Beaufort County Early College High School Student Feature: Steaffon Moore | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, NC     Steaffon Moore is at school on a day he does not have classes. The enthusiastic fifth-year-senior at Beaufort County Early College High School is often seen around the rooms of Building 5 helping out, even when he is on his own time. The early college high school is intended to provide a unique opportunity to some of the most talented students in Beaufort County and Moore seems well-suited for the position.

    BCECHS, located on the campus of Beaufort County Community College, prepares students for college in a personalized environment. Students have the opportunity to receive both a high school diploma and an associate's degree from the college during the five-year program. After graduation, students may enter the workforce with applicable job skills or transfer to a four-year college or university.

    The school, which opened in 2008, is a partnership between BCCC and Beaufort County Schools. There are 235 students enrolled in BCECHS for the 2016-2017 school year. Inspired by the success of BCECHS, BCCC now has similar arrangements with other school systems in its service area, including 65 students at Mattamuskeet Early College High School and 100 students at Columbia Early College High School. Some students from the early college high schools in other counties come to classes at the main campus outside of Washington, but also take classes at their home campuses and online.

    Moore will finish his studies in May of 2017, at which time he will receive both of his degrees. He intends to get out and start working immediately in the field of computer repair. Moore is an expert, with his father, who has a degree in computer science, usually passing off any repairs to him.

    His father has returned to long-distance truck driving to pull in extra income for the family. He had taken a break from driving to spend more time with his children. "He tells me 'I'm driving trucks, so you have to fix this,'" relays Moore. Thanksgiving was an opportunity for the family to spend time together at his aunt's house.


    Representatives from BCECHS had come to PS Jones Middle School when Moore was in eighth grade. There was not a lot of hesitation about attending. "You're going to early college. It's free education," his parents told him. Students attend the school like any other public high school, but also take classes with community college students.

    When Moore graduates in May, BCEHS will part with an important helper. The enthusiastic volunteer wakes up and climbs aboard a school bus on his days off. He helps cafeteria staff with distributing lunches and assists his teachers. During an award ceremony, Moore was hoping to get an award for perfect attendance, but his teachers surprised him with a special award for being a top volunteer. The BCS School Board has awarded him a "Kindness" award and he is a BCCC ambassador.

    Moore said that people have come to expect him to be there now. "When I have an appointment one day, people will ask me 'Steaffon, where were you?'" He is also a member of the Service Club, helping out at events like community fundraisers or Smoke on the Water.

    Now at the end of his studies, Moore helps recruit the next generation from area middle schools to attend BCECHS. With his degrees in hand, the volunteer will enter the workforce ready to roll up his sleeves and help out.

• Contact: Attila Nemecz
•     Attila.Nemecz@beaufortccc.edu