Cumberland County Schools -

Cumberland County Schools is proud to share that Anna Sigmon, a student at Terry Sanford High School (TSHS), was named the North Carolina Association for Scholastic Activities (NCASA) 2025 Student of the Year. The award was presented at the NCASA’s annual meeting in Winston-Salem, NC, in the spring.

“The Student of the Year Award is probably the most competitive one we give out,” said Ryan Kluk, the executive director of NCASA, which promotes academic excellence and the success of North Carolina students through eight different scholastic competitions. “From quiz bowl to the arts showcase and beyond, our sponsored activities include thousands of students from across North Carolina. Our coaches, scholastic directors and principals nominate truly outstanding students. We’re proud to honor Anna.”

According to TSHS Quiz Bowl Coach Rob Taber, Anna played a key role in reviving the school’s quiz bowl team after a lengthy hiatus. “Anna had enjoyed quiz bowl in middle school and showed tremendous leadership in reviving the team.” Taber said that throughout the fall of 2024, Anna 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 organized and led a team of students from three different grade levels, who met weekly for after-school practices.

Quiz bowl is a team-based academic competition that 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.

“This [NCASA Student of the Year] award is a perfect fit for Anna Sigmon,” said Andrea Allen, the director of Global Studies at Terry Sanford High School. “Over the past three years, I’ve seen her consistently exceed expectations and pursue new challenges with ambition, creativity and resolve.”

Allen noted that Anna was also named this year’s recipient of the school’s Pinnacle of Innovation Award—a student-nominated and faculty-selected honor given to a Global Studies student "who exemplifies tireless determination and the pursuit of excellence with purpose, resilience and an unwavering drive to succeed."