16 DHS students participate in Early College
Darlington High School’s Early College Honors Program announces that 16 of its seniors participated in Florence-Darlington Technical College’s May commencement ceremony.
While high school freshmen, these students committed to spend the next three years devoted to college courses each semester in addition to their other high school classes, and their hard work has paid off. Twelve of these 16 students earned their Associate of Arts degree and four earned their Associate of Science degree from Florence-Darlington Technical College May 16.
Gracie Diane Epps, Associate of Arts degree: In addition to being 2018 Homecoming Queen and a member of the DHS Royal Court, Epps was an active member of the Key Club, Student Government, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Anchor Club while also excelling as a student athlete. She plans to attend Coastal Carolina, where she will major in elementary education and then earn her graduate degree in special education.
Lar’Quavius Gernard Gandy, Associate of Arts degree: While at DHS, Gandy participated in the Falcon Young Men of Distinction, where he served as Vice President, the Student Government Association, where he served as Senior Class Representative, and the Key Club. He was also played on the DHS basketball and baseball teams. He plans to attend Coastal Carolina University and major in accounting.
Karlyn Marianna Griggs, Associate of Arts degree: Griggs served in the Beta Club, participated in the Teacher Cadet Program, and completed volunteer work at St. John’s Elementary School. Although undecided about whether to major in Early Childhood Education, Psychology or both, she knows she will be studying at Francis Marion University.
Jessona Gray, Associate of Arts degree: Gray excelled on and off the court and achieved success as a student-athlete at DHS. Not only was she a member of the girls’ varsity basketball team for several years, she was also in the Beta Club and completed several hours of community service. She plans to attend the College of Charleston, where she plans to utilize her love for nature and the water as she majors in marine biology.
Zachary Ian Gutstein, Associate of Arts degree: Gutstein’s time at DHS was spent participating in the Beta Club and Key Club in addition to playing on the boys’ varsity soccer team his freshmen and sophomore years. During his time at DHS, he also completed many community service hours and volunteered for the Darlington Humane Society. He plans to attend the University of South Carolina, where he will major in finance and plans on becoming a financial analyst.
Jennilyn Haselden, Associate of Arts degree: While at DHS, Haselden was an active member of the Beta Club and the Lady Falcon soccer team. She plans on attending Coker University and studying psychology.
Stephen Michael Hellmig, Associate of Arts degree: During his time at DHS, Hellmig was an active member of the Beta Club, International Club and Key Club while also playing on the school’s varsity football and track and field teams. He plans to attend Francis Marion University and major in education.
Alexis Nicole Hough, Associate of Arts degree: Hough’s time at DHS was very busy as she served as the Junior Class Representative and on the Social Committee for Student Government and was an active member of the Anchor Club, Beta Club, Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society, where she also served as historian and secretary. She plans to attend Francis Marion University and study biology as a pre-med student to eventually become a nurse practitioner and then a doctor.
Preston Kelly, Associate of Science degree: While at DHS, Kelly was a member of the JV and varsity football teams and participated in the Falcon Young Men of Distinction, Student Government and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plans to attend Coastal Carolina University and become a marine biologist.
Anayely Olvera-Lozano, Associate of Arts degree: She firmly established herself as a student-athlete while at DHS by playing on the girls’ varsity soccer team for several years. She also actively participated in the Beta Club, Art Club, International Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She plans to attend University South Carolina-Aiken and eventually become an OB-GYN.
Jordyn Poole, Associate of Arts degree: During her time at DHS, Poole was the captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team, president of the National Honor Society, and Vice President of the Beta Club. She also participated in the Anchor Club, Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Government and Phoenix Phame. She plans to attend Clemson University and will be majoring in veterinary medicine.
Abbi Rogers, Associate of Arts degree: Rogers participated in both Anchor and Key Clubs while a student at DHS. She plans to attend Coastal Carolina Technical College in North Carolina where she will pursue a degree in graphic design.
Madison Smith, Associate of Science degree: Smith was very busy during her four years at DHS as she participated in the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Key Club, Anchor Club, International Club and Gamers’ Guild. She also served as historian for the National Honor Society. She plans to attend University of South Carolina-Aiken and then pursue a postgraduate degree to become an electrophysiologist.
Sarah Williams, Associate of Science degree: While at DHS, Williams participated in the National Honor Society and completed several hours of community service. She will continue her education at Florence-Darlington Technical College and has already applied to their nursing program where she plans on becoming a registered nurse.
Stephen Williams, Associate of Science degree: As a DHS student, Williams participated in the National Honor Society and spent a lot of time helping in the school’s Media Center. He will continue his education at Florence-Darlington Technical College where he plans to enter the nursing program and become a registered nurse.
Ebony Christine Wingate, Associate of Arts degree: At DHS, Wingate participated in the Key Club, Anchor Club, International Club, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Darlington High School Choir and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also served as National Honor Society vice president and president of the Darlington High School Choir. She plans to attend Coastal Carolina University where she will double-major in marketing and management with a concentration in entrepreneurial management and minor in commercial and investment real estate. While at Coastal Carolina, she will also be both a CoBe (Community and Business Engagement) Associate and a Wall Fellow.
