Meet Mrs. Grady

Ms. Grady

Greetings SBMS Pirate Families,

It's exciting to be beginning my 30th year with Onslow County Schools and specifically with Swansboro Middle.   I truly treasure living, working and serving in the Swansboro/Hubert community.  I'm looking forward to getting to know our students. Please allow me to share some information about myself.

I attended North Carolina State University (NCSU) receiving an M.Ed. in School Counseling after having earned a B.A. in Psychology from UNC-Wilmington.  I came to Swansboro Middle in 1994 after having worked in the Division of Student Affairs at NCSU for three years.  I served as a School Counselor for ten years at SBMS and then was able to continue my work at here for three more years as an Assistant Principal.  I received my MSA in School Administration from East Carolina University.  For the last eleven years, I have served as an Assistant Principal at Sand Ridge Elementary and Jacksonville Commons Elementary after which I was able to work with all of the Onslow County Schools through the Department of Instructional Services and the Department of Students Services at the Central Office.  Joyfully, I made the transition back to School Counseling knowing that this was the central role in my professional life I was called to do.  

On a personal note, I am the daughter of a Ret. GySgt. in the USMC who was known as "Moose" to his battalion.  GySgt. Riley Lawhorn (deceased 2004) served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, was an Embassy Guard in locations such as Iman (Jordan), Kabul (Afghanistan) Nicosia (Cyprus) and Rome (Italy) and of course, went on many Mediterranean cruises.   He was even provided the opportunity to "play ball" on a military travelling baseball team, back in the day, and served as a Presidential Guard to President Johnson!   My mother, Marian (deceased 2023), worked well over 30 years in Civil Service for the Federal Government which provided her opportunities to travel many different places overseas, experiences she treasures to this day.  She began her career in Washington, D.C. and studied to be an Opera Singer.  A talent she had throughout her entire life, living to the age of 92..  I have a passion for the military family as you can probably tell by my upbringing.

I have one brother, Riley, who also graduated from NCSU as a Graphic Designer.  He is witty, heavy into history and politics and loves to read.  He has made a career for himself in Atlanta, GA and loves serving others in his community too.  I can guarantee you have seen some of his "art" if you have ever been to a BP Gas Station, eaten at a Chic-fil-A, or attended ballgame at the Atlanta Braves Stadium.  Kendall Grady, my daughter, attended Swansboro area schools before receiving her high school degree and B.A. from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  She completed her Masters of Performing Arts at Florida International University and from University of Miami, Frost School of Music.  She is an accomplished classical and jazz violinist who loves to travel!  Having also received post-graduate studies through the Global Leaders' Program, Kendall currently lives on JeJu Island, South Korea, performing and teaching future professional classical/jazz violinists.  Other important members of my family include the many fur babies we have loved over the years.  I love all creatures, great and small (well, not snakes and spiders), and currently have two cats:  Tishmi Tushmi from Persia and Mademoiselle Pinkle Purr from France.  I am also taking care of Sheba Ibis, my daughter's felie companion who we believe hails from Egypt.  In the past I fostered two cats, Smidgekins O'Grady from Ireland and Mademoiselle Satinique from France.  One day I'll have to tell you all about all of my fur babies.  Just based on their names, you can assume that they have "travelled too"!  I'm pretty proud of my family.  They are good people!!!  I look forward to adding some doggies to my fur family.

I have a huge personal goal this year:  To visit my daughter in South Korea! Right now, I'm the only person in my family never to have been outside of the United States.  I do love our country!  I love to read, listen to music, cook, garden when it's not too hot and when inspired. I can be found crocheting, cross-stitching, sewing and participating in other crafts.  I do make some mean cheesecakes!

I can't wait to meet the 23-24 SBMS students and their families!  It's a true joy to live ad work in the 'Boro and serving you.