Fourteen students from the East Henderson High School HOSA attended the State Conference. Twelve of these students qualified for the final round of competition.
Of these twelve, eleven students were finalists, finishing in the top ten, and seven earned medals. Kasandra Melgar and Jennifer Hernandez, East High’s HOSA Community Awareness Co-chairs, won the 1st Place Gold Medal in Community Awareness. They spent over forty hours before and after school spearheading an “anti- bullying” awareness campaign that culminated into a school-wide endeavor. Breanna Leopard and Haley Lively won the 1st Place Gold Medal in Career Health Display. Researching the career of Obstetrics and Gynecology, they did hours and hours of research, note taking, and even interviewed two physicians. Toree Pitts, Madison Honeycut, and Hannah Hill won 3rd Place Bronze Medals in the Health Education category. With many hours spent before school, they planned and prepared a lesson for first graders on health and wellness, incorporating their entire Health Science II class. These seven medalists will compete on the National Level in June.
Courtney Coules, Haley Esterema, and Caitln Malone were all finalists, finishing in the top ten in their categories. Kristen Carter qualified for second round in Sports Medicine, testing against 65 other competitors.
HOSA offers 56 Competitive Events that are aligned to the National Healthcare Foundation and Accountability Criteria outlined by the National Consortium for Health Science Education. There were over 2,300 students at this year’s North Carolina State HOSA Conference.
2014 All-State Band
Patrick Darnell, Mack Lyda, and Ashton Parker (students from North Henderson High) and Brett Levi (East Henderson High) made the 2014 All-State Band. This is Brett’s second year in All-State Band.
National Music Festival Champions
The North Henderson High School Symphonic Band was named Champion of the National Music Festival in Philadelphia, PA on April 5. The band was selected as Champion over more than 20 other ensembles. The North Henderson High School Concert Band came in 2nd place, and was invited to participate in a number of select music festivals for next year. This marks the third consecutive year that the North Henderson High School
Symphonic Band has won a National Music Festival. The North High bands are led by Steve Sigmon, who also serves as Chairman for the Western North Carolina Bandmasters Association and who is the Western District Representative of the NCBA Marching Committee.
Symphonic Band members are: Marco Asuncion, Brandon Bane, Callie Boatright, Josie Cameron, Kalei Canter, Aaron Carter, Kelly Connelly, Kyle Corbin, Shannah Coward, Patrick Darnell, Cailey Davis, Lillie Davis, Rory Davis, Josef Dewberry, Valentina Digiacomo, Savannah Dobbs, Nathan Duckett, Jeremy Farmer, Kyle Farmer, David Garren, Avery Gifford, Angel Gordon, Hannah Harris, Eli Hauser, Cassie Hazell, Josh Hill, Shanice Hill, Haley Hudgins, Parker Hudgins, Savannah Kicklighter, Justin Kissenberger, Kasey LeClair, Mack Lyda, Tommy McFee, Seth Melton, Hunter Merrill, Eden Pace, Jamie Pace, Ashton Parker, Erin Peterson, Tommy Shoemaker, Rebecca Sneed, Destinee Snipes, Jessica Strickland, Chase Thornhill, Haylee Wilkie, Heather Wolfe, Lee Ann Wolfe, Olivia Wright, and Dakota Youngblood.
Distinguished Unit Award with Merit for the 2013-14
North Henderson High School’s AFJROTC Unit NC-20065 received the Distinguished Unit Award with Merit for the 2013-14 School Year. This is the third consecutive year the Unit has received this award. Only 9 percent of the units worldwide receive this level of recognition. The NHHS AFJROTC was activated with the 2006-07 school year. Unit NC-20065 has been selected as a Distinguished Unit by the Director of AFJROTC six times: in 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14, with three of these school year awards
being With Merit (2010-11, 2011-12, and 2013-14). Lt. Col Jim Grigsby and MSgt. Doug Draper are the instructors for the North Henderson High School cadets.
Division 2 winner in the 2014 Endangered Species Poster Contest
Carmen Hughes, a 5th grade student at Atkinson Elementary, is a Division 2 winner in the 2014 Endangered Species Poster Contest, sponsored by the North Carolina Zoo. Her winning poster, along with the other Division winners’ posters will be combined by the North Carolina Zoo to create the official 2014 Endangered Species Awareness Poster. As the winner in her division, Carmen will receive a one-year family membership to the N.C. Zoo, a copy of the official 2014 Endangered Species Poster, and an educational program for his classroom.
The North Carolina Zoo invited all North Carolina public school students, private school students, and home school students to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to increasing awareness of endangered species by participating in the Endangered Species Poster Contest. Schools first held a school-based competition, and chose first, second and third place posters in the four divisions: Division 1, Kindergarten – 2nd Grade; Division 2, 3rd – 5th Grade; Division 3, 6th – 8th Grade; and Division 4, 9th – 12th Grade. A committee of zoo staff and community representatives judged the posters. One winner was chosen in each division.
Level 2 State Winner in the Letters About Literature Contest
Chloe Pryor, an 8th grade student at Hendersonville Middle, is the Level 2 state winner in the Letters About Literature contest, sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Letters About Literature is a national reading and writing contest for students in grades 4-12. Students read a book, poem, or speech and write to that author about how the book affected them personally. Chloe was awarded $300 for her win. North Carolina Center for the Book administers the North Carolina state program.
National Beta School of Distinction
Hendersonville Middle is a National Beta School of Distinction. This award speaks highly of the school’s commitment to academic rigor and illustrates its dedication to preparing students for college and career readiness. Hendersonville Middle’s Beta Club sponsors are Lisa Rogers, Melinda May, and Jill Jackson.
The National Beta Club is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit, educational youth organization, founded by Wofford College Professor Dr. John W. Harris. The first club was formed in Landrum, SC in 1934. It is committed to recognizing and promoting high academic achievement, rewarding and nurturing worthy character, improving student leadership skills, and encouraging service to others. National Beta Club has worked with over 6.5 million young people in Junior Beta Club (grades 4-9) and Senior Beta Club (grades 9-12). There are now more than 450,000 active members and more than 8,750 club nationally and internationally.
Wingspan Wins 2014 Gold Crown Award
West Henderson High School’s newspaper Wingspan received a 2014 Gold Crown award given by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Awards Convocation for Scholastic Crown recipients took place during the 90th Scholastic Convention on March 21 at Columbia University in New York City. Wingspan was one of 66 student publications to receive a Gold Crown. Co-editors Lauren Stepp and Anna Yarbrough lead the Wingpsan staff. English/journalism teacher Brenda W. Gorsuch serves as the adviser to the Wingspan and the
yearbook Westwind.
The CSPA is an international student press association uniting student journalists and faculty advisers at schools and colleges through educational conferences, idea exchanges, and award programs. This year a total of 1,236 digital, newspapers, magazines and yearbooks published during the 2012-13 academic year were eligible for judging in the 2014 Crown Awards Program. Both print and digital publications were judged on writing/editing, design, content, concept, photography, art and graphics.
Since 1997 Wingspan staffs have won three Gold Crowns and seven Silver Crowns.
North Carolina School of Science and Math
Madi Duran, a rising junior at West Henderson High School, has been accepted into the North Carolina School of Science and Math (NSSM). She will begin a duel enrollment program for the 2014-15 school year. This is an online dual enrollment opportunity that will allow Madi to take traditional classes at West Henderson High and online courses through NCSSM. She is the first Henderson County Public Schools student to be accepted into this particular program since its inception in 2008. Madi is the daughter of Luis and Jennifer Duran.
“Best High Schools”
Hendersonville High is ranked 4th in North Carolina in the U.S. News and World Report’s recently released “Best High Schools” rankings. The school was awarded a Silver Medal. Students at Hendersonville High have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at Hendersonville High is 59 percent.
East Henderson High and North Henderson High were also listed among the best in the state. Both schools were awarded Silver Medals. North Henderson ranked 24th in North Carolina. East Henderson ranked 26th in the state. East Henderson and North Henderson were both recognized in 2013, receiving Silver Medals. In North Carolina only three other school districts had three or more schools make the state rankings.
Balfour Education Education Center also received recognition in the U.S. News and World Report, earning a Bronze Medal.
United States Air Force Academy for the Class of 2018
Mike Silvia, a 2013 Hendersonville High School graduate currently attending North Carolina State University, has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy for the Class of 2018. The United States Air Force Academy is a competitive environment, requiring focus and determination. Applicants must obtain a nomination; have high academic standards; possess high moral character to further develop into future leaders in the Air Force and the nation; meet the test of strength, agility, speed, and endurance; and meet the medical and weight standards for a commission in the United States Air Force. To gain admission, a Selection Panel, composed of a cross section of senior Academy staff, reviews each completed admissions file according to our admissions guidelines. The appointment covers the full cost of the Academy, approximately $500,000.
SkillsUSA Competition
Corban Hossley, a junior cross-enrolled at East Henderson High School and Balfour Education Center, placed 2nd overall in the state in Fire Fighting at the 2014 SkillsUSA Competition. He is an alternate to the national SkillsUSA conference that will be held in Kansas City in late June. Corban was one of 34 firefighter contestants in the competition. He has completed the Public Safety and Fire Fighter Technology program and is taking college courses through Blue Ridge Community College for Fire Protection Technology.
Participants in the competition were scored on a pre-submitted resume, an online pretest, a job interview, a 100 question written test, and physical-timed events that included rapid dress fire gear, ropes and knots, fire hose drag, 100′ equipment carry, and a 24′ ladder raise. All of the competitive areas are similar to actual pre-employment tests and agility screenings that may be used by fire departments seeking employees. Members of the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal administered and judged all the events.
Corban has been a member of the Dana Fire and Rescue Department for almost three years. He excelled in the Fire Fighter Academy and served various functions and in officer positions during the first year.
Garrett Ammerman and Brian McCall, who are also cross-enrolled at East Henderson High and Balfour, also competed at the 2014 SkillsUSA competition, and placed 6th overall and 10th overall respectively.
The Henderson County Public Schools Exceptional Children Department and Brooke Ballard, Principal of Upward Elementary, voluntarily applied for a STAR rated early childhood license through the Department of Health and Human Services for one of the intensive intervention classrooms at Upward. Ms. Dena Rashkover and her assistants, Kimberly Rodriguez and Robin Reese, achieved five stars, the highest rating possible, in
each category. This is the first age intensive intervention class to achieve these standards in the Henderson County Public Schools.
Dr. Don Jones, Executive Director of HCEF, Retires
Dr. Don Jones, Executive Director of the Henderson County Education Foundation, has dedicated more than a decade to the educational needs of Henderson County, using his many gifts and talents to better the lives of students and teachers. He has served the Education Foundation for 14 years – as a Board member, vice president, president, and the past eight as executive director.
The Henderson County Education Foundation has grown substantially during his leadership and service. His efforts to connect students with philanthropists have increased the number of college scholarships available to students in Henderson County. There are now 57 different student scholarships valued at $180,500, which will be awarded for the 2014-15 school year. Numerous grant programs have been created that directly impact teachers, students, and classroom programs.
The Hall of Fame was developed in 2003. Since then 109 honorees, who have shown “measurable influence or made significant contributions to the growth and development of education in Henderson County,” have been inducted into the TD Bank/HCEF Hall of Fame. It is the only one of its kind in Western North Carolina, and one of only five Education Halls of Fame in North Carolina. The TD Bank/HCEF Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is the foundation’s main fundraiser, helping to pay for scholarships and grants. Last year $140,900 in scholarships was awarded to 51 area students.
Dr. Jones worked to develop the Fall Golf Classic, which began in 2006. It has become one of the largest golf tournaments in the region. Over $250,000 has been raised since the golf classic began.
In 2011, Dr. Jones was recognized by the business community for his contributions to workforce development with the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Champion Award.
North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Bob McRae
Superintendent David L. Jones is the recipient of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Bob McRae Superintendent of the Year. He was honored on May 1 at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Annual Meeting in the Dean E. Smith Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 2013, he received the NCHSAA Special Person Award for his dedication to maintaining a wholesome athletic environment and great service to the organization.