January/February Good News, 2025

Gaston County Schools was recognized in the N.C. School Boards Association’s e-newsletter as the “Public School Win of the Week” for the “Nickels for Neighbors” campaign, which resulted in more than $35,000 being collected for Mitchell County Schools.  The funds will go to help students in the Class of 2025 in Mitchell County have an enjoyable senior year following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

Stuart W. Cramer High School hosted the South Central All-District Band Clinic, which featured more than 300 outstanding student musicians from across the Charlotte region. The following students from Gaston County Schools were chosen for the all district band: Miles Funderburk, Ashbrook High School; Paella Nsimundele, Belmont Middle School; Cassidy Allen, Bessemer City Middle School; Molly Dillon, Stuart W. Cramer High School; Copeland Smith, Stuart W. Cramer High School; Danika Risner, Cramerton Middle School; Cyrus Baltimore, East Gaston High School; Mackenzie Hart, East Gaston High School; Zeke Tucker, East Gaston High School; Abram Comer, Forestview High School; Annabelle Radford, Forestview High School; Caiden McDaniel, Forestview High School; Ethan Snell, Forestview High School; Ford Poag, Forestview High School; Camila Vargas-Parra, W.C. Friday Middle School; Erick Rodriguez-Hernandez, W.C. Friday Middle School; Ishaaq Murphy, W.C. Friday Middle School; Iyanna Brianne Fores, W.C. Friday Middle School; Akeyla Taylor, Highland School of Technology; Alex Cornwell, Highland School of Technology; Ayden Kisby-Jones, Highland School of Technology; Ruby Ruiz-Vargas, North Gaston High School; and Anakin Booth, South Point High School.

Andrew Jones of Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences, John Ramos of Forestview High School, and Erin Stokes of South Point High School were among the 457 Impact Educators recognized by outstanding high school senior semifinalists for the UNC Morehead-Cain Scholarship. The educators from 40 states and 22 countries have played a significant role in shaping the lives and leadership learning of their students.

Maggie LeGrand of North Gaston High School; Angie Milne of Stanley Middle School; Emily Perez, ESL lead teacher at H.H. Beam Elementary and Woodhill Elementary; Teagan Taylor, AIG teacher at Hawks Nest STEAM Academy and Woodhill Elementary; and Lindsay Weathers of Belmont Middle School received their National Board Certification. In addition, the following educators had their National Board Certification renewed: Susan Brittain, Bessemer City Primary; Nicole Olsen, Grier Middle School; Marsha Michael, Stuart W. Cramer High School; Kristin Hedrick, Cramerton Middle School; Alisa Wheeler, W.C. Friday Middle School; Matthew Renegar, Highland School of Technology; Dara Presnell, Hawks Nest STEAM Academy; Chelsea Harley, New Hope Elementary; Angela Newton, Carr Elementary; Timothy Reed, North Gaston High School; Lori Collins, Highland School of Technology; and Kimberly Lynch, Academic Services.

Paul Sayegh of Belmont Middle School won the Gaston County Schools Spelling Bee, which was held on January 29 at Ashbrook High School. He will compete in March at the Carolina Panthers Spelling Bee. The top four finishers in the regional bee will receive invitations to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Nixon Sipe of Cramerton Middle School was the runner-up. 

Hawks Nest STEAM Academy, in partnership with Carolina Chiropractic Plus, won first place in the “Are You Smarter Than a Gaston County Fifth Grader?” competition. Pleasant Ridge Elementary, partnered with GSM Services, and Gardner Park Elementary, teamed up with Tindol Subaru, took second place. North Belmont Elementary and its partner, Gastonia East Rotary Club, secured third place. In addition to the top winners, several teams earned special recognition. Team Spirit honors went to Belmont Central Elementary and Belmont Eye Associates as well as McLean Funeral Directors and Robinson Elementary. Best Theme was awarded to Clariant Corporation and Rankin Elementary, while Most Creative Team went to Firestone Textiles and Fibers and Sadler Elementary. Hosted by the Gaston County Education Foundation, “Are You Smarter” is an annual event that brings together local businesses and elementary schools for a lively game show-style competition. Proceeds support the Ron L. Ensley grants that provide teachers with funding for innovative classroom projects and lessons.

Gaston County Schools had more than 140 students participate in the all-county high school band clinic on February 5-6 at Ashbrook High School. Students were chosen for the band clinic through an audition process. Tim Reed from North Gaston High School conducted the symphonic band, and Dr. Cole Hairston, a Hunter Huss High School graduate who is teaching at Brevard College, conducted the wind ensemble. 

Students from Gaston County Schools participated in the all-county middle school choral clinic on January 28 at Holbrook Middle School. Ben McKinnon of Belmont Middle School served as the clinician for the mixed honors chorus, with Monica Morgan of Grier Middle School as the accompanist. Award-winning composer, conductor, and music educator Sherry Blevins led the treble chorus and was accompanied by Elisha Mitschke-Lamanna of John Chavis Middle School.

The following students received scholarships through the Gaston Music Education Foundation: Erica Scharber of Stuart W. Cramer High School, Honda Honigman College Scholarship valued at $4,000; Charlie Ann Sanabia of Forestview High School, Edith Kersh College Scholarship valued at $3,000; Cyrus Baltimore of East Gaston High School, Margaret Alexander McArver Scholarship to attend UNC-Greensboro Music Camp; Corey Simpson of Stuart W. Cramer High School, Gaston Music Education Foundation Scholarship; and Nicolas Martinez of Stuart W. Cramer High School, Marie Lattimore Torrence Scholarship to attend the Cannon Music Camp.

WSGE 91.7, the radio station at Gaston College, and Music and Arts in Gastonia donated reeds, oils, and music books to Gaston County Schools’ middle school band programs.

The Gaston County Schools Human Resources Department donated 36 loaves of bread to the Gastonia East Rotary Club to make sandwiches for people in need in the community.

Andi Ballard of Ashbrook High School, Abi Canipe and Bailey Owens of Cherryville High School, and Emma Bumgarner, Emma Myers, and Alexis Ford of East Gaston High School were selected for the North Carolina All-Region Cheer Team. Chosen from more than 140 applicants, the students will have the opportunity to try out for the all-state cheerleading team.

Belmont Central Elementary teacher Kim Parrish was named one of the Top 10 FSI Teacher All-Stars for December. This award recognizes her hard work, dedication to her students, and excellence in teaching. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Parrish also leads the school’s robotics team. As part of this honor, she received a special set of classroom supplies.

Under the leadership of Officer Hord, the Gaston County Police organized a Christmas drive to provide gifts for 40 students at Chapel Grove Elementary this holiday season.

Jason Pelusio, a graduate of East Gaston High School, is the company manager for the Angelica National Tour of “Hamilton,” which is playing at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte.

The Gaston Early College High School "Rocket League" team competed in the North Carolina Varsity Esports and STEM League state championship and earned a fourth-place finish. This marks the third year the school has participated in esports.

Anna Claire Whitesides of North Gaston High School has been awarded the N.C. Teaching Fellows Scholarship and will attend Appalachian State University next year to major in elementary education.

W.A. Bess Elementary donated 464 pounds of food to Crisis Assistance Ministry during the school’s community service project.

The Cherryville High School cheerleading team earned semifinalist honors at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team is led by coach Wendy Holt.

Cherryville High School junior Steven Wyatt placed second in the boys 500-yard freestyle at the 1A/2A state swimming championship.

Cramerton Middle School achieved the next level of certification from the National Paideia Center and now has the Paideia Classroom certification.

John-Edward Brooks of Cramerton Middle School earned an honorable mention award in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for his ceramics piece titled “No Ducks Given.”  Keira McHugh also received an honorable mention in the same category for her piece titled “The Royal Emu.”  Brenda Bradley is the school’s art teacher.

The Cramerton Middle School Quiz Bowl team won first place at the North Carolina Beta Club Convention.

Ann Margaret Sproul of Stuart W. Cramer High School received a Silver Key award for her short story titled “Petrichor” and an honorable mention for her portfolio titled “Stories of Home” in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Stuart W. Cramer High School senior Austin Major placed fourth in the boys 50-yard freestyle at the Class 3A state swimming championship.

Senior Pressley Rankin and sophomore Katelyn Smith represented the East Gaston High School chorus program at Wingate University in the annual All-Carolina Select Honor Choir. They were selected to participate from students across North and South Carolina. Rankin also serves as president of the East Gaston Choral Leadership Committee, and Smith is one of the representatives for the Treble Choir.

American Woodmark Corporation presented East Gaston High School band teacher Brandon Taylor with a check for $5,000 to aid in the purchase of new band uniforms. 

The East Gaston High School cheerleaders took first place at the Winter Blast cheerleading competition, which was held in Boiling Springs. 

The East Gaston High School varsity competition squad, coached by April Sadler, earned first place in the America Cheer Cup National Competition in two categories: Game Day and Advanced Small All-Girl Traditional. The cheerleaders on the squad are Addison Oxendine, Addyson Brown, Adriana Allison, Alexa Cloninger, Alexis Ford, Breanna Pleasant, Ella Anderson, Emma Bumgarner, Emma Myers, Gracie Hullett, Hannah Payne, Kyleigh McDonald, Laney Clark, Lily King, Lyla Rodeheaver, Morgan Waugh, Payton Baker, Rylee Heafner, and Savannah Price.

Carter Johnson of East Gaston High School placed second in the boys 200-yard freestyle and third in the 100-yard breaststroke at the 1A/2A state swimming championship. Additionally, Wyatt Smith and Destry Ballard finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Class 1A/2A state diving championship.

Several East Gaston High School students competed in the SkillsUSA Western Regional Rally. First place winners included Ramon De La Oz in Job Interview, Hailey Haney in Adobe Design, Payton Lenox in Poster, Abram Padilla in Photography, and Ridge Pearson in Automotive Service. Other top finishers were Samuel Cadle, who earned third place in Construction Tool ID, Ella Wise, who took third place in First Aid CPR and second place in Poster, Hunter Digh, who finished fifth in Automotive Service, and Ryland Martinez-Caulder, who placed fourth in Automotive Service. Cooper Bailey and Tommy Price also participated in Automotive Service.

Forestview High School senior Lilly Friday is a finalist for the UNC-Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain Scholarship and is being considered for a full-ride Presidential Scholarship at Anderson University.

Forestview High School’s relay team – William Peyton, Andrew Taylor, Graham Kines and Beckett Tabor – won its second consecutive state swimming championship in the boys 200-yard medley. In addition, Tabor placed third in the 100-yard freestyle. Forestview placed fifth overall in the Class 3A state championship.

Autumn Queen, a senior at Gaston Early College High School of Medical Sciences, has been accepted to the honors colleges at both UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. She is a finalist for the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship at UNC and the Park Scholarship at N.C. State. Additionally, Sadie Morton was named a semifinalist for both the UNC Morehead-Cain Scholarship and the N.C. State Park Scholarship.

The Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences National Honor Society made more than 200 valentines for residents at the Greens and Peak nursing homes.

The Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Kindness Club is leading activities for “No One Eats Alone Week.” This campaign focuses on reducing social isolation and creating student support networks.

Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences freshman Vienne Hoffard Cosky was selected to participate in UNC-Asheville’s pre-college summer program. She will spend two weeks at UNC-Asheville, living on campus and participating in pre-medicine activities.

Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences junior Morgan Melton was selected as a district winner for the VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest for her essay titled, “Religion, Patriotism, and Government.”  The essay theme was “Is America Today our Forefathers’ Vision?” 

Several Highland School of Technology Beta Club students received recognition at the 83rd Annual Senior Beta Convention in their respective competitions. Sydney Falls earned first place in Visual Arts Painting, Division I; Aruzhan Suleimenova placed third in Visual Arts Hand Drawn Anime, Division II; Sophia Dorantes took fourth place in Psychology for 12th grade; Noelle Martin secured fourth place in Spelling for 12th grade; and Skylar Oplinger received fifth place in Visual Arts Mixed Media. 

North Gaston High School sophomore Logan McKnight earned first chair in the Western Region Jazz Band.

Pinewood Elementary received a $1,200 grant from A+ Schools of North Carolina and plans to use the funds to bring Number Drummer creator Troy Kryzalka to the school. This unique, interactive experience combines math and music, turning the entire audience into a percussion ensemble to create a dynamic, rhythm-filled performance.

The Laurel East Community Watch presented Sherwood Elementary School with a check for $1,000.

Sherwood Elementary held its fourth annual “Sherwood STEM Night” at the Schiele Museum on January 30. This event was free to all students and their families, who were able to participate in STEM activities, view the planetarium, and explore the exhibits and outback farm area.

Fifth-grade students at Sherwood Elementary were treated to a live performance on February 11 by musician Christopher Dixon, who specializes in bass, violin, and cello. The program was arranged by music teacher Timothy Wilson.

South Point High School’s relay team of Miles Ferguson, Daniel Lane, Noah Legnosky and Grant Hunnicutt won the Class 3A state swimming championship in the boys 200-yard freestyle relay. Additionally, sophomore Ila Turner earned second place in both the girls 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle at the 3A state championship.