Highlands School hosted several drive-thru parades to honor students for transitioning to the next grade and recognizing student athletes for their achievements back in mid-May.
Highlands School Principal Brian Jetter said parades were the safest option to honor students after an unpredictable year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced all public schools to switch to remote learning in March.
Students were psyched to see teachers and staff, and receive their yearbooks at the K-11 parade at Highlands School.
“We wanted to recognize kids and the things they accomplished this year, and we had to do it in a way the state restrictions allow,” said Jetter. “Parades seemed to be the safest way to do that.”
Parades were scheduled by grade level, and many teachers and staff showed up to cheer on students who weren’t even in their class.
Teachers from all grades showed up to cheer students on at the K-11 parade.
Jetter said being part of a K-12 school creates a special bond between teachers and students because most teachers are involved in a student’s academic career at some point during their time at Highlands School.
Highlands Fire & Rescue made an appearance in the parade.
“13 years is a long association for a teacher and student,” said Jetter. “All these teachers are invested and care about a student’s future, so they showed up to honor them for their accomplishments.”
Students rolled up to the parade using a variety of tactics given the steady rain.
Incoming Highlands Senior Tessa Wisniewski said it was pretty cool for school staff to organize the parades, especially since it rained for the majority of the event and teachers and staff cheered students on unfazed by the weather.
From left are Tessa Wisniewski, Brooke Houston, and Ann Marie Moore.
“It was really nice of them to do that for us,” said Wisniewski. “It showed us they care. And they gave us candy, which is always a plus.”
Highlands School Resource Officer Tim Broughton stands out in the rain to maintain smooth traffic throughout the parade.
Some students made signs to show appreciation for their teachers. Pictured above Kindergartner Madelynne Phillips shows love for Teachers Margie Potts and Francie Jetter.
Teachers also made signs to wish students a happy summer.
Sadie Green and her mother Christal arrive prepared for the rain, a choice both classy and practical.
Yearbook staff were busy running to cars and making sure all students have their Yearbook. From left are Sayla Roman, English Teacher Cathy McIntyre, and Marilyn Valerio.
Highlands School Teachers and staff show their recognition and support for the achievements of students in grades K-11.
Athletic Parade
The rain held off for the parade recognizing Highlands School student athletes and coaches.
From left are Highlands Coaches Selwyn Chalker and Brett Lamb greeting a student athlete.
Spirits were a bit higher without steady rain. Pictured above Cheer Coach and Teacher Kristin Huneycutt greets a student.
Ava Schmidt rolled through the parade with her little bro.
Several parents attended the parade to show their support for student athletes. Editor’s Note: I dug how their hair coordinated with the foliage in the background, I think it worked out well.
With the uncertainty of COVID-19, plenty of students took the opportunity to visit and socialize after the parade.
Pictured at the top of the article are Highlands Teachers Angela Swain and Maci Lequire enthusiastically greeting a student.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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Scholarships and Awards are below photo gallery:
Highlands School Awards & Scholarships:
Art & Angela Williams Award
Valedictorian—Camren Dalton
Valedictorian—Sayla Roman
Salutatorian—Morgan Olvera
Bel Canto Scholarship
Emma Weller
Gene & Lee Meyer Scholarship
Morgan Olvera
Gilliam’s Promise
Kedra McCall
Guy Taylor Scholarship
Jeslyn Head
Heffington Scholarship
Morgan Olvera
Joseph Tucci Caselli
Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors
Kedra McCall
Brianna Norris
Morgan Olvera
Highlands Garden Club
Camren Dalton
Highlands Rotary Club
Kedra McCall
Brianna Norris
Morgan Olvera
Emma Weller
Highlands Women’s Club
Matthew Barnes
Camren Dalton
Lilly Deal
Jonathan Miller
Dillon Schmitt
Patrick Woods
Horatio Alger Scholarship
Brianna Norris
Interact Service Award
Camren Dalton
Kedra McCall
Brianna Norris
Morgan Olvera
Emma Weller
Leo L. Campbell
Jeslyn Head
State Employees Credit Union
Brianna Norris
Scaly Mountain Women’s Club
Jeslyn Head
Taj Roman
Town of Highlands
Camren Dalton
Sayla Roman
Morgan Olvera
Jeslyn Head
Pablo Jimenez Estrada
Kedra McCall
Jonathan Miller
Sophia Nguyen
Brianna Norris
Taj Roman
Erin Sanborn
Marilyn Valerio
Emma Weller
Patrick Woods
WNC Regional Scholarship
Camren Dalton
Intended Destinations of the 2020 Highlands School Graduates
Mr. Matthew Barnes – Southwestern CC
Ms. Camren Dalton – NC State University
Ms. Lilly Deal – Southwestern CC
Mr. Javier Figueroa Contreras – Full-time Employment
Ms. Anette Flores – Gap Year
Ms. Jeslyn Head – Western Carolina University
Mr. Cade Hebert – Gap Year
Mr. Reid Ingate – Southwestern CC
Ms. Kimberly Jijon Villanueva – Southwestern CC
Mr. Pablo Jimenez Estrada – Appalachian State Univ.
Mr. Dylan Laderoot – Gap Year
Mr. Carlos May Gomez – Western Carolina University
Ms. Kedra McCall – Appalachian State Univ.
Mr. Jonathan Miller – Georgia Fire Academy
Mr. Anh Nguyen – Southwestern CC
Ms. Sophia Nguyen – UNC Greensboro
Ms. Brianna Norris – East Carolina University
Ms. Freda Olalde – Southwestern CC
Ms. Morgan Olvera Mendoza – NC State University
Ms. Brooke Partain – Southwestern CC
Mr. Jordan Powell – Gap year
Ms. Sayla Roman – Columbia University
Mr. Taj Roman – Appalachian State Univ.
Ms. Erin Sanborn – Western Carolina University
Ms. Bailey Schmitt – Western Carolina University
Mr. Dillon Schmitt –Georgia Fire Academy
Mr. Carlos Soto Torres – Career Development
Ms. Ryan Talbert – Western Carolina University
Mr. Joseph Tucci Caselli – East Carolina University
Mr. Nicholas Tucci Caselli – Gap Year
Ms. Marilyn Valerio Lopez – East Carolina University
Ms. Emma Weller – NC State University
Mr. Patrick Woods – Southwestern CC
Highlands High School Awards Spring 2020 |
|||
| First Name | Last Name | Award | Grade Level |
| Emily | Briggs | AB Honor Roll | 9 |
| Beatrice | Bryson | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Beatrice | Bryson | AB Honor Roll | 9 |
| Beatrice | Bryson | World History Classroom Award | 9 |
| Beatrice | Bryson | Sports & Entertainment Marketing Classroom Award | 9 |
| India | Clark | AB Honor Roll | 9 |
| Riley | Conner | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Riley | Conner | A Honor Roll | 9 |
| Riley | Conner | Sports & Entertainment Marketing Classroom Award | 9 |
| Riley | Conner | Multimedia & Webpage Design Classroom Award | 9 |
| Riley | Conner | Math I Honors Classroom Award | 9 |
| Brittany | Damian Clemente | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| James | Earp | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Sydney | Figel | A Honor Roll | 9 |
| Sydney | Figel | Freshman Class Secretary | 9 |
| Chelsea | Garcia | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Luke | Hartman | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Luke | Hartman | A Honor Roll | 9 |
| Getsemani
Brooklyn |
Hernandez Rojas
Houston |
AB Honor Roll
AB Honor Roll |
9 |
| Alisia | Johnson | World History Classroom Award | 9 |
| Nathan | Keener | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Liam | Kennedy | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Liam | Kennedy | A Honor Roll | 9 |
| Liam | Kennedy | Honors Earth Science Classroom Award | 9 |
| Liam | Kennedy | English I Honors Classroom Award | 9 |
| Liam | Kennedy | Creative Writing I Classroom Award | 9 |
| Liam | Kennedy | World History Honors Classroom Award | 9 |
| Danny | Lopez Rios | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Anna | Nichols | AB Honor Roll | 9 |
| Anna | Nichols | Freshman Class Treasurer | 9 |
| Tristan | Petrone | Construction I Classroom Award | 9 |
| Anna | Stiehler | A Honor Roll | 9 |
| Anna | Stiehler | Freshman Class President | 9 |
| Eliza | Tate | Freshman Class Vice-President | 9 |
| Mary Eliza | Tate | A Honor Roll | 9 |
| Angie | Varela Hernandez | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Adisyn | Westendorf | Perfect Attendance | 9 |
| Adisyn | Westendorf | Earth Science Classroom Award | 9 |
| Adisyn | Westendorf | Math I Classroom Award | 9 |
| Adisyn | Westendorf | English I Classroom Award | 9 |
| Adisyn | Westendorf | Drafting I Classroom Award | 9 |
| Adisyn | Westerndorf | AB Honor Roll | 9 |
| Ashlynn | Wilson | AB Honor Roll | 9 |
| Hayley | Borino | A Honor Roll | 10 |
| Bella | Branham | A Honor Roll | 10 |
| Bella | Branham | Foods I Classroom Award | 10 |
| Bella | Branham | Foods II Classroom Award | 10 |
| Reese | Brewer | Perfect Attendance | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Perfect Attendance | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | A Honor Roll | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Honors Biology Classroom Award | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Science Department Award | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Math II Honors Classroom Award | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Math III Honors Classroom Award | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Creative Writing I Classroom Award | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Sports & Entertainment Marketing Classroom Award | 10 |
| Connor | Briggs | Personal Finance Classroom Award | 10 |
| Reid | Carrier | Perfect Attendance | 10 |
| Reid | Carrier | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Reid | Carrier | Sophomore Class Vice-President | 10 |
| Reid | Carrier | English II Honors Classroom Award | 10 |
| Alexandra | Clark | Construction Core Classroom Award | 10 |
| Wyatt Alex | Clark | Civics & Economics Classroom Award | 10 |
| Maddie | Coen | Civics & Economics Classroom Award | 10 |
| Ella | Crook | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Russell | Dalton | Construction Core Classroom Award | 10 |
| Kaitlyn | Doerter | A Honor Roll | 10 |
| Colton | Gibson | Biology Classroom Award | 10 |
| Serentiy | McDaniel | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Ruth | Mendoza Hernandez | Perfect Attendance | 10 |
| Emma | Minton | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Emma | Minton | Apparel Development I Classroom Award | 10 |
| Brandon | Moss | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Brandon | Moss | FCA Student Leader | 10 |
| Brandon | Moss | Foods II Classroom Award | 10 |
| Jeffrey | Olvera | Sophomore Class President | 10 |
| Jeffrey | Olvera | Honors Biology Classroom Award | 10 |
| Jeffrey | Olvera Lopez | A Honor Roll | 10 |
| Trevor | Reese | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Ava | Schmitt | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Ava | Schmitt | Sophomore Class Secretary | 10 |
| Ava | Schmitt | Foods I Classroom Award | 10 |
| Reese | Schmitt | Perfect Attendance | 10 |
| Reese | Schmitt | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Lawson | Shuler | Construction II Classroom Award | 10 |
| Seth | Staffelbach | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Seth | Staffelbach | English II College Prep Classroom Award | 10 |
| Seth | Staffelbach | Construction I Classroom Award | 10 |
| Seth | Staffelbach | Independent Reading Classroom Award | 10 |
| Mason | Taylor | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Mason | Taylor | Math II Classroom Award | 10 |
| Luis | Torres Zamudio | Sophomore Class Treasurer | 10 |
| Brandy | Zagal Damian | AB Honor Roll | 10 |
| Brandy | Zagal Damian | Perfect Attendance | 10 |
| Isabella | Blanco | English III Classroom Award | 11 |
| Isabella | Blanco | American History I Classroom Award | 11 |
| Jordan | Carrier | Perfect Attendance | 11 |
| Jordan | Carrier | Junior Class Treasurer | 11 |
| Jordan | Carrier | Chief Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Jordan | Carrier | SCC Pre-Calculus | 11 |
| Garrison | Chalker | Perfect Attendance | 11 |
| Garrison | Chalker | Math III Classroom Award | 11 |
| Garrison | Chalker | Foods II Classroom Award | 11 |
| Allyson | Dayton | Junior Class President | 11 |
| Madelyn | Drummonds | Assistant Chief Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Madelyn | Drummonds | Advanced Functions and Modeling Classroom Award | 11 |
| Brooklyn | Houston | FCA Student Leader | 11 |
| Brooklyn | Houston | Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Joana | Jimenez Reyes | Physical Science Classroom Award | 11 |
| Elijah | Kennedy | Math III Classroom Award | 11 |
| Olivia | Lewis | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Olivia | Lewis | Student Government Secretary | 11 |
| Olivia | Lewis | SCC Pre-Calculus | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | A Honor Roll | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | Junior Class Secretary | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | Honors Chemistry Classroom Award | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | Math III Classroom Award | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | History 131 Classroom Award | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | Advanced Placement US History Classroom Award | 11 |
| Anne Marie | Moore | Apparel Development I Classroom Award | 11 |
| Abigail | Nichols | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Abigail | Nichols | Induction into the Quill and Scroll Society | 11 |
| Abigail | Nichols | Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Logan | Petrone | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Logan | Petrone | Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Logan | Petrone | Construction I Classroom Award | 11 |
| Megan | Rehmeier | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Megan | Rehmeier | English III Honors Classroom Award | 11 |
| Megan | Rehmeier | History 132 Classroom Award | 11 |
| Ethan | Tate | Beta Club Treasurer | 11 |
| Ethan | Tate | Junior Marshal | 11 |
| James Ethan | Tate | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Hadley | Templeton | Perfect Attendance | 11 |
| Hadley | Templeton | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Hadley | Templeton | Honors Chemistry Classroom Award | 11 |
| Hadley | Templeton | Drafting I Classroom Award | 11 |
| Lane | Tingen | Perfect Attendance | 11 |
| Lane | Tingen | Foundations of Math III Classroom Award | 11 |
| Lane | Tingen | History 131 Classroom Award | 11 |
| Rebekah | Wiggins | AB Honor Roll | 11 |
| Rebekah | Wiggins | Junior Marshal | 11 |
| Tessa | Wisniewski | Junior Class Vice-President | 11 |
| Camren | Dalton | Beta Club President | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | Valedictorian | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | Senior Honor Student | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | AP Environmental Science Award | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | Math 152 Statistical Methods I | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | Social Studies Department Award | 12 |
| Camren | Dalton | Apparel Development II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Javier | Figueroa Contreras | Perfect Attendance | 12 |
| Javier | Figueroa Contreras | Drafting II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Jeslyn | Head | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Jeslyn | Head | Student Government Vice-President | 12 |
| Jeslyn | Head | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Jeslyn | Head | Apparel Development II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Cade Michael | Hebert | American History II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Reid | Ingate | Drafting III Classroom Award | 12 |
| Pablo | Jimenez Estrada | Perfect Attendance | 12 |
| Pablo | Jimenez Estrada | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Pablo | Jimenez Estrada | Senior Honor Student | 12 |
| Pablo | Jimenez Estrada | Creative Writing II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Carlos | May Gomez | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Carlos | May Gomez | Senior Honor Student | 12 |
| Carlos | May Gomez | Advanced Functions and Modeling Classroom Award | 12 |
| Carlos | May Gomez | Personal Finance Classroom Award | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Perfect Attendance | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Student Government President | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Beta Club Vice-President | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | FCA Student Leader | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Senior Honor Student | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Hospitality & Tourism Classroom Award | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Foods I Classroom Award | 12 |
| Kedra | McCall | Highlander Pride Award | 12 |
| Jonathan | Miller | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Jonathan | Miller | Construction III Classroom Award | 12 |
| Jonathan | Miller | Highlander Pride Award | 12 |
| Anh | Nguyen | Perfect Attendance | 12 |
| Sophia | Nguyen | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Sophia | Nguyen | Foods I Classroom Award | 12 |
| Sophia | Nguyen | Apparel Development I Classroom Award | 12 |
| Brianna | Norris | FCA Student Leader | 12 |
| Brianna | Norris | Interact Club Sergeant at Arms | 12 |
| Freda | Olalde | Foods II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Senior Class Vice-President | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Beta Club Secretary | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Interact Club Secretary | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Salutatorian | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Senior Honor Student | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Advanced Placement US Government & Politics Classroom Award | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Personal Finance Classroom Award | 12 |
| Morgan | Olvera | Wendy’s High School Heisman Award | 12 |
| Brooke | Partain | Perfect Attendance | 12 |
| Brooke | Partain | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | A Honor Roll | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Student Government Treasurer | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Interact Club President | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Yearbook Editor-in-Chief | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Quill & Scroll Society Graduation Cord Recipient | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Valedictorian | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Senior Honor Student | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Advanced Placement Statistics | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Mathematics Department Award | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Advanced Placement Literature & Composition Classroom Award | 12 |
| Sayla | Roman | Social Studies Department Award | 12 |
| Taj | Roman | Creative Writing II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Taj | Roman | Creative Writing III Classroom Award | 12 |
| Erin | Sanborn | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Erin | Sanborn | Construction III Classroom Award | 12 |
| Dillon | Schmitt | A Honor Roll | 12 |
| Dillon | Schmitt | Apparel Development I Classroom Award | 12 |
| Dillon | Schmitt | Apparel Development II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Carlos | SotoTorres | OCS Adaptive Science Classroom Award | 12 |
| Ryan | Talbert | Senior Class Secretary | 12 |
| Ryan | Talbert | English IV College Prep Classroom Award | 12 |
| Ryan | Talbert | Apparel Development II Classroom Award | 12 |
| Isaiah | Tucci Caselli | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Marilyn | Valerio | Yearbook Staff Senior | 12 |
| Marilyn | Valerio | Quill & Scroll Society Graduation Cord Recipient | 12 |
| Marilyn | Valerio Lopez | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | AB Honor Roll | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | Senior Class President | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | Interact Club Vice-President | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | Yearbook Staff Senior | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | Quill & Scroll Society Graduation Cord Recipient | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | English IV Honors Classroom Award | 12 |
| Emma | Weller | Hospitality & Tourism Classroom Award | 12 |
| Patrick | Woods | North Carolina Scholar | 12 |
| Patrick | Woods | Intro to Computer Science Classroom Award | 12 |