North Hills Christian School (NHCS) had a commencement ceremony for the 2013 graduating class on May 24 at 7 p.m. in the NHCS Helen Kelley Smith Gymnasium. The class of 2013 includes 22 seniors. They have been offered more than $680,000 in merit-based scholarships. In addition, most of the students exceeded the school’s community service requirement of 40 hours for every year of high school, contributing a combined high school total of approximately 5,000 hours of service to the Rowan-Salisbury community.
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx addressed the graduates. Foxx is serving her fifth term representing North Carolina’s 5th District with the U.S. House of Representatives. NHCS students Emily Boggs and Elisabeth Farmer were chosen as junior marshals based on their cumulative grade point averages.
Future plans for the graduates are as follows: Dana Salmon, a 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program winner, plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Senior Michael Jones, who was recognized as an outstanding participant by the 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program, received the Presidential Scholarship Award at Catawba College. Abby Lane, who was awarded a commendation for outstanding academic promise through the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test will attend North Carolina State University. Mary Scott Norris also received the Presidential Scholarship at Catawba College.
Katherine Paul will attend Anderson University. Jared Smith plans to attend the FIRE School of Ministry. Jo Park will attend college in Korea. Seniors Abbey Cody, Paige Gregoire, Madison Link and Dramariel Murdock will attend Liberty University. Brandon Edds will attend Liberty University School of Engineering. Taylor Foster plans to attend North Carolina State University. Kyle Leslie plans to attend Pfeiffer University. Julia Murphy plans to pursue a degree in fine arts and creative writing.
Adam Broyles will attend Piedmont International University. Autumn Hatley and Chase Taylor will attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Noah Stoyanov plans to attend Tallahassee Community College, then transfer to Florida State University. Matthew Ward plans to attend the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Sarah Parks has been accepted to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Liberty University and is undecided where she will attend. Nigel Barrier plans to further his education with a research apprenticeship in sustainable ecology.
North Hills Christian School is a co-educational, non-denominational, college-preparatory day school serving 320 students in junior kindergarten through high school. North Hills is accepting applications to enroll for the 2013-2014 school year. A
The school was established in 1967 and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools(SACS) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Leslie Pullen, M.Ed., serves as interim head of school. Detailed information about the school may be found on the school’s website at www.northhillschristian.com.

Photos on 17C