Wilkes County Hall of Fame Grants Largest Amount to Date to Wilkes Schools

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame Governing Board (WCHOF) recently announced $24,303.80 in grant monies to be spend in the areas of art, music, drama, band, physical education, and athletics in the Wilkes County Schools.  This makes the largest amount the WCHOF has given in grants to Wilkes County Schools.  The WCHOF board presented checks to fund 32 projects at the Stone Family Center for Performing Arts on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The check presentations were made by Shana Williams, President of the WCHOF and Stacey Neece, Grants Committee Chairman of the WCHOF.  Before checks were presented to each grantee, Williams thanked all of those who applied for a grant and encouraged them to apply again next year.  She also shared how funding for grants is made possible by local businesses and community members who support the Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Gala, which serves as a fundraiser to their grant fund.  The following grantees were chosen from funds received from the ninth annual Wilkes County Hall of Fame Gala: 

Elizabeth Jordan, Millers Creek Elementary, received $500 to purchase various supplies for painting projects.

Carol Huffman, Millers Creek Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase acoustic guitars for music classes.

Jessica Ferguson & Andy Kinder, Mulberry Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase Drums Alive program for music and physical education classes.

Lauren Oravsky, North Wilkesboro Elementary, received $490.47 to purchase supplies for an art class project.

Shelia Lester, Ronda-Clingman Elementary, received $846.54 to purchase physical education equipment.

Jessie Parker, Ronda-Clingman Elementary, received $864.54 to purchase aluminum artist easels.

William Pearson, Roaring River Elementary, received $420 to purchase scooters and storage for scooters for physical education classes.

Carly Clonch, Central Wilkes Middle, received $975.22 to purchase in ground basketball goals and installation.

Nancy Wood & Jennifer Spencer, North Wilkes Middle, received $850 to purchase supplies for a dinner theatre.

Zach Smith & Jordyn Halvorsen, North Wilkes Middle, received $350 to purchase track and field equipment and first aid kits.

Vickie Lyck, West Wilkes Middle, received $500 to purchase supplies for a weaving project.

Joanne Schwab, West Wilkes Middle, received $1,000 to purchase theater performance royalty, costumes, set design, and cast shirts.

Matt Campbell, East Wilkes High, received $500 to purchase new golf balls.

Beth Poplin, East Wilkes High, received $836 to purchase sheet music, customs and props.

Bradley Hayes, East Wilkes High, received $1,000 to purchase basketballs for men’s basketball program.

Aaron Simmons, East Wilkes High, received $950 to purchase new tennis nets.

Carrie Vestal, East Wilkes High, received $400 to purchase sets of headgear.

Justin Call, East Wilkes High, received $800 to purchase screens and padding for batting cage.

Colin Whiteley, East Wilkes High, received $873 to purchase Pearl Mallet Station for band program.

Kaylin Blankenship, North Wilkes High, received $500 to purchase dust for warning track for women’s softball program.

David Wojtecki, North Wilkes High, received $600 to purchase weight lifting belts.

Sarah Privette, North Wilkes High, received $1,000 to purchase supplies for a dinner theatre.

Brian Holloway, North Wilkes High, received $740 to purchase basketballs for men’s basketball program.

Britteny Weisensel & Logan Call, North Wilkes High, received $1,000 to purchase AED with all supplies needed.

Brandon Milam, North Wilkes High, received $300 to purchase various items for tennis program.

Noah Johnson, North Wilkes High, received $600 to purchase golf bags and golf balls.

Crystal Carlton, North Wilkes High, received $740 to purchase supplies for track and field program.

Jacob Wood, West Wilkes High, received $1,000 to purchase football helmets.

Misty Hartzog, West Wilkes High, received $917 to purchase art supplies.

Chuck Cannon, Wilkes Central High, received $1,000 to purchase sets of shoulder pads for football program.

Anthony Byers, Wilkes Early College High, received $751.03 to purchase art supplies..

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame is a 501 (c) (3) non- profit. The Mission of the Wilkes County Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is to promote and honor the excellence of the people of Wilkes County in order to encourage and inspire the youth and citizens of Wilkes. The 10th Annual WCHOF will be Thursday, May 16, 2024 in the Stone Family Center for Performing Arts. For more details visit: www.wilkecountyhalloffame.org. For additional information contact Morgan Mathis, 336-667-1121 or email: mathismo@wilkes.k12.nc.us

Wilkes County Hall of Fame Hosts 5th Annual James Cook Leadership Breakfast

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame hosted the fifth annual James Cook Leadership Breakfast on Monday, November 14, 2022.  James Cook was a devoted board member of the Wilkes County Hall of Fame from 2014-2017.  After James’ passing in 2018, the Wilkes County Hall of Fame board named the breakfast in his memory because of the love he had for reaching and inspiring the youth of Wilkes County.  Student leaders from all Wilkes County middle and high schools attended the event for breakfast and words of inspiration and hope from Wilkes County Hall of Fame inductees.

The family of James Cook sponsored the breakfast and were in attendance to speak with students.  Mark Cook spoke of why this breakfast was so important to his late father and his family.  He highlighted the inductees that were present and challenged students to listen and take as much advice from them as they could.


WCHOF President, Shana Williams led the event by speaking with students about the characteristics of a leader.  She shared that a leader doesn’t have to be the CEO of a company; they could be a mom, dad, teammate, or a friend.  Williams then introduced 12 members of the Wilkes County Hall of Fame that were present and eager to speak with students.  Students were randomly selected for groups and got to speak with 4 different inductees for 15 minutes each about a specific leadership characteristic.  Each inductee was given a leadership characteristic to focus on as part of their journey to share with their table. Topics that students were exposed to were: overcoming challenges, resilience, responsibility, dependability, open-mindedness, creativity, visionary, delegator, patience, tenacity, developing a team, making hard decisions, authenticity, self-awareness and integrity. 


To conclude the event, students from each group shared what they learned about each leadership characteristic with all attendees.  Williams then challenged students to go back to their communities and study, research, and find someone worthy of being nominated to the Wilkes County Hall of Fame.  She stated, “We know that this room is filled with potential future Hall of Fame inductees as well.  You are the future legacy of leadership here in Wilkes County!”  Before students dismissed, WCHOF Board Member Revis Felts led a closing activity for attendees.  She asked all in attendance to close their eyes and envision the best leader they’ve experienced and the worst leader they’ve experienced.  She asked them to think about the reasons that person came to mind, and how they treated them.  Felts then challenged everyone in the room to go out and be the better leader.   

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame’s goal is to recognize the human capital of Wilkes County and remind the citizens of the stories and excellence of the individuals’ lives, inspiring students to pursue their goals by being encouraged by the accomplishments of those before them.

Oct 8, 2018

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