Ms. Castillo: Pursuing Excellence with National Board Certification

As a student counselor at Olympic High School, Ms. Castillo plays a crucial role in guiding students through their educational journey and helping them thrive. With a caseload of approximately 400 students, her work spans a wide spectrum—from assisting students in reaching their academic goals to navigating the college application process, and offering support for mental health concerns. Every day, she tackles the diverse and evolving needs of the student body, ensuring they have the tools and resources to succeed.

In 2024, Ms. Castillo received a grant from the OHS Foundation that enabled her to pursue her National Board Certification—an opportunity that otherwise would have been financially unattainable. This advanced certification equips her with new skills and best practices, including data-driven approaches that allow her to better understand her students' challenges and measure the effectiveness of her counseling. The rigorous process of National Board Certification has given Ms. Castillo an even greater ability to impact her students' academic, emotional, and social well-being.

Being a school counselor is about much more than just offering advice—it is about empowering students to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Ms. Castillo's role encompasses everything from career counseling to crisis management, and the knowledge she has gained through this certification is helping her make a more informed difference in her students' lives. "I'm so grateful for this opportunity," Ms. Castillo shared, "It’s allowed me to grow professionally in ways that are directly benefiting my students. I feel more equipped to advocate for them, and to be the supportive figure they need to navigate high school and prepare for the future."

Ms. Castillo's dedication to her professional growth mirrors the Foundation's mission of empowering educators to excel, ensuring that the students at Olympic High School receive the best possible support and guidance. By investing in teachers and counselors like Ms. Castillo, the OHS Foundation is fostering an environment where both educators and students can achieve their full potential.

The Olympic High School Foundation is proud to support educators in their professional development, providing resources that not only advance their skills but also amplify their impact on students. With the knowledge and expertise gained through her ongoing certification journey, Ms. Castillo is well-equipped to help her students navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive—both inside and outside the classroom.

Mr. Holliday: Teacher Embraces Basketball Mindset, Encourages Students to Keep Trying Until They Succeed

When Cory Holliday and his wife decided to move away from Springfield, Ohio, they had two criteria: a day's drive to visit family in Ohio and Michigan, and less snow. After exploring several cities in the South and Midwest, Charlotte, NC became their top choice. Once they settled here, Cory began substitute teaching for CMS and, after a few assignments at Olympic High School, realized he wanted to teach at Olympic full-time.

Before teaching, Mr. Holliday worked as a community college administrator in various leadership roles. His passion for teaching, however, began as a student-athlete, inspired by the positive influence of his coaches and teachers. He admits he did not enjoy school but loved basketball, and thanks to his high school mentors, he came to understand the importance of education. He earned a basketball scholarship to a junior college, where he was later inducted into their Hall of Fame, and then transferred to Cumberland College in Kentucky, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Basketball taught Mr. Holliday the value of persistence, a lesson he now shares with his students. “There might be 17 shots to score a goal in a basketball game, and the 17th might be the game-winning shot. I see my students in the same way—it's important to give them more than one shot at getting ‘it’ right.”

Mr. Holliday teaches Digital Marketing and Sports Marketing 1 & 2 and serves as Co-Chair of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. In this role, he supports CTE teachers and acts as a liaison between the teachers and school administration.

With support from an OHS Foundation professional development grant to obtain his NC Teacher’s License, Mr. Holliday has brought his skills and leadership, honed on and off the basketball court, to his students and colleagues at Olympic. The OHS Foundation remains committed to supporting educators like Mr. Holliday in their pursuit of professional growth, ensuring they continue to inspire and positively impact Olympic High School students.

Inaugural Order of the Trojan Induction Ceremony

The Olympic High School Foundation proudly announced the launch of the Order of the Trojan, a newly established Hall of Fame recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to Olympic High School and the surrounding community. The inaugural induction ceremony took place on October 17, 2024 at the Red Fez Club, celebrating the achievements of four outstanding members of the Olympic community.

This year's inductees include two distinguished educators, Dave Johnson and Mike Realon, and two exceptional alumni, Bruce Dye and Charles Beatty. Dave Johnson, a dedicated coach and teacher, served at Olympic for 41 years, leaving a lasting impact on the school’s athletic and academic programs. Mike Realon transformed the student experience at Olympic during his 20-year tenure through innovative career academies and industry partnerships. Bruce Dye, Class of 1973, was instrumental in the founding of the Olympic High School Foundation through his generous challenge pledge, which helped bring the Foundation to life. Charles Beatty, Class of 1980, served as the original chairman of the Foundation and continues to support Olympic through his philanthropic efforts.

The Order of the Trojan aims to honor educators and alumni whose dedication, leadership, and contributions have enriched the school community and left a positive, lasting legacy. Inductees are nominated by the Olympic High School community and selected by the Foundation's Board of Directors. Each year, two educators and two alumni are chosen to receive this prestigious honor.

The evening’s ceremony included the unveiling of a bronze Order of the Trojan sculpture, created by current Foundation Chairman Banks Wilson with assistance from Olympic's long-time art teacher, Mr. Somey. The sculpture, now installed in the school’s lobby, bears the names of the inductees and will serve as a lasting tribute to their contributions.

“The Order of the Trojan was created not only to celebrate those who have made an incredible impact on Olympic High School but also to bring the Olympic community together,” said Banks Wilson, Chairman of the Olympic High School Foundation. “This event was a fantastic success—we raised significant funds to support our mission, and we were able to honor those who embody the spirit of excellence and service that defines Olympic High School.”

The Olympic High School Foundation remains dedicated to its mission of attracting, supporting, and retaining excellent teachers while improving educational opportunities and providing resources for students. Nominations for the 2025 Order of the Trojan class will open next spring, and the Foundation looks forward to building on the success of this inaugural event.

Model UN for Model Students

In the spring of 2023, five determined Olympic High School students embarked on a remarkable journey as they attended their first Model United Nations (UN) conference at UNC Chapel Hill. This transformative experience was made possible through their relentless fundraising efforts and the invaluable support of their teacher advisor, Ms. Griffin, who secured an Olympic High School Foundation grant to help alleviate the travel costs for the four-day conference.

A Model UN conference is a dynamic simulation of the United Nations, where students assume the roles of delegates representing various countries and engage in passionate debates on global issues. The preparation is intense—students meticulously research the country they will represent, immerse themselves in global policies, and submit research papers leading up to the conference. The ultimate goal? To provide students with a platform for learning and honing skills in diplomacy, negotiation, public speaking, and research.

Ms. Griffin, an esteemed teacher in environmental science and anatomy & physiology at Olympic High School, recognizes the profound impact of this experience. She emphasizes, "It meant a lot that I was able to help these kids develop skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. The five students who attended are highly involved in extracurricular activities, and they are incredibly determined to pursue higher education. Taking them on this trip, allowing them to gain this experience, and visiting a college they might be interested in was genuinely thrilling."

Opportunities like this are often readily available to more affluent schools within the CMS district. However, for Olympic High School students, they rely on private support, such as that provided by the Olympic High School Foundation, to access these life-changing experiences.

We invite you to join us in making a difference by donating today. Your support empowers Olympic High School teachers to continue shaping the lives of their students every day, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities needed to excel and thrive.

Ms. Sistrunk: A Lesson in Chemistry

With a heart devoted to chemistry and two decades of professional experience in the pharmaceutical, food, and textile industries, Ms. Sistrunk transitioned her wealth of expertise to the classrooms of Olympic High School. As a chemistry teacher, she places immense value on continuing education and applying differentiation techniques to ensure her students receive a top-tier learning experience. Her commitment led her to apply for an OHS Foundation grant to attain her National Board Certification in Teaching.

National Board Certification, a demanding three-year training program, challenges teachers to utilize classroom recordings, assessments, and data analysis to explain, prove, and enhance their lessons, creating a more dynamic learning experience. Ms. Sistrunk's dedication to this endeavor has prompted a transformation in her teaching approach.

Reflecting on her methods, she posed a pivotal question: "Would I be interested in this?" This introspection led to significant adjustments in her classroom strategy. Acknowledging the value of hands-on learning, Ms. Sistrunk introduced weekly labs, allowing her students to actively apply their lessons. One example of this innovative approach was a lesson on radioactive half-life using chocolate candies—a unique and engaging experience for her students.

The impact of Ms. Sistrunk's transformed teaching methods is evident in her classroom. Students are not only engaged but also committed, with perfect attendance in both her 1st and 4th block classes—times when students can often be tired, hungry, or disinterested. Her primary objective is to prepare her students for the challenges of college and the real world, a promise she communicates at the beginning of each semester. She offers them the tools for success with a straightforward but powerful formula: Be prepared by previewing the next week's lesson at the end of the prior week, show up consistently, and pay attention by taking thorough notes.