School District, Superintendent Named National Award Finalists

Press release from CCSD:

May 1, 2023

The Cherokee County School District and its Superintendent of Schools are finalists for national awards honoring outstanding school spirit and dedication to students!

The Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards celebrate schools, organizations and individuals who “go above and beyond the call of duty to build school pride, student engagement and community spirit.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower this week was named a finalist for the 2023 Most Spirited Superintendent Award, which honors leaders for exemplary commitment to “elevating and improving the student experience.”

Dr. Hightower is one of only seven superintendents nationwide selected as a finalist. It is the second time for Dr. Hightower to make the finalist list for the national honor, having previously been recognized in 2020.

“Cheering on our students and celebrating their successes in the classroom, in athletics and activities and in service to the community, are among the greatest joys of my role,” Dr. Hightower said. “A significant amount of work, from our School Board’s leadership to the daily dedication of our teachers and staff, gives me those opportunities, and I don’t take any of it for granted. It’s a humbling honor to serve each day. While this award may say ‘Superintendent,’ this recognition is earned by our entire community’s incredible spirit and care for our students.”

For a third time, CCSD has been named a national finalist for the Varsity Brands’ Spirit of St. Jude recognition. Only two finalists were named from nominees nationwide.

The Spirit of St. Jude award, named for the children’s research hospital, honors schools and school districts that engage the majority of its students in fundraising for the charity, which is a major recipient of Varsity Brands’ philanthropy. As a Varsity Brands “Team Up” for St. Jude school district, the CCSD community has raised $350,000 since 2016 to support the hospital. Woodstock High School earned the Spirit of St. Jude Award in 2022.

The award winners will be announced in June. Varsity Brands is made up of BSN Sports, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones, with products including athletic equipment and uniforms, cheerleading camps and competitions, graduation products, class rings and yearbooks.

This press release was produced by CCSD. The views expressed here are the author's own.