– information courtesy of Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools kicks off its 2025-26 Student Spotlight program with three students who have been recognized for their hard work, leadership and the positive impact they have in their school communities.

Destiny Timberlake from Vance County Early College, Joseph Vida from E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy and Kimberly Isidro from Vance County High School are the first honorees for this year’s program, because they embody qualities such as kindness, dedication and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.

The Student Spotlight program is sponsored by Vance County Schools in partnership with the Vance County Public Schools Foundation.

Destiny Timberlake, 11th Grader, Vance County Early College 

Destiny Timberlake is the 2025-2026 Student Spotlight at Vance County Early College. Destiny stands out for her ability to balance high school and college-level coursework, while also excelling as a student-athlete, and dedicated employee outside of school. She is admired for her leadership, maturity, and the way she uplifts those around her with encouragement and kindness.

Destiny is active in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, and she leads on the court as point guard and captain of the basketball team. She also is involved in music with her church. Her favorite subject is English, which she values for its real-world applications, especially in business. Her future goals include playing Division I basketball at the University of South Carolina, competing in the WNBA, and later pursuing a career as a luxury real estate agent.

Outside of academics and athletics, Destiny enjoys basketball, working, and spending time with her family, especially gathering around meals. She names her mother, Renita, as her greatest role model for her strength and sacrifices, and she hopes to repay that love and support. Inspired by Michelle Obama’s Becoming, Destiny believes in building success through perseverance. She sums up her outlook with the advice: “Walk by faith and not by sight… no matter what it looks like right now, it will always be better in the future.”

Her favorite part of being at VCEC is the opportunity to lead and set an example for her peers. She credits the school with teaching her how to balance responsibilities and manage time—skills that will help her succeed in every step of her journey.

Joseph Vida, 5th Grader, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy 

Joseph Vida, a 5th grader at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, was selected for his diligence, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. Teachers describe him as respectful, responsible, and well-mannered, serving as a positive role model for his classmates. He is an active member of the Robotics Club, Men in Action, the Junior BETA Club, as well as an AIG student, consistently demonstrating the values and expectations of his school community.

Joseph’s favorite subjects are math and English Language Arts, which he enjoys because they allow him to keep learning new skills. Outside of school, he likes playing with his siblings, spending time outdoors, and reading chapter books—especially science fiction, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban being a favorite.

When asked about who inspires him most, Joseph immediately points to his parents, who always support and encourage him. Recently, he has enjoyed learning about Indigenous peoples in social studies and strengthening his math skills with multiplication and division. If he could have any superpower, Joseph would choose flying so he could get to places quickly.

His advice to other students is: “Always try your best and never give up.” Joseph’s favorite part of being a student at E.M. Rollins is learning new and exciting things while being part of a supportive school community. He says what keeps him motivated to come to school every day is the chance to “learn more things and get better at them.” If given one wish, Joseph would travel back to the Philippines to visit family and friends. Joseph’s determination, curiosity, and resilience make him a shining example of what it means to be a Student Spotlight at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy.

Kimberly Isidro, 9th Grader, Vance County High School 

Kimberly Isidro, a 9th grader, is the Vance County High School Student Spotlight honoree. Nominated by VCHS Assistant Principal Mcshell Edmonds, Kimberly has already begun to make her mark at VCHS. Edmonds shared, “Although Kimberly is new to VCHS, she has already established herself as a leader. She demonstrates responsibility by staying on top of her assignments, shows a willingness to assist her peers, and brings a positive presence that brightens every room she enters.”

Kimberly has also been invited to join the 9th-grade Student Council, reflecting her leadership skills. Her favorite subject is math, where she enjoys learning new skills like solving inequalities. Kimberly plans to join the girls’ soccer team in the spring and also enjoys expressing her creativity through art, including submitting pieces for Arts Alive. Outside of school, she loves playing soccer, drawing, spending time with family, and watching horror movies. Kimberly admires her mom as her greatest role model, inspired by her strength and independence. Kimberly dreams of becoming a dentist, with nursing as a second option, because she is passionate about helping others. She also tutored a friend in math, helping them prepare for the end-of-course test and achieve a passing score.

Her favorite thing about VCHS is participating in fun activities and being part of a supportive community. If given a superpower, she would control time to relive childhood moments, and she dreams of traveling to Hawaii to explore new experiences. Her advice to others: “Don’t skip classes, always turn in your work early, don’t get in trouble, and respect your teachers.” 

Kimberly’s leadership, determination, and kind spirit make her a shining example of the values and excellence at Vance County High School.

These students are exemplary representatives of Vance County Schools and the Student Spotlight program. They embody the values of kindness, dedication, and a commitment to learning, serving as an inspiration to their peers and a source of pride for their school communities and the district as a whole.