Good News, January 2022
The five finalists for Gaston County Schools Teacher of the Year 2022-2023 are Alexandria Caughey, Bessemer City Primary; Allie Kleinheinz, Hawks Nest STEAM Academy; Steven Loudon, W.C. Friday Middle; Britnee Reid, Gaston Virtual Academy; and Heather Waters, South Point High School. The winner will be announced in May.
Gaston County Schools had 14 teachers renew their National Board Certification this year. They are Ellen Bolin, New Hope Elementary; Kelly Bridges, South Point High School; Christie Coonse Brown, Gardner Park Elementary; Jennifer Dickerson-Beverly, Forestview High School; Ashley Dixon, Cherryville Elementary; Jennifer Gallagher, Highland School of Technology; Darcy Hay, Cherryville Elementary; Leslie Kalmbach, Forestview High School; Erin Morehead, Bessemer City Primary; Meredith Padgett, Pleasant Ridge Elementary; Ashley Rimmer, Ashbrook High School; James Thomasson, Forestview High School; Allison Wells, W.A. Bess Elementary; and Samantha Wong, Carr Elementary.
The following educators received a $500 grant offered by the Kines family in memory of Kay Scearce, a 31-year teacher for Gaston County Schools who taught at Bessemer City Primary. They are Taylor Carter, Bessemer City Central Elementary; Melanie Curtis, Lingerfeldt Elementary; Arden Darnell, Sadler Elementary; Rhonda Fancher, Bessemer City Central Elementary; and Kimberly Queen, Sherwood Elementary.
The following schools received a $300 beautification grant from Keep Gastonia Beautiful: Brookside Elementary, Forestview High, Gardner Park Elementary, Hawks Nest STEAM Academy, Highland School of Technology, Hunter Huss High, Sherwood Elementary, and York Chester Middle.
Bessemer City Primary held a Santa Shop and gave students an opportunity to purchase items for family members for only a dollar.
Bessemer City High School juniors Randall Pettus and Janiya Adams each recorded their 1,000th point during a recent basketball game.
W.B. Beam Intermediate and the Cherryville branch of the Gaston County Public Library collaborated to host a Cocoa and Coloring Night program on December 6. Students and their families spent time together coloring and drinking hot cocoa. Each student received literacy information, a free book, and a homework pass for their attendance.
The W.A. Bess Elementary student council sponsored a food drive and collected 1,320 nonperishable items for the Salvation Army.
To say “thank you” for their recent visit to W.A. Bess Elementary, Jessica Haynes’ first grade class created holiday cards and handed out treats to members of the Union Road Volunteer Fire Department.
Blake Construction provided supplies, reading material, and blueprints to students in the construction class at Belmont Middle School. Brooke Loftis is the teacher.
John Chavis Middle sixth grader Mason Powers was a winner in the poetry competition that was held to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Gaston County.
W.C. Friday Middle band students collected $725 and purchased Christmas gifts for children at Levine Children’s Hospital.
The Belmont Police Department donated several boxes of school supplies and masks to Page Primary.
Pinewood Elementary student Ava Hoerst won the “Proudest Kid in Gaston County” essay contest, which is sponsored by Gaston Together.
The Southwest Middle School football team was recognized at a recent City of Gastonia meeting for winning the Gaston County Schools county championship.
Springfield Elementary received a donation of coats and blankets from 105 Florist and Home Decor.
