Retired Bertie County teacher and Band Director Marsha Smithwick was honored Monday when the Bertie County Commissioners passed a resolution highlighting her accomplishments throughout her stellar career.
After striking up the band and simultaneously teaching on the elementary, middle and high school levels for 30 years, Smithwick retired in 1999.
“This resolution is in honor of the service of Marsha Smithwick,” said Bertie County Commission Chair John Trent.
The resolution highlighted the educator’s consistent ‘superior” rating at music performance assessments over her tenure.
Smithwick served as President of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Eastern District for two terms, served as the Senior High All-State Honors Band Auditions Chair for many years and was recognized with the NCBA Award of Excellence, the Bertie County Young Educator Award and received an Award of Excellence from the Bertie County Board of Education.
Smithwick was an elected member of the American School Band Directors Association and has conducted many all-county honor bands, as well as the Eastern District Senior High All-District Concert Band.
The leader also served as the President of the East Carolina School of Music Alumni and was inducted in the North Carolina Band Masters Association Hall of Fame.
“And now, therefore, be it resolved that the Bertie County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes and honors the significant contributions Marsha Smithwick has made to the music education of Bertie County and Northeastern North Carolina adopted this day, the 6th day of May, 2024,” said Trent.
“Bertie County is blessed to have a person of her integrity. She is a great leader, a person that has worked hard with the kids that she educated and she has done a superior job. Thank you for your service,” said Commissioner Ron Roberson.
“I am going to say something. I don’t get to say a lot, I don’t get to talk much. So I want everybody to know this from a personal place in my heart,” said Commissioner Michael White. “She started teaching me in fourth grade, which was the first year. I stuck around. I was her drum major for two years and I graduated in 1997.
“This lady really has a lot to do with my life,” he continued. “I saw her everyday from fourth grade to graduation. I love you. You were the highlight of my day. Yes, ma’am, you are special.”
Smithwick was thankful for the support.
“And thank you for your support during the years that I was teaching. I had wonderful support from the county, from the parents, from the schools and wonderful students. I’ve got one of them sitting right here. Mr. White just received his doctorate in education this weekend, so I’m very proud to have known all of you,” said Smithwick.
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