Junior Sarah Grayce Coats has been named April Student of the Month by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce.
    Coats is currently enrolled in AP English Language and Composition, Psychology at Lenoir Community College, Pre-Calculus, and AP World History.
    “I’ve run cross-country and track since my freshman year, and have been a co-captain on the track team for the past two years. My freshman and sophomore year I was in the Smiles Club and Political Science Club. Sophomore year I was in Book Club. I also participated in Model United Nations at the University of Chapel Hill and at East Carolina University. This year I’m in Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club. I’ve been in Mock Trial all my high school years, too,” said Coats.
    “Sarah Grayce is a dedicated, talented, and occasionally argumentative young lady, who will believe in cube planets, despite their physical impossibility of ever forming,” said AP Physics teacher Luke Esposito.
    “AP World History is definitely my most difficult class. History isn’t my favorite subject, since I have trouble putting events in chronological order. I prefer English a lot more than History,” said Coats.
    “Sarah Grayce Coats is one of the most outstanding human beings I've ever met in my life. She genuinely tries to find something good in everyone she meets. She walks into class every day with a smile on her face, and she lives every day of her life to the fullest," said AP World History teacher Donald Clark.
    “Sarah Grayce Coats is so deserving of Student of the Month. Sarah Grayce excels in her schoolwork. She did a great job in my Honors Algebra II class last spring. I am looking forward to having her again next year in AP Calculus,” said Algebra II teacher Gina Brann.
    “I volunteer with the Greene County Suzuki Organization (the violin program)---I think I've been volunteering with them since eighth grade. Since it functions mainly off of grants, we work the concessions at the ECU baseball and football games. I also do volunteer projects with the local Acteens (it's like a girls’ youth group) group where we'll go Christmas caroling, make Operation Christmas Child, and participate in Stop Hunger Now packing events,” said Coats.
    “"Sarah Grayce has one of the most outstanding community service records in the school. She thoroughly enjoys helping other people,” said Clark.
    “Playing a sport has always influenced me to do better in school. I really don’t like losing whenever I run, so I use the same mindset in the classroom,” said Coats.
    "I've been extremely pleased with Sarah Grayce's academic progress during her three years in high school.  She has taken AP classes every semester of high school, and her writing and critical thinking skills have improved dramatically,” said Clark.
    “My current favorite class is AP English. Mr. Clark is a really good teacher. I love being able to sit down and read new books-- I feel like I’m transported to another world. Plus, I believe these habits will help in the future,” said Coats.
    In her free time, Coats enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Layne and her best friends Anna Carpenter and Kirsten Bubak.
    “Hard work, determination, and time management are a few of the most important skills you can have. There’s a lot of long nights with a ton of work to do, so it’s crucial to apply those skills,” said Coats.
    “Sarah Grayce is also a super nice young lady. She is talented musically and is a great leader in our school. Her smile lights up a room,” said Brann.
    After one more year at Greene Central, Coats hopes to attend Appalachian State University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to become a missionary. She plans to one day own and run an orphanage.
    She is the daughter of Bonnie and Benny Coats of Snow Hill.