Gaston County’s
The Banner News / banner-news.com
Page 1
Thursday, May 19, 2022
GASTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
FREE! Kindergarten and Pre-kindergarten Registration Register online today!
News from a neighbor! Volume 88 • Issue 20
ZZZ JDVWRQ N QF XV
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Carson Hawkins is the Home Run King of Stanley By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
When Carson Hawkins, 12, takes to the baseball diamond at Harper Park in Stanley he smiles, his Crawdad teammates smile, his coach smiles, his parents smile, heck, everybody there smiles. The reason for all the good will is the fact that even though Carson has physical challenges in the form of
quadriplegic cerebral palsy, his passionate love of baseball and the desire to be the best he can be at it is an inspiration to all. Carson is known far and wide for his home run hitting. According to Stanley Parks and Rec. director Tug Deason, Carson has about 40 homers to his credit. Carson grins broadly when his homer skills are mentioned. “I want to keep playing
ball as long as I can so I can keep hitting them,” he said. Carson is a seasoned player. He started with Dallas Parks and Rec. then came to Stanley last season. He is a left fielder for the Dixie Youth Crawdads. Carson’s coach, David Stone had this to say. “He is a blessing to all of us,” Stone said. “His smile lights up the whole place. He See CARSON, Page 3 Stanley Crawdads slugger Carson Hawkins gets ready to hit with a bit of coaching from big brother Riley Hawkins who plays baseball for East Gaston High. Photo by Alan Hodge
Stanley to hold Memorial Day event Aimee Tolleson, Steven Loudon, Kristin Kiser and Angela Calamia.
Gaston County Schools honors outstanding educators Gaston Schools story/photos Four employees captured the most prestigious awards presented by Gaston County Schools during the 2022 Evening of Excellence ceremony. The program sponsored by Truist was held Thursday, May 5 at the Gaston Country Club. Steven Loudon of W.C. Friday Middle School was
named the Gaston County Teacher of the Year, and Kristin Kiser of Lowell Elementary School earned the Gaston County Principal of the Year recognition. They will represent Gaston County Schools in the regional competitions for 2022-2023. Additionally, Aimee Tolleson of South Point High School received the Assistant
Principal of the Year distinction, and Angela Calamia, director of school nutrition, was named the Central Office Administrator of the Year. As sponsor of the recognition ceremony, Truist presented to the Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year a handcrafted Truist Educator Apple and $1,250 See EDUCATORS, Page 2
The second annual Stanley Cemetery Ancestry Fund Memorial Day Celebration will take place in Stanley on May 30th, 2022. It will be held in the parking lot in the middle of the cemetery, 203 S. Main Street, Stanley. The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. No reservations are needed but come early to enjoy the patriotic music and find a good seating location. This location was selected because it is the resting place of 141 veterans. These veterans are representatives of every war our country has been engaged in. The audience will be entertained by a host of great speakers providing important information, patriotic music, and inspiring keynote speaker U.S. Marines Lt. Col.
U.S. Marines Lt. Col. Jeffrey “Stimdaddy” Stimpson Jeffrey “Stimdaddy” Stimpson whose current billet is 2D MAW Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G-2. His current unit is 2D Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point,
NC, Stimpson also served as the 2D MAW (Forward) G-2 through March 16, 2012. The Gaston County Color Guard will be present to help See MEMORIAL, Page 4
SPREAD SOME NATURAL BEAUTY MULCH • STONES • SOIL | LanierMaterialSales.com | 704-827-7055