Grants, other accomplishments recognized

C.B. Eller Teaching Awards

Recipients of 2025 C.B. Eller Teaching Awards were announced. Teachers can apply for these financial awards for professional growth from the C.B. Eller Education Fund, established by the family of the late C.B. Eller, superintendent of Wilkes schools from 1933-1966. Recipients are:

• Jamie Williams and Kathryn Williams, both from C.B. Eller Elementary School, and Christina Butler from Mountain View Elementary School, $1,400 apiece to attend an Elevate educators conference;

• Dr. Jim Brooks, West Wilkes High School, $1,500 to attend the Broadway Teachers Workshop in New York City;

• Lakyn Cochran, Wilkesboro Elementary School, $1,500 for travel and registration to attend SHAPE America National Convention and Expo in Kansas City, Mo.;

• Regina Henderson, East Wilkes High School, $1,400 to attend Association of Career and Technical Education Vision Conference;

• Kristen Metz, Wilkes Central High School, $1,400 for educational travel to create cultural connections with Hispanic students;

• Kelley Trivette, North Wilkes High School, $1,450 to attend the National Councils of Teachers of English conference;

• Olivia Walsh, Wilkes Early College High School, $1,100 for educational travel to colonial Williamsburg, Va., to support American literature studies.

Weaver Awards

The Weaver Awards of $5,000 apiece are presented by the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C., as part of efforts to heal division and build trust nationwide. Eight people from the Wilkes County Schools were among 21 people in Wilkes receiving Weaver Awards this year for initiatives that help bring people together and support education. The eight recipients are:

• Angie Church, social studies teacher at West Wilkes High School, for Blackhawk Buddies. This student-led mentorship program partners high schoolers with elementary students;

• Dr. Candie Greer, principal of Boomer-Ferguson Elementary, for Project Beyond. This provides literacy initiatives, career development workshops and mentorship programs;

• Courtney Anderson, fourth-grade teacher at Mulberry Elementary School, for turning classroom into hands-on learning environment for science, technology, engineering, art and math;

• Heather Williams and Kim Holleman, teachers at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, for an inclusive playground and park they’re building;

• Jessica Ferguson, music teacher at C.B. Eller Elementary School, to complete her set of drums to help students experience West African music;

• Laken Harrold, social worker at Mountain View Elementary School, for family programs, financial aid and incentives for students and teachers to increase engagement with school and encourage more consistent attendance;

• Rosanna Limon-Reyes, cultural liaison for Wilkes County schools, for organizing a new CultureFest.

Quiz Bowl winners

Wilkesboro Elementary School was recognized for being this year’s elementary school champion in the Wilkes District Quiz Bowl. Ten elementary schools competed. The Wilkesboro team was coached by Jean Hefner, Melissa Martin and Rachel Minick.

Students on the team were Ean Absher, Leo Anderson, Jash Avaiya, Wyatt Bare, Madison Boone, Aiden Cangliosi, Beau Colbert, Nori Duncan, Sydney Hagaman, Nathan Hefner, Jude Herndon, Reese Younger, Easton Kerr, Matthew Minick, Lucas Osborne, John Price, Amaya Senda, Jaxon Staley, Lanie Staley, George Thang, Nitesh Thapa, Clara Villegas and Mylin Weddington.

Other honorees

• Julie Triplett, 2025 N.C. Department of Public Instruction Digital Teaching and Learning Technology Director of the Year. She is retiring as chief technology director of the Wilkes schools;

• Regina Henderson, career technical education teacher of the year for the Wilkes County Schools. Henderson is a health science teacher at East Wilkes High School. She will now advance to regional competition. The N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching sponsors the annual award. A person must have completed at least five years of teaching to be considered;

• Ralee Bare from North Wilkes High School, Foothills 2A Women’s Basketball Player of the Year;

• Steven Phillips from North Wilkes High School, Foothills 2A Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year;

• Carrie Vestal from East Wilkes High School, Northwest 1A Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year.