Southern Alamance High School

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS to our incredible 2025 Classified Employees of the Year! From assisting families all day to supporting students in all subjects, your contributions make a profound difference in our schools. Thank you for all you do!

It's never too early for students to consider their next steps after graduation. We invite you to our to the Enroll, Enlist, Employ Fair! 📅 When: April 3, 2025, 5 PM to 8 PM 📍 Where: ACC Main Building, Alamance Community College, 1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Haw River, NC 27258 Website with map: https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/o/abss/page/enroll-enlist-employ-fair RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/673132028729178 Connect with representatives from: 🎓 Local and state universities 🏫 Community colleges 🪖 Military branches 💼 Employment agencies 🤝 Community organizations Students: This is your chance to explore ALL your options in ONE place! Whether you're considering college, military service, or entering the workforce, this event has something for everyone. Check out our impressive lineup of participants, including Duke University, UNC schools, military branches, and local employers ready to talk about your future! Spanish language support will be available to ensure everyone can access this valuable opportunity.

🌟 #ABSSExcellence | Talent. Dedication. Passion. Innovation. We're honored to present the remarkable 2025 Teachers of the Year. These educators represent the very best of our district. Their exceptional work shapes tomorrow's leaders. Join us in celebrating them! 👏 #ThisisABSS

Celebrating Excellence in ABSS! Congratulations to our amazing students and staff recognized at last night's Board of Education meeting: Southeast Alamance's Ava Garner and Jesus Cruz received Silver Keys in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! Ava's piece "Connected Creation" explores humanity's place in the universe, while Jesus's "Epsum" portrays people as shadowy figures, comparing them to bugs under an upturned rock. Southern Alamance freshman Madisyn Upton made an incredible state championship debut, winning both the 200 IM (with a lifetime best of 2:08.38) and the 100 butterfly at the NCHSAA 3-A State Championship! She's now a two-time State Swimming Champion! DeAnna Tyson, 7th Grade Math Teacher at Western Middle School, was honored as a North Carolina Beginning Teacher of the Year Finalist! She received a plaque from the NC Center for Advancement in Teaching and a $250 check from Empower. Good luck in the state competition, Ms. Tyson!

📚 For ABSS Students & Families: College Application Week is next week! Many NC colleges waive application fees during this week. You can save hundreds by applying through CFNC.org's Application Hub from Oct. 21 (7:30 a.m. ET) to Oct. 27 (11:59 p.m. ET). 1️⃣ Explore colleges waiving fees. See full list here: https://5il.co/2z44e 2️⃣ Create/update account on College Foundation of North Carolina website: CFNC.org/C2C 3️⃣ Search by college and save top choices to your account 4️⃣ Apply through CFNC.org starting Oct. 21, 7:30 a.m. ET. To take advantage of waived fees during College Application Week, you must apply through CFNC. 💡 Students: You can speak to your school counselors at any time for more information and guidance throughout the college application process! 📚 Para estudiantes de último año de ABSS y sus familias: ¡La Semana de Solicitud Universitaria es la próxima semana! Muchas universidades de NC exoneran las tarifas de solicitud durante esta semana. Los estudiantes pueden ahorrar cientos de dólares solicitando a través del Centro de Solicitudes de CFNC.org del 21 de octubre (7:30 a.m. ET) al 27 de octubre (11:59 p.m. ET). 1️⃣ Explora las universidades que exoneran tarifas. Ve la lista completa aquí: https://5il.co/2z44e 2️⃣ Crea/actualiza tu cuenta en el sitio web de College Foundation of North Carolina: CFNC.org/C2C 3️⃣ Usa la búsqueda de universidades de CFNC y guarda tus opciones preferidas en tu cuenta 4️⃣ Solicita a través de CFNC.org a partir del 21 de octubre, 7:30 a.m. ET. Para aprovechar las tarifas exoneradas durante la Semana de Solicitud Universitaria, debes solicitar a través de CFNC. 💡 Recuerda: Los estudiantes de último año de ABSS pueden hablar con sus consejeros escolares en cualquier momento para obtener más información y orientación durante todo el proceso de solicitud universitaria.

The Southern Alamance FFA Chapter excelled at this year's State Convention! Our talented students demonstrated excellence across multiple competitive events, showcasing their agricultural expertise and leadership skills. The National FFA Organization, with over 850,000 members nationwide, prepares future generations for agricultural challenges through personal growth and career development opportunities. 🥇 Nursery Landscape - 1st Place Highest Individual: Rylee Senecal Team: Rylee Senecal, Addison Holliday, Haleigh Cornelison, Jacob Asher 🥈 Intro to Horticulture - 2nd Place Team: Nicholas Wallace, Olivia Hightower, Alivia Hall 🏅 Milk Quality - 5th Place Highest Individual: Kendall Donley Team: Kendall Donley, Alex Coon, Jorge Ramos, Chase Armstrong 🏅 Ag Mech - 5th Place Team: Sam Nance, Evan Prutzman, William Hovasapian, Andrew Fairchild Congratulations to all our hardworking students and our dedicated advisors: Mr. Anders, Mr. Drake, Mr. Sublett, and Mrs. Dawson! Your collective success embodies the FFA motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

🌟 Congratulations to our Top 10 Explore Learning Gizmos Teacher Leaders in Alamance-Burlington Schools! 🌟 We are thrilled to recognize these incredible ABSS science teachers for their dedication to using Gizmos in their classrooms and making a significant impact on student learning: ⭐ Tonya Dodson - Alamance Virtual School ⭐ Ronald Jowsey - Western Alamance High School ⭐ Robert Judice - Southern Alamance Middle School ⭐ Everett McCook - Graham High School ⭐ Karla Moore - Southern Alamance High School ⭐ Shannon Sams - ABSS Early College ⭐ Mary Strickland - Southern Alamance Middle School ⭐ Ashley Thomas - Harvey R. Newlin Elementary School ⭐ Brad Wroblewski - Western Alamance High School Special shout-out to our Top 3 Overall Teachers: 🥇 Ashley Thomas - Top Overall Elementary School Teacher 🥇 Donald Kuhns - Top Overall Middle School Teacher 🥇 Shannon Sams - Top Overall High School Teacher Gizmos is an interactive, inquiry-based STEM and Science simulation program designed to engage students in science. It allows students to explore concepts, analyze data, and dive deeper into topics that might not be possible in a traditional science classroom. We use Gizmos in grades 5-12 here in ABSS.

🎓 Congratulations to Ms. Lynn Bare on her well-deserved retirement after 30 years of dedicated service to ABSS, particularly with Southern Alamance High School - SAHS Patriots! A few highlights from her remarkable career: ✨ Southern Alamance High alumna ('80-'84) ✨ Returned to teach at Southern in 1994 after earning her English degree from UNC ✨ Served as advisor for the award-winning yearbook "Southerner" for 29 years ✨ Longtime department chair, National Honor Society advisor, and mentor ✨ Both her children are Southern graduates, with her oldest also teaching there Ms. Bare has left an indelible mark on generations of Southern Patriots through her passion for teaching. As she embarks on this new chapter, we wish her all the best in her retirement plans - becoming a grandma, traveling (especially to Salem for The Crucible), and plenty of pool time! Thank you, Ms. Bare, for your unwavering commitment to Southern. You will be dearly missed!

✨38 Days, 38 Schools - Southern Alamance High School is a vibrant school community that nurtures its students' diverse talents and passions. With a rich array of over 50 clubs, organizations, and athletic teams, the school provides an abundance of opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and make a lasting impact. From academic excellence to artistic expression, from athletic prowess to community service, Southern Alamance High School cultivates a culture of well-rounded individuals who are poised for success. With a spirited "SA All Day!" rallying cry, this community celebrates each student's unique talents while instilling a sense of pride, camaraderie, and a drive to make a difference. Empowered by knowledge, skills, and the relentless drive of a Patriot, graduates set forth on their chosen paths, destined to turn aspirations into remarkable achievements. ❤️

We're thrilled to recognize our exceptional Beginning Teachers of the Year finalists and winner. Although new to ABSS, these educators have already left an indelible mark on their students and schools: Finalists: ✨ Yanitza Negron, 1st Grade (Dual Language) at Alexander Wilson Elementary ✨ Zoe Rein, English 3, English 1, and English 1 Honors at Eastern Alamance High ✨ Mineshia White, Second Grade at Haw River Elementary ✨ Lexi Humphreys, History at Southern Alamance High ✨ Payton Ray, 8th Grade Science at Southern Alamance Middle ✨ Terri Andrews, Nursing Fundamentals, HSI, and Bio Tech at CTEC And our 2023 Beginning Teacher of the Year: 🏆 De'Ana Tyson, 7th Grade English at Western Alamance Middle 🏆 Congratulations to all our finalists and winner! Their passion, dedication, and innovation inspire us! These exceptional teachers were honored at last week's Evening of Excellence event. Join us in celebrating these rising stars who are shaping young minds and making a lasting impact on our community.

Congratulations to Kelly Westbrook, the Career & Technical Education teacher at Southern Alamance High School for being named NCCAT (North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching) Teacher of The Year for the district! Since joining ABSS in 2005, Mrs. Westbrook has been teaching Food Science and Technology, as well as various levels of Foods and Nutrition. Her dedication to improving learning, advocating for the program, and participating in FCCLA (a CTE student organization) is truly inspiring. Not only does she encourage her students to earn credentials and their ServSafe certificate, but she has also led professional development activities to enhance the learning experience. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!

📣 Spread the word: the ABSS Job Fair is this Saturday, April 13th, at Highland Elementary! it will open at 9 AM and go until 12PM. We are excited to welcome anyone looking to start a new career in ABSS. Many positions are available. Schools will have tables set up and our talented staff is available to greet you and answer your questions. See you there!

📚✨Our Media Specialists totally deserve a shoutout on National Library Workers Day! Sure, they'll help you find the perfect book, but they also collaborate with teachers, model tech skills, and think outside the box to engage inquiring minds. From cozy story nooks to cutting-edge resources, they maintain an incredible space just brimming with opportunities to learn and grow. Thanks for all you do! 🙌 #StudentCenteredFutureFocused

Let's give a huge round of applause 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 to the exceptional Southern Alamance High School - SAHS Patriots Career and Technical Student Organization! At the recent State Leadership Conference, all 39 competing students placed in the top 5 in their respective events - an incredible achievement. 🏆 We're overjoyed that 15 teams have qualified for the national competition in Seattle this summer by securing 1st or 2nd place finishes. These outstanding students will proudly represent ABSS on the national stage. Additionally, Olivia Davis was elected 1st Vice President of North Carolina FCCLA for 2024-2025 - wow! These remarkable results reflect the robust #ABSSCTE programs and the hard work of our students and dedicated advisors!

🌟 This weekend, the Southern Alamance High School - SAHS Patriots Student Council shined bright at the NCASC State Convention. From listening to inspiring speakers and participating in leadership workshops, to running in elections and giving back through community service projects, the students were involved with a lot of awesome work. 🔥 This is big - SAHS Student Council was recognized as a State Honor Council. Moreover, seniors Katie Graves, Emerson Smith, and Addison Sutton were inducted into the NCASC Hall of Fame for their outstanding leadership and contributions. 👏. Additionally, Junior Emma Smith has been elected as the NCASC Central District Chair. Southern Alamance will host the Central District Conference later this fall, showcasing their excellence in leadership and hospitality. Congratulations to the SAHS StuCo team! Keep soaring to new heights! 🚀

🏆 Hunter Safety Success! 🏆 Our Southern Alamance Middle School and Southern Alamance High School Hunter Safety teams had an outstanding showing at the recent district tournaments! Middle School: 🥇 The team took 1st place overall, winning rifle and hunter skills! They were runners-up in archery and shotgun. ⭐ Michael Edmunds - 1st individual test score ⭐ Asher Nance - 1st individual overall High School: 🥈 The FFA Red team placed 2nd overall, winning archery! They were also runners-up in rifle and hunter skills. ⭐ Sam Nance - High score senior individual 🥉 The FFA White team earned 3rd overall and the Sportsmanship Award! They placed 2nd in shotgun and hunter skills. 💪The FFA Blue team took 8th overall and is gearing up for the state tournament in April! Congratulations to all our hunter safety teams on this amazing district performance! Best of luck at states!

One more attendance recognition today - our high schoolers! 🏆 Consistent attendance sets students up for academic success by ensuring they don't miss out on valuable learning. That's why we're thrilled to recognize Southern Alamance High School - SAHS Patriots for having the highest attendance rate among high schools this quarter. Congratulations! They also got ice cream but ate it much quicker than the little ones! Keep making school a top priority. Every minute in the classroom prepares you for future opportunities after high school. #StudentCenteredFutureFocused

🌟Job seekers, mark your calendars - our 2024 Job Fair is one month away! We are hiring for many positions, both certified and classified. Come find your next opportunity with us! Please share with anyone you know who may be interested. 📍 Highland Elementary ⏰ 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 🗓️ April 13th, 2024 #StudentCenteredFutureFocused

We are thrilled to congratulate our 2024 Classified Employees of the Year! 🌟These dedicated staff members take on diverse and critical roles that provide vital support for the education of our students. We deeply appreciate their hard work. Congratulations!

We are proud to announce the 2024 ABSS Teachers of the Year! 🌟 These exceptional teachers are making a real difference in their students' lives. They care deeply about their students’ growth and success every day. Whether helping a struggling learner find their confidence, making lessons fun through imaginative activities, or supporting students through life's challenges, their student-first commitment is worthy of praise. Please join us in celebrating them! 👏