EDUCATION
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2013
University of South Carolina Sumter STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN CAROLINA DAY
Fifteen USC Sumter students joined USC President Harris Pastides, USC Sumter Interim Dean Lynwood Watts, USC Sumter staff and hundreds of other USC students, faculty and staff at the Statehouse on Feb. 6 for Carolina Day. The event is designed to draw attention to the needs of the university and the students to South Carolina lawmakers. Pastides told legislators that star running back Marcus Lattimore, who is leaving school early to turn professional, is considering using the school’s new online college, known as Palmetto College, to complete his degree. The university is looking for $2.1 million in state money to pay for the online college, which starts operation this fall. USC requested nearly $41 million in added money from the House budget subcommittee, more than half for maintenance projects across its system. Palmetto College is a new concept for USC and USC Sumter. It will allow students to complete online up to their last two years of school work by not requiring students to come to classes in Columbia for a USC degree. Palmetto College will offer seven majors in the fall, including business, criminal justice and education. USC also wants $5 million a year for a new, expanded summer semester that is a cornerstone in the university’s “On Your Time” graduation initiative. This will give students more flexibility in class scheduling and allow for earlier graduation rates. — Misty Hatfield
Wilson Hall DEBATE TEAM WINS STATE
The middle school debate team won first place, and 11 students won individual awards in the S.C. Independent School Association State Literary Meet. By accumulating the most points, Wilson Hall’s delegation won the entire competition for the middle school division. The debate team, which debated the topic of “Should Nuclear Energy Be a Viable Energy Source,” is comprised of eighth-grader Patrick Bell and seventh-graders Chandler Curtis, Madison Reaves and Abby Zilch. Stacey Reaves, a high school English teacher, advised the students and accompanied them to the competition in Holly Hill. Fourth-grader Madison DesChamps won her division in the poetry recitation contest. Fourth-grader Nolan Jones placed third. Eighth-grader Michael DeVore and senior Sam Umbaugh won their divisions in the oral interpretation contest. Seventh-grader Liza Lowder won her division in extemporaneous speaking. Senior Katrina Salzer placed second and seventh-grader Bryce Lyles placed fourth in their respective divisions of this competition. Third-grader Lucy Matthews and second-grader Caitlyn Schumacher won their divisions in the storytelling contest. Seventh-grader Chen Lin placed third, and senior Paige Leighton placed fourth in their divisions in the essay contest. — Sean Hoskins
Morris College RELIGIOUS EMPHASIS WEEK
The college will recognize Religious Emphasis Week Tuesday through Friday. Dr. Charles B. Jackson Sr., newly elected chairman of the Morris College Board of Trustees and the senior pastor of Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, will be the speaker. Jackson will preach at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday, he will give the closing message at 10 a.m. All services will take place in the Neal-Jones Auditorium. MID-WINTER BANQUET
Dr. James Blassingame, vice president-at-large of the Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina and the senior pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the college’s MidWinter Banquet. — Vicky Sutton-Jackson
Lee County School District SECOND QUARTER HONORS PROGRAM
On Jan. 25, the Lee Central Middle School College and Career Magnet Program held its Second Quarter Honors Program to celebrate student accomplishments. A’Yanah Lucas welcomed everyone to the program and thanked Jennifer Byrd, administrative assistant at South Atlantic Canners, and South Atlantic Canners
for their support. The program began with a reading of a poem by student Kadesa Davis as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. David Botzer and Tyreek Jenkins were named to the All-A Honor Roll. Both students received honor roll certificates along with $25 gift cards to Radio Shack presented by Byrd on behalf of South Atlantic Canners. In addition, six students made the A/B Honor Roll and received certificates and $15 gift cards to Radio Shack: sixth-graders Shikira Brailsford, Kaliyah Franklin and Brittney Moran; seventh-grader Tionne Slater; and eighth-grader Stepfan Costa and Larica Fortune. The AVID Student of the Quarter award was presented to one student from each grade level. The winners of this award each received $50 gift cards to Magnolia Mall: sixth-grader A’Yanah Lucas; seventh-grader Haley Ray; and eighth-grader Takasia McCants. In addition, the LCMS CCMP Good Citizenship award was presented to one student from each grade, each of whom received two passes to the Swamp Fox Theatre: sixth-grader Brittney Morant; seventh-grader Tionne Slater; and eighth-grader Christopher Ponder. The new Take Aim award was presented. Each semester, students are required to set a new goal for themselves and list the steps needed to reach their goal. Each of the winners of this award received a $25 gift card to Radio Shack: sixth-grader Jordan McDuffie; seventhgrader Beyounce Cooper; and eighthgrader E’mya Morant. Students with perfect attendance for the second quarter were recognized: David Botzer, Aaliyah Fortune and Lillyana McKague, sixth grade; Ashlyn Brown, Kadesa Davis, Rayshawn Holmes, Jamar McCall and Donte’ Moses, seventh grade; and Larica Fortune, Tyreek Jenkins, Nathan Lowery, Takasia McCants, Ni’Kerria Mickens, E’mya Morant, Andrea Moyer, Christopher Ponder, Courtney Robinson and Torris Scarborough, eighth grade. — Lori Link
can call WCA at (803) 775-4406. — Crystal Hicks
Thomas Sumter Academy PANCAKE BREAKFAST HELD
TSA’s Headmaster’s Advisory Council held a pancake breakfast on Feb. 14 to raise funds for their school projects. Students cooked a lot of pancakes and sausage, but the effort was well worth it. The Council works with the Headmaster to enrich the communication between students and the administration as well as to improve the overall campus. LEUKEMIA CAMPAIGN UPDATE
TSA’s Leukemia campaign kick-off assemblies saw four TSA students have their hair cut for Locks of Love with another student getting hers cut prior to the assembly. Upper school students Emily DeMonte, Kelsie Williamson, Carmen Silvester and Mari Douglas Nevels had their hair cut on stage in front of the upper school students while first-grader Maiya Allred had her hair cut prior to the Lower School assembly. Sisters Crickette and Lillian Chmiel brought their mom’s Locks of Love ponytail in to donate as well. Katie, their mom, is an alumna of TSA. The Upper School also held its talent show during the kick-off assembly. The middle school had four acts with first place going to the sixth-grade dance duo of Ashley Meadows and Amethyst Ray and second place to eighth-grader Baileigh Harrelson. The high school competition had several acts from singers to dramatic acts to guitars and drums. Taking first place was a group of five drama students, Jasmine Haynes, Randi McAda, Sarah Brandt, Elizabeth Teague and Jordan Morris, with a rendition of “Weekend Update” from “Saturday Night Live,” with second place going to the duo of Casey Gainey on guitar accompanied by Spencer Caples on the drums. — Jennifer Cain
Clarendon School District 1 St. Anne Catholic School SUMMERTON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER STUDENTS COMPETE IN LITERARY MEET
Thirteen St. Anne students competed in the SCISA Literary Meet at Holly Hill Academy on Feb. 6. Second-graders Ella Alan and Matthew Lauzon and third-graders Case VandeVelde and Katie Nolan entered the storytelling competition. Fourth-graders Jimmy Zalimas and Camille Wapelhorst and fifth-grader Andrea Clark competed in poetry recitation. Sixth-grader Ericka Jones and seventh-grader River Modarelli competed in oral interpretaton. Sixth-grader Lauren Carneal, seventh-graders Megan Power and Andrew Armstrong, and eighth-grader Joshua Macias entered the debate competition. OTHER STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The sixth-grade class, accompanied by Linda Coyne, sang for Tuomey Regional Medical Center staff and visitors on Feb. 11. Members of the St. Anne 9- and 10-year-old and 11- to 13-year-old basketball teams attended the USC Women’s Basketball game versus Texas A&M on Feb. 10. Registration for the 2013-14 school year is now open to the public. St. Anne welcomes students in K4-8th grade of all religious affiliations. Fouryear-olds have the option of attending all-day or half-day. For additonal information, call the school office at (803) 775-3632. — Jody Murphy
Westside Christian Academy WARRIORS OF THE WEEK NAMED
The Westside Christian Academy Warriors of the Week were recognized on Feb. 7 during chapel service, highlighting the character quality of orderliness. The elementary warrior was firstgrader Walker Allsbrooks, the middle school warrior was seventh-grader Megan Oakley and Wee Warrior of the week was kindergartner Cody Pritchard. ACTIVITIES
On Feb. 7, the student body and their families were entertained at a family chapel service. The praise team performed an outstanding rendition of “Shackles.” The drama club gave a terrific performance based on the book “You Are Special” by Max Lucado. REGISTRATION
Registration for current Westside students is ongoing. Registration opens to the public on March 1 for nursery through eighth grade. Space is limited. Families who wish to schedule a tour
One hundred was the number of the day at Summerton Early Childhood Center on Feb. 4. Students were engaged in activities that involved counting and grouping of 100 objects of every kind, writing of 100 words/things learned already, and narratives titled “If I Had $100 to Spend.” If you listened closely, you could hear various renditions of 100th day songs, raps and chants “rock” the school. ST. PAUL ELEMENTARY
SPES fifth-grade students participated in a science fair recently. First-place winners were: Tziah Daniels, Payton Mungaray and Samyra House for their project titled “The Best Crystals Ever.” There was a tie for second place between Marquel Coard, Jaylin Gipson, Kentrell Nelson and Majel Morris, Ronald Lawson and Hakeem Billie. Thirdplace winners were Shateeka Brunson, Sierrah Singleton and Jazlyn Bowman. Honorable mentions went to: Payton Cooper and Tyjuan Junious and Cierra Tevis, Ricky Glessner and Keyoina Anderson. All students will go to Columbia, where the first-place winners will compete on the state level in March. — Beverly Spry
Sumter School District INTRA-DISTRICT STUDENT TRANSFER PROGRAM
Sumter School District will begin its annual Intra-District Student Transfer program on Friday. This program replaced the former Open Enrollment program last year. The purpose of the program is to facilitate student access to school site specific K-12 educational opportunities within the school district. Students are eligible to transfer to another school if a specific education program is not available at his or her school. Enrollment opportunities for specific programs will be based upon the capacity of each school. The district reserves the right to endure studentteacher ratios will not change, and overcrowding will not occur. A student enrolled in the school to which he or she transferred may be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletic contests and competitions for one calendar year after the student’s date of enrollment in the receiving school. This restriction does not apply to a student’s initial transfer from his school of residence if the sport is not currently offered there for middle and high school students. A student approved for enrollment in a school that is out of zone through the Intra District program or the previ-
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ous Open Enrollment program is entitled to remain enrolled in that school until completion of the final grade of the school without being required to submit annual applications, provided all conditions of the agreement are being met. Applications for the program will be available in the schools or online at http://sumterschools.net from Feb. 22 through March 22. All applications must be received or postmarked no later than March 22 and may be returned to the school, the district office annex, or mailed. Parents will receive correspondence regarding the applications no later than May 6. If selected for the program, the parent will be responsible for transporting the student to and from school. More information regarding the process and frequently asked questions, along with the application, will be posted on the website and available at the schools and the Sumter School District Office Annex beginning on Friday. For more information, contact Dr. Henrietta Green, chief student support services officer, at (803) 469-8536, extension 103. BARRY LEACH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER SET
Millwood Elementary’s annual Barry Leach Scholarship fundraiser will be held 5-6:30 p.m. Monday. The menu consists of turkey tetrazzini, green beans and a cinnamon roll for $6. Pizza will also be available for $1 per slice. The school will offer drivethrough take-out or customers may eat in and enjoy karaoke by some Millwood students. The proceeds from this dinner will go to the Barry Leach Memorial Scholarship Fund. Twelve years ago, the faculty at Millwood established the fund. Leach taught science at Millwood for 23 years. He died in September 2000 after a valiant fight against cancer. The scholarship fund provides financial assistance for college for Sumter School district seniors who are former Millwood students. Since its formation, the fund has awarded $19,500 in scholarships. According to Millwood Principal Dr. Johnny Hilton, “We are planning for this scholarship opportunity to be available for many years and to assist many students. We know of no better way to honor Barry Leach, who dedicated his life to helping others learn, than to provide scholarship assistance for students planning to further their education.” Tickets for the dinner may be purchased at the school or from any faculty member of Millwood. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No dinners will be sold at the door. For ticket information, call the school at (803) 7750648. STUDENT RECOGNIZED
The South Carolina Education Association recognized Sumter High School student Blake Ward for his service in advancing human and civil rights. At an award ceremony at the SCEA headquarters in Columbia, Ward received the Richard W. Riley Award. The award is given annually to K-12 students whose achievements in the school or community have helped enhance the sense of worth and dignity of others. Ward was recognized for his contributions to ensuring that all students in Sumter receive a world-class education. In September, Ward spoke before the State Board of Education and has also addressed the Sumter Board of Trustees. He founded and serves as co-chair of the Sumter High School Student Coalition. Also present at the award ceremony were State Senator Thomas McElveen and Sumter Schools Education Association President Paula Woodlief. Sumter High School teacher and Sumter Schools Education Association President-Elect Luther Barnett introduced Ward. STUDENT NAMED FINALIST
Furman Middle School seventhgrader Diamond Goins has been named a finalist in the 2012 Constitution Day poster design contest. The works of only two seventh-graders out of the 30,000 who entered were featured on the annual GovDocKids group website. The annual poster contest is an international contest promoted through the Internet. Those who enter the contest must design a poster demonstrating how they benefited from the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. One winner per grade will receive a $50 U.S. savings bond, and the overall national winner will receive a $200 US savings bond. — Mary B. Sheridan