Angel Bell, a social worker at five elementary schools and one middle school, was recognized this month as the first recipient of the HOPE Award. She was selected from 11 nominees that included school counselors, nurses, and social workers. HOPE stands for Helping Other People Excel.

 

Bell is the social worker for C.C. Wright, Millers Creek, Mount Pleasant, North Wilkesboro, Wilkesboro, and East Wilkes Middle schools.

 

Wilkes County Schools employs 26 counselors, four social workers, and 10 nurses. There are also additional student services staff in the Student Success and Turning Point programs and with the Gear Up grant. Schools were allowed to nominate one eligible staff member for this award.

 

In addition to Angel Bell, other nominees included:

 

Beth Hodges, counselor at East Wilkes Middle School;

 

Billie Howell, social worker at Boomer-Ferguson, Central Middle, Moravian Falls Elementary, West High and West Middle;

 

Lisa Lentz, counselor at Wilkes Early College High School;

 

Tosha Mathis, counselor at East Wilkes High School;

 

Donna Rollins, who retired at the end of the 2015-16 school year as counselor from Wilkes Central High School;

 

Mitzi Settle, nurse at Mulberry Elementary and East Wilkes High;

 

Jeannie Stinson, counselor at West Wilkes Middle School;

 

Teresa Tucker, nurse at C.B. Eller and  Ronda-Clingman Elementary and East Wilkes Middle;

 

Martha Wagoner, nurse at Roaring River and Traphill Elementary and North Wilkes Middle; and

 

Carol Walsh, counselor at Mountain View Elementary.