Notable Happenings
Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Events!
March 18, Rotary Bingo Night at Trailside Brewing
Join us for a fun night of Bingo at Trailside Brewing hosted by Four Seasons Rotary Club! Proceeds from Bingo cards purchased will directly benefit Henderson County Students, Educators, and Schools.
MORE INFO
March 28, Sporting Clays Tournament at Cleghorn Club
Only one team spot left for our Sporting Clays Tournament on March 28 at Cleghorn Gun Club! Register today!
REGISTER NOW!
April 29, Education Celebration at Point Lookout Vineyards
Join us as we celebrate Chapters of Excellence, Past, Present and Future Educators on April 29 at Point Lookout Vineyards!
EARLY REGISTRATION
Program Highlights
We Are Now Reviewing 361 Scholarship Applications!!
HCEF will award $125,000 in scholarships to Henderson County students this school year! The scholarship application portal closed on February 8th with just over 360 applicants! These opportunities are made possible through the continued generosity of local donors and sponsors who are committed to helping Henderson County students reach their educational goals. We’re committed to empowering future leaders through these vital educational opportunities.
Two of the newer scholarships offered are the Donald “Don Don” Burnett Memorial Scholarship and the Smith Family Scholarship. These new awards reflect the values of community, education, and service that are at the heart of HCEF’s mission.
The Donald “Don Don” Burnett Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Donnie Burnett, a beloved member of the community known for his dedication to education and service. This scholarship provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate the same commitment to learning and community involvement that Donnie exemplified during his lifetime.
The Smith Family Scholarship is another important addition to the HCEF scholarship program. This award is designed to support students pursuing higher education in fields that will benefit the Henderson County community. Whether students are pursuing careers in healthcare or other essential fields, this scholarship helps make their dreams more achievable.
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Empowering Educators with Mini-Grants
Henderson County educators are bringing creative and impactful learning experiences to their students thanks to the Educator Mini-Grants program. Through this initiative, teachers can apply for up to $500 to support special projects, professional development, and field trips, enriching classrooms across the district.
This past fall, 71 projects across 22 schools were awarded funding, totaling $20,000 in support of dynamic educational initiatives. These grants have directly enhanced student learning by providing hands-on tools, innovative teaching methods, and much-needed classroom resources.
Looking Ahead: Spring Mini-Grants
With the overwhelming success of the fall grants, the excitement continues—almost 100 more applications have been submitted for the spring cycle, with plans to award another $20,000+ to educators making a difference. These grants would not be possible without the generosity of community partners and donors, whose support ensures that teachers have the resources to create meaningful learning opportunities.
By investing in educators and empowering them with innovative tools and professional development, the Educator Mini-Grants program is shaping a brighter future for students across Henderson County.
CLICK HERE TO READ HOW TEACHERS USE MINI-GRANTS!!
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Board & Organization Updates
American Legion Post NC 77 Donates Flags to Local Schools in Honor of Patriotism and Service
On February 11, members of the American Legion Post NC 77 attended a principals’ meeting to present a generous donation of 10 new American flags to local schools. These flags were given to replace those damaged by the fierce winds of Hurricane Helene.
The heartfelt presentation was made by Adjutant R. Shuford Edmisten and was warmly received by Superintendent Mark Garrett and the school principals. This act of kindness not only restores the schools’ displays of patriotism but also strengthens the bond between the community and those who serve.
As part of the donation, Post NC 77 graciously offered to visit each school to conduct a formal flag retirement ceremony for the damaged flags, ensuring they are retired with the respect they deserve.
We are incredibly thankful to American Legion Post NC 77 for their generous support and for always standing with our schools and students. Your commitment to honoring American values is truly appreciated.
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Empowering STEM Education
To enhance STEM education, Meta, NC State, The Science House, and Henderson County Public Schools launched the S Cubed initiative. Supported by Meta, the program provided teachers with professional development at NC State, focusing on new science standards and inquiry-based learning. Educators collaborated to refine science units, ensuring practical application in classrooms. Mobile STEM labs visited schools, offering hands-on experiences in DNA analysis and the effects of vaping, reaching approximately 5,000 students. This partnership aims to equip students and educators with the resources needed to excel in STEM, fostering a generation of critical thinkers.
This collaborative effort will positively impact around 5,000 students, with the potential for even greater reach as the program expands. By equipping teachers with high-quality STEM resources and fostering a culture of inquiry-driven learning, the Discover STEM Collaborative is shaping a new generation of scientists, engineers, and critical thinkers.
Through partnerships like these, the future of STEM education is being strengthened—one STEM lab at a time.
As part of the initiative, mobile STEM labs visited Bruce Drysdale Elementary, Flat Rock Middle School, and North Henderson High School. These labs provided students with hands-on experience in DNA analysis and the effects of vaping on the human body—topics that not only captured their interest but also reinforced the relevance of science in their daily lives.
Students actively participated in experiments, gaining valuable lab experience and a deeper understanding of scientific principles. Teachers engaged in the process as well, learning how to incorporate similar hands-on techniques into their own classrooms. This dual approach ensures that both students and educators benefit from the program, leading to lasting improvements in STEM education.
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Student & Educator Highlights:
Empowering Students Through Mentorship
The Henderson County Pathfinders Program (HCPP) was launched this year at Flat Rock Middle School and East Henderson High School, connecting middle and high school students with a community mentor. Mentors provide personalized academic support from grades 7 to 12, guiding students throughout their educational journey and assisting them in creating postsecondary plans for their future. The program empowers students by helping them set personal goals, explore career paths, and develop leadership skills, ensuring they are prepared for life after high school, whether that’s college, trade school, or entering the workforce.
From Maggie Gilliam,
Pathfinders Program Director
“The Pathfinders Mentors just completed their February mentor meetings at Flat Rock Middle School. The mentors were able to meet with nearly every 7th grader. At those one-on-one meetings the mentors continued to get to know the students and spoke with them about their grades, attendance, and extracurricular activities. They were able to share information about tutoring opportunities, as well as clubs students might be interested in joining. The mentors will return in April to meet with these students again. In May, mentors will meet for the fourth and final time with all of the 9th graders at East Henderson High School. Next year the plan is to expand to additional grade levels at Flat Rock and East Henderson so additional mentors will be needed for the 2025-26 school year.”
“…additional mentors will be needed for the 2025-26 school year!”
From Jane Gorey,
Pathfinders Mentor
“As a mentor, I have been able to ask each of my students if they needed help with damage from Hurricane Helene, and if so, make a request for them to get help from the school system or community. Mentors listen to problems in a classroom, ask about absences, encourage participation in school clubs, or brainstorm solutions with the student. All this in 15 minutes per student!
Pathfinders has been such a rewarding experience for me and it has been helpful for each
student I have interacted with. I have four students at East Henderson that I see every other month and five that I see every other month at Flat Rock Middle. My personal goal is to be with “my” students until they graduate from high school. Thank you to the Henderson County Education Foundation for making this program a reality. And thanks to all the mentors who come every month to see “their” students.”
From Jocelynne Garcia,
9th grade student at East Henderson High School
“My mentor’s really nice. She’s helpful! At each meeting we talk about my grades, how school is going and what I do outside of school. At our last meeting we talked about what a GPA is and she showed me the GPAs needed to get into different colleges. I thought that was very good information. I want to go to UNC-Chapel Hill and I saw that the GPA to go there is very high. I will need to keep my grades up. As I get older I imagine she will help me set goals for myself and be a good resource as I start to apply to colleges and for scholarships.”
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Lunch Notes from Peggy
On February 13, we hosted a Donor Appreciation Brunch at the VFW to celebrate the individuals and organizations who make our work possible.
Since the event fell near Valentine’s Day, it was only fitting to recognize our donors as the heart of our organization. Their support fuels our strategic mission of serving students, supporting educators, and strengthening schools, ensuring that every child in Henderson County has the resources and opportunities to thrive.
An impact report was shared, highlighting the reach of donor contributions in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, including:
- $700,000+ invested in programs and initiatives
- 12,000+ students served across Henderson County
- 23 schools impacted
Students also took the stage to share firsthand how donor-supported programs—such as Leader in Me, the Henderson County Pathfinders Program, and Outdoor Education—have made a difference in their lives and schools. Their stories reinforced the lasting impact of these initiatives, which help develop leadership skills, provide mentorship, and expand hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom.
The event was a powerful reminder that every donation translates into real change for students, educators, and schools. To our donors—you are the heart of this foundation, and your generosity makes all the difference.
Thank you for helping us build a brighter future for Henderson County!
—Peggy Marshall
