True North Stories

Ben King’s four years at North Rowan High School have brought their share of challenges, but fun, too. Sometimes at the same time. 

Freshmen Mackenzie Finsel, Trinity Lineberry, and Aniya O’Neal were asked to create artwork for a documentary premiering in this Wednesday at Livingstone College. 

You never know what Debbie Sousa’s nursing fundamentals students will be up to. On this particular morning, under Sousa’s watchful eye, they are bathing patients. 

If you’re a fan of YouTube, you may want to look up Mallory Braun. The North Rowan senior already has 5,000 followers.

Senior Itzel Nunez-Ariza says she loves the tight-knit community at North Rowan High School.

Since the 9th and 10th-grade design classes are hosting a community showcase on Nov. 21, the art students and CCAC are working together to create a presentation of their own, too. 

Ask Deontrey Fair what he’s enjoyed most about his four years at North Rowan High School and he says, “Oooh! Probably the teachers. They’ve been pretty fun.” 

Jordan Goodine built many friendships and relationships during his four years at North Rowan High School, but some of his family members laid some groundwork for him, too.

Kaitlyn Taylor was an eighth-grader at North Rowan Middle School, but attended East Rowan High School until the first quarter of her junior year. Now, she’s about to finish her high school career at North.

Some high school seniors graduate with no idea about what they want to do.

Not Josh Loftis.

Senior Adrian Rudisell says he’s transitioned well to the eLearning format at North Rowan High School.

Gabrielle moved a lot with her family when she was younger, attending Isenberg and Overton elementary schools, then later North Rowan Middle School. Although she now lives in the Salisbury High district, she says, “Something was pulling me toward North.”

You may not think you’d be intimidated by a high school student, but then again, you may not know Jared Hensley. 

Article about our Lion King Jr Presentation from Salisbury Post.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Smith joining us,” says Meredith Williams, North’s principal. “He has a deep love for North Rowan and a passion for serving students. Mr. Smith, having leveraged his amazing musical talent throughout our community, is a role model for our students. He is a testament to the ways our students can use their own passions, especially for music, to guide their own True North.”

After the coronavirus shut down schools in mid-March, teachers had to completely change the way they taught and how they delivered instruction. Here’s a look at how three teachers at North Rowan High School worked with their students during this challenging time.

I had no idea the scope of an athletic director’s job until I talked with Mark Woody, the AD at North Rowan High School. 

In Ben Hampton’s heart, he always thought he’d be a baseball player. His grandfather played in the major leagues, and his father played AAA ball. Hampton started playing football in fourth grade and played three sports up until high school, when he dropped basketball and concentrated on football and baseball.

Imagine taking 100 students to the beach for a day trip to examine the effect of natural disasters on the shoreline. That’s exactly what the 10th-grade teachers at North Rowan High School did on Oct. 23. 

Calin Martin, North Rowan High School wins the NC Science Teachers Association (NCSTA) District Six Outstanding High School Science Teaching Award for 2019.

You could look for Dominique Bates behind his desk, but honestly, that’s the last place you’d find him.

Hunter Fuller characterizes himself as an average golfer, but he’s coached golf at South Rowan High School and now is the golf coach at North High.

When Kym Melton, who teaches English at North Rowan High School, was asked to teach the girls’ tennis team, she didn’t know how to play.

The game of volleyball goes fast, on and off the court. The season begins in August with two to three matches a week, with practices on other days. It concluded the end of October with the Yadkin Valley Conference Tournament. The team finished 4-16 overall and 4-12 in the conference.

Deborah Sousa is the perfect person to teach health sciences at North Rowan High School. Before coming here 23 years ago, Sousa was a nurse.

On a recent Tuesday morning, AP Environmental Science students were blowing bubbles at Horizons Unlimited.

During her years as an educator in Rowan County, Miranda File has seen the students at North Rowan High School grow up. She was a teacher’s assistant at Hanford Dole Elementary, then she was a middle-school ELA teacher for seven years at North Middle. 

community service hours, allowing them to graduate with a diploma versus a certificate. 

Students looking for a friendly face at North Rowan High School need look no farther than Sarah Thompson. She’s beginning her third year as student services administrative assistant. Her office is right next to the front office and she works closely with the guidance counselors.

A new year means new students and new projects in Alexis Greer and Benjamin Butchart’s ninth-grade design class.

Felix DuSablon and Mitchell Croot are another duo at North Rowan High School who are taking on the challenge of co-teaching this year.

When you dip into Leigh Anne Alexander’s third-block art class, you never know what you’ll find.

This year, some North Rowan High School students will have the advantage to work with not one but two teachers per block in the new co-teaching concept.

Students in Natalie Crouse’s English IV and Honors English IV classes completed portfolios in the fall semester.

Welcome to North Rowan High School!  As principal, it is a privilege to serve alongside our faculty to create a positive learning atmosphere for our students daily. Strong support and collaboration from parents/guardians, school staff, alumni, and the community help to make North High School a great educational environment. This collaboration is critical to the continued success of our Cavaliers.

Congratulations to Deborah Sousa.  She is the NRHS' 2019 - 2020 Teacher of the Year.  Mrs. Sousa has taught at North for 17 years.  She teachers Health Science I and Nursing Fundamentals.

Front Desk Secretary

When you visit North Rowan High School, the first person you’re likely to meet is Debra McBride.

McBride has been the school’s office manager for seven years. She has worked for Rowan-Salisbury Schools since 1998. She has worked at China Grove and Koontz elementary schools, China Grove and Southeast middle schools, and Henderson and Carson high schools. She has been a bus driver and a cafeteria manager.

“I never wanted to work in a high school,” McBride admits, “but I just love it here. This is a very heartwarming school. Now I don’t want to leave. I’ll be here forever.”

Be sure and say hello to her the next time you’re at North.

Devin and Riley

Devin and Riley were featured on the Gilder Lehrman instagram after their fantastic performance of their original piece.  These Cavaliers had the opportunity to perform on the set of Hamilton in Charlotte when they, along with 100 of their NRHS peers, attended the musical November 1st.