On June 9th, 2025, the 2025-2026 Boyce T. Deitz Honored Educator Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Rachael Lewis of Swain County Schools. Ms. Lewis was selected from a strong pool of applicants for this prestigious honor.
NCCAT’s Honored Educator Scholarship Program pays tribute to outstanding individuals and educators by providing scholarship funds in their names. These individuals’ teaching or influence in public education have made positive differences in the lives of others.
The Boyce T. Deitz Scholarship was named in honor of Boyce T. Deitz, a native of Jackson County and a graduate of Sylva-Webster High School and Western Carolina University. Upon graduation, he gained immediate local respect by returning to Sylva-Webster to coach. Then, from 1977 to 1997, Coach Deitz served as head football coach and athletic director at Swain County High School, winning five state championships, and ultimately establishing him as a coaching legend in the state.
As the Boyce T. Deitz Honored Educator Scholar, Ms. Lewis is able to attend an NCCAT program of her choice. The scholarship covers the costs associated with Ms. Lewis’s participation in an NCCAT program: including instruction; materials; food and lodging on the NCCAT campus; travel to and from the campus; and payment for the substitute teacher while she is at NCCAT. Moreover, Ms. Lewis will also receive $250 for use in her classroom.
NCCAT is thrilled to extend this honor to Ms. Lewis and looks forward to hosting her soon.