“Chosen from more than 1,400 applicants, these students represent the future of rural North Carolina."
- Mike Conley
The goal of Operation Backpack is to provide all K-12 underprivileged children in McDowell County’s public schools with a new backpack and school supplies.
- Dalton Brooks
McDowell High School in McDowell County held its 2026 graduation ceremony on Friday, June 5.
- Dalton Brooks
“You have demonstrated resilience, determination, kindness, and a commitment to one another."
- Dollar General Literacy Foundation and West Marion Elementary School
To support continued reading engagement and reduce summer learning loss, the school will implement a comprehensive summer reading initiative.
- McDowell County Schools
He credits Nebo Elementary with helping prepare him for the future by fostering academic readiness, strong character and the ability to connect with others.
- Dalton Brooks
“Graduation is always a special moment because it represents both an ending and a new beginning.”
Students can participate in the contests as a school project or an independent at-home activity.
“Their commitment to students, passion for teaching, and dedication to excellence are evident in the positive impact they make every day."
Scholarship recipients from across the region were recognized during a ceremony held at the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement on the Mission Hospital Campus.
“Tyler is super, super helpful and it is his birthday and we are so thankful for him and his volunteerism."
On Thursday, the Rotary Club of Marion recognized Mason Ratliff as the Academic Student of the Week and Avery Watson as the Athlete of the Week.
To her, having the heart of a lion means “leading with courage, creativity and compassion.”
“What stands out about Penny is how intentionally she builds confidence in her students and invests in their personal and professional growth."
The Rotary Club of Marion recognized Eddy Rodriguez from McDowell Early College as the Student of the Week and Cason Matthews of McDowell Academy of Innovation.
"The U.S.A means to me a home and a great community."
On Thursday, the Rotary Club of Marion recognized Harper Helms as the Academic Student of the Week and Benjamin Harris as the Athlete of the Week.
“There’s something special about teachers who truly see the potential in every child — and Hunter is one of them."
The young FFA members from McDowell came back with some top awards after competing with other chapters from the western North Carolina region.
Bradley and Alejandro-Cruz are students at the McDowell Academy for Innovation and Morgan is a student at McDowell Early College.
Hickory High School students release around 50 trout into the Catawba River on April 17. The trout were raised from eggs in science teacher Kasady Carroll's classroom.
Hickory High School students explore the Jacob Fork tributary of the Catawba River during a field trip to release trout at South Mountains State Park on April 17.
- Bristol Motor Speedway
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Leah Pruett and Jack Beckman won delayed New England Nationals finals as Pruett, Matt Hagan, Greg Anderson and Gaige Herrera led Thunder Valley qualifying at Bristol.
- Hickory City Schools
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Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School teacher Curtis Morrison is nominated for the NCCAT 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC CTE Teacher of the Year award.
- North Carolina Governor's Office
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In Washington, D.C., Governor Josh Stein urged North Carolina’s congressional delegation to approve over $10 billion in Hurricane Helene recovery funding.
- Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce
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Statesville shares updates on Waste & Recycling Workers Week, summer youth sports, Juneteenth celebration, ongoing drought restrictions, events, and job openings.
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N.C. Wildlife Ranger Ethan Richardson tell Hickory High School students what to do if they encounter a black bear in the forest.
"They have the opportunity to release these fish back into nature after nurturing them and taking care of them for months. It's really just a beautiful thing.”
Hickory Trout Unlimited member Gary Schnick places small trout into a plastic cup for Hickory High School student to release into the water at South Mountains State Park
Hickory High School students Asher Jenkins and Alexandra McGuire talk about what they learned while taking care of baby trout in their science class.
They are both students at McDowell High School and were introduced to the club by Rotarian Madalyn Gaito.
Today, Morgan works at Moderna, a biotechnology company known for developing mRNA-based medicines.
After a meeting that lasted about four-and-a-half hours, the commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of the plan to merge Catawba County's three school districts.
