS Athletics,” said David Hackney, Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education, and Driver Education.

DPS and Durham Public Health Department Earn Partnership Award

Durham Public Schools has been selected for the 2024 Public Health Partners Award presented by the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors (NCALHD). NCALHD is committed to promoting health, protecting the environment in order to ensure the public’s health in North Carolina through leadership, vision, advocacy, and the principles of public practice in our local communities and throughout the state. Durham County Department of Public Health nominated Durham Public Schools for the award. 

“Our partnership remains strong and vibrant. It is the greatest honor to have Durham Public Schools join me in accepting this award. This is a major accomplishment for Durham, as we are known to lead the way,” said Rod Jenkins, Public Health Director and President-elect of NCALHD. 

Lottery Now Open for Afterschool Programs

Durham Public Schools Community Education – the department responsible for after-school programming – will conduct a lottery for elementary afterschool programs this year. The lottery opened on Monday, March 18, and will close on April 19 at 5 p.m. Afterschool lottery results will be emailed to families on Friday, May 3.

An email has been sent to families with details about the lottery and the steps for entering. For more information about this year’s lottery process, please visit Community Education’s webpage at www.dpsnc.net/afterschool.  

DPS Students Win Awards at Regional Science Olympiad Tournament

Durham's young minds shone bright at the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament for elementary students on March 9 at Southern School of Energy & Sustainability! Kudos to Lyons Farm Elementary for earning the school spirit award. Applause to E.K. Powe Elementary for securing the 5th place overall. Way to go, future scientists!

DPS Game of the Week: Riverside vs. DSA

Come watch the Riverside Pirates take on the DSA Bulldogs in a Varsity baseball game at the Durham School of the Arts, 6806 Garrett Road, on Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. Support our local teams and enjoy a great night out with the family!

School Spotlight: Bethesda Elementary

Durham's young minds shone bright at the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament for elementary students on March 9 at Southern School of Energy & Sustainability! Kudos to Lyons Farm Elementary for earning the school spirit award. Applause to E.K. Powe Elementary for securing the fifth place overall. Way to go, future scientists!

Durham Public Schools celebrates the diversity of our community and is proud to recognize the following observances in the month of March:

Women's History Month

Music in Our Schools Month

To share story tips, event announcements, or feedback about the newsletter, please contact the Office of Public Affairs.

511 Cleveland St., P.O. Box 30002

Durham, NC 27702

(919) 560-2000