Never Stop Learning: Phillips Asks People to Soak Up Every Experience
After an impressive high school career, North Wilkes senior prepares to enter the nursing field.
By Megan Barnett
HAYS-Anna Phillips had a busy high school career. The North Wilkes High senior graduates with a 4.5 grade point average, one of the highest in the district. Her performance beyond the classroom has been equally impressive, as Phillips demonstrated on both the basketball court and cross country course.
In the fall, Phillips will be heading to Wilkes Community College and Lenoir-Rhyne University as part of their RIBN program. RIBN stands for Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses, and per the Lenoir-Rhyne University website, their mission is “to improve the health and health outcomes of North Carolinians by enhancing the educational preparation and diversity of the nursing workforce.” Anna will graduate from Wilkes Community College in 2023 with her Associate Degree in Nursing and will complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in 2024 as part of this program. She already has her Certified Nursing Assistant license, which Phillips obtained as part of her health science program work in high school.
But what created this passion for nursing? Phillips gives credit to Mrs. Splawn, her nursing fundamentals and health science teacher, for influencing her decision to go into a healthcare-related field by expanding her knowledge about nursing and nurturing her love of healthcare.
“I hope to be as bright and experienced as Mrs. Splawn is one day,” Phillips said.
Facing Challenges Pre and Post Shutdown
If you asked Phillips before March what her biggest challenge was, you’d get one answer. Ask her now and you’ll get something different. She says now the biggest challenge of her senior year has been completing her schoolwork online due to the stay-at-home order and Covid-19 related school closings.
“The senior class has had to adapt to this situation,” she said. “Everyone has tried to make the best of it.”
Anna was thankful for a school sponsored graduation celebration held in lieu of the regular commencement ceremony in May. This gave her an opportunity to see friends and teammates she had been missing since school closed in March.
Anna describes playing sports and the strong bonds she has with her friends and teammates as the highlight of her senior year.
Her advice to upcoming seniors is to enjoy every moment they are given in high school.
“Soak in every sports practice and game, soak in laughing with friends on Friday nights at the football game, soak in the school spirit, go out with your friends, hug your peers and enjoy the experiences,” she said. “It will soon be your last day of high school and you will miss it and want it back if you’re anything like me.”
During high school, Anna was involved with the Dream Team, Viking Team Leaders, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Beta Club, Project Unify, and National Technical Honor Society. She was a member of the Women’s Cross Country team for three years where her quiet determination made her a valued team member, and she was captain of the Women’s Basketball team, receiving an Honorable Mention Award her senior year. She was awarded the Mountain View Medical Center Scholarship, Mulberry Fairplains Ruritan Club Scholarship, the Viking Crew LG Mitchell Scholarship and the James Cook Memorial Scholarship. She has also volunteered in local nursing homes and works with the Wilkes County Recreation Department during youth basketball season.
“My family has been my biggest supporters throughout high school. I have always had them to lean on and guide me through any struggle,” Anna said. That encouragement stretches beyond home life, as her father is also her basketball coach.
“He has always loved basketball, and he has been the best coach,” Phillips said. “He taught me so much through all my years of playing. He works so hard to be great at what he does, and he loves his players. I am glad we were able to share our love of basketball together as I was growing up.”
As exciting as senior year was, Phillips said she missed one thing the most.
“I was really looking forward to going to my senior prom this year,” she said. “I found the perfect dress and was excited to go, but was then let down with the news of prom being cancelled. I am still going to celebrate prom now that restaurants are starting to open up again, and I plan to wear my dress and throw a small celebration.”
In 10 years, Anna sees herself living locally in Wilkes with a job she loves and a family.
Want to read more of Anna’s story or others like hers? NWNC’s 2020 Wilkes County Graduation Yearbook is out now. It’s 72 pages of full color material, all dedicated to the Class of 2020. You can order a copy by emailing martha@nwncmagazine.com.
