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Burke County
Sharon Colaw was recently named the Burke County Schools principal of the year. She is principal at Table Rock Middle School.
Superintendent Art Stellar and Phillip Moore, market president of Wachovia, the award's sponsor, presented the honor to Colaw.
Fox News from Atlanta broadcast live from East Burke High School on Oct. 21.
The news channel showcased East Burke High's student biodiesel project called the Magic Fuel Bus.
Students at Heritage Middle School visited with Dale Wilson, a retired Marine and the 2009 national disabled veteran of the year, on Oct. 9.
After reading a newspaper article about Wilson, students in Sarah Hoyle's seventh- and eighth-grade reading class wrote him with a request to visit the school. Wilson spoke about maintaining a positive attitude and a will to help others, regardless of your own circumstances.
"I don't look back at the bad things because I may stumble over and miss something good in the future," he told the students.
Caldwell County
Lower Creek Elementary School recently won the 2008-09 national and state championship for the President's Challenge Physical Fitness and Sports Award. The school has earned 12 statewide championships and now holds a second national title.
The 2008-09 recognition ranks Lower Creek as the most physically fit student body in North Carolina for enrollment of 200 to 500 students. The ranking is based on the percentage of students that pass the President's Physical Fitness Challenge.
At Lower Creek, 89.98 percent of the school's 360 students scored 85 percent or higher on the following tests: pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, mile run and sit-and-reach.
Catawba County
DeAnna Finger, Tuttle Elementary principal and N.C. distinguished elementary principal of the year, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept her award.
As Finger walked the hallways at Tuttle Elementary after morning announcements recently, students and staff lined the halls, clapping, cheering and chanting words of encouragement. She received a yellow rose from several students to form a bouquet by the end of her journey.
During her visit to Washington, Finger spoke about the hallway walk as the most interesting thing that happened to her after earning the honor.
Hickory
Stephanie Dischiavi, principal of Jenkins Elementary School, was recently named the 2009-10 Wachovia principal of the year for Hickory Public Schools.
Dischiavi holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Akron and a master's in school administration from UNC Charlotte. She joined Hickory Public Schools as a first-grade teacher at Oakwood Elementary in 1997.
Dischiavi first served as assistant principal at Jenkins and has been principal at the school for five years.
She will now compete on the regional level.
Newton-Conover
Melanie Elrod, director of student services with Newton-Conover City Schools, was recently named administrator of the year by the N.C. Association of Educational Office Professionals.
Heidi Bedington, licensure specialist, won office professional of the year.
Both were honored Oct. 22 at a regional meeting in Wilkes County. They will now compete on the state level. Compiled by Leigh Pressley
