Emsley A. Laney High School is a high school in Wilmington, North Carolina, is named in honor of Emsley Armfield Laney, who distinguished himself as a business and community leader for several decades in Wilmington. In 1941, Mr. Laney was elected to the New Hanover County Board of Education, serving as a member for 32 years, as well as chairperson for a portion of his service. A portrait of Mr.