Hartsville High softball complex renamed for Griggs
By Melissa Rollins, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The softball complex at Hartsville High School has a new name after a request from principal Charlie Burry and members of the Hartsville community. The request was presented in the form of a letter to the Darlington County Board of Education April 9 and was unanimously approved by boardmembers.
The letter said in part: ‘Coach Griggs consistently exemplifies, day after day and year after year, the ideals of the education profession. Coach Griggs’ skill as a teacher was evidenced in her coaching career as well. Her tennis and softball teams were consistent winners of region championships and regularly advanced deep into the playoffs…Since one of the early accomplishments in her coaching career was establishing the Hartsville High School softball program at a championship level and included major upgrades of our softball field, we believe it appropriate that the softball complex on the campus of Hartsville High School be named ‘Phyllis Griggs Park.’
The letter was signed by Burry, head softball coach Tommy Garrison, Mr. and Mrs. Lex West of the West Oil Company (supporters of HHS athletics) and Mr. and Mrs. Barry Saunders of the Sonoco Products Company (also supporters of HHS athletics), among others.
Griggs has served at HHS in varying capacities for 38 years and will be retiring at the end of the current school year.Burry said during the meeting that he hoped the board would support what the Hartsville community wants to do.
“Phyllis Griggs has had a truly remarkable career,” Burry said. “I think, and a group of Hartsville citizens believe, that it is entirely appropriate to recognize and honor her in a permanent manner.”
Griggs has filed to run for Darlington County Seat 6, currently held by Mozella “Pennie” Nicholson, who did not file for reelection. Three Democratic candidates filed for this seat: Albert Davis III, Gerald Mack, and Lunella Williams. Griggs was the sole Republican candidate to file for this seat.
In other business, boardmembers approved the sale of two pieces of district-owned properties.
Boardchair Jamie Morphis reminded his fellow boardmembers what each sale was for.
“We have been discussing this for a while so this is more of a formality,” Morphis said. “We have two properties, one of which is on North Main (Street), Hwy 52. This is for the DOT road-widening project, which doesn’t really affect anything from what they’ve recommended to take; we’ve negotiated and discussed it with them. The second, of course, is the BA Gary Complex with the City of Darlington.”
Also during the meeting, several students were recognized for academic and athletic achievements.
HHS student Archie Torain was recognized for winning the statewide National Association of Teachers of Singing competition.
Spaulding Middle School student Jonathan Jordan, Jr. was recognized for winning first place in the South Carolina Junior Beta Club competition for woodworking.
Steven Turner, a student at Darlington High School, recently brought home a win in the 140-lb weight class during the SC School League’s State Strength Meet.
Ethan Walsh, a HHS wrestler, was selected for the 4A/3A South Team for the 2018 Best Western North-South Wrestling Competition.
Lastly, two DCSD students were chosen by the South Carolina Coaches’ Association for the North-South All-Star Basketball Games. HHS’ Kyron Gray will be a member of the men’s team, while Hope Richardson of DHS will be a member of the women’s team.