Local historian Chris Barber appeared at Pocosin Innovative Charter School’s monthly meeting to present awards to three deserving scholars for their winning contributions to the North Carolina Flag Challenge.

A creation of the America 250 NC team, fourth-grade students from across the state were tasked with designing county flags that reflected how they view their home region. The effort comes as part of the nation’s larger celebration of America’s pending 250th birthday and the myriad of ways citizens are enjoying and commemorating the lead up to the event.

Specifically, as the chairman of the America 250 NC County Committee for Washington County, Barber came to the board to present first, second and third place awards to Claudia Whitmore, Charlee Armstrong and Sofia Romero respectively, all students of Krista Bond’s class. While both Claudia and Sofia were present to accept their awards, Charlee was absent and would receive her award at another opportunity.

During her address to Pocosin’s board members, Barber was particularly complementary of Bond and her influence on her scholars, being particularly struck of how well she imparted what she knew about the region to her students, lessons that came through in their personalized entries...