Reprinted with permission from
The Courier=Times Online

Atkinson asked PHS senior Paul Cash to speak at her swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, and on Wednesday he told The Courier-Times that he was deeply honored to oblige.

Atkinson is North Carolina’s first female state superintendent. Her inauguration also marked the first time the General Assembly had chosen a member of the council of state since the law was changed in 1835 to allow citizens to directly elect the governor.

The historic vote was 93-21 in favor of Atkinson to fill the superintendent’s seat after nine months of wrangling over the outcome of the November election in which Atkinson led Republican challenger Bill Fletcher by some 8,500 votes.

Person student Cash said, although he didn’t have a lot of time to prepare the speech he delivered Tuesday, he was thrilled to be a part of state history, adding that the experience was "mind-blowing."

He met the new state superintendent during a Career and Technical Education (CTE) conference in Greensboro last year, where he sat with Atkinson during a luncheon.

"Apparently, I impressed her," Cash said this week.

He is currently serving as the vice-president of the Triad Region Future Business Leaders of America and said he called on leadership skills learned through FBLA to help him prepare and deliver a message during Atkinson’s inauguration.

In that speech, Cash told Atkinson, "on behalf of the 1.3 million students in the North Carolina public schools, we welcome you to the office of State Superintendent. We look forward to reaping the benefits of your experience, wisdom and guidance as you lead North Carolina educators into the future."

He also told Atkinson that, through her leadership, students in the state "will be better prepared for a challenging future."

Cash said students today and in the future "must be prepared to live and to work in a global society. To be successful, we must be better prepared academically and technically to think critically and to bring creative solutions to complex social and economic issues in a rapidly changing society."

He said that Atkinson, as a former classroom teacher, understands "the critical role a teacher plays in the social and educational development of every child," and as state superintendent, Atkinson has "been charged with an awesome responsibility and we know you are up to the task."

Debbie Smith, Career and Technical Education director for Person County Schools, accompanied Cash to Raleigh Tuesday. She said she was extremely proud of him and his representation of the school system and CTE.

PHS Principal Margaret Bradsher said, "We are very lucky to have Paul at Person High School. He has much potential to go places. I’m really proud."

After advising the new state superintendent on her role and responsibility, Cash said he would advise his peers to work hard, "stay ahead of the game, put yourself out there and don’t let opportunities pass you by."

He said he hoped, as the new school year begins, that all PHS students will take advantage of the many organizations and opportunities for leadership that are offered at the high school.

He said his being at Atkinson’s inauguration was a perfect example of networking, which he learned about through FBLA state officer training.

"Networking will take you farther than you can believe," he said.