FOREMERGING LEADERSACADEMY
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!
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 9 in the backhoe competition. Congratulations to Tyler and Curtis for an incredible performance! th
We’re pleased to introduce Sailin Ba 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.
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.
