Dr. Ike Southerland, Head of School from 1985-2008, and Mr. Hugh Pollock, a welcome figure on APA’s campus for decades, share a good laugh during Susan Parrott’s reflection of the school’s founding. Photo by Danny Perez / Neuse News

Susan Parrott and Dr. Ike Southerland Reflect on
School’s Legacy at Founders Day Celebration

Arendell Parrott Academy (APA) marked a milestone Thursday, launching its 60th academic year with a Founders Day and Honor Convocation ceremony. The celebration featured two distinguished speakers: Susan Parrott, sister of the school’s namesake, and Dr. Ike Southerland, the Academy’s longest-serving Head of School.

In front of students, faculty, alumni, and trustees, the ceremony honored the school's six decades of educational excellence and service to the community. Head of School David Moody opened the event by reflecting on APA’s journey from its humble beginnings to its current standing as a leading independent school in Eastern North Carolina.

A Sister’s Reflections on APA’s Founding

Susan Parrott, the oldest daughter of APA founders Marian and Lillian Parrott, offered personal anecdotes about the school’s inception. She recalled her brother Arendell, after whom the school is named, and her father’s determination to build a school that would offer high-quality education after Arendell’s tragic passing in 1961.

“Starting a school was expensive,” Parrott said, “but my father was able to figure out how to start it. He was smart enough to back off and let the experts run it.” She credited many in the community who, alongside her father, helped clear land and donate resources to make the school a reality.

Parrott, a former student, also shared memories from the early years when the first classes were held in local homes and churches. “We didn’t have a cafeteria, music classes, or athletic fields,” she said. “At recess, we played in ditches when it wasn’t too muddy.”

Southerland’s Legacy of Growth and Achievement

Dr. Ike Southerland, who served as Head of School from 1985 to 2008, addressed the crowd about APA’s expansion and its long-standing commitment to academic excellence. Southerland led the school through its most significant period of growth, doubling enrollment and overseeing the construction of new buildings, including state-of-the-art athletic and fine arts facilities.

Reflecting on his tenure, Southerland acknowledged the challenges of declining enrollment when he first arrived. “When I started, we had fewer than 400 students, and our high school was shrinking,” he said. “But with support from the board and faculty, we turned things around. We built new facilities and strengthened the academic program. By the time I retired, we had nearly 700 students.”

Southerland emphasized the collective effort that shaped the school’s success. “No single person created this place,” he said. “It’s the work of many — from founders and board members to teachers and students — who believed in the vision.”

Honor Convocation

The ceremony also included the induction of the 2024-2025 Honor Council members, continuing a 23-year-old tradition at APA. Eleven students were selected to uphold the Academy’s values of honor, truth, and initiative. Moody reminded the students, “Your character is more important than any achievement in the classroom or on the athletic field.”

The 2024-2025 APA Honor Council members are:

Seniors - Seth Edwards, Eliza Grady, Carolina Jones, and Ellen Jones

Juniors - Carter Hoffman, Wali Omer, and Sarah Wentz

Sophomores - Preethi Chada and Chloe Lewis

Freshmen - Nicholas Kim and Josie Wilson