According to the September 2014 issue of “Newsweek,” Gray Stone Day School ranks first in North Carolina among “America’s Top High Schools.”
Nationally, the school ranked 203 out of 494 schools on the list, which are selected from the more than 30,000 high schools in the United States.
According to the report, Gray Stone Day School has a college readiness score of 87 percent and a college-bound and graduation rate of 93 percent. The school also received a gold star for economically disadvantaged students performing at or above grade level on state assessments.
The schools included in the list were evaluated on performance indicators such as standardized assessment scores, graduate rates, SAT and ACT scores, equality for economically disadvantaged students and other factors.
“We are very proud to be recognized on this list, but our mission statement and goals remain the same, and we’ll passionately continue to learn and improve, just as our talented students do every day,” said Gray Stone’s Chief Administrative Officer Helen Nance.
“Gray Stone has outstanding teachers to thank who work tirelessly to provide a unique, quality education as well as our students who are passionate about learning and have an incredible work ethic as they prepare for their futures outside of our halls,” she added.
Pfeiffer University’s 2014 homecoming celebration, “Connected: We Are Pfeiffer,” will take place Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 on Pfeiffer’s Misenheimer campus, 48380 U.S. Hwy. 52 N. The weekend schedule includes a variety of celebratory events, dedications, milestone year class reunions, athletics and several free family oriented opportunities for alumni, current students and the entire community.
Homecoming weekend events start Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. with 1964 graduate Dr. Larry Shelton, professor emeritus of Wesleyan Theology, who joins alumni and friends for a reception and to share his compelling life and career story.
On Oct. 3, events include the dedication of the Donald Walser Center for Nursing Education, Falcon Club Golf Tournament and Dinner, class reunions and more. Pfeiffer will also unveil the Ascot Society Alumni Book Collection at the G.A. Pfeiffer Library, a permanent collection that features the books of Pfeiffer alumni published throughout the university’s history.
On Oct. 4, couples who met at Pfeiffer will gather for the third annual Met-My-Mate celebration and dedication of Crumbley Hall, hosted by alumni Larry and Donna Loflin Crumbley. At the annual alumni recognition gathering, Al Rose, president and CEO of Rose Corp., will be presented with the 2014 Outstanding Alumnus Award, and John Boggs, president and CEO, Builders Mutual Insurance Co., will receive the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Meal offerings include the annual reunion luncheon for alumni of Pfeiffer Junior College and the traditional Lunch on the Lawn for all alumni and their families. Tickets are $12. Throughout the day, adults and children of all ages will enjoy campus tours, KidZone at Merner Gym, free tennis clinic for kids, live music on the main stage by Brain Trust and alumni and NCAA Division II athletic events.
“Homecoming always provides many wonderful opportunities to reconnect with classmates, friends and faculty as well as remember everything about Pfeiffer that propels its students toward professional and life success,” said Dr. Jerry Boone, who returned to Pfeiffer in August as interim president after serving as vice president of student affairs and professor of English from 1969 to 1981. “At the same time, the university is able to thank alumni, students, parents and our neighbors for all they do to support Pfeiffer year after year.”
For a complete schedule of events, reunions and athletics and event registration information, visit www.pfeiffer.edu/homecoming2014.
Building minds and character isn’t the only building taking place at North Hills Christian School. Since construction began at the beginning of July, the school’s contractor, KMD, has made tremendous progress.
When students left school this past Friday, the construction site consisted of concrete floors and metal studs. When they returned to school Monday, the roof was on the building and most of the walls were covered.
It is now easy to visualize the appearance of the Ruth and Dave Davis addition to the school, designed by Gray Stout of Stout Studio Architecture. The new addition was designed to be a visual reminder of the classical education taking place within the walls of the school.
The new 6,000-square-foot addition will house an up-to-date science lab, a new art room, a music room and two multi-purpose classrooms. Several outdoor education areas, a covered walkway and a large gazebo surrounded by stadium-style seating will be a part of the project.
Executive Director Maria Lowder said the project has “created a new level of enthusiasm for the school and its mission.”
This year, North Hills has its largest class of high schoolers ever enrolled, and more than 300 students total.
“I have to believe part of our growth is due to the great things taking place on and within our campus and the excitement being generated by our new construction project,” she said.
The new addition will be ready for the start of classes in January.
Colt Nash has been named the first North Carolina State University student to win a Beacon of Enlightenment Ph.D. scholarship from the University of Adelaide.
In late August, after earning his masters degree in poultry science, Nash will arrive in South Australia to begin his study-abroad experience.
Nash will work towards his doctorate in immunology and infectious disease. In particular, he will study viral gene expression in hepatitis-C infected liver cells in order to better understand disease progression.
As a master’s student in N.C. State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Nash has studied the protein Mx, cells that are made in response to viral infections. Mx has been shown in humans along with several types of animals to be able to directly inhibit viral replication.
A 2006 graduate of Gray Stone Day School, Nash was born and raised in Salisbury.
“I applied for the scholarship to just see what would happen. I never expected to win,” Nash said.
With 25,000 students, the University of Adelaide is one of Australia’s top research universities and has four onshore campuses.
Students from all over Rowan County met Sept. 9 to discuss events and issues that impact the county’s students.
The students broke into groups to discuss discrimination, bullying and how student attitudes affect the school, as well as ways to implement fundraising.
Tarik Woods organized the conference to talk about the main points of a county-wide group led and organized by students called Rowan County Student Leaders. The group will target the problems that directly involve students in the community that they have the power to change.
The group is open to all rising ninth- through 12th-graders. Applications are available at Salisbury High School in the main office.