Gaston County

Shrine Bowl: Ashbrook High School senior Demetrius Oliver was recently selected to compete in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

He was the only Gaston County player selected for the annual All-Star game that features North Carolina’s top seniors against the top seniors from South Carolina.

Exceptional Teacher: Jennifer Wirt-Hamrick of Hunter Huss High School recently received the Gaston County Schools Exceptional Children Teacher of Excellence Award.

Scholarship nominees: Several Highland School of Technology students have been nominated for major scholarships.

Michael Ham and Abigail Hardee are nominees for the UNC Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain Scholarship.

Jon Alliss and Jasmine Scheitler are in the running for the Park Scholarship at N.C. State University.

In the National Merit Scholarship Program, Jasmine Scheitler was chosen as a semi-finalist. Michael Ham and Abigail Hardee received Commended Student recognition.

Good Citizens: Hawks Nest Intermediate recently announced its October Good Citizens of the Month.

Honorees were: Jessica Ngo, Alex Huffstetler, Raven Anderson, Emily Miller, Liza Jane Hurley, Kathryn Cupp and Charlotte Harwell.

Students honored: Bessemer City Primary recently announced its Good Citizens and Principal’s Pride winners for September.

Good Citizens were: Cody Jordan, Sadie Burchfield, Hannah Kelly, Emma Lunsford, Malik Horton, Jaylin Dixon, Matthias Adams, Madison Mixon, Ty’Shionna Brown, Madilyn Norman, Jordan Beattie, Aiden Loftis, Savannah Davis, Megan Millsaps and Juan Jimenez.

Principal’s Pride winners were: Arianna Hill, Micah Stiwalt, Madison McGee, Montana Niederer, Gavin Conn, Isaac Walker, Micah Brown, Emily Fowler, Lindsay Helton, Skyler Dixon, Madison Stiles, Colby Davis, Eli Shaw, Maddie Smith and Katelyn King.

Patriots Day: Third graders at Pinewood Elementary recently participated in Patriots Day.

The program honored local police, fire and rescue personnel.

Chorus performs: Students in the Bessemer City High School Chorus recently performed at the Celebrating Voting Rights brunch held during the National Democratic Convention in Charlotte.

Students of the Month: Cramerton Middle School recently announced its Students of the Month for August-September.

Winners were: Rylee Williams, Ryan Duquette, Joey Bridges, Daniel Friday, Reis Phillips, Murphy Burrell, Dylan Disarro, Tramone Duncan, Laura Arango, Meredith Witherell and Nate Craven.

Math conference: Four Gaston County Schools employees were recently selected to present a session at the North Carolina Council for Teachers of Mathematics.

Diane Price, Shannon Hullett and Bethany Jacobson, all curriculum facilitators in the Elementary Instruction department, and Carrie Minnich, executive director of elementary education, spoke at the conference Oct. 26.

The session was titled, “Bringing the Common Core to Life Through Balanced Active Math.”

Professional standards: Several Gaston County Schools employees have completed requirements for the Professional Standards Program certification offered by the Gaston County Association of Educational Office Professionals.

They are: Libby Ammons, Brenda Barr, Nancy Christensen, Sharon Curry, Ashley Duckworth, Michelle Elrod, Elaine Glenn, Margaret Gosnell, Julie Hay, Tammy Heavener, Raina Heiss, DeLaine Loftis, Gail Morris, Debbie Putnam, Rieny Shindler, Sibreda Smith and Tripp Villemagne.

Fruit sale: The Ashbrook High School Marching Band will conduct its annual Fruit Sale through Nov. 2. Orders may be placed online or through a band member.

For details, visit www.riversweetonline.com/greenwave12.

Volunteer orientation: Gaston County Schools will hold two volunteer orientation sessions for parents and community members who would like to help in local schools.

Sessions will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 1 and 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Central Office, 943 Osecola St. in Gastonia.

Innovation challenge: Students across North Carolina are being challenged to come up with an innovative product or tool that will benefit their communities in the third annual Emerging Issues Prize for Innovation competition.

Finalists in the high school and college level divisions will be awarded $1,000, with the winning idea in each age group receiving $5,000 to go toward product development.

Applications are due Nov. 16. Winning teams from each age division will be announced in February. For information, visit www.ncsu.edu/iei

Lincoln County

Anti-bullying campaign: North Lincoln Middle School will participate in the Rachel’s Challenge anti-bullying campaign beginning Nov. 1.

Student assemblies and leadership training will be held, along with a guest speaker at a community rally at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 in the North Lincoln Middle gymnasium.

Rachel’s Challenge is based on the story of Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the Columbine High School shooting. Using her positive attitude and kindness for others, the campaign challenges school communities to start chain reactions of kindness to alleviate bullying in schools.

Students of the Month: East Lincoln High School recently honored Gray Dellinger and Kayla McMillan as September Students of the Month.

Students of the Month are nominated by teachers. Selection is based on exceptional character. Honored students receive Subway gift cards from the Renaissance Club.

Students honored: West Lincoln High School recently named its Students of the Month for September.

They were:

Ninth grade: Jamie Allen, Jordan Link

10th grade: Megan Eaker, Jose Lara

11th grade: Hailey Maresca, Andrew Mosteller

12th grade: Regine Galleto, Jared Swafford

Book fair: Kiser Intermediate School will host a Book Fair through Oct. 30 at the school.

Parents and students also may shop online through Nov. 5. For information, visit the Kiser Intermediate page via www.lincoln.k12.nc.us.

Volunteers needed: The Lincolnton Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is looking for volunteers to man concession stands at athletic events and dances.

Funds raised through the concession stand support the school. For information, contact Lincolnton Middle at 704-735-1120.

Commemorative bricks: North Lincoln High is offering folks a way to be a part of the North Lincoln Knights Kingdom.

Engraved bricks are being sold for the Walk of Bricks located at the entrance of the stadium’s home side. Pavers are $50.

Order forms are available on the North Lincoln High website via www.lincoln.k12.nc.us.

Turkey Trot: Lincolnton High School will sponsors its second annual Turkey Trot 5K Nov. 17 at the school.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by the race at 9 a.m. Walkers are welcome.

Cost is $20 adults, $15 students, $25 on the day of the race. Early registration will be held through Nov. 14.

For details, visit the Lincolnton High School page through www.lincoln.k12.nc.us. Compiled by Leigh Pressley