Each month,
Hilbish Ford in Kannapolis honors local school teachers who make a difference in their students’ lives.
Because Hilbish Ford employees care about education and sports in our community, we are proud to announce the new Hilbish Student Athletes of the Week program. Each week, high school coaches nominate and select two outstanding student athletes who embody important character traits including honesty, sportsmanship, perseverance, kindness and responsibility.
High school students are chosen from
Cabarrus County Schools and
Kannapolis City Schools and can include student athletes from any sport.
Hilbish Ford General Manager Timothy Vaughn said the idea started when a parent approached him after seeing a similar program elsewhere. After their conversation, “I reached out to the school system superintendents and the systems’ athletic directors,” said Vaughn. “They loved the idea and we decided to do a male and female athlete of the week at the high schools.”
Each school athletic director submits two student athletes to a committee that includes school representatives. Because Kannapolis City Schools only has one high school, they submit two times per month. Cabarrus County high schools may submit weekly. The committee then chooses the male and female winner. No representative from Hilbish Ford sits on the selection committee.
Once selected, the winners receive a nice travel cup with their name embossed on it with the Hilbish Ford logo on the back.
“It can be used or displayed,” said Vaughn. “We actually see the kids’ moms taking them for themselves and using them as a walking trophy to brag about their kids.”
Last week, Hilbish Ford recognized the first Student Athletes of the Week – Rami Mullen and Dylan Ratliff, both seniors at
Hickory Ridge High School.
Volleyball Coach Patti Chason, Maggie Mullen, Andrea Mullen, Rami Mullen, Hilbish Ford GM Timothy Vaughn,
Dylan Ratliff, Jenni Ratliff, Football Coach Jason Seidel
- Rami is the co-captain and setter of her volleyball team at Hickory Ridge. She is a strong defensive player and was instrumental in HRHS clinching the SW4A Conference Championship earlier this month.
- Dylan is a quarterback on the football team, completing 280 passing yards in a win over Rocky Ridge High School and, as of last week, had four touchdown passes.
Student Athletes of the Week aren’t the only ways Hilbish Ford supports our community. Each month, the dealership awards one teacher the
Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award. This award provides a beautiful trophy and monetary award. In the spring, the dealership offers
Teacher Appreciation Week giveaways and throughout the year, the dealership offers
Ford Drive 4 UR Programs for schools and community groups.
Check back each week for the newest Hilbish Ford Student Athletes of the Week and become a fan of Hilbish Ford on
Facebook to follow the latest winners of all the special
Hilbish Ford awards.
"Angela Gillespie is an amazing 4th grade teacher at Jackson Park Elementary! Her students excel academically but her excellence and caring go far beyond the classroom. The parent that nominated her explained how Mrs. Gillespie visited their home as a way of connecting with the student and the family. However, what made the visit even more special is that Mrs. Gillespie came just days after experiencing the loss of someone within her own family. The parent said the visit was not planned or requested. Mrs. Gillespie simply did it because she cares that much about her students and wants to make genuine connections with families. The parent went on to describe being in Mrs. Gillespie’s classroom. She said she could feel the love that exists between Mrs. Gillespie and her students. She said she heard one student comment that Mrs. Gillespie was a big part his life and said he hoped he would grow up to make her proud one day. The parent calls Mrs. Gillespie an extraordinary teacher who gives part of herself to her students and will do whatever it takes to help them succeed.
