This year’s Carroll County High School top ten, the “Golden Cavaliers Celebration,” was marked by a collective humility among the chosen seniors, who almost all noted little things from their honorees had the most impact. Principal ChuckThompson said he knew the honorees would treasure the honor “because it comes from the people we are here for.”
Superintendent Dr. Mark Burnette opened the May 9 event in the CCHS Cafeteria by saying many seniors this year are leaning a bit to one side, with the weight of scholarships (the unofficial grand total from this year’s senior awards ceremony indicates is $2,863,195). Burnette later said witnessing the Golden Cavs made him feel pretty good for the future. St. Paul School Elementary Teacher Jamie Cain had the most exuberant celebration being honored, yelling, “This is just like getting my first Emmy!”
The Golden Cavaliers this year were Aidan Hill, Katherine Lindamood, Alexis Montgomery, Laura Murrell, Ashlyn Newman, Dalton Norman, Davis Reitzel, Mallie Thomas, Jeffrey “Luke” Watson and Carly Wright. Hill chose CCHS Agriculture Teacher Sarah Jo Jones as his honoree.
“Mrs. Jones was my ninth grad agriculture teacher. She occasionally spoke of FFA officers and their activities...some of which were specific to agriculture and other more toward leadership. This was at a time after COVID so their activities were limited. When I went to the open house in my tenth grade year Ms. Jones stopped me in the hallway and asked me if I wanted to be on that officer’s team,” said Hill. “I said yes and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Throughout all the experiences Mrs. Jones worked hard to make sure all the students who wanted to take advantage of these opportunities could.”
Katherine Lindamood named Cain as her honoree. She praised Cain for going above and beyond for every student to be sure they would not be left behind in classwork, marveling at the impact the beginning of her educational journey had on her.
“Her passion to help her students....still sticks with me to this day. Ms. Cain recognized how quickly I finished every book and wanted to challenge me a little bit more to make sure I was continuing to read and learn a little bit more,” said Lindamood. “It’s the little things like this that make her a great teacher. The additional time she took to make sure every single student was interested in learning wasn’t the only thing. She became my friend and my family’s friend. It’s hard to find a teacher who still maintains interest in a student 13 years after her class.”
Alexis Montgomery’s honoree was Dr. Kendra McReynolds of the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School. She said McReynolds was the most kind and caring teacher she has ever known, a teacher who wants all her students to succeed.
“Above all...she is patient and understanding. Every day and in every class, she never failed to tell us to enjoy the rest of our day. She always wished us luck at our sporting events. Dr. McReynolds is passionate about what she teaches and this is apparent in her lessons,” Montgomery said. “She motivated all of us to be the best we can be. She didn’t hesitate to stay longer than she had to to answer any questions and helped me to decide nursing is the path for my future. I aspire to have the same nurturing personality and compassion for my patients as she did for me. I want to thank her for not only helping me succeed in the classroom...but in life.”
CCHS Teacher Dina Reece was the honored educator of Golden Cav Laura Murrell, who said Reece had taught her important lessons outside of the classroom curriculum....and an ability to read her facial expressions.
“She has taught me more than just Spanish. She has taught me so many different life lessons. She is more than just my teacher. She is my friend. She could tell when I was about to give up but she knows what I am capable of,” said Murrell. “She would stay after school to help me. We would decide when we could practice weekly EXCEPT if she had a hair appointment. She was very particular about her hair...she has to get it done. She did not have to stay but she chose to. She was my biggest supporter in this world. Any time I doubt myself...thinking I can’t, I will remember how she taught me I can.”
Ashlyn Newman named CCHS Teacher Julie Heninger as her honored educator. She said Heninger had been a fun teacher and master of the teaching trade, praising her for being a fun teacher who would use humorous situations and conversations to get a point across.
“Even though science isn’t my strongest subject I was incredibly anxious to enter biology class with an unfamiliar face. My anxiety was immediately dissipated when I entered the classroom...seeing Ms. Heninger smiling from ear to ear and welcoming me,” said. “She has the incredible capability to teach others about her passion,” said Newman. “When we return to class after lunch she is always waiting to hear about my day. She is fully invested in her students’ careers.”
Golden Cavalier Dalton Norman chose CCHS Teacher Fred Mitchell to be honored. He recalled when he first walked into Mitchell’s Chemistry class he didn’t know what to expect, and said instead of talking about Mitchell’s achievements with organizations like NASA, he wanted to talk about his impact on his life, in and out of the classroom.
“While his love of science is a critical aspect of his teaching...his compassion for his students is what makes his character. It is of the utmost importance to him every student fully understood the topic of the day. He did everything he could to further my knowledge of the world,” Norman said. “I’m not sure whether or not he always enjoyed me interrupting him while he was reading or working but he was more than willing to listen and provide advice. There are still many things I have to figure out and I will no longer be able to walk down the hall and ask Mr. Mitchell, his teaching style and passion for science will continue to inspire me to achieve great things.”
Cavalier Davis Reitzel’s honoree was Southwest Virginia Governor’s School Teacher Sherry Pugh. Reitzel said Pugh taught him the importance of asking questions to impart learning.
“Ms. Pugh was my calculus teacher at governor’s school. My junior year I decided to take calculus. Before that I’d never taken a math class that was so difficult. It was a different type of math I was not used to. She had a well-structured class that made it easy to understand. Of all her characteristics the one I appreciate most was her ability to answer questions,” said Reitzel. “She always answered with a warm and curious attitude. Once there was a rare occasion where she did not have an answer to my questions. Before the end of that school day she found the answers and told me. This showed how important my education was to her. There’s a saying a person who asks a question is a fool for a minute but the one who does not ask is a fool for life.”
Mallie Thomas’s honoree was Fancy Gap Teacher Jessica Cochran. She credited Cochran with making the most significant impact on her life any teacher could.
“She is the teacher I can share anything with...no matter the circumstance. I know she loves me and truly cares for my well being as a person. We not only talk when we are together but when we are outside of school. That being said...we talked for a hour outside of school last night,” said Thomas. “Everything she does has a tremendous impact on my life. I am organized now... I take notes because of her. I use colored pens and pencils based on the way she does. She taught me through her actions there is always one more thing that can be done to guarantee success.”
CCHS teacher Donna Ogle was tapped as the honoree for Watson. He said he was less nervous about speaking before an audience than speaking before his choice, an English teacher.
“I’ve had Mrs. Ogle as an English teacher for three years. She is the epitome of what a teacher should be. Every day she treated me with respect. Told me good morning and made me feel welcome and a part of her class,” said Watson. “To say she is interested in books is an understatement. She is passionate about her subject and that makes all the difference. Recently I had her on a podcast. The interview lasted well over two hours. I was fortunate not only to learn how she performs her job but the things that made her who she is.”
The final Gold Cav speaker for the evening was Carly Wright, who chose to honor CCHS teacher Brandi Cochran-Mitchell. Choosing to open with a joke, she asked the participants what a snake’s favorite subject is in school (It is hiss-tory). Wright described Cochran-Mitchell as “an outstanding person with a servant’s heart.”
“I do not like or have ever liked studying history but there is a particular history teacher that made it pleasurable. Entering eleventh grade was an exciting time. I’d known the teacher for my entire life...living a mile away from her and her knowing my parents perhaps gave me fear as a motivator in the class,” said Wright. “Her friendly nature and bubbly personality immediately broke down any barriers. My time in this class afterwards was filled with laughter and fun...from listening to the ‘Hamilton’ sound track and disliking every song except ‘I am Aaron Burr, Sir’... making a skit called ‘Three Colonists Walk Into A Bar’ and talking about Elvis Presley instead of doing notes are just a few memorable moments. The thing I cherish most is the friendship I grew with this teacher.”
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on “X” at CarrollNewsDave
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