09/01/2026
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and Lincoln County Schools is kicking off a new campaign with one simple message:
BE HERE to GET HERE.
Throughout September, we’ll introduce you to LCS students and family members who are already “there” — serving our community, building careers and making a difference. They’ll share how showing up, learning and growing in school helped prepare them for where they are today.
We’re starting with Luke Alston, a fifth grader at St. James Elementary, and his dad, Staff Sergeant James Alston, who serves as a Unit Training NCO/Cannon Section Chief with the NC Army National Guard in Lincolnton.
When asked how school prepared him for his career, Staff Sergeant Alston shared:
“School taught me about teamwork but still being responsible and accountable for the decisions that I made as an individual.”
For Staff Sergeant Alston, his career is also about service. He has assisted with recovery efforts during state active duty and deployed overseas, helping provide safety and security to those in need.
Every day at school is an opportunity to build skills, develop relationships, and prepare for what comes next.
Wherever our students want to go, it starts with showing up.
BE HERE to GET HERE.
