CHAPEL HILL, NC – Lowe’s Home Improvement, specifically the Lowe’s 4 Pros Division, in conjunction with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), has selected Keith Bland from Pender High School, Stacy Davis from Alexander Central High School, and Josh Harris from Jordan-Mathews High School as the recipients of the Lowe’s Campus Captain award for February.
The Lowe’s Campus Captain program offers a platform through which school administrators, parents, students, and school community members can nominate deserving individuals for special recognition monthly during the school year.
Individuals are nominated as a Lowe’s Campus Captain for helping play an integral role in building back sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, these individuals are nominated for being role models, making a difference in students' lives, exhibiting sound citizenship, excelling in academics/athletics (students), and/or positively impacting their peers. Each recipient receives a commemorative award and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift certificate.
Keith Bland is a custodian at Pender High School. Bland has worked at Pender for the past 5 years, keeping the building in order and mentoring students. During the pandemic, where the workload increased significantly, Bland worked tirelessly to ensure Pender High School was clean and safe for the students. He never complained about the increased workload and instead doubled his efforts to ensure everyone followed COVID-19 protocols. Athletic Director Matt Davis stated, “Keith’s positive attitude, strong work ethic, and optimistic outlook has not been deterred…No job is ever too big nor too small for Mr. Bland. He always approaches each task with the same can-do attitude that sets him apart.”
Recipient Stacy Davis from Alexander Central High School is the Athletic Trainer, First Responder, and Assistant Athletic Director for the Cougars. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis became the school's contact tracer for COVID-19. Davis has worked nights and weekends communicating with students and parents about COVID-19 protocols and ensuring no one comes to campus, which is under quarantine. Due to her work and the work of the entire Alexander Central staff, they have not missed a day of school since starting a hybrid format in August. Also, Davis spends hours at athletic events making sure student-athletes and coaches have everything they need to stay safe. Nathan Robinson, the Athletic Director at Alexander Central, said of Davis, “She is the glue that holds this Athletic Department together. She makes lasting connections with our student-athletes and coaches daily. She is a true professional in everything that she does.”
The final recipient of the February Lowe’s Campus Captain awards is Josh Harris, Athletic Director at Jordan-Matthews High School. Harris has taken the challenges of conducting high school sports during the pandemic and create positive solutions, always with a smile on his face. COVID-19 temperature and health screenings have allowed him to say hello and check in with each student-athlete to see how they are doing. As Girls Soccer Coach Chip Millard stated, “Coach Harris is spending lots of his time working to offer the student-athletes at our high school the best sports programs that can be offered while also following protocols, and the kids are responding with smiles!” He effectively communicates through many different channels to ensure everyone is up to date on scores, game times, and protocols which has been critical with parents and fans unable to attend. Harris has even stepped up to drive the bus for the Boys Soccer Team.
"The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, in conjunction with Lowe’s Home Improvement and its 4 Pros Division, is very pleased and proud to honor and Keith Bland, Stacy Davis, and Josh Harris with the February Campus Captain awards,” said Que Tucker, Commissioner of the NCHSAA. “Each of these winning recipients exemplifies what it means to be a leader by demonstrating a willingness to impact the lives of their peers and their respective communities positively. It is this commitment and dedication that make each worthy of receiving the Lowe’s Campus Captain Award."
Lowe’s Home Improvement, specifically the Lowe’s 4 Pros division, has joined together with the NCHSAA in 2020-2021 to Build Back Sports as we work to navigate the return to sports safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lowe’s Home Improvement is the Official Supplier of the NCHSAA and provides guidance, materials, and discounts to NCHSAA member schools.
