06/30/2026
Superintendent’s Speech – Dr. Tanya Turner – Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Monds’ Soccer Field Dedication
On behalf of Perquimans County Schools, our Board of Education, our students, staff, community members, and the Perquimans County Schools Foundation, welcome and thank you for joining us for this special occasion. Today is about much more than naming a soccer field. It is about honoring a family's legacy of service, recognizing the power of philanthropy, and celebrating an investment that will positively impact students for generations to come.
Communities thrive when individuals choose to give back. Public schools accomplish extraordinary things because of the support of dedicated citizens who believe in the potential of young people and are willing to invest in their future. Dr. A. Price Monds is one of those individuals.
Through his generous $75,000 gift to the Perquimans County Schools Foundation, Dr. Monds has established a permanent endowment that will support our soccer and track programs for years to come. This is not simply a donation for today. It is an investment in tomorrow. It is a gift that will continue working year after year, creating opportunities for student-athletes long after all of us have left this field.
When asked why he chose soccer and track, Dr. Monds gave a simple but powerful answer: "I think sometimes these sports get overlooked. I want those children to have the same opportunities as others." That statement reflects a belief that every student deserves access to quality experiences, quality facilities, and opportunities to grow through athletics. Soccer and track teach perseverance, discipline, teamwork, resilience, and goal setting. The lessons learned on these fields often last a lifetime.
This gift comes at a particularly meaningful time for our school system. Several years ago, we began working to secure funding for what has become this outstanding track and soccer complex. We believed our students deserved facilities that reflected the pride, commitment, and excellence found throughout Perquimans County Schools. Through careful planning, partnerships, and support from many individuals and organizations, we were able to bring that vision to life. Today, because of Dr. Monds' generosity, we are taking another important step forward. Not only do we have a beautiful facility, but we now have a permanent source of support that will help ensure these programs continue to grow and flourish.
This endowment positions us to continue elevating soccer and track in the years ahead. It creates opportunities for enhancements, resources, and experiences that will benefit future generations of student-athletes. Most importantly, it sends a message to our students that their efforts matter and that their community believes in them.
It is especially fitting that this field will carry the names of Riley S. Monds, Jr. and Frances F. Monds. Riley S. Monds, Jr. dedicated himself to public service through his work as a Perquimans County Commissioner, helping guide this community through important years of growth and development. Frances F. Monds devoted her life to education and to advocating for children. As a teacher, truant officer, and leader within the North Carolina PTA, she understood that strong schools are essential to strong communities.
Together, they exemplified the values of service, leadership, and commitment to others. Their impact continues to be felt today through their family and through this remarkable gift. The naming of the Riley S. Monds, Jr. and Frances F. Monds PCHS Soccer Field ensures that their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students who will compete, learn, and grow on this field.
Dr. Monds, thank you for your generosity, your vision, and your commitment to the children of Perquimans County. Your gift honors your parents in a meaningful and lasting way while creating opportunities for countless students who will follow. We are deeply grateful, and we are proud to dedicate this field in recognition of the Monds family's extraordinary legacy of service to education, community, and future generations.
Pictured: Mickey Drew (PCHS Principal), Carson Stallings (Foundation President), Perry Monds (donor's brother), Tanya Turner (Superintendent), and Justin Roberson (PCHS Athletic Director).