May Alumni of the Month: Priscilla Garrett

DPSF’s May DPS Alumni of the Month is Priscilla Garrett! Priscilla is a proud graduate of DPS, attending Hillandale Elementary, Brodgen Middle and Durham School of the Arts. She graduated in 2015 and now serves as a Project Engineer at CATE Services and Construction.

Priscilla reflects on her DPS experience as a source of inspiration and foundation for her personal and professional growth. The values and support she received in DPS led her to pursue a career in program management and remain connected to the DPS community through volunteer work.

One of her favorite memories as a student was performing Carmina Burana with the North Carolina Adult Choir and the North Carolina Orchestra—an unforgettable moment she still recalls with pride. She credits her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Spearman at Hillandale Elementary, with having the most significant impact on her academic journey. Mrs. Spearman recognized Priscilla’s potential early on and encouraged her to pursue advanced learning, changing the course of her education.

Priscilla’s advice to current DPS students: “Believe in your potential, even when it's hard to see it yourself. The effort you put in now... can open doors you never imagined. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, take on challenges, and dream bigger than what’s in front of you.”

Read our full interview with Priscilla below!

DPSF: Tell us about you - what DPS schools did you attend? What are you doing now?

Priscilla: I attended Hillandale Elementary School and Brogden Middle School, and I graduated from Durham School of the Arts in 2015. I currently serve as a Project Engineer at CATE Services and Construction, headquartered in Durham, NC. I'm presently working on the Bluford Street Residence Hall project for North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC.

DPSF: What does DPS or your school community mean to you? How has it helped shape you into who you are today? 

Priscilla: As a Durham native, DPS means a great deal to me. DPS represents more than just a school community; it’s a foundation that has continuously inspired me and shaped the course of my life. Graduating in 2015, I carried with me the values, resilience, and drive fostered within the DPS environment. Those values influenced my choice to pursue a career in program management, where I’ve had the incredible opportunity to give back and work with DPS as an adult. Being a part of this community instilled in me a commitment to making an impact, and now, in my professional life, I strive to create the same supportive and encouraging spaces for others that DPS once provided me. Even after graduating, I found myself returning to volunteer at various events, continuing to stay connected and contribute where I could.

DPSF: What’s your favorite memory from your time at DPS?

Priscilla: I have many great memories from the various activities I participated in as a student, but one of my favorite and most unforgettable experiences was performing Carmina Burana with the North Carolina Adult Choir and the North Carolina Orchestra. It was an absolute honor to have a part in such a powerful piece and share that moment with so many talented musicians. Being surrounded by the beautiful voices and stirring music still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

DPSF: Is there a teacher who influenced you most along the way? What's their name and how did they make a difference? 

Priscilla: My most influential teacher would have to be my third-grade teacher at Hillandale Elementary, Mrs. Spearman. She was an excellent teacher, advocate, and role model. She helped me reach my full academic potential by recognizing my gifts and recommending me for AIG classes, which opened the door for my advanced learning career. Without her, I never would have pushed myself to see what I was truly capable of. If it weren’t for her, I don't know if I would have ever achieved as much as I have academically. She was truly a rockstar.

DPSF: What’s one piece of advice you would give to current DPS students?

Priscilla: One piece of advice I would give to current DPS students is to believe in your potential, even when it's hard to see it yourself. The effort you put in now—whether in the classroom, in your relationships with teachers, or in your personal goals—can open doors you never imagined. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, take on challenges, and dream bigger than what’s in front of you. You are capable of great things, and there are people in your corner who want to see you win.

Are you interested in becoming a DPS Alumni of the Month? Find more information here: https://www.bullcityschools.org/alumni