Events and Sunshine Stories

Moore County Schools’ Connect Academy announces 2026 graduates

Connect Academy Graduation begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 11.

Three students featured for Connect Academy Class of 2026: Ivy Slusser (Valedictorian), Kaylee Dean (Salutatorian), and Aiden Copeland (Top CTE Student). Graduation details included: June 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Pinecrest High School Auditorium.
A portrait of a young woman with long, wavy hair, wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and a pearl necklace, smiling against a soft, blurred brown and green background.

McKenzie Baddour

Smiling young man in a formal black tuxedo with a bow tie against a soft, blurred background.

Aiden Clark

A young man in formal attire, wearing a tuxedo and bow tie, smiles confidently at the camera with a blurred, colorful background.

Aiden Copeland, Top Student

A young man wearing glasses and a tuxedo, including a bow tie, with a serious expression against a blurred, colorful background.

Gavin Currie

Portrait of a young woman wearing an off-the-shoulder black top and a pearl necklace, smiling softly against a blurred brown background.

Kaylee Dean, Salutatorian

A smiling young woman with long, straight black hair wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and a pearl necklace, set against a soft, blurred background.

Ciara DeBerry

A young woman with long, curly hair, wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and a pearl necklace, smiling at the camera against a textured background.

Emma Dennis

A young woman with long brown hair styled with braids, wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and a pearl necklace, smiling in front of a blurred, colorful background.

Alaina Godfrey

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing an off-the-shoulder black top and a pearl necklace, smiles confidently in front of a soft, blurred background.

Lauren Goodridge

Portrait of a young woman with long blonde hair wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and a pearl necklace, smiling against a soft, neutral background.

Lailana Gossman

A young woman with long, wavy dark hair wearing glasses and a black off-the-shoulder dress, adorned with a pearl necklace. She has a neutral expression and is set against a soft, blurred background.

Isabella Guerra

A young woman smiling, wearing a black blazer over a white top, with dark hair styled back, against a dark background.

Gabrielle Horton

A young man in formal attire, wearing a tuxedo and bow tie, poses for a portrait with a neutral background.

Tasharee Howard

A young woman with long black hair, wearing an off-shoulder black top and a pearl necklace, poses for a portrait against a blurred background.

Heba Ibrahim

Portrait of a young woman with long, straight, reddish-brown hair, smiling while wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and a pearl necklace against a blurred, soft background.

Brooklyn Johnson

A young woman with glasses smiles at the camera while wearing a black off-shoulder dress and a pearl necklace, against a blurred background.

Arty Kelly

A young person with long hair wearing a formal black tuxedo and bow tie, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression against a blurred background.

Evan Lamie

A young man smiling, wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, with curly hair, set against a softly blurred, colorful background.

Cash Mickool

A young woman with long dark hair wearing glasses and a pearl necklace, smiling against a soft, blurred background.

Olivia Olin

A young man wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie, smiling at the camera, with visible braces on his teeth and a textured background.

Scott Ryder

Portrait of a young woman with long hair, wearing an off-shoulder black top and a pearl necklace, smiling against a blurred warm-toned background.

Ivy Slusser, Valedictorian

A young woman with long dark hair wearing an off-the-shoulder black dress and a pearl necklace, posing in front of a soft, blurred background.

Kendall Thompson

Connect Academy

Valedictorian: Ivy Slusser

Salutatorian: Kaylee Dean

Top CTE Student: Aiden Copeland

June 10, 2026

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You can also follow on Instagram to see more.
Follow Sandhills News on Facebook and Instagram to learn the latest in Moore, Lee and Harnett.
We cover family-friendly news.
You can also follow on Instagram to see more.
Follow Sandhills News on Facebook and Instagram to learn the latest in Moore, Lee and Harnett.
We cover family-friendly news.
You can also follow on Instagram to see more.
Follow Sandhills News on Facebook and Instagram to learn the latest in Moore, Lee and Harnett.
We cover family-friendly news.
You can also follow on Instagram to see more. Follow Sandhills News on Facebook and Instagram to learn the latest in Moore, Lee and Harnett. We cover family-friendly news.
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Love horses? This is where you can enjoy the show and the ambiance equestrians recognize as energy in the air when eventers pass by and revel in their accomplishments and neighs sound another moment of glory—unless they lose. In which case, barn language ensues.

Read the full schedule, plan your days and enjoy! Carolina Horse Park schedule for Sept. 5-7.

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