"Hello! My name is Erin Blalock. I was raised in Craven County and currently reside in New Bern, NC. I attended New Bern High School and graduated in 2002. I remained in New Bern after graduation to attend Craven Community College to earn my general education courses and then transferred to a four-year university. In 2007, I graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. After graduating and moving home to New Bern, I began my five-year journey at Methodist Home for Children in residential care, independent living care for at-risk youth, outreach services, and foster care supervision. I have always had a true passion for education and helping students succeed, so I returned to school to further my education.

In 2012, I took a leap of faith and began my journey as a School Counselor at West Craven High School while completing my master’s degree. In 2013, I graduated from East Carolina University with a Master of Science Degree in Counselor Education and remained at WCHS for the next four years.

In July 2017, I transitioned to Craven Early College High School as the School Counselor for all students, as well as the advisor for 5th-year seniors. My goal as a School Counselor is to help students achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals, and realize full academic potential to become productive members of the world community. The most exciting part of my job that I love so much is seeing students grow academically and focus on their overall well-being. Seeing students passionate about their education and future is the "why" behind my love for counseling.

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At home, I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and two children. Our children keep our lives exciting and our hearts full of joy. I am so blessed to live close to my family! We love camping, going to the beach, family time, cookouts with friends, our church, and the many gifts of life!"

The Pamlico County Arts Council is sponsoring Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a Grammy winning hip hop artist who has created a program that teaches a rhyme writing workshop. Many of our own students will have the opportunity to engage in this process and participate in a master class with this family funk phenomenon. Our total school population will be afforded the opportunity to see Secret Agent 23 Skidoo perform live, on the afternoon of March 29th. We are excited for our students to experience this performance by an internationally touring, Grammy winning artist. A permission form will be coming home; please return in order for your child to attend!

Creed: Competitors had to recite the SkillsUSA Creed and explain what it means to them.

1st place: Emily Newhouse (8th)

Extemporaneous Poster: Students had to design, draw, and color a SkillsUSA poster focusing on the theme “Our Time is Now” in front of the judges.

3rd place: Aireana Collock (8th)

Pledge: Competitors had to recite the SkillsUSA Pledge and explain what it means to them.

1st place: Cassidy Lewis, 2nd place: Samaiya Hackney, 3rd place: Ava Buck (8th)

Poster: Students designed a poster on their own focusing on the theme

“Our Time is Now.”

1st place: Angel Garner (6th) and 2nd place: Aireana Collock (8th)

Spelling: Students were given approximately 100 words from the SkillsUSA Leadership Handbook and had to identify and circle the misspelled words.

1st place: Brylea Hardison (8th)

Quamori Miller also attended as our media team director to take photos and give support to his teammates and friends.

Since joining our team last school year, Mrs. Hale has been an unwavering staple in the PCMS community. She has spent many hours getting SkillsUSA, Envirothon, and Science Olympiad up and running. These organizations have allowed our students to be exposed to invaluable opportunities. She is always willing to help however she can and never expects anything in return. Mrs. Hale’s STEM class is engaging, and students are learning lifelong skills. She is always there, from jumping in at dismissal to helping with makeup testing. Lastly, she always has great homegrown veggies or yummy snacks at a meeting.

Mrs. Hale, thank you for all that you do, and congratulations on being Pamlico County Middle School’s March Cane Catalyst of the Month!