TheState.com: Education

SC Senate to take up controversial school-choice proposal

Sat, 18 May 2013 00:26 EDT

The S.C. Senate is poised to vote on a controversial school-choice proposal next week that the upper house’s leader says “could be very close.”

The vote will come on an amendment to the state’s budget, which senators have been debating all week.

School-choice supporters tried twice Thursday to force a vote on the proposal. But opponents blocked them because three reliable “no” votes – state Sens. William O’Dell, R-Abbeville; Yancey McGill, D-Williamsburg; and Clementa Pinckney, D-Jasper – were absent.

The proposal would give parents tax deductions of up to:

• $4,000 a year for tuition paid to send their children to private schools.

Sumter doctor wins controversial seat on MUSC board

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:12 EDT

The father of a state lawmaker won a seat on the Medical University of South Carolina board Wednesday but only after some S.C. senators threatened to walk out in protest.

State Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, who threatened the protest, called Dr. Murrell Smith Sr., the candidate for MUSC’s board, a “tax evader” for applying for the lower tax rate available for primary residences for an Isle of Palms home, rather than a home in Sumter, where Smith lives and practices obstetrics.

Smith says the Isle of Palms home is owned by his wife. Smith’s wife also owns the Sumter home, which is taxed at the higher second-home rate, according to property records.

A joint legislative screening committee voted 5-3 last month to qualify Smith, the father of state Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter, as the 5th District’s representative on the MUSC board. However, questions arose because, based on property taxes, Smith’s main residence is in the 1st District at the Isle of Palms.

In the past, the screening committee has considered the home with the lower tax rate given primary residences to be a candidate’s main residence. But an Attorney General’s opinion suggested committee members could disregard that precedence and use their own discretion.

Who is the Midlands’ “Chopped” Champion?

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:49 EDT

The five teams enter the kitchen, the announcer introducing the team members one-by-one as they walk through the door.

The audience, somewhat partisan and wearing their team colors, graciously claps until their school is called. Then the group from Dutch Fork High School erupts.

Where are we?

It’s Lexington-Richland 5’s version of Food Network’s “Chopped” program, taking place at The Center for Advanced Technical Studies.

Five teams of three cafeteria workers from Lexington-Richland 5 will prepare breakfast in the first round using four mandatory USDA-approved ingredients, pantry items and a locally produced mystery ingredient. Just like the television show, dishes will be judged on taste, presentation and creativity. There is also a category for teamwork and safety and sanitation (these are professionals here, preparing food for children every day, so this is important).

Two Lexington 1 teachers among 10 nationwide to receive technology award

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:34 EDT

Two Lexington 1 teachers are among 10 nationwide to win first-place prizes in the PBS LearningMedia and The Henry Ford’s 2012 Teacher Innovator Awards.

Lynn Dempsey of Lexington Elementary and Lori Russell of Meadow Glen Elementary were the only South Carolina teachers honored with the award.

Dempsey’s fourth grade class developed an election ballot using Google Docs. A mock election was then held for third through fifth grades using iPads. Afterwards, students analyzed the data to view voter results and compare those results to national numbers.

Russell incorporated digital media in a first grade classroom as a way to stimulate group and individual learning. Students employ Kindles, iPods, iPads, MP3 players, and laptops to read, listen to and illustrate stories, and interact with other students.

In recognition of their efforts, Dempsey and Russell will receive a weeklong “Innovation Immersion Experience” at The Henry Ford, a free online professional development course from PBS TeacherLine, an award plaque, and a gift bag from PBS and The Henry Ford.

Wofford College announces its new president

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:27 EDT

Wofford College has chosen its new president.

Trustees voted Tuesday to name Nayef Samhat the private college's new leader. Samhat has served as provost and a political science and international studies professor at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, for the past four years.

Samhat will replace Benjamin Dunlap this summer. Dunlap has been Wofford's president since 2000. He will take a yearlong sabbatical, then return as a humanities professor.

Samhat will be the 11th president at Wofford, a private college in Spartanburg with about 1,600 students. He says he is excited to be Wofford's new president because the college has a great reputation of creating leaders.

Samhat earned his bachelor's degree from George Washington University, his master's degree from Columbia University and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

Doby’s Mill, Round Top elementary schools named National Schools of Character

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:49 EDT

Two Midlands schools are among 29 schools and districts nationwide to be named 2013 National Schools of Characters.

Doby’s Mill Elementary in the Kershaw County School District and Round Top Elementary in Richland 2 were the only Midlands schools to make the list. Burgess Elementary School in Myrtle Beach was the only other S.C. school recognized.

According to the Character Education Partnership, the winning schools are committed to character education and nurture a positive environment for social and academic learning.

The National Schools of Character will be featured at the National Forum on Character Education Oct. 24-27 in Washington, D.C., where they will be invited to share their formulas for success.

From Staff Reports

Chapin, Dutch Fork high schools among Newsweek’s top high schools

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:20 EDT

Chapin and Dutch Fork high schools have been ranked among Newsweek magazine’s best 2,000 U.S. public high schools.

Chapin ranked 751 and Dutch Fork ranked 979, according to a news release from Lexington-Richland 5.

Newsweek ranked the schools based on graduation rates, percentage of graduates accepted to college, advanced tests taken per student and test performance.

The latest ranking follows two others released in April.

A Washington Post list ranked the two schools among the 10 most rigorous high schools in South Carolina, the release said. And U.S. News and World Report ranked Dutch Fork High third and Chapin High fourth in the state for preparing its students for college. Lexington-Richland School District Five was ranked No. 1 among school districts in South Carolina in that U.S. News ranking.

People and achievements, May 13

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:56 EDT

SCHOOLS

PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL hosts a Summer Mathematics Camp, June 24-27 from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Each session is $80. (803) 358-7300

SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL AIR FORCE JROTC has received first place at the 8th annual South Carolina State University National Society of Pershing Rifles Championship.

WHITE KNOLL HIGH SCHOOL DECA MEMBERS have won first place at the S.C. DECA State Career Development Conference. First place winners include Caitlyn Alford, Whitney Blythe, Jordan Bowen, Sommer Cagle, Michelle Corley, Trey Duncan, Daniel Eichelberger, Taylor Linder, Jaime Luevano, Elizabeth McConnaughhay, Annie Owen, Andrew Roof, Brandon Shull and Nora Williams.

CATAWBA TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Principal Denise Barth has been named Richland County’s 2013 Conservation Principal of the Year by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.

Bus Driver of the Year tries to make difference on the way to school

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:46 EDT

Francine Jackson has been known to go the extra mile for the students on her school bus.

The Lexington-Richland 5 bus driver searches the stores and websites for costumes to wear on holidays, and makes gift bags for her “graduating” students, all while maintaining the appropriate levels of law and order on Bus 6.

Jackson recently was named the district’s Bus Driver of the Year. She was recognized during a school board meeting last week, during South Carolina School Bus Driver Appreciation Week.

Jackson has been driving for the district for 12 years, and her current route serves River Springs Elementary and Dutch Fork Middle schools. She talked recently about the joys, rewards and challenges of her job.

What is one of the most satisfying aspects of your work?

Hazing lawsuit against Camden Military Academy to be tried in federal court

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:47 EDT

“Snitches get stitches! Snitches get stitches!”

That mantra, chanted in 2008 by Camden Military Academy cadets during an alleged assault on a 13-year-old cadet, will take center stage June 10, when a civil jury trial in federal court begins.

In the trial, the parents of a boy described in court papers as “JBC,” then a new cadet at the academy, are suing the school for unspecified actual and punitive damages for what they say happened during the few months the boy was there. They allege repeated beatings, torture, even rape.

The trial is expected to last at least two weeks before U.S. Judge Joe Anderson at the federal courthouse in Columbia.

“The plans are for us to go to trial and exonerate ourselves on the charges that we deny,” said Camden Military Academy headmaster Col. Eric Boland, a defendant in the lawsuit along with two other top academy officials whose duties included overseeing the cadet corps.

College notes: Clemson’s presidential search ‘early in the process’

Sat, 11 May 2013 20:06 EDT

GREENVILLE Clemson University’s presidential search committee met in closed session Thursday in Columbia to discuss proposals from several firms the panel is considering hiring to help find a successor to Jim Barker.

“It’s still early in the process,” trustees chairman David Wilkins said.

The committee, led by trustee Smyth McKissick of Greenville, plans to meet again May 21 to interview representatives of search firms vying for the job, Wilkins said.

“After the search firm is decided on and announced, then we need to reach out to different constituents, groups like the faculty, and get their input, and then come up with a complete job description, and get the public notice out across the country,” Wilkins said. “Then, we start the process of looking at applications.”

Barker, 65, announced last month that he plans to step down after 14 years as Clemson’s president but will stay until a new president is found. Wilkins has said no timetable for naming a successor has been set.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott speaks at Coastal Carolina University

Sat, 11 May 2013 17:12 EDT

There was no booing Saturday for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott at Coastal Carolina University.

There was no jeering. Except for less than half-a-dozen protesters on the street outside, there were few signs that nearly 600 students and faculty had petitioned against Scott’s role as commencement speaker just a week before.

Instead, Scott was greeted with applause. His jokes received laughs and his speech, which lasted a little more than 10 minutes, was well received.

Jenna Miller, a marine science graduate, said she liked Scott’s speech and appreciated that he kept it short with the understanding that graduates anxiously were waiting to cross the stage for their diplomas.

Some students, like Erika Moreno, had said last week that they were planning to protest.

USC president declares Rucker ‘Dr. Gamecock’

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:43 EDT

Famed rock and country musician Darius Rucker became “Dr. Gamecock” Saturday as the University of South Carolina awarded degrees to graduates of its prestigious Honors College and its College of Arts and Sciences.

Rucker, a founding member of the homegrown S.C. band Hootie & the Blowfish and now a country music star, received an honorary doctor-of-music degree and a standing ovation at the conclusion of a upbeat commencement address. He implored graduates to follow their dreams and carve out room for service to others.

“I want you to take time, take some real time,” said Rucker, who spoke at the second of USC’s three weekend graduation ceremonies. “Find something that makes you want to give ’til it hurts.”

That won’t be hard for graduate Julia Wilson Rodes,whose triumphant struggle across the commencement platform to shake hands with USC president Harris Pastides capped a two-year rehabilitation from a motorcycle accident that left her partially paralyzed.

“South Carolina just took me in,” said Rodes, who transferred to USC from Smith College to complete her undergraduate degree in biology. Her husband, Army 1st Lt. Jared Rodes, was stationed at Fort Jackson and deployed to Afghanistan some of the time that she was completing her degree.

Former U.S. defense secretary urges USC grads toward public service

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:49 EDT

The day after former CIA director Robert Gates went from being a university president to President George W. Bush’s Secretary of Defense, he flew to Iraq. There, Gates said Friday, he noticed something about U.S. troops that he always thinks of when visiting college campuses.

“I was struck by the fact that nearly all of them were the very same age as the college students I’d just left behind, except these 18- to 25-year-olds were wearing full body armor, carrying assault rifles, living in awful conditions and in harm’s way,” Gates said Friday, addressing University of South Carolina graduates at their commencement ceremony at the Colonial Life Arena.

“They were putting their dreams on hold so that you could pursue yours.”

To repay those troops, and the state and nation that “have already given you so much,” Gates urged the graduates to discover what drives them and “pursue it with all your energy.”

The new graduates do not need to deploy to a war zone, move to a developing country or “bury yourself in a cubicle by the Potomac” to give back, Gates said.

USC graduation 2013 | snapshots & photos

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:49 EDT

More than 4,700 students are set to graduate from a USC undergraduate or graduate program in ceremonies that began Friday in Columbia.

Friday, May 10

Were you among the Friday graduates? Check out the snapshots and our photo gallery.

Photo gallery

Snapshots

USC lands $30M in historic artwork

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:06 EDT

The email that arrived on a Saturday morning stunned and excited Tom McNally.

“I’m interested in donating $30 million of materials to the University of South Carolina,” said the message from W. Graham Arader III, a leading collector of historic maps and natural history art work and an acquaintance of McNally. “When would you have time to talk with me?”

McNally, dean of libraries at USC, says he typed as fast as he could a message that read simply “Now!”

Arader laughed Thursday when told of McNally’s version of that Saturday. “That’s not what he did,” Arader said. “He got right on a plane and flew up here and we made a deal.”

After a couple of meetings, the process of turning over thousands of documents to USC had begun.

Paths align for Orangeburg twins, USC seniors

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:18 EDT

They are too compassionate to be robots.

But according to the people who know Purva and Pooja Choudhari — aspiring doctors, committed volunteers, science whizzes and soon-to-be University of South Carolina graduates — the 20-year-old twin sisters are good candidates for being part machine.

The sisters graduate Saturday from the University of South Carolina’s College of Engineering and Computing, joining more than 3,000 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students who are completing that rite of passage at the university’s downtown Columbia campus in ceremonies that begin Friday.

At first glance, the twins are nearly identical, dressing in the same dark-colored blazers and wire-rimmed glasses. But the idea of using their similar appearances to their advantage, as more mischievous twins have been known to do, never has crossed their minds, they said.

In class, they are standouts in academic performance, said John Weidner, chair of chemical engineering in USC’s College of Engineering and Computing. “They’ve always turned absolutely every assignment in on time and done thoroughly, which seems rare for college students,” he said.

Looking for help to find new Clemson president

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:05 EDT

The Clemson University presidential search committee went into closed session Thursday in Columbia to discuss proposals from several firms they are considering hiring to help find a successor to Jim Barker, the chairman of the Board of Trustees said.

“It’s still early in the process,” David Wilkins told GreenvilleOnline.com. “The major objective on the horizon is to select the best search firm that’s a good fit for Clemson.”

The committee, led by Trustee Smyth McKissick of Greenville, plans to meet again May 21 to interview representatives of search firms vying for the job, Wilkins said.

“After the search firm is decided on and announced, then we need reach out to different constituents groups like the faculty and get their input, and then come up with a complete job description, and get the public notice out across the country,” Wilkins said.

“And then we start the process of looking at applications.”

SC OKs $34 million to renovate 3 USC dorms

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:55 EDT

State leaders approved $34 million in bonds Wednesday for the University of South Carolina to renovate three dorms just as work is about to begin.

The vote by the S.C. State Budget and Control Board was delayed for two months to answer questions about adding debt at the state’s flagship university.

Work starts next week on the makeover of the Sims, McClintock and Wade Hampton dorms, which have 550 beds. The dorms will be closed for the next school year.

Lexington 1 adding 45 teachers

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:34 EDT

Steady growth and new schools are pushing Lexington 1 to look at adding 45 teachers this fall.

More teachers and other staff are necessary to keep pace with an expected influx of 550 new pupils and with the opening of River Bluff High this fall, superintendent Karen Woodward said.

The extra teachers for classrooms across central Lexington County with nearly 23,000 students is the largest addition planned in the coming year among Midlands schools.

Lexington 1 is “absolutely committed” to top-notch instruction that prepares students for modern jobs, Woodward said.

Doing that includes a property tax hike on business of about $69 per $100,000 of equipment under the plan outlined to the school board late Tuesday. It is the largest tax increase for education proposed in the area.

S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities ranked 59 in Newsweek’s “2013 America’s Best High Schools”

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:24 EDT

The S.C. Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities ranked 59 in Newsweek's “2013 America's Best High Schools,” according to a news release from the school.

“This exceptional recognition demonstrates that South Carolina's young artists can compete nationally at the highest level in both their academics and artistic endeavors,” said Bruce Halverson, the school’s president.

The public, residential high school for the arts was among two S.C. schools ranked in the top 100. The Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston ranked 20.

The state had 17 other schools make the rankings.

The magazine ranked the top 2,000 public high schools in the U.S. based on four-year, on-time graduation rates, percent of 2011 graduates accepted to college, advanced tests taken per student and test performance.

Summer camp for struggling readers part of SC Senate budget plan

Wed, 08 May 2013 20:48 EDT

About 3,000 struggling third-grade readers would be invited to attend reading camps next summer if state legislators approve a Senate budget proposal.

Senate budget writers included $1.5 million in the state’s budget, which starts July 1, to pay for camps for the state’s lowest-performing third-grade readers.

The reading camps are a key provision of a bill, sponsored by state Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, that would require third-graders reading below grade level to be held back for a year of reading-intensive instruction if their reading does not improve after attending a summer camp.

The Senate Education Committee Wednesday advanced Peeler’s bill, called the Read to Succeed Act, and another bill, sponsored by state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, D-Kershaw, that would expand to statewide full-day kindergarten for at-risk 4-year-olds.

Neither bill is expected to pass this year, the first year of the Legislature’s two-year session. The bills now go to the Senate floor for debate. If the Senate passes them, they would go to the House for consideration. However, that could be next year.

Smolla surprises Furman by resignation

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:13 EDT

Furman University’s incoming interim president says he plans to be more than “a caretaker,” and the chairman of the board says the school will move quickly to begin a search but take its time in finding the fight person to succeed Rod Smolla, who stunned the Furman community Tuesday by announcing his resignation.

Furman’s board named Carl Kohrt, a 1965 graduate, as interim president.

Smolla cited personal reasons for his plan to leave office June 30 but wouldn’t elaborate.

“I’ve had a great time as Furman’s president, a great time in Greenville. This was not a professionally based decision at all,” he told GreenvilleOnline.com. “This was entirely family-related and personally related.”

Family Court records show that Smolla, 60, and his wife of 14 years divorced on Sept. 10, 2012 after being separated for a year “due to unfortunate circumstances.”

Personal data from 12,000 York Tech applicants may have been exposed

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:29 EDT

The names, Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers of more than 12,000 online student applicants at York Technical College might have been exposed, school officials said Tuesday.

And it was one of the applicants who discovered the problem and brought it to the college’s attention.

An online admissions system used from January 2012 to April 2013 was at risk, officials said. The college has shut down the system, they said, and no other computer systems were affected.

The school said it has no evidence of any “malicious access.”

York Tech has notified the applicants of the exposure. A letter to applicants contains steps that can be taken to protect their personal information and obtain one year of free crediting monitoring services.

State receives 18 applications for new charter schools in 2014

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:52 EDT

The S.C. Department of Education has received 18 applications from groups wanting to open charter schools in the 2014-2015 school year, according to a news release.

Two of the schools would be sponsored by local school districts, while 16 would become part of the S.C. Public Charter School District, which includes charter schools across the state.

The state has about 55 charter schools, 17 in the state’s public charter school district.

Charter schools are meant to be innovative alternatives to traditional public schools.

“Now more than ever before, children need a personalized and customized education,” said State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais. “As time has taught me, when it comes to education, one size does not fit all. Public charter schools are laboratories of innovation that provide parents options for their children. The number of applications is proof-positive there is a thriving charter school movement in South Carolina and that parents want options.”

Chapin teacher got $85,000 in flag stomping deal

Tue, 07 May 2013 21:38 EDT

Lexington-Richland 5 paid former Chapin High teacher Scott Compton $85,000 to avoid a legal challenge, part of a settlement that led to his resignation after he stomped on an American flag during a class lesson.

The payment is on top of Compton’s salary that will be paid through June 7, even though he has been out of the classroom since December. School officials did not provide Compton’s salary Monday, but their plan pays teachers with his 12 years’ experience $43,340 to $59,647 a year.

Lexington-Richland 5 taxpayers also will foot the bill for more than $31,500 in attorney fees, records obtained by The State newspaper under a state Freedom of Information Act request show.

The $85,000 payment was described as “a compromise and resolution of disputed claims,” the records say.

It was not disclosed as part of Compton’s resignation, announced March 27, a decision that the settlement says is for “family and personal reasons” not spelled out.

People and achievements, May 6

Sun, 05 May 2013 23:55 EDT

SCHOOLS

LEXINGTON 1 has approved the promotion of Sandra P. Vining to assistant principal at White Knoll High School

RICHLAND NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL’S MODEL U.N. TEAM has received the national first place Award of Distinction at the National High School Model United Nations Conference.

SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL’S MATH TEAM has received first place at the 2013 University of South Carolina High School Math Contest.

LEXINGTON 1 has named Kimberly E. Freeman its newest District Teacher of the Year. Freeman teaches Latin at Lexington Middle School.

College notes, May 5

Sat, 04 May 2013 20:16 EDT

USC taps marine scientist as top professor

Claudia Benitez-Nelson, a marine scientist known among students for making science approachable, has been named as the University of South Carolina’s 2013 Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year.

Benitez-Nelson, who teaches introductory marine science, says she makes it her mission to connect with every first-year student. Benitez-Nelson says she recalls two professors who reached out to her during her undergraduate years, and she thinks that’s the way to get students hooked on learning.

Benitez-Nelson, director of the school’s marine science program, joined USC’s faculty in 2002.

Benedict freezes tuition, fees

Online options abound for college credits

Sat, 04 May 2013 20:13 EDT

Danine Adams has taken a few courses at a four-year university, some at a community college and still more online while working all over the country as an investigator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons — career experience that she’s also been able to transform into academic credit.

A little from here. A little from there. And now Adams, 42, is just a few credits shy of earning a bachelor’s degree.

“I’m the whole ball of wax,” she said cheerfully. “On-campus education, community college, online classes, life experience.”

She’s also a forerunner of a new type of college student, one who doesn’t start and finish at a single brick-and-mortar campus, but picks and chooses credits toward a degree or job from a veritable buffet of education options.

These include dual-enrollment courses — college-level courses offered to students while they’re still in high school — advanced-placement programs, military or corporate training, career and life experience, and classes taught online.

Private schools honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:22 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Midlands private schools for the third nine weeks.

Ben Lippen Middle

Ben Lippen Middle has announced its honor rolls for the third quarter.

HEADMASTER’S LIST

6th grade

Richland 2 honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:21 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Richland 2 schools for the third nine weeks.

Bethel-Hanberry Elementary

Bethel-Hanberry Elementary has announced its honor rolls for the third nine weeks.

GRADE 2

ALL A’s

Lexington 1 honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:19 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Lexington 1 schools for the third nine weeks.

Carolina Springs Elementary

Carolina Springs Elementary has announced its honor rolls for the third nine weeks.

ALL A’s

Second Grade: Aliza Allison, Adison Arsenault, Emma Ballentine, Daniel Bammann, Anna Barnes, Rex Barnett, Eugene Bragg, Gracilyn Brasko, Olivia Cales, Karalynn Chaney, Reagan Cowart, Emily Crago, Faith Driggers, Sarah Durocher, Shelby Freeman, Zoie Freeze, Monica Gootee, Ryley Gould, Alyssa Gunter, Elizabeth Henke, Karson Henzler, Matthew Hernandez, Charlotte Hodgin, Tanner Hucks, Ella Johnsen, Katelyn Jordan, Luke Kimbrell, Anna Lee, Victoria Lott, Andrew Mixon, Anna Murray, Bryon Nance, Kelsy Odom, Ava Parrott, Kaylee Peele, Robert Powell, Troy Prevatte, Matthew Prill, Dalton Roland, Mara Sanchez, Amber Sanders, Ruby Shaw, Ashley Teeter, Logan Wyatt Teuton, Landon Turner, Ekemini Umanah, Sarah Williams, Michael Woods and Amanda Yarsinske

Lexington 3 honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:22 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Lexington 3 schools for the third nine weeks.

Batesburg-Leesville Primary

Batesburg-Leesville Primary has announced its honors for the third nine weeks.

AWARD WINNERS

Stayshawn Addy, Jada Alewine, Jamarion Alewine, Katelynn Alveshire, Gracie Amerson, Kadence Amerson, Conner Anderson, Hailey Anderson, Drew Arant, Layla Asbill, Precious Barber, Damariana Barnes, Ethan Barr,Brenden Boatwright,Diolan Brannon, Omarion Brunson, Eamon Buggs, Lamarria Burgess, Kylia Cannon, Stevee Cannon, Alyssa Carlyle, Brianna Christmas, Chelsea Clark, Kenyata Clark, Harmony Coleman, Trey Coleman, Mallory Corder, Mitravious Corley, Abby Craft, Alexis Crapps, Kevin Crapps, Saniyah Davis, Shaquezius Dennis, Brett Derrick, Logan Derrick, Tyler Derrick-Jones, Hansel Discua, Wyatt Dismukes, Addy Grace Dukes, Landon Durst, Keslyn Fink, Tanner Fulmer, Caitlin Gantt, Maggie Grandy, Mikayle Guy, AJ Hall, Noah Hall, Jeniah Haltiwanger-Watson, Angella Hernandez, Brian Hinson,Logan Jones, Tylik Jones, Desiree King, Caroline Kornet, Michael Leaphart,Jadon Levels, Kevin Levels,Ka’Daisha Long, Lex Long, Alfredo Lopez, Jose Luis-Toj, Bryan Martinez, Chasidy Mathis, Gloria McKie, Marciano McKie, Ta’Nyah Merritt, Brice Miller, Jasmine Mixon, Katelyn Nguyen, Amare Odom, Isabella Parkman, Jaelynn Paris, Elias Mendez-Pavon, Kenzer Payne, Ni’Yanah Perry, Deanna Preston, Cole Price, Matthew Price, Tyler Ramirez, Tyler Reed, Trent Reinstra, Aubrey Richardson, Tanner Rikard, Jacob Risinger, Olivia Roberston, Liam Robison, Mia Rodriguez, Mariana Rodriguez-Nunez, Coron Rustin,Jenna Scruggs, Jayme Sheaffer, Anna Grace Shealy, Abi Sherman, Grace Skipper, Cadence Smith, Kaelyn Smith, Mady Smith, Clarence Springs, Satine Stanley, Chelsey Steele, Sharlisha Sulton, Patrick Swygert, Breanna Taylor,Yasmeen Taylor, Alanna Thompson,Ranajha Tolen, Jorge Torres, Brayan Villaseca-Torres, Emory Waters, Abbie Watson, Da’Jae Wigfall, Conner Williams, Korey Williams, Kanye Youngblood

Lexington 2 honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:22 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Lexington 2 schools for the third nine weeks.

Airport High

Airport High has announced its honor rolls for the third nine weeks.

PRINCIPAL’S LIST

Brandon Adams, Emily Alford, Raul Arellano Trejo, Nicholas Beheler, Rebekah Boles, Tayana Bovain, Steven Brockington, Jasmine Bruce, Bailey Campbell, Sounita Campbell, Patrick Chesser, Marshall Clyburn, Mikhelle Coburn, Ashanti Collins, Michael Collins, Austin Croft, Linda Davis, Michael Delgado, Joel Earle, Michael Elbrecht, Tanna Fralick, Kimberly Garcia Palomino, Katelyn Green, Lakin Hagins, Justin Hall, Kevin Hare, Rachel Harmon, Jessica Hinty, Destiny Jackson, Victoria Kendrick, Brandon Kepler, Taylor Key, Michael Kleber, Alexandria Kodek, Jasmine Lazarus, Zachary Ledford, Hanna Martin, Barkley McCoy, Gabriel McGee, Brantley Miller, Alexis Monroe, Chance Murray, Casey Parker, Savanna Platt, Immanuel Polston, Amanda Purvis, Christina Rhodus, Chyna Riley, Dejah Robinson, Jason Shirey, Brooke Shull, Madison Shull, Wayne Simmons, Hailey Spires, Megan Stahlberger, Shanieka Staley, Alaina Sturkie, Kathryn Swearingen, Caitlin Thompson, Christopher Vinson, Courtney Watson, Martin Whitaker, Samantha Williamson, Kennedy Winkler, Oscar Allison, Ky'osha Balkcom, Joy Branton, Jason Brown, Jessica Brown, MyKala Bunker, Morgan Cassidy, Andrew Caulder, Haley Chavis, Emily Clark, Diamond Colon, Shannon Conn, Aguero Cossio, Tasneem Dalal, Dwyane Eaddy, Kaitlyn Guinyard, Walter Hallman, Breanna Hampton, Makayla Hayes, Tamia Hayes, Madyson Hendrix, Mary Heustess, Grace Hook, Catie Jackson, September Jenkins, Edkia Johnson, Susan Jones, Olivia Kemmerlin, Mary Leaphart, Kaitlyn Marushia, Rebecca Medlin, Benjamin Mertz, Autumn Mims, Jorge Natal-Alvarado, Nicholas Oliver, Anna Phillips, Taylor Phillips, Nathan Platt, Noah Price, Joseph Reeves, James Richardson, Julia Rivers, Julianna Sarvis, Le Simmons, Rodney Smith, Lorne Southern, Jahiym Staten, Blake Steele, Robert Stewart, Abigayle Swearingen, Earl Tolliver, Robert Ward, Amber Wells, JaLynn Zeigler, Marcus Almond, Christopher Amick, Justin Barnett, Bailey Baughman, Theresa Benoit, Valerie Bilynsky, Kristin Bonnette, Valerie Boulware, Tre' Bowers, Kayla Bradwell, William Brooks, Mitzi Chapman, Anthony Davis, Jessica Downs, Grant Drenning, Benjamin Elbrecht, Samantha Fant, Danis Fertick, MacKenzie Franklin, Meredyth Franklin, Imani Gilmore, Ashley Gilyard, Micah Graydon, Jeffrey Green, Santrese House, Chelsei James, Mi'Quan Johnson, Rodney Keeter, Mikaila Kennedy, Carlie Klein, Audrey Kuhn, Victor Le, Kristan Lowery, Ashlyn Monroe, William Morris, Morgan Murphy, Alexus Neasey, Brady Nelson, Patrick Nix, Taylor Payne, Sophia Perkins, Katrina Phelps, Daniel Prater, Chelsea Price, Dominique Purdie, Natalie Reed, Madison Rish, Cepeda Rojas, Ana Ross, Cody Ross, Asia Santiago, Taylor Shealy, Fredrick Sistrunk, Ashley Smalls, Javonne Smith, Rosa Smith, Taylor Sofaly, Kaley Stillinger, Haden Tolbert, Shequavia Tyler, Cameron Waters, Martinez White, Aaron Williams, Taylor Williams, Emily Woodhams, Mitchell Amick, Amber Anderson, Arshaq Ashraf, Moriah Austin, Elecktra Barnes, Rabeka Black, Raven Bradshaw, Wylie Brandon, Jimmy Broughton, Christopher Brown, Colbi Butler, Robert Buttrey, Christian Cartner, Logan Couch, Jordan Crowe, Joel Davis, Samuel Davis, Karla Diaz, Josey Dorn, Charles Earp, Tanner Glenn, Alexandria Hall, Destinee Hart, Christian Hickox, Hailey Hughes, Savannah Jackson, Cedric Jones, Hunter LaFrage, Kimberly LaFrage, Acuria Lassiter, Austin Leon, Rachael Lizardi, Albert Maeweather, Jeffrey Martin, Rebekah Mayson, Olivia McCree, Nicholas McGee, Jakashia McPherson, Bobby Mitchell, Brianna Mitchell, Maggie Montgomery, Sara Monts, Jordan Myers, Kayla Newell, Tommy Noell, Bhargavi Patel, Dylan Phillips, Preston Poovey, Amour Pope, William Pope, Elizabeth Powers, Jerry Price, Shaun Redd, Brittany Redmond, Evan Richardson, Kiana Riley, Ana Rodriguez, Sarah Sams, Elizabeth Shafer, Sarena Sheppard, Alec Spooner, Tara Staley, Tatiana Staley, Johnathon Steele, Billy Stevenson, Cameron Stilwell, Hailey Sturkie, Bianca Swann, Anna Taylor, James Tucker, Savannah Turner, Brittany Vaught, Baylee Vella, Cassandra Ward, Alexander White, Sianeh Williams, Tanner Williams, Kayla Wilson, Kenneth Yarborough, Alanya Zeigler

Kershaw County school honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:20 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Kershaw County schools for the third nine weeks.

Bethune Elementary

Bethune Elementary has announced its honor rolls for the third nine weeks.

A HONOR ROLL

Zyreon Caldwell, Casey Collins, Benjamin Gainey, MacKenzie Guillory, Trevor Lucas, Olivia Ritchie, Courtney Spann, Sean Steele, Nakoyiss Sweetenburg, Corey Thomas, Olivia Young

Lexington-Richland 5 honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:21 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Lexington-Richland 5 schools for the third nine weeks.

Chapin Elementary

Chapin Elementary has announced its honor rolls for the third nine weeks.

A HONOR ROLL

Allison Anderson, Clark Archer, Parker Archer, Robert Ashmore, Ryan Aycock, Robert Babcock, Amanda Baker, Thomas Baker, Elijah Bartholomew, Hannah Bellomy, Connor Best, Caleb Bingham, Ella Bishop, Kendall Borland, Koral Bradford, Ashlynn Brissey, Isabella Britt, Ryan Broussard, Georgia Brownfield, Elias Buttrey, Sean Cannon, Layla Carter, Kaitlyn Christiansen, Victoria Claytor, Joseph Conti, Ashley Coppage, Clayton Cornelison, Kiley Cosby, Melissa Cripe, Joshua Crosby, Noah Davis, Rachel Davis, Carolann Derrick, Olivia Downs, Grace Ehrhart, Sarah Elgin, James Evans, Jesma Evans, Mary Evans, Jennifer Fairhart, Samantha Fuqua, Susana Garcia, Benjamin Goodman, Mary Graham, Stephanie Grose, Jordan Hayes, Anissa Hill, Logan Hines, Anna Holstein, Mackenzie Hrica, Garrett Huyck, Lyndsay Jackson, Colby Jackson, William Jenkins, Elizabeth Jordan, Nina Kaminer, Ashley Kidd, Serenity Klauk, Anthony Kutsherenko, Sophia Liles, Logan Lindler, Trinity Logue, Emily Luoma, Abigail Marson, Connor Martin, Bella Martin, Shelbi McDaniels, Emily McFadden, Cali McKelvey, Justin Medlock, Brian Meeler, Hunter Meier, Brianna Menier, Anson Merrick, Adaline Merrick, Ashley Miller, Christopher Mitchell, Dakota Moorehead, Taylor Morris, Ryan Moser, Reese Myers, Eric Nickens, John Niemiec, Ashley Noller, Haley Nussler, Ashlyn Overcash, Emma Plowden, Violet Raftery, Jacob Rector, Caleb Reeves, Wyatt Reichart, Juan Rodriguez-Cooper, Nicole Santiago, Emma Sims, Foster Smith, Leah Snead, Logan Sowers, Edward Stewart, Mason Suber, Jordon Swieringa, Joshua Taylor, Kaitlyn Taylor, Kolby Taylor, Victoria Thomas, Madison Thompson, Emma Trussell, Lauren VanMiddlesworth, Keely Vitkus, Malina Washington, Carter Wessinger, Douglas Whitesides

Richland 1 honor rolls

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:20 EDT

Following are primarily A and A/B (or equivalent) honor rolls, submitted by Richland 1 schools for the third nine weeks.

A.C. Flora High

A.C. Flora High has announced its honor rolls for the third nine weeks.

PRINCIPAL’S LIST

Morgan Adams, Raghad Alhazmi, Rahaf Alhazmi, Gabrielle Anderson, John Andrews, Sumner Arbuckle, Hannah Arndt, Caroline Avant, Esme Bajo, Corinne Barber, Thomas Barr, Gabriella Barry, Katharine Barwick, Ann Bellamy, Margaret Biddle, James Blackwell, Elizabeth Bock, De’Janique Bradshaw, Carson Brantley, Ellenor Brown, Alexandra Busto, Brittany Busto, Savannah Busto, Jonatan Cabrera Burgoa, Amber Caskey, Emily Cate, Newman Cate, Susannah Cate, Augustus Chapman, Edward Chapman, Elliott Chapman, Max Ciarlone, Rebecca Clawson, Mary-Riley Clayton, Brian Claytor, MacKenzie Cleary, Rebecca Clingman, John Cooper, Bridget Cowen, Mara Cowen, Kathryn Davis, Warren Derrick, John Desmond, Erica Diaz, Maya Dilligard, Jenna Dodenhoff, Kayley Dodson, Tjakra Drescher, Sallie DuBose, Amanda Dye, Everett Eaddy, Samira Elhosary, Victoria Eyo, Caroline Fant, Simpson Fant, Stefanie Feltwell, Amira Ferjani, Christina Ferrer, William Few, Mary Flatt, Connor Fordham, Novella Fortner, Marie Foster, Mary Foster, Ralph Foster, Joseph Frierson, Caroline Fritze, Haley Fulton, Taylor Gann, Jacob Gehringer, Ellen-Sloan Gissendanner, Alexander Glickman, Clarissa Gold, Chandler Grant, Hannah Griggs, Heather Guthrie, Alice Hanshaw, Elizabeth Harbison, Rebecca Harbison, Jenna Haynes, Forrest Hemphill, James Hemphill, Georgia Higgins, Robert Hill, Elizabeth Hogue, William Holstein, Lauren Hood, Jaleesa Hopp, Emily Howard, Matthew Howard, Cleome Hubbell, John Hudgens, Luke Hudgens, Katherine Hufstetler, Jennings Huntley, Kathryn Huntley, Allyson Hurst, Emma Hurst, Margaret Hyjek, Aubrianna Jeffers, Sarah Jennings, Philip Johnston, Katelynn Joiner, Nalani Jones, Sarah Jones, Crawford Joye, Anna Kemper, Charles Kessler, Manal Khawaja, Minhye Kim, Mary King, Edmond Klaric’, Katherine Kline, Mary Katherine Knudsen, Olatundun Ladele, Jana Liese, Abigail Lindemann, Katherine Long, Daniel Lott, Simran Mathews, Harrison Mathis, Kaitlin McClamrock, Mary McDaniel, Cecilia McDonald, Killian McDonald, Harriet McGowan, Dannelly McKenzie, Russell McLeod, Isabelle McNeish, John Meadors, Perry Meadors, Cordelia Mears, Natalie Merchant, Samuel Miller, Samuel Miller-Poling, Lauren Mitchell, Taylor Mitchell, Tinsley Moise, Daniel Monteith, Marion Moore, Geneva Moylan, William Musser, Lillian Nicks, John Ogino, Teryn Parker, Alexandria Parmly, Neema Patel, Robert Peacock, William Peebles, Jordan Pennington, Lacie Penny, Darryl Peoples, Ni Phan, Arden Phillips, Crawford Phillips, Coryelle Pondy, Jenna Poole, James Pratt, Robert Price, Sydney Proffitt, Kevin Rabinovich, Joshua Rapoport, Tanner Reagle, Salley Reamer, Cymone Reed, Shelby Rivers, Madeline Robinson, Marlene Robinson, Valerie Robinson, Luis Rodriguez, Yadira Ruiz, Sloan Russell, Mary Saine, Caroline Sanderson, Emily Sandlin, Ann Satterwhite, Claire Sbardella, Ella Shealy, Mary Slade, Marcas Smith, Marie Smith, Margarette Snell, Jacob Stanley, Allie Stubbs, Campbell Sullivan, Sarah Sykes, Eric Tam, William Tarr, Kelly Taylor, Luke Thompson, Lillian Tribble, Evan Tyler, Anne Tyson, Sophia Uchiyama, Matthew Ulmer, Kelsey Underwood, Alice Verbrick, Madison Waites, Lucille Wardlaw, Caroline Watkins, Darby Watkins, Joseph Watson, Martha Watson, Catherine Webster, Tamera Weedon, Robert Weldon, Kelsey Whitaker, Barton White, Nancy White, Elizabeth Williams, Emily Williams, Gray Williams, Vivian Williams, Elizabeth Williamson, Jared Woodard, Emma Woolbright, Briana Wright, Matthew Zahm

Midlands area school honor rolls, May 4

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:34 EDT

Richland County

• Richland 1

• Richland 2

Lexington County

Spring graduation season begins

Fri, 03 May 2013 19:16 EDT

The Midlands’ college graduation season gets underway Saturday as Columbia College graduates more than 230 students.

By the time the traditional spring graduation season ends later this month, thousands of bachelor’s degrees – and hundreds of graduate degrees – will have been awarded. Thousands of relatives also will have visited Columbia for the cap-and-gown proceedings.

Columbia College’s baccalaureate graduates will be awarded their degrees at 10 a.m. at the Township Auditorium. The Methodist-affiliated women’s college will award 61 master’s degrees at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Lori Burns Allen, a 1980 Columbia College graduate, will address the 10 a.m. graduation.

A retail entrepreneur based in Atlanta, Allen is known to reality television fans as the owner of Bridals by Lori. Her 25,000-square-foot salon is the filming location for the TLC network’s television series, “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” and “Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids.”

Pickens County teacher named S.C. Teacher of the Year

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:49 EDT

A Pickens County teacher has been named S.C. Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014.

Darleen Sutton, a first-grade teacher at Pickens Elementary School, was honored at a ceremony in Columbia Wednesday night.

“After parents, the most important person in a child’s education is the man or woman at the front of the classroom,” state schools chief Mick Zais said in a news release. “On behalf of her students, parents, and colleagues at Pickens Elementary School, we congratulate and thank Darlene for her excellence in the classroom.”

Sutton was one of five finalists announced in March.

The honor comes with a $25,000 cash award and a BMW to use for the year. Sutton also is invited to participate in a one-year residency program at the S.C. Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement.