Fayetteville High Schooler Earns Top State Scholastic Honor

Terry Sanford High School's Anna Sigmon has been recognized as the North Carolina Association for Scholastic Activities (NCASA) 2025 Student of the Year, a prestigious award presented at the organization's annual meeting in Winston-Salem this spring. Cumberland County Schools proudly announced Sigmon's achievement, highlighting her significant contributions to academic excellence.

Ryan Kluk, executive director of NCASA – an organization dedicated to promoting academic success through various scholastic competitions – emphasized the award's competitive nature. "The Student of the Year Award is probably the most competitive one we give out," Kluk stated. He noted that NCASA activities span from quiz bowls to arts showcases, involving thousands of students across North Carolina. "Our coaches, scholastic directors, and principals nominate truly outstanding students. We’re proud to honor Anna."

According to Rob Taber, Terry Sanford High School's Quiz Bowl Coach, Sigmon was instrumental in bringing the school's quiz bowl team back to life after a lengthy hiatus. "Anna had enjoyed quiz bowl in middle school and showed tremendous leadership in reviving the team," Taber explained. Throughout the fall of 2024, Sigmon collaborated with school administrators and teachers to determine registration requirements, secure a practice space, and recruit a coach with state- and national-level quiz bowl experience. She also took the initiative to organize and lead a team of students from three different grade levels, who met weekly for after-school practices.

The quiz bowl, a team-based academic competition, covers topics from poetry and opera to physics. In the winter, Terry Sanford placed third in both the Rookie/B league and the Sandhills regional tournament of the NCASA, earning wins over Robeson Early College High School and Pinecrest High School.

Andrea Allen, the director of Global Studies at Terry Sanford High School, praised Sigmon's character and dedication. "This [NCASA Student of the Year] award is a perfect fit for Anna Sigmon," Allen remarked. "Over the past three years, I’ve seen her consistently exceed expectations and pursue new challenges with ambition, creativity, and resolve." Allen also revealed that Sigmon was this year's recipient of the school’s Pinnacle of Innovation Award. This honor, nominated by students and selected by faculty, is given to a Global Studies student who "exemplifies tireless determination and the pursuit of excellence with purpose, resilience and an unwavering drive to succeed."