PEMBROKE — Peggy J. Locklear, a bookkeeper for Purnell Swett High School, was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Aug. 20 during the kick-off meeting of the Public Schools of Robeson County.

“I started in 1961 at Pembroke Elementary,” Locklear said. “Now it’s part of the university. I moved to Pembroke Senior High, which is now Pembroke Middle, and I worked there 15 years. Then we merged with Maxton and Prospect and Pembroke Senior High and we became Purnell Swett High School.”

This year marks Locklear’s 52nd year working for the county.

As a nod to her work, Rep. Charles Graham presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the state’s highest civilian award, issued by Gov. Bev Perdue for a demonstrated record of service.

“I’m not an awards person,” Locklear said, “meaning that I don’t do my job to receive awards, but it was a great honor and it was a greater honor to receive it there with my work family, who are all educators.”

Locklear is also a recipient of the North Carolina Educational Office Person of the Year award and represents Robeson County and North Carolina in various regional, state and national education conferences and committee positions.

“I’ve enjoyed every day of it and I’ve enjoyed the students and the faculty that I work with,” Locklear said.