— information courtesy of Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools recognized three outstanding students as the October Student Spotlights for the 2025-2026 academic year. Ayden Massey of Zeb Vance Elementary, Rosa Lopez of L.B. Yancey Elementary, and Adriana Lopez-Villatoro from Pinkston Street Elementary, have been honored for their exceptional contributions and leadership within their school communities.
The Student Spotlight program, sponsored by Vance County Schools in partnership with the Vance County Public School Foundation, highlights students who go above and beyond. These remarkable students embody qualities inclusive of kindness, dedication, and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.
Ayden Massey, 5th grader at Zeb Vance Elementary
Zeb Vance Elementary proudly recognizes 5th grader Ayden Massey as their 2025–2026 Student Spotlight honoree. Nominated by the Zeb Vance staff, Ayden exemplifies what it means to be a SOARing Eagle—Showing Self-Control, Offering Peer Support, Actively
Listening and Learning, and Respecting Everyone. A bright and curious AIG student, Ayden consistently demonstrates responsibility, respect, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.
Highly involved in school life, Ayden participates in BETA Club, Safety Patrol, RoboVance, Flag Team, and AIG, where he continues to strengthen his leadership skills and passion for exploration. His favorite subject is science because of the hands-on experiments, especially those related to the water cycle and jet stream.
Outside the classroom, Ayden enjoys reading, completing his “reading marathon,” playing games, and spending time with his family. He especially admires his mother, Tiffany Massey, for her love, strength, and constant support.
Ayden’s favorite book series is I Survived, his favorite movie is Despicable Me 4, and his favorite song is Wellerman. Recently, he enjoyed learning about the Boston Tea Party and the Shot Heard Around the World, which deepened his interest in history.
Looking ahead, Ayden dreams of becoming an astronaut, a goal inspired by his fascination with space, satellites, and the mysteries beyond Earth. If he could have a superpower, he would choose invisibility, just for the fun of sneaking around. And if granted one wish, he would wish for an infinite supply of tacos.
When asked what advice he has to share with other students, Ayden said: “Work hard and always try to do your best. It’s not about being the best, but trying your best.” Driven by curiosity, respect, and a love of learning, Ayden Massey is an outstanding example of what it means to be a Zeb Vance Eagle—soaring high with purpose, kindness, and integrity.
Rosa Lopez, 4th grader, L.B. Yancey Elementary
L.B. Yancey Elementary proudly celebrates 4th grader Rosa X. Lopez as the school’s 2025–2026 Student Spotlight honoree. Nominated by her teachers and school staff, Rosa exemplifies what it means to be a leader, learner, and role model at L.B. Yancey. She consistently demonstrates outstanding character, academic excellence, and a genuine desire to help others. Rosa stands out as a student who leads by example, always respectful, kind, and inclusive. She takes initiative in class, guiding group discussions and supporting her classmates whenever they need help.
Rosa’s favorite subject is math, because she believes it helps her gain knowledge that will be valuable in the future. She also enjoys science experiments, especially those that let her explore real-world concepts like precipitation and evaporation. Outside the classroom, Rosa stays active in several school programs, including the Yancey Girls Club, AIG, Orchestra Club, and Robotics Club, where she continues to grow in teamwork, creativity, and confidence.
When she is not at school, Rosa enjoys playing hide-and-seek and doing homework with her sisters, Grace and Annid. She also loves reading chapter books, especially the I Survived series, and watching movies like Goosebumps and I, Robot.
Rosa’s role models are her parents, Jose and Brittany Lopez, whom she admires for their hard work and kindness toward others. Inspired by their example, Rosa dreams of becoming a doctor so she can help people and make a difference in her community.
When asked what advice she would give to other students, Rosa said: “They should be strong and work very hard.” She believes success comes from perseverance and a positive attitude.
Her teachers, classmates, and family all agree that Rosa Lopez is a shining example of the excellence, empathy, and leadership that define L.B. Yancey Elementary.
Adriana Lopez-Villatoro, 5th grader, Pinkston Street Elementary
Pinkston Street Elementary proudly named 4th grader Adriana Lopez-Villatoro as its 2025–2026 Student Spotlight. Nominated by her teacher, Ms. Jennivise Lindsay, Adriana is being celebrated for her outstanding dedication, leadership, and positive attitude toward learning. She is known for her patience and enthusiasm when helping classmates. Whether she is working on a group project, volunteering to assist teachers, or participating in school events, she leads by example.
Adriana’s favorite subject is science, where she enjoys hands-on experiments like exploring the water cycle and learning about climate change. She has a natural curiosity and loves making new discoveries. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her friends and being someone others can count on for support and encouragement.
In her free time, Adriana loves reading Dork Diaries, listening to relaxing jazz and rap music, and watching movies, though she admits she avoids the scary ones! She admires Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter for their creativity and talent, and she hopes to bring that same passion into her own future goals. Adriana dreams of becoming either a scientist or a veterinarian, inspired by her love for animals and her desire to make a difference in the world.
If she could have any superpower, Adriana would choose teleportation, admitting with a smile that sometimes “the bus takes too long.” When asked what advice she would give to others, she shared: “Keep focusing and following your dreams—never give up.”
Her favorite part about being a student at Pinkston Street Elementary is the opportunity to help others and be friends with everyone. She wishes for all kids to “stop, think about what they are doing, and get along.” That thoughtful perspective shows the maturity and kindness that make Adriana such a special part of her school community.
Adriana Lopez-Villatoro shines as a role model for her peers and a proud representative of Pinkston Street Elementary’s spirit of excellence and compassion.
