Washington County High School

January is School Board Appreciation Month. Thank you for the important work you do in making our school district a great place for all students and educators. We appreciate you!

🎉 Welcome Back, Panthers! 🎉 We’re kicking off the year at WCHS by continuing our Hallway Hero Recognitions! 💙🐾 This week, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Mr. Torrey Hines, an extraordinary educator and administrator with 29 years of dedication to education. 📚 Education & Credentials: BA in Music - North Carolina Central University Education Certifications - East Carolina University & Elizabeth City State University MA in Educational Leadership and Supervision - University of Phoenix 🌟 Greatest Accomplishment: Mr. Hines began as a lateral entry teacher and has worked tirelessly to rise to the role of administrator. Despite many challenges, his determination and perseverance paved the way for this incredible journey. 🏆 Career Highlights: Named School Teacher of the Year three times Recognized by the Governor of NC for leading a band program in national events Led a band to the U.S. Army All-American Band National Competition Secured 2 NCSBDA State Marching Band Championships Achieved 2 High-Step National Drumline Championships and a Top 3 national ranking Honored by the Grammy Foundation for excellence in schools and community Elevated a school’s letter grade in his first year as principal 💡 Why Education? Mr. Hines chose this field to be a positive force in the lives of youth, believing education is the key to empowering future generations. 🐾 What Being a Panther Means: For Mr. Hines, being part of the Panther community embodies belonging, resilience, and unity, with a collective commitment to growth and positive change. 👏 Join us in celebrating Mr. Hines, a true Hallway Hero and a shining example of Panther pride! #PantherPride #HallwayHeroes #WCHS

Yesterday’s games were nothing short of AMAZING! Our athletes brought their A-game, showed incredible teamwork, and gave us all something to cheer about! 💪🔥

🚨Attention Parents of Early Graduates🚨 Cap and gowns have arrived! Students must pay their $60 fee to Ms. Vernessa Nobles and present their receipt to Mr. Hines to receive their cap and gown. Graduation Details: • Date: Thursday, January 23rd • Time: 6:00 PM • Location: The new facility Important Information: All cords will be distributed during graduation rehearsal. The rehearsal date will be shared with students next week.

Save the date!

OPEN HOUSE! Join us today at our new home for an open house. Come out to meet with your student scholars' teachers and locate your new classroom. This is strictly for students and their families. Be sure to only enter on the Hwy 64 side (not Hwy 45 side) for parking.

Exciting News! 📢 Our school is forming a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and we can't wait to have you join us! Please take a moment to read the attached letter for all the details. For any questions or additional information, feel free to contact Mrs. Rosiland Bell at robell@wcsnc.org. Let’s work together to support our students and school community! 💙

📢 Mark Your Calendars! We’re excited to announce our Open House this Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM! 🎉 Come meet the team, explore the campus, and get ready for a fantastic Spring semester. We can’t wait to see you there! #OpenHouse #SaveTheDate

Attention Spanish Students, This is a reminder that your online class ends this Friday! Please make sure to complete the following by Friday at 11:59 PM: • Final Exam • Final Reflection • Final Writing Assignment • Final Speaking Assignment These will count as your final exam grade. Additionally, any missing work can also be submitted by the same deadline. Let’s finish strong! If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t wait—reach out to Mrs. James.

🎉 Honoring History, Embracing Unity 🎉 On January 1st, the Washington County JROTC proudly marched in the Plymouth NAACP Jubilee Day 2025 March. Beginning at the historic Washington County Courthouse and concluding at Guiding Star Free Will Baptist Church, this symbolic walk honored the resilience and unity of our community. Thank you to all who participated and supported this incredible event. Together, we continue to uphold the legacy of freedom and equality.

🚨 Game Day Alert! 🚨 📅 January 3, 2025 🏀 Matchup: WCHS vs. John A. Holmes 🎟️ https://hq.gofan.co/events/new?accountId=NC1898 Tickets go live at NOON – First come, first served! Important Ticket Info: • Do NOT press the green “Redeem” button or your ticket will not be valid. (This will be done once you enter) • Screenshots of digital tickets will NOT be accepted. The games will be played at the old WCHS location. Thank you for your cooperation!

🚨Attention Parents🚨 NCVPS online classes will resume on Thursday, January 2nd. Be sure your child logs in to review and complete their course requirements.

WCS Substitute Refresher Training Training session is scheduled for Janurary 16, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Roper building. Current substitutes should check their email for a calendar invitation. New substitutes must complete the online Substitute 101 Class and present their certificate in order to attend the refresher/orientation session. Please note, completion of this training is required to remain eligible to substitute for the 2024-2025 school year at WCS.

🏆 Victory Alert! 🏀 The Washington County High School Girls’ Basketball Team dominated the championship game with an incredible win against Hobgood Charter, finishing with a final score of 65-14! 👏 Shout out to KiMiya Young, who earned MVP honors for her outstanding performance. Way to go, Lady Panthers! 🐾💙 #WCHS #Champions #MVP

🏀 WCHS 9-12 basketball teams are on fire this holiday break, racking up victories and making us all proud! 💪🔥 The hard work and dedication are paying off, and we can’t wait to see them keep this momentum going into the new year. 🎉 #HolidayHoops #PantherPride #Unstoppable

💪 Panthers Show Heart on the Court 💪 The Panthers took on Currituck today in an intense matchup. While we fell short, our team played with passion, determination, and Panther pride until the final buzzer.

🎄✨ Spreading Holiday Cheer! ✨🎄 Our team went above and beyond to put smiles on faces with some festive drawings and surprises before heading into the holiday break! Check out these snapshots!!

🌟 Introducing Our Panther Hallway Hero: Lynda Ward! 🌟 We’re excited to spotlight the remarkable Lynda Ward, a dedicated educator with 6 years of service who embodies the heart and spirit of the Panther community! 🐾 📖 Education & Credentials: Lynda is a proud graduate of ECSU and has spent her career impacting the lives of students with her unwavering commitment to education. 🏆 Greatest Educational Accomplishment: Lynda is most proud of being an educator and the lasting impact she has on her students. ✨ Educational Successes: Lynda’s success is reflected in her ability to stand the test of time in education, overcoming challenges and continually inspiring others. 💡 Her "Why" for Education: Lynda is driven by a deep desire to help society by shaping the future through education. 🐾 What Being a Panther Means to Lynda: To Lynda, being a Panther represents pride in our community and the incredible work we do together to build a better future. 💬 Message to Fellow Panthers: “Keep being an inspiration to others!” 🙌 Let’s celebrate Lynda Ward for her passion, resilience, and dedication to shaping the future of our students! 🖤💛 #PantherHallwayHeroes #PantherPride #EducatorSpotlight #Inspiration

🌟 Introducing Our Panther Hallway Hero: Endaijah Harris! 🌟 We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the amazing Endaijah Harris, an inspiring educator with 3 years of service, who has shown resilience and passion in her journey as a Panther! 🐾 📖 Education & Credentials: Endaijah holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Phoenix. 🏆 Greatest Educational Accomplishment: Endaijah is most proud of staying in education, overcoming struggles in her first year with encouragement and guidance. Today, she is thriving and doing excellent work. ✨ Educational Successes: One of Endaijah’s proudest successes is being accepted into the Master’s Program for Special Education. Her love for teaching inspired her to take a leap of faith and continue her education. 💡 Her "Why" for Education: Endaijah’s inspiration stems from her own experiences. She wants to give students the opportunities she didn’t have, and as a Special Education teacher, she is committed to making all students feel loved and present, changing the norms for Special Education students. 🐾 What Being a Panther Means to Endaijah: Being a Panther means strength and fearlessness. Panthers are mighty and can conquer any challenge that comes their way. 💬 Message to Fellow Panthers: “NEVER GIVE UP!! Stay in the fight and follow your heart. Greatness is coming!” 💪🏽 Let’s celebrate Endaijah Harris for her perseverance, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our Panther community! 🖤💛 #PantherHallwayHeroes #PantherPride #EducatorSpotlight #NeverGiveUp

🎉 Panther Hallway Hero Spotlight 🎉 Today, we are proud to shine a light on Ms. Jennifer Chesson, an exceptional educator and member of our Panther family! 📚✨ 🖊 College(s) Attended and Credentials: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University: BS in Mechanical Engineering American Intercontinental University: Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction 📆 Years in Education: 20 years of transforming lives and inspiring success 🏆 Greatest Educational Accomplishment: Jennifer takes pride in being a transformer in education. Known as the “secret weapon” and the “hidden figure” by her colleagues, she has been instrumental in helping two schools and one district rise from low-performing lists. Her most notable impact has been in Mathematics, an area historically challenging to teach and learn. Her work reflects dedication, persistence, and a commitment to changing student outcomes. ✨ Educational Successes: For Jennifer, every day is a success. She answers the call to make a difference with passion and purpose. 💡 Her 'Why' for Education: Jennifer’s inspiration began with her cousin Evelyn, a dedicated educator who poured motivation and strength into her during challenging times. Jennifer’s early exposure to teaching sparked a desire to impact, encourage, and hold others accountable. Though she started as an engineer, she realized that true fulfillment comes from teaching—especially in Mathematics, where she thrives, making a difference “one equation at a time.” 🐾 What Being a Panther Means to Her: “This is home! I’m with MY people! I want to ensure I can give my district the greatest chance to WIN!” 🗣 Message to Fellow Panthers: “We are LIT—Learning, Improving, and Thinking! Together, we bring energy, passion, and resilience to help each other and our students succeed.” 👏 Let’s celebrate Ms. Jennifer Chesson, a true Panther Hallway Hero, who brings her “transformer” energy, unwavering passion, and love for her community into everything she does! 🖤💛 #PantherPride #HallwayHeroes #CoachSpotlight #TransformingEducation