News

Big news from Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School! Starting Fall 2026, HCAM is proud to launch a brand-new academy: Teaching as a Profession. This exciting program is designed for students with a passion for education and helping others learn.

A shared commitment to supporting local youth continues to strengthen the partnership between Hickory Career and Arts Magnet School (HCAM) and the Hickory Lady Elks.

Students from across the area, including two from Hickory Career and Arts Magnet School (HCAM), have been recognized by the John Hoyle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their achievements in the annual American History Essay Contest.

Hickory Career and Arts Magnet School (HCAM) will host an Open House for parents, guardians, and rising freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior high school students on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us Wednesday, December 17 or Thursday, December 18 at 6:45 PM in the HCAM Cafeteria for a special holiday theatre experience!

On behalf of the CORE Academy at HCAM, we are proud to congratulate Ms. Tanika Parker on her graduation from Winston-Salem State University!

Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School and Hickory City Schools are proud to recognize Paige Walker, HCAM Health Science teacher, as a finalist for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year award.

Looking for a unique and heartfelt gift this holiday season—something meaningful, creative, and locally inspired? Consider Beginnings, Volume One of Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School’s new literary magazine. This beautifully crafted publication showcases the exceptional talents of HCAM students, staff, and faculty, making it a one-of-a-kind keepsake for family, friends, and supporters of the arts.

On Wednesday, November 26, Ms. Gaylord’s American History class prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal using authentic recipes from 1796. Faculty and staff were invited to join in the celebratory feast—and it was truly an experience to remember!

This December 17 & 18 • 6:45 PM • on the HCAM Cafeteria Stage, our theatre students will debut an entirely new, original play, A Cajun Biscuit Christmas, written by Ms. Sweet and set right here in the snowy mountains of Western North Carolina. The story unfolds on Christmas Eve inside a tiny, cozy, slightly falling-apart mountain diner where a group of strangers find themselves snowed in for the night.

Lily Wilson, HCAM Social Studies teacher, has been honored with the Hickory City School's “Making a Difference Award!” 

On Friday, November 14, HCAM staff and faculty enjoyed a delicious Soup and Baked Potato Bar prepared by students in the HCAM Culinary Arts Academy. The meal was a perfect way to welcome the fall weather and showcase the talents of our future chefs.

In October, Hickory High School and Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School’s French teacher, Madame Nancy Greiner, presented at the 2025 Fall Conference for FLANC (Fostering Language Acquisition in North Carolina).

We are proud to share that HCAM Math teacher, Joneliza Nepaya, was recognized this week at the NCCTM Conference as Hickory Public Schools’ 2025–2026 Outstanding Secondary Mathematics Teacher!

We are on the cusp of November, and the weather is cooler, and before you know it, winter will be here. Before we get into the weekend, there are a few things that we need to share with you.

Staff and students proudly represented HCAM at the Long View Fall Festival on Saturday, October 25, at the Long View Recreation Center. Our students offered face painting and Henna tattoos, adding a creative touch to the festivities, and earned service hours in the process. 

Thursday, October 23, was an eventful and inspiring day at HCAM! We were honored to welcome Appalachian State University’s Principal Fellows to campus for a delicious Taco Bar luncheon prepared by Chef McJunkin and our talented Culinary Arts students, followed by an engaging Q&A session with our students.

It has been a long time since school started back in late August, but we are now at the end of the first nine weeks, and there are just a few things to share with you this week.