Reminder: Friday, May 22, is the final day of school for the 2025–2026 school year! 🎉
Catawba County Schools will operate on a 3-hour early release schedule. QUEST childcare services will be open BEFORE SCHOOL ONLY on this date. 

High School Graduations (as of Wednesday, May 20, 2026)

Due to a strong possibility of rain and thunderstorms over the next two days, we are continuing to closely monitor weather conditions for all graduation ceremonies.

At this time, all graduations are still planned to be held outdoors as scheduled if at all possible. Rain dates remain in place should weather conditions require adjustments.

Updated ceremony schedule:
• Catawba Rosenwald – Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 PM
• Bandys High – Thursday, May 21 at 4:30 PM
• Fred T. Foard High – Thursday, May 21 at 5:00 PM
• Bunker Hill High – Friday, May 22 at 7:30 PM
• Maiden High – Friday, May 22 at 7:30 PM
• St. Stephens High – Friday, May 22 at 7:30 PM

Rain Dates:
• Thursday evening graduations (Bandys and Fred T. Foard) — Friday at 7:30 PM
• St. Stephens High — Saturday at 9:00 AM
• Maiden High — Saturday at 8:00 AM
• Bunker Hill High — Saturday at 10:00 AM

Please note that rain date ceremonies are also planned to be held outdoors if at all possible. We will continue to communicate any additional changes as decisions are made.





Victory Junction Camp has openings for Session 1 at Camp (June 14–18), and we would love your help spreading the word to families who may benefit from this life-changing experience.

This session serves children with bleeding disorders and GI-related diagnoses, including (but not limited to):
• Crohn’s Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Biliary Atresia
• Liver Transplant Recipients
• Hemophilia
• von Willebrand Disease
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP)

As always, Camp is provided completely free of charge for campers and their families, and offers a medically-safe environment where children can build confidence, make lasting friendships, and simply get to be kids.

If you know a child or family who may benefit from attending this session, we would greatly appreciate you sharing the attached flyer and encouraging them to begin the application process as soon as possible. Our team is also happy to answer questions or assist families with getting started.

Thank you for helping us connect more children with the joy and community of Camp. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime at ReferAKid@VictoryJunction.org.
 


Hickory Parks and Recreation will be hosting Trade Night on Friday, May 29th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Highland Recreation Center. This program is free and for all ages and centers around the Pokémon trading card game and will feature Pokémon card vendors, opportunities to buy, sell, trade, and play, as well as complimentary pizza, games, and prize giveaways for attendees.





Providence Baptist Church invites families to join them for “Illumination Station” Vacation Bible School 2026 — a fun-filled week focused on faith and friendship.

📅 Kickoff Family Night
Saturday, May 30 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Enjoy food trucks, bounce houses, music, games, snacks, and fun for the whole family!

📅 Vacation Bible School
Sunday–Wednesday Nights
Dinner Served: 5:15 PM
VBS Program: 6:00–8:30 PM

Open to children and students from nursery through teens.
📍 Providence Baptist Church
7618 Providence Church Rd
Hickory, NC 28602

Looking for a fun way to wrap up summer? ☀️
Camp Hoorah will take place August 3–7 at Highland Recreation Center for children ages 7–12. Campers will enjoy activities including swimming, skating, a trip to Tweetsie, meals, and more.
Camp hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Cost:
• Hickory residents: $140
• Non-residents: $160
Families can register using the QR code provided by Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism or visit www.hickory.recdesk.com. 


The YMCA of Catawba Valley is offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a FREE 12-week fitness and wellness program designed for adult cancer survivors who are within five years of diagnosis and experiencing fatigue or deconditioning from treatment.
Participants receive individualized workouts, supportive coaching, and a strong sense of community while working to build strength, endurance, flexibility, and confidence.
Upcoming sessions begin in August at Sally’s YMCA and Hickory Foundation YMCA. YMCA membership is included at no cost during the program.
For more information or to register, visit ymcacv.org/programs or contact Lala Kozischek at lalak@ymcacv.org or 828-324-9622.