Mrs. Brenda Sparks McCleerey
Brenda started in the HCPS system as one in the first class to attend Bruce Drysdale Elementary continuing on to Rosa Edwards, Hendersonville Junior High and then graduating in 1971 from Hendersonville High School. Following HHS, she graduated from Mars Hill College with an accounting degree in 1973. Her career in the finance world began at E.F. Hutton. In 1998 she became a partner at JC Bradford & Co. and then on to Oppenheimer & Co in Biltmore Village where she continues to work today as Senior Director of Investments. Just a few of her notable accomplishments include, in 1997, national recognition as one of the Top Ten Business Women of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association and in the same year she was selected as a Business Ambassador for the Securities industry Association. She has made it a primary goal in life to give back to her community as seen in her many impactful roles in organizations such as Safelight, Welcome Wagon, Jaycess, American Business Women, SSECO, and the American Red Cross. In 2007 her and her family’s lives were changed forever by the tragic murder of her mother, Connie, and beloved brother, Ricky. In 2008, along with her brother, Jim, they established the Connie and Ricky Sparks Memorial Fund that continues today. The scholarship benefits two Seniors each year and has grown from $14,000 to a $20,000 scholarship, over 4 years. In addition, a 2 year Technical/Community Scholarship for $5000, over 2 years, has been added. To date, the awarded Sparks Scholarships have reached $260,000.
Mr. Donnie Ray Parks
Donnie is a Class of 1974 graduate from Hendersonville High School. He was the first African American Captain for the City of Hendersonville Police Department. Many know him as the first African American Police Chief for the City of Hendersonville. In all, Donnie dedicated 41 years total law enforcement service with the Hendersonville Police Department. He is a graduate of the 139th session of the FBI National Academy, and has served as Instructor with the North Carolina Justice Academy. He was appointed to the NC Governor’s Crime Commission by Governor Jim Hunt. He has served on numerous boards both locally and at the state level. Donnie’s gifts of leadership and vision are unmatched as he has been a pioneer in creating and developing Community Policing techniques and strategies that have been implemented throughout the state and across the country. Donnie has been dedicated to seeing the community thrive and grow. Additionally, he has served as a mentor for many young men in the community over the years, taking them under his wing and developing relationships with them and their families. Many of those kids will be future Bearcats.