Gaston County Schools launched the “Nickels for Neighbors” campaign to raise money for seniors in the Class of 2025 in Mitchell County Schools. The Principals Leadership Team coordinated the fundraising effort with help from the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and set a goal of collecting $25,000 to help students affected by Hurricane Helene.
Gaston County Schools has three students in the Class of 2025 who were named QuestBridge Scholars: Ayana Bigger, North Gaston High School, Amherst College; Joshua Mendoza Vargas, Highland School of Technology, Boston University; and Julien Boyce, Highland School of Technology, University of Notre Dame. QuestBridge Scholars are matched with a college/university and awarded a full scholarship to attend the school.
The following students were recognized as overall school winners in the City of Gastonia’s art show: Richard Church, York Chester Middle School; Camila Trejo, Highland School of Technology; and Hannah Szymborski, Hunter Huss High School. The students’ artwork is currently on display at The Schiele Museum.
Former Gaston County Board of Education member Dot Guthrie received the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who inspire through volunteer service and civic engagement and create a positive and lasting influence in their communities.
Gaston County Schools received a check in the amount of $16,000 from the Gaston County Education Foundation, through a partnership with the Gaston County Community Foundation, to support students who are multilingual learners.
The Gaston County Schools Human Resources Department collected more than 2,000 canned goods and non-perishable items to benefit the “One Can Make A Difference” food pantry at Webb Street School.
A generous donor partnered with the Belmont Bookshop to provide a copy of “Kisses from Space” to every elementary school in Gaston County Schools.
Thanks to Gaston County Farm Bureau, Gaston County Schools received a copy of “Pick a Pine Tree” by Patricia Toht for each elementary school’s media center.
The Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair was held over three days at The Schiele Museum. In the high school category, Sofia Jimenez Beltran, Inari Joseph, and Hayden Trinh of Gaston Early College High School placed first overall; Lauren Campbell, Olive Campbell, and Charlotte Hearne from Gaston Early College High School placed first in the Biological Sciences A category, followed by Betany McSwain and Michael Gray, both from East Gaston High School. In the Biological Sciences B category, Reese Sexton of East Gaston High School placed first, followed by Alexa Cloninger and Peyton Safrit of East Gaston High School, and Aylin Prado of Stuart W. Cramer High School. In the Chemistry category, Sophia Jimenez Beltra, Inari Joseph, and Hayden Trinh of Gaston Early College High School placed first, followed by Mahi Patel, of Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences, and Lillian Moore and Peyton Fredrick of Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences. In the Earth and Environmental Sciences category, Jordan Reeves of East Gaston High School placed first, followed by Caroline Cox of East Gaston High School, and Carmello Buntyn and Natalie Sanchez of Hunter Huss High School. In the Mathematics and Physics category, William McClelland of Stuart W. Cramer High School placed first followed by Gorbin Fortenberry of Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences, and Ellaina Ellcock of Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences. In the Engineering category, Aubree Huffstickler of Gaston Early College High School placed first, followed by Caiden Buckner and Jayden Sullivan of Gaston Early College High School, and Lucas Moretz and Aydan Wynn of Gaston Early College High School. In the Technology category, Taylor Klinkiewicz, Maya Martin, and Alyssa Mullis of Gaston Early College High School placed first. Alyssa McEntire of Highland School of Technology was the recipient of the Naval Science Award, and Bethany McSwain of East Gaston High School was the recipient of the SPARC3 of Genius Award from Gaston College with Karlee Reid of East Gaston High School receiving honorable mention.
The following middle school students received awards at the Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair: Kelvin Aguilar Gonzalez and Sebastian Caro of Grier Middle School were the overall winners. In the Biological Sciences A category, Elizabeth Briand of Chavis Middle School received first place followed by Alex Bocchino of Belmont Middle School and Waylon Hensley of Belmont Middle School. In the Biological Sciences B category, Selah Rose Smith of Belmont Middle School placed first, followed by Addilyn Gardner, Madelyn Salter, and Adelyn White of Chavis Middle School and Jacob Greene, Sofia Young, and Brissa Vidales of Chavis Middle School. In the Chemistry category, Emma McGinnis of Belmont Middle School placed first, followed by Peyton Weaver and Donte Hall of Grier Middle School, and Zayden Guinn of Holbrook Middle School. In the Earth and Environmental Sciences category, Tyler Koket of Belmont Middle School placed first, followed by Elizabeth Shires of Belmont Middle School, and Eileen Vasquez and Londyn Sanders of Stanley Middle School. In the Physics and Mathematics category, Aidan Wood of Belmont Middle School placed first, followed by Avery Price, Sofia Edwards, and Bailey Safrit of Stanley Middle School, and Mason Black and McKinley Ward of Chavis Middle School. In the Technology category, Case Conner, Iain Brown, and Cash Anderson of Stanley Middle School placed first, followed by Kane Navey and Jaxon Vernitsky of Stanley Middle School, and Caleb Porter of W.C. Friday Middle School. In the Engineering category, Caitlyn Leonard of Belmont Middle School placed first, followed by Owen Goryl of Belmont Middle School, and Gaven Hoke, Navy Roberts, and Aaron Hollis of Grier Middle School. The following students received the Navy Science Award: Marlow Morris of Stanley Middle School and Elijah Hartman of Belmont Middle School.
The Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair elementary awards were presented over two days. On the first day of the event, Jax Jenkins and Connor Pursley of North Belmont Elementary were the overall winners. Schafer Nunn, Anderson Hammond, and Karson McDonald of McAdenville Elementary placed first in the Biological Sciences category; Jameson Patterson of Tryon Elementary placed second, and Audrey Sullivan of W.B. Beam Intermediate placed third. In the Chemistry category, Artemis Shuford of W.B. Beam Intermediate placed first; Sydney Huffstetler of Catawba Heights Elementary placed second; and Breonna Nelson of Gardner Park Elementary placed third. In the Earth and Environmental Sciences category, Ava Satterfield, Madison Bell, Ryleigh McLean, Mason Melton, and Bethany Lazenby of Chapel Grove Elementary placed first; Luke Parton and Gabriel Parton of McAdenville Elementary placed second; and Addyson Powers of Catawba Heights Elementary placed third. In the Physics and Mathematics category, Landon Satterfield, Duane Byers, Aidan Rhoten, Marek Chase, Nolan Barber, and Addilynn Brannon of Chapel Grove Elementary placed first; Sky Youmans of Catawba Heights Elementary placed second, and Annie Glover, Myles Glenn, and Neil Glenn of Tryon Elementary placed third. In the Engineering and Technology category, Amariah Henderson, Camari McBryant, Jace Whitehead, and Zaiden Wallace of Brookside Elementary placed first; Parker Wellman and Jordan Heaton of Bessemer City Central Elementary placed second; and Anthony Teofilo, Madrid Oliver, Ellis Beaty, Abigail Trainor, and Jeremiah Everette of Chapel Grove Elementary placed third. Emma Pruitt of W.B. Beam Intermediate received the Schiele Award. On the second day of the event, Matthew Wilcox of Kiser Elementary was the overall winner. Will McLean of Hawks Nest STEAM Academy placed first in the Biological Sciences category; Parker McCradden of New Hope Elementary placed second, and Taylor Allen of Kiser Elementary placed third. In the Chemistry category, Luisanna Surez of
Pinewood Elementary placed first; Jimbo Anderson and Jude Fann of Belmont Central Elementary placed second; and Harper Hall of Costner Elementary placed third. In the Earth and Environmental Sciences category, Blythe Sipe of Hawks Nest STEAM Academy placed first; Olivia Powers of New Hope Elementary placed second; and Amelia Memrick and Annalise Halfhill of Belmont Central Elementary placed third. In the Physics and Mathematics category, Ben Cherry, Hayes Hovis, and Will Trogdon of W.A. Bess Elementary placed first; Jericho Martin of Pleasant Ridge Elementary placed second; and Truett Blackwell of Pinewood Elementary placed third. In the Engineering and Technology category, Henry Markwith of Hawks Nest STEAM Academy placed first; Marcus Willie of Costner Elementary placed second; and Braxton Allen of Belmont Central Elementary placed third. Elle Lee of Robinson Elementary won The Schiele Award.
The following schools won county sports championships: Cramerton Middle, boys soccer; Belmont Middle, volleyball; and Holbrook Middle, wrestling.
Zaxby’s presented “Big Zax Snak Meal” gift cards to the school and central-level employees who served as campaign coordinators for Gaston County Schools’ annual fundraising efforts for the United Way of Gaston County.
The Ashbrook High School cheerleading team placed third in the Junior Varsity Game Day Non-Tumbling-D1 division at the state cheerleading championships in Raleigh.
Ashbrook High School cheerleader Chaydon June was selected to represent her school on the West team at the 2024 Queen City Senior Bowl.
Ashbrook High School students Jonathan Moore, Martino Smith, John Gordon, Caleb Gordon, Chloe Morales, Andi Ballard, and Charlye Floyd were selected to attend the prestigious Youth Leadership Conference at the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
H.H. Beam Elementary, in partnership with Second Harvest Metrolina and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Gastonia, packed and handed out nearly 300 meals to families prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Throughout November, H.H. Beam Elementary and Hunter Huss High School collected and delivered more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meal items to students and families at Freedom Trail Elementary and Cranberry Middle School in Elk Park, N.C.
Since September, more than 50 students have been inducted into the Bulldog Club, a new recognition program at H.H. Beam Elementary that honors students for their excellent character, strong work habits, and academic growth. Each month, inductees are celebrated at a special ceremony sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gastonia.
W.B. Beam Intermediate media specialist Melanie Sherrill received a $999.52 grant from Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation for her project titled “Listening to Read,” which will be used to purchase audiobooks.
Belmont Central Elementary School organized a collection drive to benefit the Gaston County animal shelter.
The W.A. Bess Elementary “Bulldog Spotlight Players” hosted “An Evening of Holiday Stories.” The Bulldog Spotlight Players consisted of third, fourth, and fifth-grade students who auditioned to be part of this theater group and had been practicing diligently since September. They were ready to showcase their acting skills.
Tionna Pettus of Bessemer City High School set a new Gaston County single-game scoring record with 65 points in a win over North Gaston High School.
Bessemer City High School students participated in the Charlotte Auto Show poster contest and claimed the top three spots. Nicole Saldana won first place, Payton Thompson took second, and Jaiden McDaniel finished third.
Bessemer City High School football coach Shane Short was named the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Coach of the Year.
Carr Elementary students created ornaments, crafted button trees, and illustrated Christmas scenes on wooden discs that were used in the garland at the historic Dallas Square gazebo. Teachers Elizabeth Perkins and Angela Newton assisted in the decorating.
Both the Carr Elementary and Chapel Grove Elementary cafeteria staffs scored a 100 on their sanitation rating.
Eighth grade students at John Chavis Middle School wrote 82 cards to a nursing home in Fletcher, N.C. that was affected by Hurricane Helene. Teacher Summer Self organized the activity.
The Cherryville High School cheerleading team received several awards at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championship: Junior Varsity Performance Non-Tumbling-D2; Varsity Game Day Small-D2; and Varsity Performance Small-D2.
Avery Beam of Cherryville High School received the Cheerleader Spirit Scholarship Award during the North Carolina High School Athletic Association cheerleading competition.
Emily Allen of Cherryville High School was named to the North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association all-state second team.
Justin Willyoung, who previously worked as a school counselor and track coach at Cherryville High School, has written an inspirational book titled “Iron and Thunder” that recounts his time working at the school and with young people. It also highlights the importance of teachers and coaches in the lives of students.
The Stuart W. Cramer High School Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy collected toys that were purchased with donations from the school’s powder puff game. The toys were delivered to Big Meadows Baptist Church in western North Carolina for families affected by Hurricane Helene.
East Gaston High School science teacher Brian Johnson earned the District Six High School Outstanding Science Teacher Award. The award honors his hard work and creative teaching in science. Johnson was nominated by his peers and school leaders for inspiring students, using new ideas in the classroom, and connecting science to other subjects. Additionally, Johnson’s Honors Research Methods II class presented their research projects at the annual East Gaston High School Science Symposium. In collaboration with Instructional Technology Facilitator Krystal Strader, the students developed an app that allowed symposium attendees to learn more about the event and provide constructive feedback on the students’ projects and presentations.
The East Gaston High School Tri-M Music Society performed Christmas carols for the residents of Stanley Total Living.
The East Gaston High School cheerleading team placed second at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association championship in the Varsity Game Day Medium/Large-D2 category.
Forestview High School senior Ford Poag was selected to participate in the UNCCharlotte Honors Band.
LifeShare Carolinas visited Forestview High School’s Health Science II class to educate students about organ donation and transplantation. The students enjoyed learning about the donation process and participated in an exciting, hands-on opportunity to examine human organs, including the liver, lungs, and kidneys.
The W.C. Friday Middle School band participated in the annual McAdenville tree lighting ceremony on December 2. Band director Cindy Owens was honored for her faithful 10 years of providing holiday music for the event with her band students. Owens was recognized by Pharr McAdenville Corporation with flowers and an introduction that highlighted her contributions to the event over the years. Additionally, Pharr made a donation of $200 to the band program.
W.C. Friday Middle School in collaboration with the Project Unify Club, hosted the Special Olympics of Gaston County Young Athletes Day. Special recognition goes to Angela Collett, exceptional children classroom teacher and department chair, as well as physical education teachers Amy Brown and Jake McDaniel for their efforts in making the event a success.
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences students Sadie Morton and Autumn Queen are both UNC-Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain Scholarship semifinalists.
The following Gaston Early College High School of Medical Sciences students earned a perfect score on the Pre-ACT: Libby Carter and Cooper Hamrick in science and Sophie Hoerst in science, reading, and STEM.
Gaston Early College High School of Medical Sciences senior Andrea Padilla is a semifinalist for the Tucker Scholarship at Gardner-Webb University. The Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength Scholarship is a full-tuition and room and board scholarship that is awarded to one high school student who exemplifies the principles and values of the Gardner-Webb community.
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences sophomore Mariam Raja participated in the PATCH Regional Program, which is a pathway initiative designed for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds. The program offers exposure to various health professions and is a collaboration between Atrium Health Medical Education, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and Workforce Development.
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences sophomore Jayleigh Whisnant was selected to participate in the Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program. This summer, she will spend a week at Wake Forest, gaining hands-on experience in the medical field and exploring various career opportunities. During the program, she will visit healthcare facilities, participate in simulations and labs, and learn essential skills such as taking blood pressure and suturing.
National Honor Society students at Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences made blankets for patients at the CaroMont Health Cancer Center.
The Highland School of Technology student council hosted a canned food and nonperishable food collection drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, Crisis Assistance Ministry, and Cancer Services of Gaston County.
Nineteen Highland School of Technology HOSA members attended the Regional Learning Conference in Shelby. Menaal Shaikh placed first in Health Informatics; Zuha Shaikh placed first in Health Career Photography; Katie Fangman and Joshua Mendoza placed second in Dental Science; and Abigail Anderson placed third in Dental Terminology.
Madison Darnell of Highland School of Technology was named to the 2024 North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association’s all-state team.
Madison Thompson and Alise Mayers of Highland School of Technology were named to the North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association’s all-state team.
The Hunter Huss High School cafeteria staff earned a score of 100 on its sanitation inspection.
Kiser Elementary collected more than 2,200 non-perishable food items for the Webb Street School “One Can Make A Difference” food pantry.
The Lingerfeldt Elementary School cafeteria staff earned a score of 100 on its sanitation inspection.
Students in the Leadership Academy at North Gaston High School collected 245 toys for children in Burnsville, N.C., who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The North Gaston High School FCA club packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Thanks to the incredible generosity of students, staff, and community families, the school assembled 50 boxes to spread joy to children around the world for the holiday season.
North Gaston High School teacher Kyle Haywood has been selected to serve as a side judge in one of the four North Carolina High School Athletic Association state football championships.
Logan McKnight, Ruby Ruiz-Vargas, Mikaili Small, and Ronald Tovilla-Pablo of North Gaston High School were selected to participate in the UNC-Charlotte Invitational Honor Band Clinic. Logan and Ruby earned first chair positions in the top band, while Ronald earned third chair in the same band. Additionally, the North Gaston High School Marching Wildcats performed at the annual Carols on the Square event in Dallas on Friday, December 6. Several band members are also playing for the Christmas Eve services at City Church in Gastonia.
Pinewood Elementary received a $25,000 donation from National Gypsum company. The check presentation ceremony featured a performance by the school’s fifth grade show choir.
The Pinewood Elementary cafeteria staff earned a score of 100 on its sanitation inspection.
South Point High School senior Asher Dover is a semifinalist for the UNC Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain Scholarship.
South Point High School senior James Dover, who is the recipient of the Calvin Coolidge Scholarship, attended the 2024 Winter Gala in New York City and was able to spend time with writer George Will.
The South Point High School marching band received several awards at recent competitions. At the North Lincoln Roundtable Tournament of Bands, the band took home the Class 1A first place band award, as well as first place in music performance, visual performance, and general effect. They also earned second place in colorguard and first place in percussion. At the North Gaston Wildcat Invitational, the band continued its success with the Class 1A first place band award and first place in music performance, visual performance, general effect, drum major, and percussion, along with the CJ Hill Prop/Pit Crew Award. Additionally, they secured second place in colorguard. At the Porter Ridge High School Pirates’ Cove Classic, the band achieved the Class 1A second place band award, third place in music performance, second place in visual performance, general effect, colorguard, and percussion, and first place for drum major.
The South Point High School cheerleading team placed first in the Super D1 category at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state cheerleading championship. They also placed first in the Super Varsity Division at the UCA Piedmont Prestate Competition at Cox Mill High School and the Mav Classic at Marvin Ridge High School.
The South Point High School Environmental Club in partnership with Keep Belmont Beautiful cleaned up areas in and around Belmont.
The Tryon Elementary student council organized a canned food collection drive, collecting more than 1,300 cans for the Webb Street School “One Can Make A Difference” food pantry.
The Webb Street School cafeteria staff earned a 100 sanitation rating.
