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Name: De’Marquis Howell
Age: 32

Residence: Greenville, NC

Hometown: New Bern, NC

De’Marquis Howell, a native of New Bern, North Carolina, serves as the Athletic Director and Physical Education Teacher at S.W. Snowden Elementary School in Aurora. A proud graduate of Alabama A&M University with a master’s degree in kinesiology, De’Marquis brings his expertise and enthusiasm to his role as both educator and coach.

• Why did you choose your profession? I love working with kids and I played sports through college, so connecting both of those to help kids get out. 

• Who in Beaufort County has influenced your life the most? I would say the principal and assistant principal that hired me. They provided me the opportunity to come down and gave me the chance to be a teacher. 

• What was your initial impression of Beaufort County and has it changed? If so, how? Wild! Aurora is so far separated from the other schools that we travel to for different reasons. It was a culture shock – Aurora has one stop light! [My impression] has changed and grown. There is a lot of community and parent involvement.

 

• It’s a beautiful day in Beaufort County and you have the day off. How are you spending it? I am going to put together some basketball runs and get some kids together. The alumni love to come out and play with the kids. It is always competitive and fun! I am trying to stay active. 

• How would you encourage young people to get involved in their town’s leadership? Giving them avenues to create and getting in their minds that they can do whatever once they put their mind to it.