Felton Grove High School Athletics Earns Statewide Commissioner’s Trophy for Service Work
School is one of eight in North Carolina selected by the NCHSAA, recognizing student-athletes for community service efforts led by its Athletes in Action Club.
Apex, NC, Apr. 25, 2026 — Felton Grove High School’s athletic program has been recognized as one of just eight in North Carolina to receive the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s (NCHSAA) 2025–2026 Commissioner’s Trophy, an honor that highlights the work student-athletes are doing beyond competition.
The award, which includes a $1,000 stipend for the school’s athletic program, is given annually to a select group of NCHSAA member schools whose teams demonstrate leadership through community service and outreach during the school year.
Felton Grove’s selection places it alongside Ashe County, Athens Drive (Raleigh), Eastern Guilford, Franklin, Mount Tabor (Winston-Salem), North Henderson, and West Brunswick as this year’s recipients.
At Felton Grove, that work has been driven by the school’s Athletes in Action Club, a student-led group that brings together athletes from multiple teams to organize and participate in service projects.
“This is one of the most prestigious honors a high school athletic program can receive in North Carolina,” said Athletic Director Joseph Sharrow, who credited the club as the “major driver” behind the recognition.
The club is led by founder and president Kate Anderson, alongside student leaders Samantha Horne (marketing manager), Olivia Ordine-Perez (secretary), and Jordan Eddy (officer), with guidance from advisor Coach Jordan Stevens. The group represents a coordinated, team-wide approach to service, with participation across multiple athletic programs.
The Commissioner’s Trophy is designed to recognize that type of collective impact. In announcing the awards, NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker said the selected programs reflect student-athletes “working as teams invested in greater community building endeavors,” demonstrating how those experiences extend beyond athletics.
Felton Grove will be formally recognized at the NCHSAA’s annual awards celebration on June 10 in Greensboro.
For Felton Grove, the recognition reflects the role its student-athletes, coaches, and broader school community play in creating a culture that emphasizes service alongside competition.
