School & District News
Lenoir County Public Schools students recently took part in two exciting Battle of the Books competitions, showcasing their passion for reading, academic excellence, and teamwork across elementary, middle, and high school levels. From nail-biting finishes to standout performances, this year’s events highlighted both the depth of student preparation and the growing competitiveness of the program across the district.
The Elementary Battle of the Books competition proved to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with students demonstrating impressive literary knowledge, focus, and composure throughout each round. From the outset, it was clear that every team came prepared to compete at a high level. Pink Hill Elementary emerged as this year’s champion, earning 130 points and securing first place with a consistent and confident performance. The battle for second place was especially intense, as Moss Hill Elementary finished with 119 points, narrowly edging Southwood Elementary, which followed closely with 118 points. The one-point difference underscored just how competitive the event has become, mirroring similarly close results seen at the middle school level this year.
Final elementary standings were as follows: Pink Hill Elementary in first place, Moss Hill Elementary in second, and Southwood Elementary in third, followed by Northwest Elementary, Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School, La Grange Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Banks Elementary, and Northeast Elementary.
Beyond the final scores, the elementary event served as a true celebration of literacy and dedication. Students spent weeks preparing by reading, studying, and collaborating with teammates, and their enthusiasm was evident in every round of competition.
The district’s Middle and High School Battle of the Books competitions continued the excitement with equally strong performances and tight competition. In the middle school division, teams remained neck-and-neck through multiple rounds, answering challenging questions that tested both comprehension and recall. Woodington Middle School claimed first place, followed closely by Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School, while E.B. Frink Middle School finished just one point behind in third. Rochelle Middle School rounded out the standings in fourth place.
At the high school level, South Lenoir High School earned the top spot, demonstrating strong teamwork and in-depth knowledge of the reading list. North Lenoir High School secured second place, followed by Kinston High School in third. With their win, South Lenoir High School will go on to represent Lenoir County Public Schools at the regional competition.
Across all grade levels, Battle of the Books continues to highlight the power of reading to bring students together while strengthening critical thinking, collaboration, and academic skills. The district extends its appreciation to the media coordinators, coaches, staff, and volunteers who made these events possible, as well as to Lenoir Community College for hosting the elementary competition. Most importantly, congratulations to all participating students for their hard work, preparation, and outstanding representation of their schools.