HCPS Celebrates 68 Top Scholars from the Class of 2025

Henderson County Public Schools proudly recognized 68 of its highest-achieving seniors during the annual Top Scholars Banquet, held Thursday, May 15, at Blue Ridge Community College and sponsored by AdventHealth. Now in its 21st year, the Top Scholars celebration honors the academic accomplishments, leadership, and well-rounded contributions of students who graduate at the top of their class.

“These 68 students have consistently gone above and beyond throughout their high school careers,” said Superintendent Mark R. Garrett. “They’ve not only excelled in the classroom, but have made meaningful contributions to their schools and communities. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and know they will continue to make a difference wherever they go.”

These Top Scholars represent more than just academic achievement. Among them are student-athletes, musicians, artists, club leaders, volunteers, student government officers, and performers. Many have balanced rigorous coursework with commitments to school sports teams, marching bands, theatre productions, robotics competitions, FCA, and other extracurricular activities—demonstrating dedication, time management, and a passion for growth beyond the classroom.

Together, the Class of 2025 Top Scholars earned more than $1 million in scholarships and grants, carried an average GPA of 4.56, and scored an average 28.9 on the ACT. Beyond their academic success, these students volunteered with over 85 community organizations across Western North Carolina and beyond—demonstrating a commitment to service alongside their studies.

Of the 68 scholars, 50 plan to continue their education at colleges and universities within the state.

The 2025 Top Scholars from each school are:

East Henderson High:

Riley Thomas Adams, Kyle Anderson Bailey, Caiden Justin Brewer, Joseph Lexton Burns, Miriam Tamar Campbell, Rayne Ashley English, Kaylee Lynn Foushee, Karina Pavlovna Konko, Ava Grace McAlister, Mackenzie Boyd Oody-Patterson, Emily Ann Reynolds, Mia Anne Shin, Landon Scott Taylor, Steven Thomas Thompson, Heather Grace Wetzel

Henderson County Career Academy:

Kedric Reese LeMaster, Elizabeth Bautista-Policarpo, Hunter Jade Taylor

Henderson County Early College:

Abram Roy Fletcher, Nicholas Jason Morway, Diego Ornelas, Keith Tran

Hendersonville High:

Addison McKenna Adams, Madeleine Olivia Cable, Tsz Sin Alvin Chan, Harry Colin Davenport, Lila Rain Feather, Kruesi Elizabeth Graham, Liliana Rose Henderson, Brock Alexander Hill, Luke Malcolm Morris, Reese Emerson Redden, Mary Rutler Shelton, Soren Mclain Smith, Aaron Walter Swift, Michael Hilton Swing, Eliza Catherine Then

North Henderson High: 

Viola Kathleen Alger, Kennedy Alexis Bailey, Lucas Todd Carpenter, Isabel Jean Dewberry, William Brack Harmaning, Alison Gale Holbert, Jacob Thomas Houston, Connor Peirce Jenson, James Gordon Mondin, Brisa Munoz Hernandez, Angela Nirel Navarro-Valdez, Christina Tuyet Nhi Nguyen, Alejandro Perez, Alana Marie Summers, Anna Marie Tondra

West Henderson High: 

Christian Rey De Guzman Acosta, Katelyn Marie Day, Brooke Ann Dudzinski, Elijah Eugene Furr, Sydney Elizabeth Hart, Noelle Grace Houlihan, Shahbano Khan, John Henry Komperda, Kaili Marie Lewis, Haley Jeanette Littrell, Adrian Fidel Montoya, Alexandra Juliet Pickard, Campbell Vaughan Elizabeth Riddell, Sofija Soleil Ruzich, Cameron Russell Simons, Clara Naomi Singleton