Each month between October and May, Isle of Wight County School Board recognizes a senior of the month from both Smithfield and Windsor high schools at its regular monthly board meeting. 

Each senior of the month will receive a $500 scholarship made possible through donations from the division’s business partners, according to a division news release.

November’s senior of the month from Windsor High School is Keaera Kea-Towns.

Kea-Towns could be considered the unofficial mayor of the castle. She has the most pleasant demeanor and can be found chatting with her peers and teachers alike while traversing the hallways, the release states. 

When new students arrive at Windsor, Kea-Towns is often the person asked to show them around and make them feel welcome. She is an active member of the community, participating in both athletic and academic extracurricular activities, all while maintaining her high grade point average. 

Her leadership skills have been developed while serving as class president from freshman through junior year, currently Student Government president, and as co-captain of the girls varsity basketball team. 

Kea-Towns is diplomatic when addressing her peers and convincing them to accomplish tasks set before the group. 

She recently taught herself to crochet by watching YouTube videos. Throughout last year and, thus far, this year, she can be found filling her time making hats, purses, scarves, etc. that she willingly and happily donates to students, charities, and fundraiser events. 

She volunteers her time after school as a mentor for new boys basketball players, teaching them skills, tips, and assets and practicing with them to help build their court confidence and make them better players. 

“Keaera demonstrates energy and determination with everything she does. She works hard in all her classes whether they are honors, dual enrollment or building a well rounded mind,” math teacher Jennifer Davis said. “You can catch her keeping her notes, creating school designs and extracurricular events organized on her tablet. She helps others in times of need as well as mentors students to participate in SGA, sports or just helping out others in the Windsor Way. Whether she is volunteering her time with the football team, jumping hurdles, running the court, creating artistic yarn projects, or keeping us informed each morning, she is a true Duke and we are proud of her.” Kea-Towns plans on pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at either North Carolina A&T or Virginia Tech.

Seth Thomas is Smithfield High School’s November senior of the month. He is a member of the Boys Scouts and an active member in his church. 

As a student in the Governor’s School of Science and Technology he is enrolled in rigorous courses and mentors other students in the J-Lab program. 

Thomas is an extremely kind and patient young man. He has a positive attitude and an outstanding work ethic.

Thomas has been named a Semifinalist in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation , which conducts the program, announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. More than 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2022 PSAT, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

“Seth is a hard-working, determined student. He is highly intelligent with a calm attitude,” school counselor, Lana Booth said “I am continually impressed by Seth’s enthusiastic attitude towards learning.”

Thomas plans to attend Virginia Tech and major in chemical engineering.

Both students were recognized by the School Board during its Nov. 8 board meeting.