•June 1, 2025

Photos: Polk County High School 2025 Senior Awards Night

Polk County High School honored members of its senior class during the school’s traditional Senior Awards Night on May 22 in the school auditorium.

Students, faculty and friends gathered for the annual event, during which a number of scholarships and awards were presented. Seniors also received medallions and regalia to wear in the school’s commencement on May 23.

All names are listed from left to right.

The Ann L. Turner and Geoffrey M. Tennant Foundation Scholarship: Bill Miller,
Mia Wolfe, Shannon Tennant

R.J. & Linda Martin Scholarship: Dave Scherping, Mark Jarrett

Margaret L Forbes Distinguished Scholar Award: Dave Scherping, James Purtill

Stuart Forbes Polk High Scholar: Dave Scherping, Nathanael Martinez

Women Who Dared Scholarship: Abigail McCool, Drew Bailey

The Community Foundation of Henderson County: James Purtill, Rebekah Hobbs, Zetta Anderson, Jaiden Ringle

National FFA Scholarship: Andy VonCanon, Banks Barber

The Frank J. & Sybil H. Giordano Scholarship: Myles Freeman, Dr. Brandon Schweitzer

People Helping People Scholarship: Sarah Newton, Riley Ballentine, Dr. Brandon Schweitzer

R. Flake Shaw Scholarship: Jon Klimstra, Banks Barber

New Century Scholars Recognition: Sofia Avellaneda-Cruz, Kynley Lawter, Thad Harrill, Julie Velasquez, Miguel Vazquez

The Gorges-McCall Scholarship: Thad Harrill, Shatter Johnson

The Powers Merit Scholarship: Lily Gosnell, Thad Harrill

The Kiwanis Club of Tryon Isothermal Scholarship: Lily Gosnell, Thad Harrill, Peyton Hoots

Kiwanis Club of Tryon Scholarship: Addison Sama, Sharen Resendiz, Boyd Correll, Brooklynn Lewis, Karsyn Huskey, Riley Ballentine

American Legion Post 250 Scholarship: Miguel Vazquez, Mark Jarrett, Kynley Lawter, RJ Ruff, Michael Collins, Banks Barber, Brooklynn Lewis, Lily Gosnell

American Legion Auxiliary Military Family Scholarship: Wendy Donovan, Mia Wolfe, Margaret Butler

Foothills Farm to Fork Trail Scholarship: Ariana Wood, Aaron Greene, Banks Barber

Lake Lure Lions Club: Judy Jay, Karsyn Huskey

North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship: Banks Barber, Dr. Brandon Schweitzer

Dr. Warren J. Carson Scholarship: Rev. Eleano Miller, Myles Freeman

Lawrence Thompson Trust Scholarship: Lily Gosnell, Natalie Serrano, RJ Ruff, Miguel Vazquez, Mia Wolfe, Karsyn Huskey, Hannah Aponte, Hayden Blackwell

Lawrence Thompson Trust Scholarship: Mark Jarrett, Emanuel Albarran, Banks Barber, Brooklynn Lewis, Kynley Lawter

Lawrence Thompson Trust Scholarship: James Purtill, Kylie Lewis

Hendersonville Elks #1616 Scholarship: Tommy Laughter, Mia Bradley

Rotary Club of Tryon Scholarships: Anne Day, Natalie Thompson, Sharen Resendiz, Addison Sama, Brooklynn Lewis, Banks Barber, Riley Ballentine, James Purtill, Mia Wolfe, Dave Scherping

Next Step Scholarship: Aaron Greene, Lily Gosnell

Big Brothers/Big Sisters High School Bigs Award: Jessica Toney, Natalie Thompson, Alexa Beiler, Sofia Avellaneda-Cruz, Addison Sama, Mia Wolfe, Kylie Lewis, Riley Ballentine, James Purtill, Louise Johnson

The Golden LEAF Scholarship: Kynley Lawter

Holy Cross Episcopal Church Scholarship: Natalie Thompson, Brooklynn Lewis, Banks Barber, Cameron Hodges, Karsyn Huskey, Emanuel Albarran, Nathanael Martinez, Lily Gosnell, Hayden Blackwell

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Newton Academy Fund-Forster/Stevens Scholarship: Riley Ballentine

Green Blades Garden Club Scholarship: Ariana Wood

Area 1 Soil & Water Conservation Scholarship: Banks Barber, Karsyn Huskey

WNC Bridge Foundation Scholarship: Summer Shumate

The Hagan Scholarship: Abigail Morton

Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Scholarship: Banks Barber

J. Alan Peoples Extra Mile Scholarship: Kiera Littlejohn, Karsyn Huskey, Davis Young

Harriet B. Peoples Educators Scholarship: Kylee Waters

National Merit Scholar Commendation: Zetta Anderson

DAR Good Citizen Award: Kylie Lewis

NC Governor’s School: James Purtill

Exchange Student Recognition: Rayana Camilo (Brazil), Carmen Diez Grande (Spain)

Early Childhood Education Recognition: Kylee Waters, Reese Holinski, Miya Jackson, Harper Harris, Jatziry Roman-Salinas

Nursing Fundamentals CNA Recognition: Back Row – Addison Sama, Elizabeth Vitale, Sharen Resendiz, Adelyn Pena, Kiera Littlejohn, Sarah Vitale, Kinley Waters; Front Row – Greyson Skipper, Keara Waters, Kylee Waters, Miya Jackson, Candace Jackson, Alaina Littlefield, Abigail Morton, Jaiden Ringle, Summer Shumate

FFA Senior Awards: Ashley Gilbert, Davis Young, RJ Ruff, Lily Gosnell, Brooklynn Lewis, Banks Barber, Karsyn Huskey, Chauncey Barber

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