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 Ovester Grays from Hillside High School, Jackson Lee from Carrboro High School, and Justin Roberson from Perquimans High School as the recipients of the Lowe’s Campus Captain award for March.
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 every month 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.
Ovester Grays is the Athletic Director and Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Hillside High School. Coach Grays has been the driving force behind the resumption of athletics for the Hornets. As sports began to resume across the state, Grays observed what other districts were doing in other states, read research articles about the resumption of athletics, and created a comprehensive, detailed plan presented to the administration. This meticulous planning and close monitoring of the Covid-19 pandemic allowed Hillside not to have a single case of Covid-19 within the athletic department. Coach Grays was nominated by Principal William Logan, who said, “It is because of his integrity, work ethic, passion and through his commitment to excellence and most importantly his students that I believe should be recognized for this opportunity.”
Recipient Jackson Lee from Carrboro High School is a student-athlete on the Cross Country, Swimming & Diving, and Track & Field Teams. During this school year, Jackson has been instrumental in highlighting his fellow student-athletes successes on the playing field through different social media platforms. He also is working with the Booster Club to showcase the senior student-athletes this spring. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic limiting attendance, Jackson ensured all student-athletes and sports teams were highlighted and recognized this year. Athletic Direct April Ross said of Jackson, “Jackson has been a positive influence through his leadership to his teammates, underclassmen, and Senior Class.”
The final recipient of the March Lowe’s Campus Captain award is Justin Roberson, Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Perquimans High School. Coach Roberson was nominated by both Superintendent Tanya Turner and Principal Mickey Drew. He began preparations for the return to athletics well before the school year started by advocating for camera systems, safety equipment, and screening equipment to protect the student-athletes, coaches, and fans. Not only did he plan for athletics, but many of these protocols were utilized by the school when students returned to the classroom. As Superintendent Turner states, “The procedures and planning that went into beginning school and athletics was a huge undertaking, but one that was never viewed as a negative by Coach Roberson. He saw this as an opportunity for our students.” In addition to attending every game to ensure protocols are in place, he works with the Pirates' current and future conferences to ensure schedules are aligned, and games are rescheduled. Under Coach Roberson’s leadership, Perquimans was able to complete every sports season.
"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 Ovester Gray, Jackson Lee, and Justin Roberson with the March Campus Captain awards,” said Que Tucker, Commissioner of the NCHSAA. “Each of these 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.
