The Buncombe County Board of Education used its June meeting to recognize students, teachers and staff for statewide and national achievements, and to honor a bus driver credited with community service during a weather emergency.

Board member Ulmer introduced a Kuntz Intermediate team that advanced to North Carolina’s first statewide elementary Battle of the Books competition. The board also recognized theatre students from North Buncombe and Anken high schools who qualified for the International Thespian Festival and band director Kevin Young of Anken High School, who received the North Carolina Bandmasters Award of Excellence for the Western Region.

Jeremy Stowe, Buncombe County Schools transportation director, presented Donna Edwards as the district’s 2024–25 Bus Driver of the Year and described her work during storm response. Stowe recounted calling Edwards to assist with evacuations when hurricane Helene approached and said she “drove to 1 A.M. that night and then I called her back in 04:30 the next morning and she kept driving.” Stowe quoted Edwards’ response when first asked to help: “Whose bus are we taking?”

The board also honored National Board–certified teachers. Phil Justin, who coordinates National Board certification for the district, told the board that 23 teachers in the district were newly certified this year and that the district’s total national board–certified teachers now numbers 293; he also noted 16 teachers renewed certification. Justin described National Board Certification as a rigorous process that typically requires about 150 hours of work outside a teacher’s normal day.

Athletic recognitions included Anken High’s Josh Flack, the 3A men’s high jump state champion (6 feet, 10 inches), and Graham Cannon, the 3A men’s discus champion (173 feet, 9 inches). AC Reynolds’ 3A women’s 4x800 team — June Lease, Stella Redmond, Eva Hamilton and Lucy Skierzynski — won the state title with a time of 9:35. The board also honored members of the T.C. Robertson baseball team for winning a third straight NCHSAA baseball championship, naming co-MVPs Micah Simpson and Kaden Davidson and teammates J.T. Smith and Zeb Swangam.

No competitive awards required board action; the recognitions were ceremonial and intended to highlight staff and student achievement before the district’s summer break.