Mrs. Carolyn Lamb Borman

Mrs. Borman, a Hendersonville native has been a successful and effective business educator in

the county as well as an ardent supporter of the Hendersonville High School Alumni

Association.

She attended school in the Henderson County Public School System and graduated from HHS in

1961. Her two siblings, son Derek and three granddaughters also attended HHS. Carolyn

graduated from Mars Hill College with a BS Degree in Business Education and received her

Master’s Degree in Education from Western Carolina University where she was also a member

of Kappa Delta Pi, an Honorary Graduate Society. Twenty-five years of her career were spent at

East Henderson High School as a business education teacher. She was named State of NC

Advisor of the Year for Future Business Leaders of America in 1982. In 1988, Mrs. Borman was

recognized for her dedication to students and hard-work by being selected as the East

Henderson High School Teacher of the Year. During her time at East she sponsored and

mentored students in the Future Business Leaders Association as well as attending various

District, State and National Leadership Conferences. She also served on the Faculty and

Scholarship committees, was the Business Department Chair, Student Council Advisor and was

the Junior Class and Cheerleader Sponsor while teaching at East. In 1991, she moved to the

Raleigh area where she continued her education career at East Garner Middle School. While at

East Garner she was again named, Teacher of the Year in 1995 as well as being the Vocational

Department Chair and the Business Partnership Chair. Mrs. Borman has also taught classes at

Blue Ridge Community College, conducted seminars for Western Carolina Community Action

and AB Technical College. After returning to Hendersonville, she assumed the position of Career

Education Coordinator for the Henderson County School System. She retired from the school

system in 2000 and then taught leadership development for the Workforce Development

Division of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Borman is also a member and leader in many civic organizations as well. She was a charter

member and club president of the Pilot Club International, a past member of the American

Women’s Association where she established the Student Educator Project and was on the

Scholarship Committee. She was also member of the American Legion Auxiliary. A large part of

her civic involvement is being a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Abraham

Kuykendall Chapter. She has held the office of Regent, Vice Regent, Treasurer and Membership

Chair.

Carolyn became active in the HHS Alumni Association in 2013 when she was sponsored by

classmate, Bill Orr. She served as President in 2014 and 2015 then remained on the board for

three more years. During this time, Carolyn served on committees to gather input from alumni

on the future of the new HHS facilities, Over the two years of meetings with City Council

members, HCPS School Board, and the Henderson County Commisioners, a plan finally came to

fruition to build the new addition but retain and improve the Stillwell Building. Mrs. Borman put

in countless hours contacting these board members, sitting in and speaking at meetings in

order to save the Stillwell Building and essentially saving the HHS we know and love today. She

then rolled off the Board for three years and then returned and was the Membership Chair for

two more years. She was awarded a Lifetime HHSAA Board Member in 2024. Mr. Bill Orr wrote,

“I am convinced that Carolyn’s many hours of meetings with all parties involved certainly aided

in saving our beloved Stillwell Building as a vital and integral part of our current Hendersonville

High School.” Former Principal Bobby Wilkins said of Carolyn, “Her heart has been with HHS and

that showed when she retired and came straight back to HHS to give all she has to make it a

better place, Sher support for her Alma Mater is amazing and it’s hard to find many others who

have the love for HHS that she has.” The phrase “Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat” certainly

applies and exemplifies Carolyn Lamb Borman. Congratulations and thank you for your years of

dedication to HHS and the alumni association.

Dr. Jackie Lytle Gonzalez is a 1973 graduate of Hendersonville High School. While at HHS, Jackie

excelled in athletes, academics and many other school activities. Jackie was a star basketball

player, active in Keyettes, Art Club, Student Council, Homeroom officer, FCAE as well as many

other clubs and groups. Jackie had the qualities of a leader in her high school days.

Upon graduation, Dr. Gonzalez the attended University of Tennessee and completed her

undergraduate nursing degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2002, Jackie was named Alumni of the

Year in nursing at Chapel Hill. She continued her education endeavors at the University of

Miami earning both a Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration and a Doctorate in Nursing

Practice. She was named Alumnae of the Year. She has also served as the university by teaching

several doctorate courses. In 2014, she obtained an MBA at George Washington University in

Washington, DC. She has recently been an adjunct professor at GWU School of Nursing Doctor

of Nursing Practice Program.

She began her impressive career in nursing at Charlotte Memorial Hospital as a staff nurse and

as she pursued further education her career also expanded. She began as a Staff Nurse in the

PICU/Pediatrics Department and worked her way up to Head Nurse. After moving to Miami,

Florida she began her life’s work of caring for children in the hematology/oncology unit.

Working with these children was not just a job, but a passion and dedication to pediatric

excellence and healing. Dr. Gonzalez has written in many medical journals, peer reviewed

articles, text books and is a published author. She was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush and

reappointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Florida Center for Nursing, She has also served in

leadership roles for the Florida Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Nursing Consortium of

Florida.

One of the most critical achievements that Jackie is proud of was in leading the Nicklaus

Children’s Hospital to become the 5 th children’s hospital nationally known as an “ACNN Magnet”

organization. In 2015, the organization was also the first pediatric hospital to receive the ANCC

Magnet Prize for its innovative work around the globe in the development of the Humpty

Dumpty Pediatric Falls Prevention Program. The program began under Jackie’s leadership, to

address the challenge of eliminating pediatric falls in hospitals. This program that Jackie first

facilitated is now embedded in over 1500 hospitals around the globe.

Jackie has been recognized for her humanitarian efforts as well. She has coordinated rescue

efforts in Haiti after the earthquake providing pediatric medical relief. She also directed

successful rescue missions post Hurricane Katrina by deploying LifeFlight teams to New Orleans

while collaboratively working with the Miami Coast Guard and Miami VA to assist in receiving

evacuated children and their families. In 2017, she received the Healthcare Hero from the

Chamber of Commerce in Miami. She was also recognized by The American Heart Association

for performing CPR in the community on two separate occasions. She is currently on the Board

of the Boys and Girls Club in Miami.

Terry Marian, classmate and nominator of Jackie said, “Jackie is very proud of her North

Carolina roots and she attributes her success to the strong values and work ethics that she

learned growing up in the outskirts of Hendersonville and through her HHS education.” Dr.

David Zambrana, the President and COO of Jackson Health System noted in his letter of

recommendation, “Dr. Gonzalez’s impact is far-reaching, extending well beyond the walls of a

hospital or university. As a highly-respected community leader, she devotes her time and

expertise to contributions to the South Florida community have been recognized through

numerous awards and honors, a testament to her lifelong dedication and unwavering

commitment to making a difference. She is a true champion for the health and well-being of all

children, and a visionary leader in the field of nursing.”

Congratulations to Dr. Gonzalez and many thanks for your dedication and service to children.

Mr. Bobby Wilkins, a 1975 graduate of HHS is a dedicated educator who has given a lifetime of

service to others. Bobby served the students, parents, faculty and staff in Henderson County

Schools as an educator, coach and administrator for 44 years before his retirement.

Mr. Wilkins comes from a longline of Bearcat graduates. His grandmother, Bessie Few was a

member of the class of 1908. Both of his parents, George and Teal Wilkins as well as his siblings;

George Jr., Dinky, Jim and Wendy are HHS Alumni. His wife, Gwen and sons Jeffrey, Jon and

Sam also graduated from HHS. This is certainly a Bearcat legacy family!

During his time as a student at HHS, Mr. Wilkins played varsity basketball, ran track and served

as President of the Senior Class of 1975. After graduation, he attended UNC-Asheville on a

basketball scholarship. He also furthered his education by getting a master’s degree and 6 th year

degree from Western Carolina University. He later got a degree in Administration from the

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Bobby taught math at HHS from 1979-1990 before beginning his career in administration as

Vice-Principal at Hendersonville Middle School and Elementary. He was named principal at HMS

from 1993-2001. He then moved back to HHS in 2001 and was the longest serving principal of

the school before retiring in 2023. During his tenure as principal, he was named Henderson

County Principal of the Year in 1997, 2003 and 2017. A four-decade career in education and

coaching came with many honors and achievements. Bobby coached 3 state championships,

two in basketball and one in golf and was named regional Coach of the Year in 1986, 1990, and

1992. While he was principal 20 HHS teams from many different sports won State

Championships. He led the school through difficult times as well; 9/11, student deaths, the

construction of the new school and the Corona Virus Pandemic. He has also been engaged in

the wider education community by sharing his expertise at conferences and collaborated with

fellow educators to share best practices and drive educational innovation.

More than any accolades or honors though, Mr. Wilkins was proud of the personal relationships

he made with the students. Diana Wilson, a former HHS teacher wrote, “He never waivered in

his principles and beliefs. Being a Bearcat means more than just spending four years in a

building. Mr. Wilkins made sure his students (and community) knew that being a Bearcat meant

you were family and doing the right thing, always.” Jan Sitton Wayne, past President of the HHS

Alumni Association noted, “The continuity of Bobby’s leadership and dedication to putting

students first in every decision he made at HHS is why we have maintained the traditions and

excellence that we all love and are so proud of when we come onto the hallowed grounds of

HHS.” His brother Jimmy summed up what Bobby means to HHS when he wrote, “His

leadership, dedication and passions brought continued greatness. He demanded excellence,

discipline and preserving HHS Traditions. Bobby understood that change was inevitable, but he

established a clear vision for the school, always weaving in highly valued HHS culture. This

ensured a place for HHS among the highest rated schools in the state.”

Congratulations to a Bearcat and a remarkable educator that has left a legacy at HHS like no

other.

Ray is a longtime Bearcat supporter and volunteer. If you've been to an HHS sporting event, play, Alumni event or just walking the halls of the school you've probably seen Ray. Ray stands with the SRO most mornings welcoming students and keeping a watchful eye out for their safety. 

Ray has been instrumental in collecting, organizing and preserving HHS memorabilia, articles and yearbooks as the chair of the Archives Committee. 

He is known throughout the community as a successful business man, Little League coach, Elks and Jaycees member. 

(Awarded posthumously) 

Rick graduated from HHS in 1954 and was an all-star athlete and honor student while attending HHS. He was a decorated football player that was selected All-State and conference teams. He was chosen for the National High School All American All-Star football team in 1953. He also excelled in basketball and baseball. 

After his senior season he received a letter from the professional baseball team, The Washington Senators asking him to consider playing for them. Instead, Rick chose to further his education at UNC-Chapel Hill. He returned to Hendersonville after graduation and became the Personnel Manager for Cranston Print Works. He was dedicated to helping people in western NC find jobs and excel in their work. Rick continued his love of sports by playing on several Cranston sports teams. 

Mayor Boyce Whitmire tapped Rick to further support his community by joining the Henderson County Recreation Committee in an effort to improve recreational opportunities for the youth of the county.

Congratulations to all on this well deserved honor.