Challenger Early College High School

10/20/2026

Challenger SkillsUSA is hosting our 2nd Blood Drive of the school year on Thursday, October 22, from 8:30 AM–3:30 PM!

🔥 STUDENTS: Want to earn a Parent Engagement Hour for your family? Here’s your chance! 🎟️

If someone connected to you comes to donate blood at our drive, YOUR NAME will be entered into a raffle to win ONE PARENT ENGAGEMENT HOUR! 🙌

Invite your parents, grandparents, older siblings, friends, neighbors, or anyone in our community to donate. Not only could they help save lives, but you could help your family win a Parent Engagement Hour!

🩸 WHY DONATE?
🎁 Receive a $30 gift card as a thank-you for donating!
💰 Help support Challenger SkillsUSA! We receive $500 for every 30 donations, helping fund activities and opportunities for our students.
❤️ One donation can help save up to three lives!

🚨 The Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis, making every donation even more important. Let's come together as Firebirds and make a difference!

📅 BLOOD DRIVE DETAILS
- When: Thursday, October 22 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
- Where: Challenger Early College
- Donors must bring a valid ID.
- Donors who are 16 or 17 must have parental consent.
- All visitors must check in at the Challenger office upon arrival.

🩸 READY TO DONATE? SIGN UP HERE! 👇
https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/306006

📣 Firebird students, spread the word! The more people you encourage to donate, the more lives we can help save—and the more chances we have to get our school community involved!

10/17/2026

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS!

OUR LADY FIREBIRDS ARE BRINGING HOME THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball Team on winning the Western Piedmont Athletic Conference Championship! We are also excited to celebrate THREE Lady Firebirds who were selected to the All-Conference Team! What an amazing honor and a testament to their hard work and dedication!

10/17/2026

10/17/2026

 Introducing your 2026 Western Piedmont Athletic Conference JV Volleyball CHAMPIONS!

10/10/2026

Our Firebirds showed up and showed out today at the Early College Cup indoor Soccer Tournament hosted by Alexander Early College.

Firebird Girls took home 1st Place!
Firebird Boys took home 2nd Place!

We are so proud of their hard work, teamwork, and competitive spirit! Way to represent Challenger and show everyone what Firebird pride is all about!

GO FIREBIRDS!

10/10/2026

Our Challenger 10th graders visited UNC Charlotte on Friday for a unique college experience! Students researched different areas of campus and took turns serving as tour guides for their classmates. They also enjoyed lunch in the campus dining hall and even spotted a few Challenger alumni along the way! What a great opportunity for our Firebirds to explore college life, build leadership skills, and envision their futures!

10/09/2026

Support Challenger’s Beta Club Basket Raffle! 🎟️

Take a chance on winning one of FIVE baskets valued at $525–$550 each! Prizes include a Blackstone griddle, an air fryer, Apple AirPods, Lenoir-Rhyne football tickets, Whitewater Center passes, restaurant gift cards, and much more!

Tickets: $2 each or 3 for $5
Winners announced October 19

All proceeds help fund our Beta Club’s participation in the NC State Convention.

Check out the attached flyers for everything included in each basket! Thank you for supporting our students, and please share to help spread the word! 💜

10/09/2026

🔥 Cheering on her Firebirds—in school, on the field, and through life!

During National Principals’ Month, we’re celebrating Dr. Rene Spry, principal of Challenger Early College High School! This selfie with the Firebirds captures what she loves most about being a principal: her students and the opportunity to share in the moments that matter to them.

At Challenger, being a small school means getting to know each student—their dreams, challenges, sense of humor, and accomplishments. From their first days as freshmen to their walk across the graduation stage, Dr. Spry treasures being there to encourage them through the hard stuff and celebrate the good.

What IGNITES her? People recognizing their potential. She spreads that spark by showing up, celebrating wins big and small, and reminding students and staff that she believes in them, appreciates them, and knows they are stronger together.

Her favorite leadership quote captures her approach:
💬 “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek

Thank you, Dr. Spry, for leading with your whole heart and IGNITING confidence, connection, and Firebird pride! 🔥💜

10/06/2026

Happy National Coaches Day!

Today we’re giving a BIG Firebird shoutout to all of our amazing coaches at Challenger!Thank you for the countless hours you give, the encouragement you provide, and the way you challenge our students to grow not only as athletes, but as teammates, leaders, and people.

Coaching is so much more than practices, games, wins, and losses. It’s believing in students, pushing them when they need it, celebrating their successes, and being there through the tough moments.

Basketball-
Anthony Cook
Jarrett Harmon
Blaise Harmon

Cheer-
Allison Stone
Katie Houser

Volleyball -
Leah Johnson

Soccer-
Chris Kale
Lindsay Fisher

Thank you for all you do for our students and for Challenger!

10/02/2026

This week we leaned into our competitive side and enjoyed delicious treats as we de-stressed!