NCASA Hosts Annual Meeting and Honors Excellence in School Scholastics

On May 17th, the North Carolina Association for Scholastic Activities (NCASA) held its annual meeting, bringing together educators, administrators, and scholastic leaders from across the state to celebrate a year of outstanding achievement and dedication to student success. (Pictured above: Anna Sigmon from Terry Sanford with her Quiz Bowl Coach, Rob Taber)

As part of the event, NCASA proudly presented its annual awards to individuals and schools that exemplify excellence in scholastic activities:

🏆 Award Recipients

• Joe Childers Small School Award: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

• Joe Childers Large School Award: Atkins High School

• Challenge Cup – Small School: Brown Summit Middle School

• Challenge Cup – Large School: Jay M. Robinson Middle School

• Unity Cup: Arendell Parrott Academy

• Small School District Cup: Mount Airy City Schools

• Medium School District Cup: Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools

• Large School District Cup: Guilford County Schools

👏 Individual Honors

• NCASA New Coach of the Year: Juanita Cox, Reid Ross Classical Middle School

• NCASA Coach of the Year: Dare York, Crossroads Arts & Science Early College

• NCASA Student of the Year: Anna Sigmon, Terry Sanford High School

• NCASA Principal of the Year: Chris Scott, Southeast Guilford High School

• NCASA Scholastic Director of the Year: Kristen Jacobs, Jay M. Robinson Middle School

• NCASA Administrator of the Year: Amanda Moran, Chatham County Schools

🎓 Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

NCASA is proud to introduce the first inductees into the NCASA Hall of Fame—visionary leaders whose contributions have shaped the landscape of scholastic activities across North Carolina:

• Leon Pfeiffer

• Dr. David Wetmore

• Dr. Donald Barnes

• Joe Childers

We congratulate all of this year’s honorees and thank them for their unwavering dedication to students, schools, and scholastic excellence. Their passion and leadership continue to elevate opportunities for students across the state.

2025 Middle School Forensics Champs Crowned!

On Saturday, April 5, the 2025 Middle School Forensics State Finals were held at Mac Williams Middle School of Fayetteville.  Students participated in six events: Public Forum Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, Duo Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, and Original Oratory.  In the Interpretation categories, students performed memorized literary works, and in Original Oratory students presented their own original persuasive speeches.  Students participating in Extemporaneous Speaking came prepared to speak on topics including amateur sports and the environment — but did not know what questions they would answer before drawing them before the beginning of the round.  They then had 30 minutes to prepare a persuasive speech. 

Below are the top ten schools and event state champions:

1 - 71st Classical

2 - Gentry

3t - Trinity Episcopal

3t - Brown Summit

5 - Academy @ Lincoln

6 - Randolph

7 - John Griffin

8 - Mac Williams

9 - The Brawley School

10 - Asheville

Event State Champions

• Humorous Interpretation: Shawn Anthony of The Brawley School
• Dramatic Interpretation: Charlotte Bloom of Trinity Episcopal
• Extemporaneous Speaking: Aanya Bharadwaj of Randolph MS
• Original Oratory: Helena Adrar of Mac Williams MS
• Duo Interpretation: Elle Bonner and India Thompson of Trinity Episcopal
• Public Forum Debate: Sally Zolak and Ansley Hankins of Trinity Episcopal

Congratulations to everyone who competed!