School board honors students at May meeting
Debra Wallace introduces six of the seven students that earned an A.A. degree from Florence Darlington Technical College while attending Darlington High School’s Early Honors Program. “I am attending the University of South Carolina and will receive my master’s degree in the time it takes for others to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said DHS student Hayden Happ. “And that saved me roughly $45,000.”
The program is free to DHS students, and instructors are on site. Wallace shared that all county students are eligible to apply at the DCSD Magnet Fair, along with Mayo High School for Math Science and Technology and the Hartsville High School International Baccalaureate Programme.
Photo by Jana E. Pye
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The Darlington County Board of Education met on May 9, 2016 and bestowed honors on students within the district (see list below) and voted unanimously to approve a safety officer position, a position that had been cut when the economy was precarious.
The Board also voted to approve the Florence Darlington Technical College’s 2016-2017 physical facilities budget contribution, and accepted the lone bid by LaFave’s Construction for Hartsville High School’s Building 7 roof retrofit for $549,800. The work will be done over the summer and completed by the start of the school year in August.
Board also voted to approve the renaming of Thornwell School for the Arts in honor of Mrs. Millie Jackson for her 50 years of service as a food services operator. Mrs. Jackson has the unique experience of working at both Thornwell School locations in her years of service to the school district.
Two presentations were made to the board:
Robotics Camp by Jerry Rivers, Math and Science Coordinator
Darlington High School Early College program by Debra Wallace and six of the seven students who received an Association of Arts Degree from Florence Darlington Technical College while attending Darlington High School’s Early College Program
Digital Transformation Update from Diane Sigmon, DCSD’s Technology Director.
The following students were honored for academics:
2016 Junior Scholars
Darlington Middle School:
Christopher Colclough Gabriel Howle, Madison Suggs, Mozingo Weaver, and Nathaniel Wideman.
Hartsville Middle School:
Raven Addison, Kaila Andrews, Laney Askins, Morgan Bass, Sarah Childers, Donald Clark, Carolina Conner, Arial Durant, Lindsey Kelley, Isobel Morphis, Eric Niu, Hannah Rudick, Sarah Teal, Matthew Vlachoyannis, Kenneth Wingate, and Brandon Woods.
Printing Industries of the Carolinas
Two students from the Darlington County Institute of Technology won “Best of Show” awards at the annual Printing Industries of the Carolinas (PICA) meeting.
Genesis Jones won “Best of Show” in the Digital Printing category and Sarah Williamson won “Best of Show” in the Toner category.
Future Business Leaders of America
Chelsea Jacobs, a student at Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology, won first place in Impromptu Speaking at the 2016 SC Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) conference. FBLA is a national non-profit association whose purpose is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.
Outstanding Performance
The Hartsville High School Band Program received the Outstanding Performance Award (OPA) from the South Carolina Band Directors Association for their excellence in performances and auditions throughout the school year. Each event is awarded points and over 100 points are needed to receive the OPA. Under the direction of Cameron Watkins, with assistance from Marlin Ketter, the Hartsville Band Program received 108 points.
The student athletes honored were:
2016 South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association (SCBCA) All-State Team
Two students have been chosen to play on the SCBCA North-South Basketball Teams.
Frankie Johnson of Darlington High School was chosen to play on the All-State Boys Basketball Team. He was also chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the game.
Ashley Williams of Lamar High School was chosen to play on the All-State Girls Basketball Team.
Touchstone Energy Cooperative North-South Team
Three students have been chosen to participate in the 2015 Touchstone Energy Cooperative North-South Football Game. Riquan Cotton and Eddie Martin of Hartsville High and Tre-Vione Ceasar of Lamar High were all chosen to play in the North-South All-Star game.
2015 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Team
Datavious Wilson of Hartsville High School was selected to play in the 2015 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
Perfect Attendance Recognition
Five Years Perfect Attendance:
Milaysia Faye McGee – Rosenwald Elementary School
Twelve Years Perfect Attendance:
Diana April Hall – Darlington High School
Frances Jean Weeks – Darlington High School
Darlington County School District staff honors:
SCNSPRA Rewards for Excellence
The DCSD Office of Communications staff was recognized for Excellence in Communications at the recent Rewards for Excellence awards ceremony of the South Carolina chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. The program recognizes outstanding communications and public relations efforts by South Carolina schools, school districts, and educational agencies.
Chris McKagen, DCSD Communications Specialist, won a Golden Achievement award for Writing for his press release entitled, “DCSD leading extraordinary STEM grant partnership.” The Golden Achievement award recognizes exemplary public relations activities, programs and projects.
Audrey Childers, DCSD Public Information Officer, won a Golden Medallion Award for the Digital Transformation Project Communication Plan. The Golden Medallion Award recognizes superior overall educational public relations programs.
Clean Schools of the Month
The Clean Schools of the Month for April are Carolina Elementary, Division I (325 or less students) and Darlington County Institute of Technology, Division II (326 or more students).
The next board meeting will be held on June 13.
