Gaston County Schools highlights student awards, literacy partnership and data‑accuracy recognitions

The June 16 meeting featured a series of district recognitions and program updates presented as part of the board’s "good news" segment.

Highlands School of Technology engineering and graphics academy coordinator Daryl Thompson was recognized as the North Carolina Technology Student Association High School Chapter Advisor of the Year and will be honored at the association’s national conference in Nashville.

Representatives from Tryon Elementary and Gaston County Emergency Management and Fire Services described the Flash a Light on Literacy program, a partnership that challenged students in grades 3–5 to read over two months; student Riley Jordan read 55 books and the entire group read a total of 521 books during the program.

District data managers were recognized for PowerSchool audits. Scott Castle and Leah Stewart and school data managers were acknowledged for compiling and reporting student information during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years and for work supporting the transition to the state‑mandated Infinite Campus student information system.

The board also heard about a two‑day leadership conference for principals and assistant principals focused on instruction, interim assessments and coaching, and a summary of the Commissioner School of Excellence — a multi‑decade program that convenes rising student leaders from across Gaston County for career and leadership exposure. District presenters said 70 students attended the most recent two‑week Commissioner School session and described the program’s career‑focused classes (medicine, legal, engineering, environment) and public‑speaking, cultural and service components.