By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
CHOCOWINITY — A family illness prompted Southside High School sophomore Craig Nobles to consider nursing as his career choice.
Nobles, the son of Paula Haddock and Ricky Nobles of Chocowinity, was recognized by the school for his courage in the aftermath of his father’s heart attack in late October.
“Craig’s dad had a massive heart attack and was flown to Pitt (County) Memorial Hospital in grave condition where he underwent open-heart surgery,” said Lisa Johnson, Nobles’ mathematics teacher. “In the face of all this turmoil, Craig came to school as much as he could and kept a positive attitude and worked hard. Most people would have folded under all the pressure, but Craig stayed strong for his mom and family.”
The story has a happy ending. According to Johnson, Nobles’ father came through the surgery and is doing well.
“We just got a good report on my dad,” Nobles added.
The experience has sparked an interest in nursing, he said, and he wants to attend East Carolina University or Bridgewater College in Virginia.
“My godfather, Leslie Paramore, told me I should either be a nurse or an engineer.”
College is more than two years in the future for Nobles, but he has decided he wants to play baseball and be involved in a band program.
The latter interest was developed while he was a sixth-grader at Chocowinity Middle School, where he was active in band. He’s also played snare drum for the Southside High School band for two years.
“My mom used to drive the bus for the band teacher, and I would go on trips with them,” Nobles recalled. “One day, I picked up a snare drum and started to play doubles and triples, which are kind of advanced types of rolls.”
Nobles was among the band members who marched in the recent Chocowinity Christmas parade, and he said he’s looking forward to the other Christmas parades this holiday season.
“It’s fun to get to go places, meet new people and learn new stuff,” he said. “We’re also going to be performing during a concert.”
Outside of school, Nobles enjoys spending time with two of his best friends, Jonathan Harding and Christopher Boyd. His hobbies include gardening — he raises vegetables and flowers — as well as landscaping and hunting. He also enjoys building furniture with one of his older brothers, Kyle Nobles. He’s the youngest of five children; in addition to Kyle, his older siblings are Crystal Nobles, Heather Thorpe and Brian Douglas.
He said he used to attend a church in Vanceboro, but these days a highlight of his week is studying the Bible at home on Sunday mornings with his father.
Nobles said he is proud to attend Southside High School.
“It’s a well-kept, clean school, and it’s easy to get along with people here,” he said. “Our principal, Mr. (Rick) Anderson, is really cool, and the teachers work with you.”
Nobles said he wants to encourage other students to stay in school.
“It will give you a good start on a career and give you a good attitude toward life,” he said.
:JUMP SIDEBAR(this also gets the headshot)::
All about Craig Nobles …
*Grade and school: Sophomore, Southside High School.
*Birthday: May 25.
*Favorite subject: math.
*Favorite book: Harry Potter series.
*Favorite movie: “Eragon.”
*Favorite TV show: “Myth Busters.”
*Dream job: Engineer.
*If he could spend one day with anyone in history, it would be: “The Wright brothers. They actually came up with the idea of how to build an airplane.”
*Favorite food: Fruits and vegetables.
*Favorite entertainers: “John Boy and Billy from 106.5 radio station.”
*Dream vacation: “Hawaii. I’d like to sit back and relax and enjoy the peace.”
*Secret wish: “I wish everybody could come together and get along in peace.”