WILMINGTON — As theatergoers entered Thalian Hall over the weekend, they were greeted with signs and balloons directing them to the Rydell High School prom.
“Tragically, it s actually just a perfect metaphor for who she was because, I mean, she didn t have children, but her students were her children,” said Brianna Goodwin, one of Embry’s former students. “For the betterment of children, (she) sacrificed her time, her talents, her energy.”
Embry was an orchestra teacher at Ashley High School for nine years, and before that taught at Myrtle Grove Middle School as well as in the public schools of Robeson County.
Goodwin was in Embry’s class her first year of teaching at Lumberton High School in Robeson County. She said her class could be difficult and “devious,” but Embry remained enthusiastic. By the end of the year, she was joining in on the class’ jokes with them.