Cumberland County recognizes Miss Fayetteville and teen; contestants urge support for teachers and veterans

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners recognized Haley Jo Baker, Miss Fayetteville 2026, and Emma Taylor, Miss Fayetteville Teen, during its March 2 meeting and accepted remarks from both titleholders about local education and veterans' advocacy.

Chairman De Villiers introduced Haley Jo Baker, noting her degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, her experience teaching in Cumberland County Schools and her 2025 award as Cumberland County School Beginning Teacher of the Year. "She currently serves as a business development specialist and consultant for Team Health Behavioral Health," the chairman said when introducing her.

Haley Jo Baker told the board her community service initiative, "putting the pro back in professional," aims to "restore respect, increase support and compensation, and elevate the voices of educators" to improve teacher retention. "Teacher retention is not just an education issue, it is a community issue," Baker said, asking the county to partner on recognition, compensation, resources and collaboration to support educators.

Chairman De Villiers then introduced Emma Taylor, Miss Fayetteville Teen, who said she founded the nonprofit Battle Buddies to support veterans and has raised more than $25,000 for service dog grants. "To date, we have raised over $25,000 and I have lobbied on Capitol Hill to make legislative change," Taylor said, describing her personal connection through her father's military service.

Commissioner Tyson thanked both titleholders for their community advocacy and said the board has prioritized education in the recent budget cycle and remains attentive to military and veterans' needs given the county's ties to nearby installations. The board presented a chairman's coin, a Cumberland County coin and gift bags to both Baker and Taylor and said it plans a separate proclamation and recognition later this month during Women’s History Month.

Next steps: the board approved a Women’s History Month proclamation in the consent agenda and said it will arrange a formal recognition at a later meeting.