Awards and Honors: December

HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 3, 2024 – High Point University students, faculty and staff recently completed service projects and received the following academic and professional awards.

HPU Student Crowned Miss High Point

Ella Parker, a marketing major with a minor in sales, was crowned Miss High Point 2025 and won the Miss Fitness competition at the pageant held Nov. 16 at Centennial Station Arts Center. She will compete at the Miss North Carolina Pageant, which will be hosted in High Point from June 23-28, 2025.

“Winning Miss High Point is a dream come true, and it gives me the chance to make a meaningful impact within our community and beyond,” said Parker, who is from Lincolnton, North Carolina. “I’m passionate about using my skills to support and uplift causes that matter, and this title provides a platform for me to do just that. It will allow me to connect with others, raise awareness about important issues and further my education and experience in ways that will propel me forward in my career.”

As a dancer since the age of 2, Parker’s volunteer work includes involvement with an organization called A Chance to Dance, which makes dance accessible to children with special needs. Being crowned Miss High Point not only recognizes her hard work and dedication but opens doors to opportunities that will help her achieve her career goal of becoming a nonprofit marketer.

“As Miss High Point, I’m excited to continue serving our community and representing the values that make High Point such a special place,” she said. “I’m confident that this experience will provide me with valuable leadership skills, professional connections and a deeper understanding of how marketing can be a powerful tool in driving social change. I look forward to using this opportunity to grow as both a leader and an advocate, and to one day help nonprofit organizations use strategic marketing to make a real difference in the world.”

HPU Student Honored for Civic Engagement

HPU student Avery Miles received an award for outstanding leadership and service by North Carolina Campus Engagement, a statewide network of colleges and universities committed to preparing students for civic and social responsibility. He was a recipient of the network’s Community Impact Student Award, which honors one student leader at each member school who has demonstrated a deep commitment to community involvement and an ability to inspire their peers to serve. The award recipients were honored Nov. 13 during the virtual Engagement Matters Awards Ceremony.

“I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me in achieving this award,” said Miles, who is from Burlington, North Carolina. “I deeply value the knowledge, lessons and mentorship I have received, which have empowered me to contribute meaningfully to my community. I am committed to continuing my efforts to give back in various capacities and to passing on the knowledge and guidance I’ve gained to my two younger brothers, inspiring them to pursue their own paths of growth and service.”

Miles, a junior majoring in marketing. He has spent three years as a volunteer at the Mega Missions Ministries Community Writing Center, where he contributes to the academic growth of children in grades 3-8 and plays a crucial role in building their self-esteem and encouraging them to pursue their educational goals. He also completed internships for N.C. Congresswoman Kathy Manning and the Whirlpool Corporation BUILD Emerging Leaders Program, and he is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.

“In addition to exemplifying the values of our institution, Avery demonstrates his worth as a valuable resource by contributing to the growth of the city of High Point and inspiring others to complete over 300 community service hours each academic year,” said Robert Tillman, director of the Bonner Leaders Program, who nominated Miles for the award.

Design Students Receive Rising Star Awards

HPU seniors Mary Kate Hewitt and Paige Hoyt were recognized as Rising Stars by the International Furniture Design Association (IFDA) Carolinas Chapter on Nov. 21. Hewitt and Hoyt were selected by the department faculty members who believe they exemplify high levels of talent and dedication and have proven themselves to be among the top interior design and visual merchandising design majors.

Students are recognized every year at IFDA’s Carolinas Chapter Night of Luminaries and Rising Stars event and represent colleges and universities from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In attendance was faculty member Dr. Jane Nichols, chair of HPU’s Department of Interior Design, Furnishings and Fashion Merchandising.

“These young women were named our Rising Stars for 2024 based on their academic work and their contributions to the discipline that they both have produced,” Nichols said. “Their enthusiasm for the home furnishings industry and their future potential to positively impact the profession is what makes them both Rising Stars.”

HPU Physical Therapy Students Conduct Motor Skills Screenings

Ten first- and second-year physical therapy students and their faculty advisor recently partnered with Wesleyan Christian Academy to offer developmental motor screenings for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and fifth-grade students.

The community service experience on Nov. 12 provided an opportunity for physical therapy students to work with real-life patients and to develop their clinical skills, said Dr. Renee Hamel, associate professor and director of students in the Department of Physical Therapy.

“It was wonderful seeing them grow in confidence and experience important light-bulb moments during these interactions while also serving children in our community,” Hamel said. “Motor screens are vitally important to ensure children can fully participate in their classrooms, playgrounds and interact with their peers, which is vital not just to motor skills but also social and cognitive development. Early identification of challenges leads to early intervention to help kids be kids to their fullest potential.”

Chris McGaughy, a first-year DPT student, said he is always looking to improve his skills and learn as much as possible.

“What I learned through this experience was that not all kids develop their motor skills at the same time,” said McGaughy, who is from Fort Walton Beach, Florida. “There is a lot of variability in kids that are the same age. Some are more advanced, while others are a little behind. This experience helped me get an idea of what to look for when observing developing kids, and I would love to do another screening or even observe an evaluation of someone who has developmental delays.”

Haley Harris, a second-year DPT student, said she gained valuable hands-on experience in assessing children’s motor development in a clinical setting through conducting these pediatric motor skills screenings.

“It was eye-opening to see the varying abilities across age groups and how early childhood motor skills can influence a child’s overall development,” said Harris, who is from Raleigh, North Carolina. “I also learned the importance of clear communication when working with both children and their teachers to ensure accurate assessments. This experience reinforced my passion for pediatric PT and deepened my understanding of the critical role early motor development plays in a child’s overall health. I plan to specialize in pediatric PT, and the hands-on experience I gained during this outreach will be invaluable in shaping my clinical skills. In addition, working with children at different developmental stages has given me a clearer understanding of the challenges and rewards of pediatric therapy, which will be crucial as I continue my education and move forward in my career.”

Abby Hall, a second-year DPT student, said she looks forward to assisting in early intervention efforts at more schools.

“As someone with a great interest in pediatrics physical therapy and motor development, this event taught me how to see ‘beyond the book,’” said Hall, who is from Kernersville, North Carolina. “This was a valuable experience learning the importance of seeing the whole child and how they participate in their daily life at school and not just how they might present on paper. I was able to see great strength in the children who might be presenting as delayed or at-risk of delay on paper through their ability to actively participate and still have fun with their peers. Being able to participate in this event has shaped how I will view and treat my future patients.”