Education

From a small town in Holland to a small town in Kentucky, Heleen Giesbers was honored for Excellence in Education at the Grant County Chamber of Commerce banquet April 30.

“I was just stunned,” she said. “I had no idea and the moment they said about somebody being from Holland, then I basically knew it was me. The nomination and the award humbled me. I really appreciate the recognition especially here, because the teachers here work so much together, so that you feel that everyone deserves that award.”

Mike Pickrell knows filling the shoes of Williamstown Band of Spirit director Bob Gregg will not be easy, but he’s up for the challenge.

The 27-year-old Monticello native has been hired to replace Gregg, who will be retiring after winning five state titles at WHS.

He has spent the past four years as band director at Keller High School in Texas.

“I’m very excited to follow Mr. Gregg,” Pickrell said. “He has created a culture of excellence and high standards.

front row, Dylan Dionne, Johannan Mendoza Aguazul, Steven Gray, Aiden Peace, Leslie Rosendo, Macklyn Mcintosh, Wyatt Littrell, Jared Ada and Nancy Chappell; second row, Thomas Swaggin, Jackie Sims, Aviana Baker, Carson Bick, Tyler Merrill, Malachi Newman, Brayden Hundly, Hayden Lawson and Garrett Terry; back row, JoAnn Chappell, Ryan Davis, Shyann McNay, Koby Leazer, Michael Partin, Darren Kearns, Andrew Marcum and Breanna Wissing.