The Gaston County Board of Education celebrated remarkable achievements during its December 16, 2024, meeting, highlighting the accomplishments of local students and athletes.

Three high school seniors were recognized for their exceptional academic achievements as QuestBridge scholarship winners. Ayanna Bigger from North Gaston High School, along with Julian Boyce and Joshua Mendoza Vargas from the Highland School of Technology, each earned full college scholarships through the highly competitive QuestBridge program. This year, only 2,627 students nationwide received this honor from a pool of over 25,000 applicants. Ayanna will attend Amherst College, Julian will head to the University of Notre Dame, and Joshua is set for Boston University. The board expressed pride in having three recipients from Gaston County, emphasizing the significance of their accomplishments.

In addition to academic accolades, the board recognized Tiana Pettis, a senior at Bessemer City High School, for her outstanding performance on the basketball court. Tiana recently set a new record by scoring 65 points in a single game, surpassing the previous record of 63 points. Averaging an impressive 47.9 points per game this season, she is on track to break longstanding records in North Carolina high school basketball. Tiana's achievements not only highlight her talent but also inspire her peers and the community.

The meeting underscored the board's commitment to celebrating student success and fostering a supportive educational environment. As the school year progresses, the board looks forward to more achievements from these talented individuals and the broader Gaston County Schools community.