“Best of the Best” Dinner Shines Spotlight on Ashe County’s Top Graduates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2025

“Best of the Best” Dinner Shines Spotlight on Ashe County’s Top Graduates

JEFFERSON, NC — On June 3, Ashe County Schools recognized its highest-achieving students during the second annual Superintendent’s Best of the Best Dinner, held at the scenic Timber Rivers Wedding and Event Venue in Lansing.

The evening celebrated the top five graduates from Ashe Early College and the top ten from Ashe County High School, honoring their outstanding achievements in academics, the arts, athletics, community service and more.

With grade point averages ranging from 4.446 to 4.776 and scholarship offers totaling in the hundreds of thousands, this year’s honorees represent the very best of Ashe County’s graduating Class of 2025.

Surrounded by proud family members, school leaders, Ashe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox, and members of the Board of Education, the students were commended not only for their accomplishments but for the determination, resilience, and integrity that helped them succeed.

Honorees included (*denotes Ashe Early College student):

• Benjamin Cornwell
• Benjamin DeJonge
• Isabella Farmer
• Isaac Firebaugh
• Karlee Hamm*
• Abigail Hill*
• Major Kesterson
• Maleah Lovell
• Ashley Pardue*
• Carson Pruitt
• Katy Richardson
• Alexis Rollins
• William Stone*
• Emory Taylor
• Rayanna Wilson*

Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox launched the “Best of the Best” Dinner last year as a signature event to recognize excellence and celebrate the future leaders of Ashe County. She had this to say about this year’s honored group: “These students’ academic success, leadership, and service to others have set a powerful example for their peers and younger students. We look forward to seeing the difference they’ll make in the world.”

Ashe County Schools congratulates the Class of 2025 honorees and wishes them—and all our graduates—continued success as they begin the next chapter of their lives.