McCrory presents 2 with NC’s highest honor

HOLLY RIDGE, NC (WWAY) — Today Governor Pat McCrory traveled to Onslow County to present two individuals with North Carolina’s highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Beth Howard and Ron McElheney both received recognition for their work in the community. McCrory said Onslow County has been a leader in understanding that the private sector and educators need to work together for the betterment of the children. Both of today’s recipients do just that.

Howard is a teacher at Dixon Elementary where the ceremony was held. She said she could not believe she received this honor today.

“I’ve heard about this award since I was a child growing up in Raleigh and people I knew won it that were just beyond my comprehension,” said Howard. “When he said me it was like winning an Academy Award or something.”

For two decades, Howard has applied for and won 21 Bright Ideas grants for her students to further their education in the classroom. The Bright Ideas grant is a program that provides funding for innovative classroom projects through North Carolina electric cooperatives, which is where the second recipient, Ron McElheney comes in.

McElheney is the CEO of Jones-Onslow Electric. His cooperative has been integral in providing funding for projects ranging from greenhouses to growing oysters.

“We’ve been involved in it since 1993,” said McElheney. “We’ve had tremendous success with all the things that we are involved in in the community from festivals to you name it, the Bright Ideas program, to me, has always been our best and most successful.”

Students at the school performed Christmas music for the Governor and winners to celebrate the occasion. Click here for a taste of the kid’s musical performance!