Good News, June 2022
Gaston County Schools had 28 students in the Class of 2022 to earn valedictorian or salutatorian honors. The students were recognized during high school graduation for their commitment to academic excellence.
Colby Andrew Green of Stuart W. Cramer High School achieved 12 years of perfect attendance. During his school’s graduation ceremony, he received a perfect attendance plaque from the Gaston County Board of Education in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment.
Four Gaston County Schools students and the Cherryville High School 4x400 relay team captured N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state championships in track and field. Lauren Tolbert of the Highland School of Technology claimed state championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash. In addition, she broke the 800-meter 1A meet record and was named the 1A Women’s Meet Most Outstanding Performer. The Cherryville High School boys relay team of Mason Grindstaff, Cooper Sloan, Jack Mulvey, and Jackson Owens won the boys 4x400 meter relay; Alexis Willis of Stuart W. Cramer High School won the girls 3A triple jump; Zachary Willer of Stuart W. Cramer High School won the boys 1600-meter run; and Austin Brotemarkle of Forestview High School won the boys 3200-meter run.
The following educators received the Jennifer T. Stultz Art Appreciation Grant from the Gaston County Education Foundation: Ashley Dennis, Sherwood Elementary; Anna Howard, Holbrook Middle School; and Elizabeth Gilmore, Tryon Elementary.
Torben Ross, principal at Holbrook Middle School, was selected as the GCAEOP (Gaston County Association of Educational Office Professionals) Administrator of the Year, and Gloria Malker, financial secretary at York Chester Middle School, was selected as the GCAEOP Educational Office Professional of the Year. GCAEOP also presented scholarships to Ashlynn Stephens of Highland School of Technology and Madison Wiggins of Gaston Early College High School.
The following students are recipients of the Albert G. Myers Scholarship, which is valued at $20,000: Rylee-Grace Burgis, Cherryville High School; Logan Crisp, Stuart W. Cramer High School; Joshua Crouch, Stuart W. Cramer High School; Justin Larter, East Gaston High School; Daisy Lopez, Hunter Huss High School; Ashley Mahboub, Hunter Huss High School; and Emily Rollins, Gaston Early College High School.
The following students were selected for the all-state soccer team: Grace Doster, East Gaston High School; Grace Smith, South Point High School; and Jordan Villemagne, South Point High School.
Ashbrook High School senior Elena High is the recipient of the Bess Chapel United Methodist Church /Brad Baxter scholarship valued at $750, and Madison McCathern is the recipient of the Dr. William and Karen Hunter Science Scholarship valued at $500.
Cherryville High School finished as the 1A runner-up in the N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state baseball championship. The Ironmen finished the season with a 22-12 overall record; the team was 8-4 in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference. The school claimed its 10th regional championship in baseball.
Stuart W. Cramer High School senior D’Myah Matthews received the Paul Fuller Mentoring Scholarship, which is awarded annually to an outstanding high school senior who has been a part of the Gaston County Schools mentoring program. She plans to attend UNC-Charlotte this fall.
Patrick Lamp of Stuart W. Cramer High School is the recipient of the Maxine Porch Scholarship, which is presented by the McAdenville Woman’s Club. The scholarship is valued at $1,500.
Forestview High School senior Zackary Carr is the recipient of the John E. Willoughby Scholarship valued at $1,000, and Zailyn Jeter is the recipient of the John Hunsucker Memorial Scholarship.
Highland School of Technology senior Natalie Maier is the recipient of the Honorable Ralph C. Gingles, Jr. Scholarship, which is valued at $2,000.
Highland School of Technology graphic arts students created a Ben Bender/Dirty Dancing tifo (a choreographed display in which fans in a sports stadium raise a large banner together) for the Major League Soccer game in Charlotte on June 11 against the New York Red Bulls. Maddie Boyles is the school’s graphics teacher.
Pinewood Elementary teacher Teagan Taylor was selected to participate in a National Council for History Education (NCHE) workshop at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The workshop was titled “The Space Age on the Space Coast.”
Webb Street School teacher Sean Gettys was named a Hyundai Hometown Hero for going above and beyond for his students in the classroom. He was given a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe, which was provided by Bob Mayberry Hyundai. WCNC-TV news anchor Ruby Durham, Eugene Robinson, co-host of “Charlotte Today” on WCNC-TV, and representatives from Bob Mayberry Hyundai were on hand for the surprise announcement and car presentation on June 3.
The City of Gastonia held an art show at the Schiele Museum that involved high school students being recognized for their outstanding work. The following students were award winners: Justus Martin, Ashbrook High School; Kayla Beacraft, Bessemer City High School; Kelly Diaz, Cherryville High School; Mila Ranucci, Stuart W. Cramer High School; Baleigh Burlington, East Gaston High School; Isabel Beaty, Highland School of Technology; Lenah Muhammad, Hunter Huss High School; and Mackenzie Salley, North Gaston High School. The overall award winners were Isabel Beaty, first place, and Lenah Muhammad, second place.
