Alamance-Burlington School System will roll out the red carpet next Thursday, April 27, at Southern High School to honor its top educators, staff, and students in what’s being called an Evening of Excellence Celebration. The District will also name its Teacher of the Year at the ceremony. Local businesses have donated more than $30,000 in gifts and prizes for the nominees and winners.
The invitation-only event will begin with a reception where guests will walk the red carpet, have their photos taken, and enjoy live music from the Southern High School Jazz Band and food.
Following the reception, there will be a ceremony to honor the 38 school-selected Teachers of the Year and Classified Employees of the Year. The student-led ceremony is hosted by seniors who are members of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Panel with performances by the cultural arts programs from our high schools.
A selection committee composed of school administrators and Central Services staff selected this year’s ABSS Teacher of the Year through an essay, interview process, and visits to their classrooms.
SCHOOL | Teacher of Year | Classified Employee of Year |
Alamance Virtual School | Tonya Dobson | Iris Scott |
Alexander Wilson Elementary School | Melissa Harrelson | Ashley Williams |
Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary School | Laurin Rose | Josh Berneking |
Audrey W. Garrett Elementary School | Jessica Whitson | Teresa Snider |
B. Everett Jordan Elementary School | Nikki Huey | Rosa Leon-Riggs |
Broadview Middle School | Mark Gerringer | Beatrice Gore |
CTEC | Chris Griggs | Sandra Regalado |
E. M. Holt Elementary School | Lindsay Keiper | Jessica Fleming |
E. M. Yoder Elementary School | Kayla Howell | Kimberlee Ross |
Early College at ACC | Vivian Hensley Noe | Kathy Williams |
Eastern Alamance High School | Aoife O'Neill | Allison Flack |
Eastlawn Elementary School | Marvin Smith | Alicia Alonso De Rodriguez |
Elon Elementary School | Manda Stiegel | Loren Page |
Graham High School | Angela Uribe | Emily Lugo |
Graham Middle School | Sandi Daigle | Melinda Anderson |
Grove Park Elementary School | Stephanie Januzys | Mirna Caminos |
Harvey R. Newlin Elementary School | Sarah Brown | Courtney Hamilton |
Haw River Elementary School | Takeia Belvin | Mary Chavious |
Hawfields Middle School | Rachel Clark | Curtiss Branch |
Highland Elementary School | Anita Choim | Pamela Deleon |
Hillcrest Elementary School | Ashley West | Dawn Rich |
Hugh M. Cummings High School | Kimberly Singletary | Ana Alanis |
Marvin B. Smith Elementary School | Adam Hays | Holly Barnes |
North Graham Elementary School | Sarah Barlekamp | Ana D’Amico |
Pleasant Grove Elementary School | Tracy Jefferies | Iris Pennix |
R. Homer Andrews Elementary School | Julie Bethea | Wendy Uribe Brambila |
Ray Street Academy | Rocco Cabrera | Durand Bailey |
South Graham Elementary School | Melodie Allshouse | Jeanne Polito |
South Mebane Elementary School | Natalie Kimrey | Susan Oldham |
Southern Alamance High School | Karla Moore | Valerie Roach |
Southern Alamance Middle School | Jonie Edmunds | Kim Crockford |
Sylvan Elementary School | Elizabeth Moize | Shirley Whitesell |
Turrentine Middle School | Sabrina Chatman | Ashley Snyder |
Walter M. Williams High School | Joanne Simao | Kelley Caviness |
Western Alamance High School | Karen Rhea | Larry McBroom |
Western Alamance Middle School | Treena Garrison | Troy Williamson |
Woodlawn Middle School | Michael Morris | Amanda Gardner |
Of the 38 Teachers of the Year from each school, seven finalists were selected:
B. Everett Jordan Elementary: Nikki Huey
Ray Street Academy: Rocco Cabrera
Southern Alamance High School: Karla Moore
Hillcrest Elementary: Ashley West
South Graham Elementary: Melodie Allshouse
Western Alamance High School: Karen Rhea
Woodlawn Middle: Michael Morris
The ABSS Teacher of the Year named on Thursday will go on to represent the District at the regional level and will also be honored locally by the Alamance Chamber of Commerce.
Superintendent Dr. Dain Butler will also award 18 students the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence as part of the event. “These are model students in our District, many of whom have overcome amazing odds to reach the point of graduation. We’re excited to honor them.”
Cummings High School: Kathryn Perez & Melvin Lara
Western Alamance: Connor Chinnici and Samantha Mock
CTEC: Laila Yarborough & Andrew Lambert
Eastern Alamance: Benjamin Salvatore & William Ratliffe
Alamance Virtual School: Jennifer Figueroa-Bahena and Tavis Trull
ABSS Early College at ACC: Mariah Saavedra Garcia and John Sellars
Graham High School: Maritza Gonzalez-Ugalde and Makayla Williams
Southern Alamance: Shea Kirkpatrick and Sofia Soto
Williams High School: Molly Hunt and Jordan McDowell
In addition to other awards and prizes, each of the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence winners will receive a medallion to wear at their upcoming graduations.
“This has been a community effort,” said ABSS Public Information Officer. “More than two dozen businesses have contributed and more are coming in daily.”
Each nominee and the student winners will receive a “swag bag” loaded with prizes from these local businesses:
Samet Corporation
Moseley Architects
Dave's Discount Furniture
Pierce Group
Glen Raven
Maverick Radio & HOPE Radio
Carpet One Burlington
Allen Tate Realtors
Assured Partners
Horace Mann Insurance
TM Laser Works
Carolina Custom Promotions
Sunset Slush
Mellow Mushroom
Andy’s Custard
Papa Johns
Angelina Cafe Burlington
Skids #1 of Burlington
Office Depot
Sen. Galey, Rep. Ross, and Rep. Riddell
Workman Mechanical HVAC
Calming Hands Massage & Wellness
Farm Bureau of Alamance County - Sam Tuner Agent
Burlington Sock Puppets
Jeff Throneburg Construction
Golden China in Graham