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Prose, poetry, notable speeches and original oratory echoed through the halls of the Old Rock School in Valdese throughout the day Thursday as elementary and middle school students overcame nerves and faced most people’s biggest fear: public speaking. Burke County Public Schools held its annual speech contests as students from across the district recited nearly 80 speeches.

Burke County Public Schools has named Hildebran Elementary School Principal Caroline Johnson the 2025-2026 Principal of the Year for the district. Johnson, who has served as an educator and leader in Burke County for more than a decade, was selected for the honor by her fellow principals. She will now represent Burke County Public Schools at the regional level in the statewide Principal of the Year program.

A Freedom High School graduate’s illustrated books have found themselves on the shelves of Burke County Public Schools elementary school media centers, thanks to a generous donation from her parents.  Katie Kath is a 2007 graduate of Freedom and has a master’s degree in illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design. She has gone on to illustrate children’s books from authors such as...