Davie High alumni connect through McDonald’s/Essie Academy

Published 10:36 am Tuesday, July 29, 2025

When McDonald’s of Eastie Innes Street in Salisbury welcomed the students of Essie Academy as a reward for achieving academic rewards, there was a Davie County connection.
The students not only made the honor roll but achieved improvement in state standard academic courses.
Essie Academy’s mission statement is to promote academic excellence and cultivate life-long learners and leadership.
McDonald’s mission statement is to make delicious feel good moments easy for everyone.
“The moment was something to remember by the students,” said Dr. Latisha Feamster, executive director and principal at the academy, as well as a 19954 graduate of Davie High School.
The relationship with McDonald’s started with Dawn Dandridge helping students with rewards for academic achievement with the Hamburglar Reading Challenge. The Hamburglar visited to motivate students with reading. The students were geared to read one book per week on a monthly basis. The students received a reward for their book reading accomplishments. The capstone was a visit to McDonald’s in Salisbury, granted by Dawn Dandridge, PEL, and implemented by Elizabeth Brewer, general manager.
But the story does not end there.
Feamster wanted to give back to McDonald’s for their efforts. She shared with Dawn: “I need something supplemental for the summer.” So she went to work. It was her way of giving back to the organization which supported Essie Academy.
This was her first time working in the fast-food industry. Under the leadership of Marie Gadson, assistant general manager of the Mocksville McDonald’s, she was welcomed to the team as a cashier for the drive-thru window.
“Marie Gadson has a caring attitude towards her customers. So much they (customers) call her by name,” Feamster said.
Gadson is a member of the Davie High Class of 2000. Gadson and Feamster grew up in the southern part of Davie County in the same community. Their families as far back as the grandparents were well acquainted.
After being in grade school at Cooleemee Elementary and transitioning into adulthood, they found a connection at McDonald’s in Mocksville.
Essie Academy is at 507 W. Innes St., Salisbury.