Strawderman accomplishes many goals at NMBHS

North Myrtle Beach High School Principal Trevor Stawderman will be moving from North Myrtle Beach High School this coming school year. Strawderman will be going to the Charleston County School District where he will be serving as an executive director under superintendent Gerrita Postlewait.

Postlewait is a former superintendent of schools in Horry County. Strawderman has been influential in the North Myrtle Beach community and his absence will be sorely missed. In his 10 year tenure at North Myrtle Beach High School Strawderman has been a strong advocate for school and athletic facility renovations, changes in instruction and has raised expectations for student behavior in the classroom. Under his direction, testing records for state proctored end of course exams have been broken in every subject, and North Myrtle Beach has boasted top graduation rates in the district and the state.

The fine arts program has grown under Strawderman’s direction and the NJROTC program has grown to a substantial size. Principal Strawderman’s goals of offering more college courses for students has been met with the implementation of dual-enrollment (PACE) classes through Horry Georgetown Technical College on the campus of North Myrtle Beach High School. He has embraced the spirit of the North Myrtle Beach Chiefs by participating in student events, including jumping out of a plane for a lip dub (spirit) music video.

Joe Quigley, athletic director at North Myrtle Beach High School, spoke highly of Strawderman saying, “Every so often you come in contact with people who make a difference. Mr. Strawderman made a difference…His knowledge for the need of students is impeccable…his high expectations in the classroom, school and athletics brings out the best…He will be missed at North Myrtle Beach, but what is left is here for a lifetime.” Strawderman has led North Myrtle Beach High to become the best school in Horry County academically, and the school now competes in every sport.

This past year, the girls volleyball team won the state championship, and the football team has been successful at the region level for many years. Strawderman was diligent to give Hank Hester the recognition he deserved for his service to the student athletes at North Myrtle Beach High School by naming the sports complex after him. Hank Hester served as president of the athletic booster club and served selflessly for over 20 years.

Hester commented on the Strawderman’s departure saying, “I hate to see him go as he has done so much for us. He is more than a friend…it is going to be hard to find a replacement…he has been the best principal the community has had..the community will support whoever the new principal will be because the students at North Myrtle Beach are worth it.” Parents, faculty and students are not ready to let go of such a valuable asset to the school and community.

Parents such as Cindy Naillon, who has a junior at North Myrtle Beach High, commented saying, “I’m so sad he [Strawderman] is leaving and I wish that he was staying at least one more year…he is a wonderful asset and will be greatly missed. It is like a loss of a family member.” Strawderman was instrumental in cofounding the Teen Angels program to assist teenagers in the community. Renee Hembree, the “angel” of Teen Angels (as Strawderman refers to her), said “Teen Angels would not have existed if he had not had an open mind to give me access to the students…I will be forever grateful to him…” Teen Angels is a unique nonprofit, 5013 (c) program that has gone above and beyond to help students reach their greatest potential.

Through leading by example and embracing the spirit of what it means to be a Chief, Trevor Strawderman has improved North Myrtle Beach High School. Strawderman commented saying, “Over the past 10 years, we have accomplished great things here at North Myrtle Beach High School.  We have a great commmunity, faculty and staff and student body. This has been my community for 23 years. I raised both my daughters in this community, and both are graduates of North Myrtle Beach High School. I love being a Chief and will have fond memories of this community forever. It has been a great ride.”