Good News, September 2024
Employees from six schools in the Dallas area – North Gaston, W.C. Friday, Carr, Costner, Highland, and Woodhill – were treated to a back-to-school breakfast on August 13 at Salvation Baptist Church at Rankin Lake. The breakfast served as the church’s “thank you” to teachers and other school employees for their hard work and commitment to ensuring student success. Each guest enjoyed the chance to win door prizes and received a treat bag as a token of appreciation.
The following high schools were recognized by the N.C. High School Athletic Association for outstanding sportsmanship for the 2023-2024 year: Ashbrook High School; East Gaston High School; Forestview High School; Highland School of Technology; and Hunter Huss High School. The schools did not have any athletes or coaches ejected from a game for the year.
Rori McCorkle of Forestview High School and McKinzley Turner of North Gaston High School were winners in the Gaston County Board of Elections “I Voted” sticker competition. The contest featured 68 entries from 12 schools. The students’ designs will be used on the “I Voted” stickers that are given out when people go to vote.
James Dover of South Point High School and Lilly Friday of Forestview High School were named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Ashbrook High School and UNC-Chapel Hill graduate British Brooks was selected for the Houston Texans opening-day roster (NFL professional football).
Ashbrook High School reignited its theater arts program and is planning to present the show, “Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.”
Belmont Middle School held a “Yes We Can” food drive to support Webb Street School’s pantry program. Homerooms and grade levels competed against each other to collect more than 2,000 items.
Brookside Elementary student Keely Graham received an honorable mention in the N.C. Farm-to-Table Art Contest.
Carr Elementary received a donation of school supplies from Dixon Quick Coupling.
Chapel Grove Elementary received a “spirit rock” to display in front of the school. Brandon Weimer and Scott Parker from Martin Marietta Bonds Quarry coordinated the donation.
John Chavis Middle School received a donation of school supplies from the Order of the Eastern Star.
The Cherryville High School Education Foundation received an $80,000 grant from the CaroMont Health Foundation to support the renovation of the science lab at Cherryville High School. The funds were used to purchase an Anatomage Science and Anatomy Table, which is a main feature for the updated science lab.
East Gaston High School won the Wells Fargo Conference Cup for the 1A/2A Southern Piedmont Conference.
East Gaston High School teachers Kaci Wilcox, Brian Johnson, and Nikki Akins attended a national training seminar to learn about how to use an Anatomage Table in the health science, forensic science, and biology classes.
Gardner Park Elementary received a donation of school supplies from Sharonview Federal Credit Union.
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences student Nevaeh Dover was selected as a College Board National Recognition Program award winner for her academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
The following students were elected to serve as members of the Gaston College Student Government Association: Autumn Queen, president, Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences; Bannock Scott, vice president, Gaston Early College High School; Jozzy DaRosa, treasurer; Gaston Early College High School; Amara Bailey, senator, Gaston Early College High School; Alexis Odell, senator, Gaston Early College High School; and Sweet Win, senator, Gaston Early College High School.
Hawks Nest STEAM Academy was recognized at the September N.C. State Board of Education meeting as a North Carolina STEM School of Distinction. The awards program highlights schools that meet rigorous standards and demonstrate a high-quality culture of STEM education. Hawks Nest first won the award four years ago.
Lowell Elementary received a donation of school supplies from Quan Services.
McAdenville Elementary received a $10,000 donation from the Catherine Pharr Carstarphen McAdenville Foundation.
North Belmont Elementary teacher Kayla Reid was named the Key Homes Amazing Teacher for the month of August in The Gaston Gazette.
Pinewood Elementary received nearly 4,000 school supplies from Coca-Cola Consolidated.
Sherwood Elementary received 168 book bags filled with school supplies from the Gastonia-Shelby Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. The school also received a donation of school supplies from AT&T.
The South Point High School boys’ soccer team won the Gaston Cup championship. The Gaston Cup is a three-day tournament that was held at George Poston Park in Gastonia.
