Bobbie Rose and Sunshine Huggins are Isle of Wight County School Board’s seniors of the month.

The Windsor and Smithfield high school seniors were recognized by the school board at its Dec. 14 meeting, according to a division news release.

The school soard recognizes a senior of the month from both Smithfield and Windsor high schools at its regular monthly board meetings from October through May. Each senior of the month receives a $500 scholarship made possible through donations from the division’s business partners.  

Bobbie Rose

Rose is Windsor High School’s senior of the month for December.

“Bobbie is a genuinely nice person and she has truly never met a stranger,” the release stated.  

Rose actually left Isle of Wight County Schools for a few years and was living in Colorado, but she eventually made her return to IWCS. Her transition back into the family at Windsor High School was seamless. 

“She meshes well with her peers and embraces all aspects of life at the Castle,” the release stated. “Bobbie participates in competition cheer, scholastic bowl and Beta, all while taking upper-level courses.”

With her busy schedule, Rose still finds time to participate in National Guard Youth Program activities.  

Rose is a team player in class and willing to help her classmates at a moment’s notice. She has volunteered to work with students who have missed days in dual enrollment classes to catch them up on learning and mastering the material,” AP government teacher Maggie Halstead said. “This is a huge help to all involved in her fast-paced dual enrollment classes.  Bobbie Rose is one of the brightest students I have had the pleasure of teaching.”

Halstead said Rose is kind, hard-working,and an active participant in her education. 

“Bobbie works hard to not only learn the information, but to thoroughly understand it,” she said. “On a daily basis, she investigates topics and asks thought-provoking questions while maintaining her calm and pleasant demeanor. She is an absolute pleasure to teach and her future is so bright.” 

Rose hopes to attend either North Carolina State University or the University of Boulder to study ecology and possibly work in the research field with the National Parks Service.

Sunshine Huggins

Smithfield High School’s senior of the month for December is Huggins.

The school division’s news release stated that she is an extremely well-rounded student. She represents her school community by participating in pageants, playing her harp at community events, volunteering with her church and mentoring underclassmen. 

“Sunshine is an energetic, outgoing student who always has a positive attitude,” the release stated. 

She was crowned Miss Juneteenth USA and is the inaugural Miss Juneteenth Virginia. 

“Sunshine is not a young person who shies away from a challenge,” teacher Terry Spady said. “She is a well-rounded student who has a true zest for life. She is a conscientious citizen and hard-worker. She has a very positive attitude and an up-beat personality that draws other people to her.”

Huggins plans to attend Norfolk State University and major in music therapy.