Clover Garden School – Celebrating 25 Years!
April 27, 2026
emoore21
On Saturday, April 25, Clover Garden School in Burlington, NC, celebrated a major milestone—its 25th anniversary as a North Carolina charter school.
The event honored both the school’s rich history and its bright future. The stage was framed with student artwork, while a slideshow highlighted memorable moments from Clover Garden’s early days, including photos of alumni and past building projects.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mrs. Heather Vereyken, Executive Director, welcomed guests and kicked off the celebration. In her remarks, she recognized the heart of Clover Garden—its students, staff, and alumni—as well as special guests, including Senator Amy Galey, Emily Moore of NCAPCS, and Michelle Yelton and Kathy Davies of Prestige School Solutions.
Heather Vereyken, Executive Director, Leah Spencer, K-8 Principal, Senator Amy Galey, Karen Morris, High School Principal, Brandi Simmons, Finance & Human Resources Director, Emily Moore, NCAPCS.
Kathy Davies, Prestige School Solutions, Chad Huffines, CGS Board Chair, Brandi Simmons, Finance & HR Director, Heather Vereyken, Executive Director, Michelle Yelton, Prestige School Solutions, Emily Moore, NCAPCS.
Students then took center stage as the true stars of the event. Graduating seniors Halle Russell and Chloe Welch shared heartfelt reflections on their time at Clover Garden. The CGS Band, led by Mr. Harper, energized the audience with an upbeat performance alongside the Color Guard. Younger students also joined in, as kindergarten and first-grade classes performed a spirited CGS chant led by music teacher Mrs. Brooks.
A special highlight came from Dr. Rose Miller Webster, a member of Clover Garden’s first graduating class. She spoke about how the school helped build her confidence and inspired her to take on new challenges. Dr. Webster later returned to teach at Clover Garden and now works at Alamance Community College.
The celebration continued with performances from the CGS Dance Ensemble, led by Mrs. Page, who danced to Shania Twain’s “I Feel Like a Woman,” and the Student Guitar Ensemble, directed by Mrs. Ingle, who delivered a beautiful musical piece.
Mrs. Lisa Wilson, a founding teacher at Clover Garden, recognized alumni who have gone on to serve in the military, presenting a plaque in their honor.
The event also included a special recognition of dedicated staff members—past and present—who have played a key role in the school’s success over the years. Honorees included:
- Mrs. Lisa Wilson
- Mrs. Nina Miller
- Mr. Scot Levendowski
- Mrs. Donna Johnson
- Mr. Jim Melton, Clover Garden’s first principal
The celebration concluded on a high note with a final performance by the band. Mr. Huffines, CGS Board Chair, shared closing remarks and announced exciting news: Clover Garden School has been granted a 10-year charter renewal.
The event ended with a burst of confetti and a joyful crowd dancing the Cha Cha Slide at center court—an energetic and fitting close to a memorable celebration.
