We have even more graduating Littles/High School Bigs to celebrate! - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

This is the time of year when we’re happy for our graduating Littles but also sad to see them leave the program.

This year we’re celebrating six graduating Littles – all from Buncombe and Transylvania counties – and a bunch of graduating High School Bigs, who mentored their elementary school Littles for at least a scholastic year.

(Click on the portrait to find out each person’s name.)

BUNCOMBE

Dayza, a Little Sister and Buncombe graduate who has flourished through encouragement and guidance from her Big Sister and BBBSWNC, is headed to Western Carolina University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Dayza feels she has been empowered to dream big and has the tools to work hard to achieve her goals.

Alexis is looking forward to pursuing cosmetology school, going to the beach, and hanging out with her boyfriend after graduation.

Kellis has wrapped up her senior year at Erwin High School. She enjoys working with kids and plans to go into childcare.

TRANSYLVANIA

Arie graduated from Rosman High School and plans to work while attending Blue Ridge Community College. She is interested in teaching art.

Tyber, who also graduated from Rosman High, has been accepted to Montreat College and is interested in business and physical fitness. His Big Brother raised enough money to cover the cost of his first year’s tuition!

David, a Brevard High School graduate, plans to attend Blue Ridge Community College and is interested in law and law enforcement.

: Daz’ya

: Alexis

: Kellis

: Arie

: Tyber

: David

We have soooooo many High School Bigs who are graduating! Displaying leadership and compassion, each spent part of their school day mentoring an elementary student. To our graduating High School Bigs, we say thank you. You have made a Big difference in many Littles’ lives.

Here are our High School Bigs from Polk County. Following are High School grads from Cherokee and Henderson counties.

Click on their photos to find out what their plans are for the fall.

: Allie, a Polk County High School Big whose Little Sister attends Tryon Elementary School, is headed to UNC Charlotte with plans to major in pre-med/pre-nursing. Through kindness and patience, she has been able to create a friendship that made her Little Sister feel secure and able to come out of her shell.

: Avery, a Polk County High School Big mentoring a Little Brother at Tryon Elementary, is headed to a university to major in exercise science. He demonstrated kindness and patience when his Little Brother was nervous about starting a new friendship. Avery was quick to gain trust and form a good friendship.

: Eva, a Polk County High School Big who has worked diligently to connect with her Little Sister at Polk Central Elementary, plans go to UNC Charlotte and major in nursing.

: Evie, a Polk County High Big Sister to a Little Sister at Sunny View Elementary, earned her CNA certification during her senior year and will be continuing the nursing track this fall. Evie’s mentoring provided her Little Sister with self-confidence and the ability to be comfortable at school.

: Grace E., a Polk County High School Big to a student at Tryon Elementary, will be attending University of Georgia with plans to major in psychology to begin a pre-med track. She has demonstrated dedication, consistency, and support to her Little Sister.

: Grace P., a Polk County High School Big to a Little at Lake Lure Classical Academy, will be attending N.C. A&T University to pursue her nursing career. She has been very supportive and patient to her Little Sister.

: Lawson is a Polk County High School Big who plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill this fall. His Little Brother, a student at Tryon Elementary, said his dedicated Big Brother has been very helpful.

: Marleigh is a Polk County High School Big who will be attending Appalachian State with plans to major in digital marketing. Marleigh has supported her Little Sister through some difficult situations, including the death of a family member.

: Samantha, a Polk County High School Big whose Little Sister is at Tryon Elementary, has demonstrated patience, consistency, responsibility and leadership. She’s headed to N.C. State University with plans to double major in chemical engineering and paper sciences. Samantha is also the 2024 recipient of the Norman L. Spivey Memorial Scholarship Fund.

: Westyn, a Polk County High School Big, has worked patiently and kindly with his Little Brother at Lake Lure Classical Academy. He’s off to High Point University to major in biology and biochemistry. He will also be an Air Force ROTC Cadet.

Here are our High School Bigs from Henderson County.

: Sarah, a Henderson County High School Big, is going to Blue Ridge Community College, with plans to transfer to Mars Hill University to seek a major in elementary education. “My favorite part was hanging out with my Little – like having a built-in friend. I also loved seeing her improve in math, and I’ll cherish our memories of watching ‘Bluey’ together.”

: Maria, a Henderson County High School Big, plans to go to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to study psychology and to have a job on the side. “My favorite part about being a Big is having similar interests with my Little – we can easily decide what we want to do. The hardest part is keeping my Little from getting distracted by other kids.”

: Anna Grace, a Henderson County High School Big, will be going to Blue Ridge Community College to study surgical nursing. “I liked spending time with my Little and doing activities together.”

: Jay, a Henderson County High School Big, plans to go to Blue Ridge Community College and get an apprenticeship in the automotive industry. “It was fun getting to know my Little but also challenging to manage my time effectively.”

BBBSWNC of Cherokee County proudly celebrates 17 seniors who tirelessly served as mentors to Cherokee County Littles, from kindergarten to 8th grade. Activities these High School Bigs participated in with their Littles, in addition to weekly visits, included bowling, swimming, wood working, rocket building, bead making, ax throwing, and craft making. The matches also participated in BBBS Cherokee’s annual Christmas party and the end of year celebration!