Inside High Point - August 2025

AUGUST 2025 INSIDE HIGH POINT

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE SELECTED FOR EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY

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HIGH POINT REPRESENTS BIG AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

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CUSTOMER SERVICE WELCOMES NEW NORTH CAROLINA FELLOW

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2025 JOHN COLTRANE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

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HIGH POINT FARMERS MARKET CELEBRATES WATERMELON MONTH WITH CONTEST

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HP YOUTH BASKETBALL ATHLETES ENJOY A DAY AT CAROWINDS

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PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

CITY COUNCIL

CYRIL JEFFERSON MAYOR

BRITT MOORE

AMANDA COOK MEMBER AT LARGE

Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov

MEMBER AT LARGE, MAYOR PRO TEM Britt.Moore@highpointnc.gov

VICKIE MCKIVER

TYRONE JOHNSON

MONICA PETERS

Vickie.McKiver@highpointnc.gov

Tyrone.Johnson@highpintnc.gov

Monica.Peters@highpointnc.gov

PATRICK HARMAN

TIM ANDREW

MICHAEL HOLMES

Patrick.Harman@highpointnc.gov

Tim.Andrew@highpointnc.gov

Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov

WARD 1

WARD 4

WARD 2

WARD 5

Amanda.Cook@highpointnc.gov

WARD 3

WARD 6

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PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE SELECTED FOR EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY

Gabby Zanzarella was selected from hundreds of applicants across the US and Canada to be a member of the 2024-2025 Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) through the National American Public Works Association (APWA).

Gabby, stormwater operations analyst, presented at the 2025 PWX, the National APWA Conference, in Chicago, IL, on August 19, 2025, on their final project “A Hands-On Guide to Emergency Management for Public Works Agencies.”

Gabby and her team did an excellent job creating a manual for municipalities and others across the US and Canada for training and preparation in the face of disasters. Gabby was a representation of the high quality of civil servants dedicated to making lives better across not only the City of High Point, the State of North Carolina, and the world!

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HIGH POINT REPRESENTS BIG AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

High Point was on the national stage as Tyler Long and Curtis Crisco competed in the National Backhoe Roadeo Competition at PWX in Chicago!

These skilled operators showed off their precision, speed and expertise, representing not only our city but the entire state of North Carolina, competing against 80 top competitors from across the country.

Their hard work and talent made us proud, proving that High Point’s crews are among the best in the nation. Tyler Long placed 9th in the backhoe competition. Congratulations to Tyler and Curtis for an incredible performance!

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CUSTOMER SERVICE WELCOMES NEW NORTH CAROLINA FELLOW

We’re pleased to introduce Sailin Barrientos, a Lead for North Carolina fellow with Customer Service. A recent UNC Charlotte graduate in Political Science and International Studies, Sailin brings strong communication skills and a passion for public service, community engagement, and building equitable access to city resources.

In her role, Sailin will focus on marketing and education—helping residents better understand our services and ongoing AMI initiatives through clear, accessible communications. She’ll collaborate across departments to strengthen outreach, develop resident-friendly materials, and support messaging across digital and print channels.

We’re excited about the energy and fresh perspective she brings and the positive impact her work will have on our customers and the broader High Point community.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2025 JOHN COLTRANE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL Over the Labor Day weekend, Oak Hollow Park came alive with two unforgettable evenings of music at the 14th annual John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival.

Held in honor of High Point's native son and jazz legend, John Coltrane, the festival blended artistic excellence with community spirit, drawing fans of all ages for a weekend to remember.

Lineup Highlights included: Saturday, August 30 Snarky Puppy: The Grammy-winning ensemble delivered a boundary-defying performance that wove elements of jazz, funk, soul, and world music into a high-energy tapestry.

Lizz Wright: Her deeply soulful voice, described by the New York Times as "a smooth, dark alto possessed of qualities you might associate with barrel-aged bourbon," captivated the audience.

Meshell Ndegeocello: The versatile, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy® winner graced the stage with her boundary-pushing blend of soul, funk, and R&B The Headhunters: Legendary jazz-funk trailblazers since the 1970s, brought their signature groove to the lakeside setting.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2025 JOHN COLTRANE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

Withers to Wonder: A tribute ensemble featuring Clint Holmes, Nnenna Freelon, and Take 6, honoring the music of Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder with rich harmonies and powerhouse vocals.

Sunday, August 31 José James, John Brown, Stanley Clarke, The Baylor Project, Rick Braun, Peter White, Richard Elliot and Ruthie Foster graced the stage, showcasing a spectrum of styles from soulful jazz vocals to instrumental flair.

Each performance honored the improvisational spirit of Coltrane’s legacy while forging new musical paths. Authentic food vendors and local artisans added warmth and flavor to the festivities, making the park feel like a communal stage for the Piedmont Jazz community.

At the close of Sunday evening, festivalgoers departed with glowing memories—and a renewed appreciation for John Coltrane’s timeless influence. With this celebration not only preserving his legacy but also uplifting contemporary artists, the stage is set to continue this grand tradition of inspiration and musical exploration.

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HIGH POINT FARMERS MARKET CELEBRATES WATERMELON MONTH WITH CONTEST On Saturday, August 9, the Farmers Market hosted its unique annual event, the Watermelon Mania Seed Spitting Contest.

Congratulations to our fantastic winners: Ages 10 and under: Aisen Miller Warren Miller Jayden Barrett

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Ages 11-17: Lucas Dau Gabby Felton Ace Devane

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Ages 18 and up: Oscar Villan (visiting High Point from Italy!)

Fred Hoffmann Jaime King

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A big “thank you” to Ryan Ferguson for serving as our emcee!

We’re looking forward to our Apple Jubilee Recipe Contest on September 20. This is open to all amateur chefs and bakers (https://bit.ly/2025AppleJubileeContestRules).

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HP YOUTH BASKETBALL ATHLETES ENJOY A DAY AT CAROWINDS

Each summer our High Point Power youth basketball athletes take a day trip as a "team building" experience. This year, the destination was Carowinds, and despite the heat, members of the 14U and 16U boy’s teams and the MS and 15U girl’s teams had a great time!

For more information about youth and adult athletics offered by High Point Parks & Recreation, please visit https://www.highpointnc.gov/pr, keep an eye out here on Facebook or contact Eli Campbell at 336.883.3621 or eli.campbell@highpointnc.gov.

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Promotions RECO L. HEILIG Sanitation Worker to Sanitation Special Route Operator EDWARD E. HOUSE W/S Mains Specialist to W/S Mains Specialist, Senior STEVEN L. JONES Transit Operator I to Transit Supervisor, Assistant CHRISTOPHER SMITH Wastewater Operator I to Wastewater Plant Supervisor

New Hires JESSICA L. BRIXIUS Police Officer I BAILEE J. CARVER Park Attendant MICHAEL HANEY Telecommunicator Trainee 10

GRACE A. KILPATRICK Administrative Associate

KRISTEN J. RESPERS IT User Support Agent

CAREY T. LOGGINS Parks Maint. Crew Leader

LEE C. SHELTON Parks Maint. Crew Leader

JOSHUA M. MONTGOMERY Seasonal Park Attendant

GREER F. SMITH Golf Shop Attendant

CORDELL R. MOORE Sanitation Equipment Operator I

MAEGAN STRINGFELLOW Telecommunicator Trainee

ZSUZSA B. PIVARNICK IT User Support Agent

DYLAN R. WILLIAMS Building Maintenance Tech

KELSEY H. PRUDENTE Library Assistant

JERI L. WISMAN Stormwater Specialist I

EDWARD QUICK Motor Equipment Operator I

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INSIDE HIGH POINT BROUGHT TO YOU BY: CITY OF HIGH POINT COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

HAVE A SUBMISSION FOR NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE? EMAIL THEM TO PIO@HIGHPOINTNC.GOV.