Washington County High School

🎤 Guest Speakers = Real-World Impact! 🌟 Today our students had the privilege of hearing from Andre Webb, a proud former PHS scholar who excelled academically and continues to shine professionally. After graduating, Andre attended East Carolina University, earning his degree in Management Information Systems. He now works as an Automation Engineer, using technology, innovation, and problem-solving to drive efficiency in today’s workforce. Andre delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing that there is a growing market for women and minorities in the tech and engineering fields. He encouraged students by sharing how success in this career isn’t about where you start it’s about being willing to learn, grow, and work your way up. He also highlighted the importance of hands-on experience, explaining how, after ECU, he attended Pitt Community College to gain practical training and completed an internship that helped launch his career. Our students were fully engaged and motivated by his transparency, his journey, and his passion. This is exactly why guest speakers matter they connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, and that’s what we focus on in CTE every single day! #CTE

🏀 In the Spirit of Community & Support! 🎉 We’ve themed out our December home basketball games and would love for our community to join us in the fun and excitement! Your support helps make each game a memorable experience for our students and fans alike. We’re also thrilled to announce that CTE’s Sports Marketing Panther’s Den will be up and running by Game 1, bringing even more energy and engagement to the court! Come out, show your Panther pride, and be part of the action!

🔥 Our Master Chef Competition Did NOT Disappoint! 🔥 CTE truly shines when students get the opportunity to put their hands-on skills to work—and today they delivered. Each team showed out with their signature dishes, including: 🥦 Fresh Broccoli Salad 🍓 Strawberry Crunch Dessert 🍪 Homemade Cookies 🥔 Creamy Mashed Potatoes 🥩 Parmesan Steak Plus, every homemade drink and dressing was crafted to perfection. Our CTE students proved that skill, creativity, and teamwork make an unbeatable recipe! 🏆 1st Place Group: Fourth Block (2nd block: 2nd place and 1st block: 3rd place) 👏 Honorary Standout Chef: Hunter for bringing his own original recipe 👨‍🍳 Top Chef of the Year: E. Hooker – exceptional skill, leadership, and presentation! We’re so proud of all our young chefs. This is what CTE excellence looks like! Shout out to our Foods Instructor, Mrs. Spencer 🍽️

🎨 Adopt an Aspiring Artist! 🎁

We’re inviting our amazing stakeholders to help make their holiday season even brighter! Stop by the front office to choose from the displayed name tags.

Once you’ve selected a student, return an unwrapped gift with the name tag attached.

Your kindness helps us celebrate our young artists and reminds them that their community believes in their talent. ❤️✨

Thank you for supporting our students and keeping the spirit of giving alive! 🙌

After decades of exceptional leadership, countless postseason runs, and a legacy that has shaped generations of athletes, Coach Shelton “Lamont” Gilliam has officially announced his retirement. With an extraordinary career record of 339–60 and a celebrated girls’ state championship, Coach Gilliam has made the decision to pass the torch. Coach Gilliam’s impact extends far beyond the win–loss column. During his time at Washington County High School and formerly Plymouth High School, he built programs rooted in excellence. His success has been highlighted in numerous media outlets over the years including MaxPreps, the Roanoke Beacon, and the Washington Daily News. Coach Gilliam has coached multiple players who advanced to prep school and college basketball careers. Some of the players under his leadership were Adrian Moore, Brittany Franklin, Omar Harris, Janazia Dixon, Aryn Gibson, and Brandon Carter Jr. Their futures were shaped and elevated under his leadership. As we step into a new era of Panther basketball, we announce that Interim Coach Ben James, our current Sports Marketing teacher and Coach Gilliam’s assistant for the past two seasons, will lead the program for now. We encourage our students, staff, alumni, and community supporters to rally behind Coach James and our Panthers as we honor the foundation Coach Gilliam built. His influence will continue to live on in every practice, every game, and every young athlete who puts on a Panthers jersey. Thank you, Coach Gilliam, for your dedication, commitment, and lasting legacy. Go Panthers! Coach Crossen -AD

December Newsletter

🍽️ Taste of Hospitality — A Night to Remember! 🍽️ Last night, our Food and Nutrition Department was transformed into an unforgettable Taste of Hospitality experience, and it was truly a showstopper! Under the leadership of Mrs. Spencer, guests were served a top-notch meal that quickly became one of the major highlights noted on our feedback forms. Her carefully curated menu featured: ✨ Proteins • Jerk Chicken Wings • Sweet Chili Chicken Kebabs • BBQ Meatballs ✨ Sides & Vegetables • Baked Mac and Cheese • Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Steamed Broccoli ✨ Beverage • Fruit Punch Stakeholders were able to select two proteins, one side, a vegetable, and a drink, creating a customized tasting experience that everyone raved about. Adding to the elegance of the night, our Food & Nutrition students and FCCLA members served as the evening’s wait staff taking orders, delivering plates, and providing exceptional service from start to finish. Their professionalism and pride in their work helped elevate the event to a true hospitality showcase. We are proud of Mrs. Spencer and her students for setting the bar high and giving our community an experience to remember! 🌟

🧸📚 Early Childhood Education Pathway Spotlight! 📚🧸 CTE Shades of Fall • Led by THEE Ms. Sharon Cherry Our Early Childhood Education program, led by none other than THEE Ms. Sharon Cherry, absolutely shined this semester! Thanks to our K–12 campus, our students were able to intern directly in the elementary classrooms removing the transportation barrier and giving them the perfect foundation to earn their required hours on time for the showcase. Each intern created a project tailored to a specific age group, and these resources will continue to be used and shared with the elementary teachers and students. Their creativity, professionalism, and genuine love for children were on full display last night. They did an amazing job, and we are beyond proud of the work they put into their displays. ✨ Check out their projects below! #CTE #EarlyChildhoodEducation #2025ShadesofFall

🎬👻 Adobe Pathway Spotlight — Creativity in Motion! 👻🎬 CTE Shades of Fall • Digital Design & Adobe Highlight Our Adobe Pathway stole the show with a full student-created Horror Film, built entirely from student ideas and brought to life through the skills they’ve learned in class. Under the guidance of Ms. Lawrence, every element showcased—editing, effects, sound, graphics, and storytelling—reflected true industry-level learning. Before the CTE Gallery Walk began, stakeholders packed in to watch the premiere! From the opening scene to the credits, it was clear just how much talent lives in this pathway. A special shoutout to our Adobe Intern, who created the movie trailer and handled marketing credits like a pro. Their work set the tone and added a professional touch to the entire experience. We are incredibly proud of our Adobe Pathway—where creativity, technology, and student voice come alive on screen! https://youtu.be/tKJ5mER_WNQ?feature=shared #CTE #Adobe #2025ShadesofFall

🎤🏀 Sports Marketing in Action! 🏀🎤 CTE Shades of Fall • Sports Marketing Pathway Spotlight Our Sports Marketing Interns, led by Mr. James, were all gas and no brakes tonight! These students have been grinding for weeks preparing for their first sports season — and tonight their professionalism was on full display. Armed with their media passes, prep sheets, and interview questions, they spent the evening interviewing a wide range of stakeholders, including: • Students • Parents • Community members • Central office staff • Teachers • Pastors • County officials … and more. They didn’t just ask questions — they asked real-world, industry-level questions and received immediate feedback about our CTE Showcase. This hands-on experience gave them practice in communication, public relations, media production, and on-the-spot reporting. Their confidence, preparation, and professionalism showed exactly what the Sports Marketing pathway is all about. Check out some of their images below — These interns are READY for their season! #CTE #2025ShadesofFall

🍰🌍 A “Taste of the World” — Foods Pathway Spotlight! 🌍🍰 CTE Shades of Fall • Foods & Culinary Arts Highlight We proudly showcased the incredible work of Foods Intern D. Clagon, whose final project became one of the most memorable features of our event. As part of our networking with consultants from "Make It Make CENTS,” students are learning the value of hands-on skills and how those skills translate into real career and income opportunities. Back in October, D. Clagon and other Interns met with our consultant, and from that moment, her vision took off. She built her own team, created a concept, and led her peers with confidence and creativity. Her theme — “Taste of the World” — brought together Foods completers representing multiple cultures, each preparing a dessert that reflected their heritage: ✨ Clagon – Strawberry Cake ✨ Pham – Chè (Vietnamese dessert) ✨ Sanchez-Ochoa & Galindo-Pledger – Mexican-inspired selections Together, they highlighted Vietnamese, African American, and Mexican culinary traditions, giving our stakeholders an authentic global tasting experience. Their hard work earned them a pre-CTE Showcase interview and the opportunity to publicly demonstrate the skills and talents developed in Ms. Spencer’s classroom. Every student involved has also participated in the annual Jr. Chef Competition, adding to their growing culinary résumé. We are incredibly proud of Clagon’s leadership, vision, and execution — a true example of what CTE is all about: skill, culture, creativity, and opportunity. #CTE #2025ShadesofFall

🌱🌿 Horticulture Pathway in Full Bloom! 🌿🌱 CTE Shades of Fall • Horticulture Spotlight Our Horticulture Pathway brought life, color, and growth to this year’s CTE Shades of Fall event! Mr. Crossen’s talented intern proudly presented his Capstone Project, showcasing the skills, knowledge, and hard work he’s poured into horticulture this year. His display was a true representation of mastery, dedication, and career readiness. Guests and stakeholders didn’t just enjoy the display. They also left with a plant of their own, a living reminder of the incredible work happening in our CTE program and the impact of hands-on agricultural education. Huge shoutout to Mr. Crossen for cultivating a pathway where students can grow, create, and share their learning with the community. #CTE #2025ShadesofFall

💼✨ Entrepreneurship Pathway Shined Bright! ✨💼 CTE Shades of Fall • Entrepreneurship Spotlight Our Entrepreneurship Pathway came alive tonight with creativity, hustle, and real-world business skills! Students showcased school spirit through products they designed and produced themselves — from custom keychains to stylish Panther shirts and more. Under the guidance of Ms. Williams, students didn’t just create products… they learned how to turn their passion into profit. Her talent, vision, and hands-on approach continue to inspire our young entrepreneurs to build, market, and sell with confidence. This pathway truly embodies what CTE is all about — skills, creativity, and opportunity. We are so proud of the amazing work they displayed at the 2025 CTE Shades of Fall event! #CTE #2025ShadesofFall

🌡️🩺 Health Science Excellence on Full Display! 🩺🌡️ CTE Shades of Fall • Health Science Pathway Spotlight Our Health Science Pathway showed out in the BEST way — completely student-led, hands-on, and rooted in real-world skills! Our incredible HOSA students arrived in their scrubs and confidently provided vision screenings and blood pressure checks for guests throughout the evening. Under the leadership of Ms. Moorer, our Health Science I students who recently certified First Aid & CPR students demonstrated professionalism, compassion, and true healthcare readiness. From welcoming guests to performing wellness checks, they represented the future of healthcare with pride and purpose. We hope you grabbed a INKPEN! We are so proud of the work they’ve done and thrilled to showcase such a powerful pathway at our 2025 CTE Shades of Fall event. #CTE #2025ShadesofFall

Attention Panther Fans: Tonight’s girls’ game has been changed to a closed scrimmage. No public attendance will be allowed, and no referees will be present. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing everyone at the start of our regular season soon! Panther Pride! 🐾

💪🏽 Our kids will compete anywhere, on any stage! 🏗️ Check out this bridge they completed for today’s Career Fair competition — talk about teamwork, creativity, and skill in action! 🔩👏 Great job, kids! You continue to show that CTE students can build, design, and shine anywhere they go! 🌟 #CTEProud #CareerReady

Early exposure makes all the difference! 🌟 Check out some of our 6th graders exploring hands-on STEM projects at the NCCU BRITE (Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise) building. The BRITE Program at North Carolina Central University introduces students to exciting opportunities in biotechnology, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical sciences. Through interactive labs and real-world applications, BRITE helps students build curiosity, confidence, and skills that could lead to future STEM careers. 🧬🔬 It’s never too early to spark an interest in science! #CTE #STEMEducation #EarlyExposure #BRITE #NCCU #CareerReady