Honoring Student Heroes and Caring Educators

Honoring Student Heroes and Caring Educators
Posted on 11/30/2022

Cleveland County Schools and the CCS Educational Foundation honored students for exhibiting qualities of courage and strength of character, while educators were recognized for their remarkable care for students.

“This is truly a magical event where the most loving educators and resilient students are honored,” said Greg Shull of Cleveland County Schools. “Before beginning the recognitions - we usually warn those in attendance (roughly 200 or so) that they need to keep a tissue handy as the individual stories shared during the event are absolute tearjerkers.”

The Carl DeBrew Heroes and the Hoyt Q. Bailey Agape programs are held in conjunction and are sponsored annually by the Cleveland County Schools Educational Foundation and Laughlin Furniture Outlet.

“We so very much appreciate Laughlin Furniture Outlet for supporting this event,” added Shull. “Ben and Jennifer Cabaniss actually play a huge role in orchestrating the event. Jennifer normally hands out awards while Ben emcees. To say they simply contribute financially would be a huge understatement.”

Each year, schools name student Heroes and Agape educators. The school Agape representatives are submitted to the Foundation for consideration of a district-wide award. A dedicated panel thoroughly reviews each submission and determines the district winners. The winners are then announced at the annual event and are recognized, awarded, and honored at the annual event alongside the Heroes.

This year’s district-level Agape winners are Patricia Grigg of Burns Middle, India Cross of James Love Elementary, and David Steeves of Shelby High.

Shull concluded, “Our school Heroes enjoyed their recognitions and walked away with bookbags, certificates, and medallions while our Agape district winners received certificates, crystal awards, and a momentary gift - all from Laughlin Furniture.”

Click here to view event photos.

The school-level Heroes and Agape nominees are as follows.

2022 School Heroes

  •  Evan Dover of Boiling Springs Elementary
  • Cameron Robbins of Casar Elementary
  • Triston Henson of Cleveland Innovation Virtual Academy
  • Jason Jean of East Elementary
  • Timothy Brown and Granger Brown of Elizabeth Elementary
  • MaKahri Camp of Fallston Elementary
  • Chloe Woods of Grover Elementary
  • Alex Wingender of James Love Elementary
  • Da'Kayla Briscoe of Jefferson Elementary
  • Jamiyah Parker of Kings Mountain Intermediate
  • Antoine Strickland of North Elementary
  • Andrew Morgan of North Shelby
  • RJ Jackson of Springmore Elementary
  • Isabella Hicks of Township Three Elementary
  • Charles Flack of Union Elementary
  • Jaiden Stroud of Washington Elementary
  • Lucas Whitener of West Elementary
  • Terry McIntyre of Bethware Elementary

School Agape Winners

  • Brandi Parker of Bethware Elementary
  • Donna Ruppe of Boiling Springs Elementary
  • Patricia Grigg of Burns Middle
  • Dr. Angela Sims of Casar Elementary
  • Dennis Elliott of Cleveland Early College
  • Jalisa Kale of Cleveland Innovation
  • Tina Yelton of Crest High
  • David VanBuren of Crest Middle
  • Kimyata Tate of East Elementary
  • Jimmy Ruff of Elizabeth Elementary
  • Sherry Blow of Fallston Elementary
  • Lisa Warren of Grover Elementary
  • India Cross of James Love Elementary
  • Mikayla Modirzadeh of Jefferson Elementary
  • Trisha Mahoney of Kings Mountain High
  • Amy Lawson of Kings Mountain Intermediate
  • Margaret Thomas of Kings Mountain Middle
  • Kendall Bridges of North Elementary
  • Beth Lloyd of North Shelby
  • David Steeves of Shelby High
  • Natalie Parrott of Shelby Middle
  • Brandy Woods of Springmore Elementary
  • Nicole Taylor of Township Three Elementary
  • Anita Horn of Union Elementary
  • LaCresha Henderson of Washington Elementary
  • LeighAnne Bouchard of West Elementary