Chapel Hill, N.C. – Moe’s Southwest Grill locations in the Triangle, in conjunction with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), have selected Anna Claire Bridge from Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, N.C., Joe Johnson of Southern Nash High School in Bailey, N.C., and Catherine Ohayon of Holly Springs High School in Holly Springs, N.C. as recipients of the Moe’s Hometown Hero award for the month of November.

The Moe’s Hometown Hero program offers a platform where school administrators, personnel, parents, students, and school community members can nominate deserving individuals for special recognition on a monthly basis during the school year. Individuals can be nominated as a Moe’s Hometown Hero for serving as a community role model and making a difference in the lives of the students and schools, exhibiting sound citizenship and community service, excelling in academics and/or athletics (students), and/or positively impacting their peers. This platform is available to a targeted group of NCHSAA member high schools within the Triangle area. Each recipient receives a commemorative award and a Moe’s Southwest Grill® gift certificate.

Anna Claire Bridge (picture left) is a sophomore student-athlete at Leesville Road High School. One of the nominators described Bridge as “the perfect example of what a successful student-athlete is in the classroom, on the green and in her community.” Bridge is the top of her class, was captain of the Leesville Road women’s golf team and is active in the community volunteering with the Meals on Wheels program and other programs with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. “She consistently makes a difference in the lives of others and is one of the most mature, respectful, caring and kind students I have had the pleasure of working with during my career as a high school teacher,” said one of the Bridge’s nominators. 

Recipient Joe Johnson is the Booster Club President at Southern Nash High School. Johnson is a valuable asset to the Southern Nash High School athletic department. This is his second stint as Booster Club president – even though he does not have an athlete at the school. Johnson goes above and beyond for the Firebird student-athletes and coaches.  Nominator, Robbie Kennedy, Athletic Director at Southern Nash said, “Mr. Johnson is definitely ALL IN for Southern Nash.” 

The final recipient of the November 2018 Moe’s Hometown Hero award is Coach Catherine Ohayon of Holly Springs High School. Ohayho is the Women’s Tennis Coach at Holly Springs High School. Coach Ohayon is dedicated to her student-athletes. During the season, she was going through radiation treatment for cancer and would make it to practice even after treatment.  She did this with a positive attitude and always had a smile on her face. Nominator Rod Whitesell, Athletic Director at Holly Springs said, “Her dedication and caring for her athletes is second to none. All while dealing with a personal challenge she continues to fight. Coach Ohayon is a great representative of Holly Springs High.” 

"The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, in conjunction with Moe’s Southwest Grill of the Triangle, is proud to honor and recognize Anna Claire Bridge, Joe Johnson and Catherine Ohayon with the November 2018 Moe’s Hometown Hero awards,” said Que Tucker, commissioner of the NCHSAA. “Each of the winners has showed a willingness to surpass what is expected of him or her to impact the lives of the students and their respective communities. It is their dedication to their communities that truly make them Hometown Heroes."

“We are honored to recognize these outstanding leaders in our community,” said Jennifer Wade, franchisee and president of the Moe’s Southwest Grill® Triangle Co-op. “Moe’s is proud to support the Hometown Hero’s program, and we commend them on their continued dedication and leadership to the schools they support.”  

Moe’s Southwest Grill® locations in the Triangle have joined the NCHSAA for 2018 as the Official Triangle Fast Casual Restaurant Partner to offer the Moe's Hometown Hero recognition program. 

Moe’s/FWV Contact:
Dana Edwards
Account Supervisor
919-277-1179
dedwards@fwv-us.com

 

NCHSAA Contact:
James Alverson, Asst. Commissioner
NCHSAA
919-240-7367
james@nchsaa.org