Hickory City Schools extends its sincere appreciation to the Rotary Club of Hickory for honoring eight outstanding students from Hickory High School and Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School (HCAM) as Students of Distinction.
The students were recognized during the Rotary Club’s meeting on Wednesday, March 4, at Lake Hickory Country Club. Each student was selected by their school for their commitment to leadership, activism, and service — embodying Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Honorees received a certificate of recognition and a monetary award.
“These students truly represent the very best of Hickory City Schools,” said Dr. Jennifer Griffin, superintendent of Hickory City Schools. “Their leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to serving others reflect the values we strive to cultivate in every student. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Hickory for recognizing and investing in our future leaders.”
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“The Rotary Club of Hickory is a strong supporter of education, and it is an absolute joy each year to honor eight students who are living out Rotary’s motto, ‘Service Above Self,’” said Mandy Pitts Hildebrand, president of the Rotary Club of Hickory. “Each of these students not only excels academically, but they consistently go above and beyond to serve others and make a positive difference in our community.”
Hickory High School honorees
Graham Powers, senior
A varsity tennis captain, National Honor Society member, Key Club and Beta Club member, and AP Scholar with Distinction, Graham has participated in Red Door Ministries mission trips and volunteers at HOPE Garden at Corinth Reformed Church. He has performed with the Western Piedmont Youth Symphony, served as a camp counselor at tennis camps, and led groups at Vacation Bible School. Graham plans to attend Furman University to study business and finance while playing collegiate tennis on scholarship. He is also an NCHSAA 3A state tennis doubles champion.
Harper White, senior
Harper serves as varsity soccer captain, Key Club president, and is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and the golf team. She tutors at Centro Latino and is active in her church youth group. Harper plans to attend a four-year university, most likely UNC-Chapel Hill, to major in exercise science and pursue a career in physical therapy.
Taylor Stalschmidt, sophomore
Taylor is a multi-sport athlete participating in tennis, basketball, and soccer, and is a member of Key Club and Beta Club. She enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, and caring for animals. Taylor plans to attend college and earn a degree.
Porter Bray, sophomore
Porter plays baseball and football, participates in orchestra, and is enrolled in the Advanced Placement (AP) Academy. He serves as a sophomore representative on the Hickory City Youth Council, is a member of Key Club, and contributes to the Hickory High School newspaper. Porter enjoys sports, attending Wake Forest games, playing pickleball with his grandfather, and learning to cook. He plans to attend a four-year university after graduation.
Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School honorees
Zachary Kerzner, senior
Zachary is the head coder for HCAM’s robotics team and is involved in Beta Club, Esports, and Tabletop Club. A computer science pathway completer, he is currently taking classes at CVCC and interning at Catawba Valley Medical Center, where he works with hardware, software, and firmware systems. Zachary plans to attend Appalachian State University to study multidisciplinary history and anthropology with an archaeology focus, followed by a degree in computer science.
Allison Hinostroza Villacorta, senior
Allison is a Beta Club member who supports clothing and food drives and runs “Dream Readers,” a program that helps predominantly Hispanic and Latino children ages 5–10 strengthen their reading skills. She enjoys crocheting, roller skating, scrapbooking, reading, and playing electric guitar. Allison plans to major in graphic design and later earn a master’s degree in library science to become a children’s librarian.
Sara Jenkins, junior
Sara serves as assistant chief editor of the yearbook, is a member of Beta Club, helps out with Holocaust exhibits, and works with the tech crew for theatre productions. She interns at Countryside Pet Hospital and plans to become a veterinary technician. Sara enjoys spending time with friends and her dog, Nena.
Dylan Belmont, sophomore
Dylan is a member of the Esports team, serves as a Dungeons & Dragons dungeon master, and is a Beta Club member. He enjoys coding in Python, writing, and gaming. Dylan plans to pursue a career in computer science or a related field while earning an undergraduate degree in marine biology.
Hickory City Schools congratulates these students for their dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and service. The district is proud of the positive impact these students are making in their schools and community, and thanks the Rotary Club of Hickory for continuing to recognize and encourage student achievement.
Photo L–R kneeling: Porter Bray, Graham Powers, Zachary Kerzner, Dylan Belmont
Photo credit: John Yang
