From learning how to read to getting into college, Gaston County public school’s brightest students had educators who stood out along the way.
On Thursday, the top students from 11 high schools honored those current or retired Gaston teachers during the Star Teacher-Student Awards at the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia.
Forestview High’s Kaelan Forbes said she was terrified of her history teacher, Cathy Love, on the first day of her junior year. Forbes quickly changed her mind when Love became a friend and source of inspiration in her life.
“She’s always putting her students before herself,” Forbes said. “She pushes me to go above and beyond in all endeavors.”
North Gaston High brothers Adam and Andrew Phillips attended the same school but found inspiration from two different teachers whom they chose to honor. Cherryville High’s Caitlin Hay honored her mother, Darcy Hay, a kindergarten teacher at Cherryville Elementary.
Hunter Huss High’s Yelisa Leiva extended her appreciation to school counselor Lisa Brooks, who she credits for helping her get accepted to Syracuse University. Leiva said she was having a tough time in calculus this year and was considering dropping the class. That’s when Brooks stepped in to help.
“She insisted that I stay,” Leiva said. “By listening to this advice I was accepted to Syracuse’s architecture program, the third best in the country.”
Each Star teacher and student received a plaque at the ceremony. Teachers also took home framed copies of essays their students wrote to praise their favorite educators.
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