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Cottrell did a good job filling in for high school principal Dr. Gail Criss while giving the introduction and welcome to the ceremony. He said that several key coaches and faculty members (including Criss) were unable to attend the ceremony, but encouraged the crowd, stating: "But we are team, and praying does a lot, and we'll welcome them back into the game real soon." Senior Michael Glatthar, "humble leader," led the opening prayer for the large crowd of athletes, coaches and families. Superintendent Scott Penland then took the stage to deliver the opening remarks.
"I'm probably a little prejudiced," he started, saying that Hayesville has one of the best athletic programs in the entire state. "But we feel like athletics are an important part of our school. It adds to our academic program, and we've seen this many, many times: it helps keep students in school, it helps keep them busy, out of trouble, and it gives them something to feel proud about. We really do take a lot of pride in our athletic program."
Penland continued to say that Hayesville recently won the award that goes to the school with the best athletic program in the Smoky Mountain conference for the third time in the last four years. He stated that some schools were "football schools" or "basketball schools" but that he wanted Hayesville to be known for having "the best program we can in every sport."
Cottrell began the presenting of certificates and awards by placing academics first. He said that 65 athletes had a grade point average of 3.5 or higher throughout the whole year. He also placed emphasis on the fact that Hayesville was the first school in western North Carolina to introduce a drug-screening program and that, as a result, he was proud of the school's athletes. Seniors were then recognized for their continued participation and dedication to the sports program at Hayesville High. Each senior received a plaque that displayed their achievement.
BASEBALL
The first of twenty sports to present and collect awards was baseball, coached by Jeff Vardo. Vardo said the most improved player on the team was Chase Phillips. He then went on to present "Rookie of the Year" to Matthew Beni, "Offensive Player of the Year" to Tyler Vaughn, "Pitcher of the Year" to Casey Bracken, the "Coach's Award" to Cory Cox and "Most Valuable Player" to CJ Crowder. The teammates of each sport decide and vote on the MVP for their team.
After the baseball awards had concluded, the team presented a gift to Vardo. Two players unrolled a giant poster that read "the greatest coach in history" and was followed by a large picture of Vardo on the baseball field, his uniform signed by each member of his current team.
"Ya'll are beautiful," he told the team. "I appreciate it."
VARSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Keith Thompson coached the varsity women's basketball team. The "Production Award" went to Amanda James, the "Tough-Man Award" was given to Shelly Mirandi, the "Coach's Award" was delivered to Erin Rogers, and the "Faculty Award" for the most supportive HHS faculty member went to Kenny McClure.
VARSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL
Michael Cottrell, the coach of the men's varsity basketball team, was proud of the efforts of his team, stating that they collected 22 wins this year, the second most in the last decade. There was a tie for the "Hustle Award" which went to both Ian McLamb and Jonathan Shively. The "Big Play Award" was given to Ricky Davis. The "Offensive Award" was presented to Cory Cox. Finally, the "Coach's Award" was handed to Michael Glatthar.
CROSS COUNTRY
Buck Carney coached the men's and women's cross country team. On the men's team the "Mud and Guts" award went to Levi Gentle and the "MVP" was Kyle Ingram. The men were Smoky Mountain Conference (SMC) champions, West Region champions and the 1A State Runner-Up.
It was announced that the women's team were the SMC champions, the West Region champions, and also took the title of "State Champions" for the fourth consecutive year. This news brought the entire room to its feet for a standing ovation that lasted well over a minute. Nancy Kelly was awarded the year's "Mud and Guts" award and the "MVP" was Stella Snowden.
VARSITY FOOTBALL
Coach Neil Setzer presented the awards to his varsity football players. "Leading Rush" went to Matthew Mixon, the "Leading Passer" was Jonathan Shively, the "Leading Retriever" was Blake Mosteller, the "Leading Blocker" was Randy Nichols, "Leading Tacklers" were Jordan Jones and Nick Cain and "Leading Defense" went to Randy Nichols.
The Quarterback Club presented an award to the football player with the highest GPA: Blake Mosteller (4.153). Finally, the "Golden Helmet Award" was awarded to Barrett Woody.
GOLF
Coach Dee Walsh announced that the number one golfer, according to score, was Parker Lewis.
SOFTBALL
Becky Stewart, coach of the softball team, was next to present awards. The "Hustle Award" was given to Chelsea Martin while the "Coach's Award" went to both Lindsey Allison and Amanda James. The "Lady Jacket Award" went to Cayce O'Conner. "Outstanding Offensive" went to Carissa Dancer and "Outstanding Defensive" was given to Emily Rogers. The award for "MVP" was presented to Ashlin Soltys. At the end Stewart announced the "All WNC softball nominees"- Dancer and Soltys. In a touching moment, the softball awards concluded with each player on the team lining up to give Coach Stewart the last hug of their season.
TRACK
Coached by Buck Carney, the track team awards were presented first to the men and then to the women. The "Coach's Award" was given to Kyle Ingram and the "MVP" was Jonathan Shively. For the women, the "Coach's Award" went to Stella Snowden and the "MVP' turned out to be Madelaine Roberts.
VOLLEYBALL
Stewart took the stage once again to present the volleyball team awards. The "Server Accuracy Award" was earned by Megan Thompson and the "Most Improved Player" was Clarissa Ledford.
WRESTLING
Setzer gave the wrestling awards to his team members. "Most Wins" was presented to Justin Guffey and the "MVP" was Tyler Marcoux.
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Building to the climax of the three-hour program, Steve Cottrell regained the microphone saying, "We've got to find ways to cut the time off this thing. We will, if we keep working at it." Following the induced chuckle, Cottrell announced that the Athlete of the Year awards were voted on by the head coaches of all varsity sports and that the names of the athletes chosen would be preserved on a plaque in the school's gymnasium.
He first announced the female athlete of the year: Stella Snowden. Snowden competed in swimming, track and cross country. Following a slew of applause and excitement, Cottrell then turned to present the male athlete of the year award to Cory Cox, who competed in varsity football, baseball and basketball.
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