EDUCATION
THE SUMTER ITEM
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA The Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society has selected Brandon Gibbs of Sumter, son of Robert and Alayna Gibbs, for membership in the local chapter at University of South Carolina. Students qualify on the basis of academic achievement. Prospective members must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours at an accredited college or university, while maintaining a 3.30 cumulative grade point average or a scholastic ranking within the top 15 percent of their class.
LANDER UNIVERSITY The following area students were awarded degrees at Lander University’s fall commencement ceremony in December 2013: • Clarendon County — Darion Canty, Summerton, bachelor of science, business administration. • Sumter County — Kristopher Morgan, Pinewood, bachelor of science, business administration.
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY The following area students at Charleston Southern University were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2014 semester: • Sumter — Taylor Patricia Goodson; Cale Renee Geddings Lynch; Amanda Kay Mulholland; Danisha Keiwanna Griffin; Sarah Elizabeth Williams; Brennan Marshall Gandy; Jamita Patrice Brown; Benjamin James Catoe; and Michael Daniel White Dean’s list students have earned a 3.5 GPA or above and earned 12 credit hours or more for the semester.
Sumter School District GRADUATIONS HELD Crestwood and Lakewood high schools’ graduations were held Friday at Sumter County Civic Center. Sumter High graduation was held Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Crestwood Distinguished Honor Graduates were valedictorian Krystanna May Acevedo and salutatorian Alyson Elizabeth Clyburn. Lakewood’s Distinguished Honor Graduates were valedictorian Taylor Page Fletcher and salutatorian Angel Noel Christmas. Sumter High’s valedictorian was Kayla Shantel Levy, and the salutatorian was Kirsten Abigail Wood. Other Crestwood Honor Graduates were Eva Renee Abbott, M’Kayla Renee Alston, Navarra Lynn Benton, Kayla Nichole Bramlette, Essence Unique Buckman, Rebecca Lynn Burroughs, Jaycel Ann Mae Gregorio Cardenas, De’Vonte Jovane Clavon, Jade Serene Connors, Joseph Edward Currier, Jesse Donald Davis, Kayla Michelle Davis, Morgan Elizabeth Floyd, Kaitlynn Ashleigh Kearnes, Erin Paige Keith, James Christopher Keys, Aleighsha Nashaun Major, Victor Sanchez Pacheco, J’Neice Tara-Marie Payne, Kayla Shea Rdesinski, Akeila Janee’ Robertson, Jonathan Danny Smalley, Ashley Marie Tolbert, Shaun Hunter Waddell and Briana Jenice Williams. Additional Lakewood Honor Graduates were Sylenthia Renee Arnold, Jody Lee Brandel, Taylor Kathleen Cox, Kim Reed Davis, Rhyle Jordan Duran, Michael Joseph Hill III, Shavaisha Carlette Holland, Gianni Naekwan Jackson, Aleah Rashaunda James, Andrew Jesse Kluesner, Breanna Jo McIntosh, Baylee Brianne McLeod, Stephanie Marie-Lane McLeod, Taylor Matthew Mitchum, Daja Maree’ Murray, Timeekqua Fa’Leece Nelson, Jaleesa Shanell Perry, Keyonti Olivia Pleasant, Melody Ka’Rose Rivers, Faith Jennel Rogers, Chelsea Mae Roland, Tyler Emanuel Taylor, Summer Marie Tidwell, Jose Jonathan Turcios, Ka’osha Ashia White and Melina Lauren Wright. In addition to the Sumter High valedictorian and salutatorian, honor graduates were Gregory Adam Albert, Tatiana Estelle Argabright, Chelsea Mina Berry, Faith Powell Blackmon, Megan Elizabeth Boster, Denzel Xavier Brabham, Patrick Kelly Brown, Noah Mackenzie Bruening, Elizabeth Danielle Brunson, Michelle Momoko Casey, Gabriel Joshua Clabeaux, Ashleigh Watson Collins, Emily Faith Cook, Thomas Zachery Cook, Noelle Elise Davé, Jasmine Jarrell Davis, Tyra Jonelle Davis, Margaret Olivia Dene, Kaitlyn Allison Diaz, Samuel Thomas Dubose, Rinesha Denae Finklea, Kaitlin
Nichole Florence, Emma Magnolia Frank, Nicholas Eriq Fry, Lamontreal Lamaine Giles Jr., Daisy Elaine Glover, Mynique Patrice Goodwin, Destinee’ Vernice Green, Emani Tajiana Green, Elijah Quinn Haughton, Paige Kennedy Huffman, Michael Finley Humphreys, Lena Marie Hurt, Van Hugh Jackson III, Ronald Wilson Kelley, Mary Katherine Killen, Deanna Michele King, Kaitlin Dean Knight, Daniel Connor Laverdiere, David Laws III, George Dalton Marlowe, Wiebke Mirjam Mason, Joshua Daniel McCall, Shawn Michael McCarter, John Ansel McFaddin, David Fairley McInnis III, Jessica Laney McNeill, Heather Dawn Merritt, Suzanna Tess Mickey, Laquisha Carissa Mills, Megan Elizabeth Moore, Drake Tyler Morte, Miranda Renee Myers, Abbey Megan Olenick, McCathern Marie Painter, Christopher James Phillips, Briana Nicole Pierson, Sydne Rae Posey, Bailey Rebecca Ramsey, Jillian Noel Ramsey, Cassie Camille Ramsey, Daniel Kirby Rhinesmith, Alyssa Marie Riggs, Kennedy Lauren Rogers, Jada Marceline Rush, Christian David Sanchez, Carolyn Breauna Sanders, William James Schreiber, John Joseph Shaddrick, Asia Kiera Singleton, Sarah Carolina Smith, Megan Erika Stover, Sarah Elaine Strickland, Teleshia Annya Toney, Hannah Elisabeth Voisin, Cameron McKenzie Watson, Clayton Gray Williams and Brianna Nicole Witherspoon. Junior Marshals assisted with the ceremony. Marshals are chosen from among the top academic performers in the current 11th grade. From Crestwood, chief junior marshal was Wayne William Russ II. Honor marshals were Kyree Deontae-T Brisbone, Erika Leigh Comfort, Chanteria Dominique Conyers, Elizabeth Leilani Cordero, Rochelle Paris Couture, Chelsee Patrice Davis, Nathan Eric Davis, Cassaundra Leigh Folderman, Winter Aliah Grant, Robert Alan Groner, Anthony Giovanni Hill, Stephanie Kathleen Johnson, Nicholas James Kline, Stephanie Nicole McAdoo, Brendan Alexander Miller, Chaise Tyler Rippel, Dillon Michael Sierra, Westley Dale Simpson, Zarriah Taylor, Alexander Brennan Vereen, Jamar Andre’ Williams and Kyle Anthony Wright. Lakewood High’s Junior Honor Marshals were chief marshal Amanda Felder, Jean Fox and Kendrel Tindal. Junior Marshals were Bayley Baker, Lindsey Barwick, Alyssa Cardone, Sonora Dengokl, Griffin Duran, Austin Griswold, Raymond Lang, Jazmine McBride, Chalie McCabe, Kara McKnight, Vannia Moreno Gil, Taylor Odom, Kiana Pringle, De’ja Richardson, Ra’kiana Robinson, Sterling Rose, Andre Washington and Breanna Wright. Sumter High’s junior honor marshals were Angela Marie Williams, Chynna Chane’l Wilson, Brock Dickson Frazier, Ting Ting Yau, Tyler Nesmith King, LaRaven Abri’ana, Lauren Elizabeth Cronvich, Michelle Marie Atwood, Lyndsay Beverly Krebs, Trevor Depra Moxley, Mary Helen Timmons and Erica Ann Atwood. Junior marshals at Sumter High were Gavin Cole Arnold, Benjamin Joseph Austin, Rachel Ann Caldwell, Shannon Colleen Chaney, Nicholas Ryan Darrow, Lameshia Tamera Dennis, Dylan Gregory Drown, Danielle Laverne Fane, Ashley Elizabeth Gantt, Mikayla Nicole Geddings, Kion’na Rene Greene, Dante Charles Hartman, Ceili Elizabeth Hesselgrave, Dalton James Kirkhart, Mary Ann Koty, Katherine Lorena Lynch, Malcolm MajorWright, Alison Lynn Mathew, Naomi Kianna McQuiller, Ryan Alexander Perez, Lauren Alyssa Pringle, Sarah McKenzie Quinn-Barnett, Jennifer Katelyn Roberson, Emily Lauren Russell, Ashley Nicole Schaffer, Jillian Nicole Schneider, Hunter Douglas Solberg, Rebecca Marie Twitty, Vincent Anthony Watkins, Sarah Veronica Weaver, Xaviera Jasmine Webb, Kamri Aaliyah Williams and Taylor Janell Willis. The combined senior classes earned more than $21.5 million in scholarships.
FURMAN STUDENT AWARDED Furman Middle School student Eliana Watson is the Sumter County winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Bridging
Generations award. The students interviewed a senior citizen about his or her life when they were the age of the student, then compared and contrasted the differences and similarities of the two. Teachers were asked to nominate one student from their class, and the schools chose one overall winner. The school winner was then forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor’s office where they were judged in order to determine the county winner. — Mary B. Sheridan
STUDENT TO ATTEND CONFERENCE Devin Boston a fifth-grade student at Cherryvale Elementary will take part in a leadership development experience June 8-13 in Washington, D.C. Junior National Young Leaders Conference: Foundations of Leadership I, an Envision program, provides a historical view of leadership and encourages young scholars to develop their own leadership skills and strategies for success. Devin is the son of Jennifer Boston and the late Reginald Boston, and the grandson of Lewis and the Rev. Constance Walker of Sumter, and Randy Sr. and Susan Boston of Pinewood. Devin was nominated to represent his school as a result of his academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential. During the six-day conference, students will take part in workshops and simulations to confront the challenges faced by historic leaders from the nation’s past. Scholars also explore historically significant sites such as Harpers Ferry National Park and the National Mall to explore museums, monuments and memorials.
Lee School District LEE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Lee Central High School Class of 2014 has qualified for more than $2.6 million in scholarships and grants to attend college this fall. One student alone earned nearly 20 scholarships and grants. This is one of the smallest senior classes to graduate in recent years with only 118 students. Graduation was held Saturday at Lee Central Middle.
SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2014 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekday during the summer except on July 4.
SENIOR CLASS OF 2014 Graduates and their future plans are: Gary Barrett plans to attend Central Carolina; Nicholas Canty plans to attend USC Sumter; Shane Dennis plans to attend USC; Devin Green plans to attend Central Carolina or USC Sumter; Stephanie Coombs plans to attend USC; Noah Griffin, the salutatorian, plans to attend College of Charleston; Allison Hardy plans to attend USC; Sarah Hutson plans to attend Appalachian Bible College; Joseph Johnson plans to attend Central Carolina; Ashlyn McLeod, valedictorian, plans to attend Charleston Southern University; Emari Rhyens plans to attend Johnson and Wales University; Jordan Sams plans to attend USC Sumter; Candance Smith plans to spend the next year traveling then enter college in 2015; Aaron Washington plans to attend USC Upstate. — Miriam Marritt
St. Francis Xavier High 2014 CLASS GRADUATES Commencement exercises were held at Sumter Opera House on May 31. Bishop Robert Guglielmone and Sr. Pamela Smith were honored guests. Katie Olsen, the daughter of Bill and Susan Olsen, was valedictorian. Katie is a member of NHS, Beta Club, National Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, and on the Academic Quiz Bowl and Mock Trial teams. She participated on the varsity volleyball and cheer squads during her four years at the school. Katie plans to major in pre-pharmacy at USC in Columbia. Zachary Shrift, son of Jim and Irene Shrift, is the salutatorian. Zachary is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the varsity swim and soccer teams. Zachary is student council vice president. He plans to attend Central Carolina Technical College majoring in nursing. —Susan V. Lavergne
Thomas Sumter Academy
WEST LEE ELEMENTARY
KINDERGARTNERS GRADUATE
Fifth-graders from West Lee Elementary had the chance to see “a day in the life of a sixthgrader” when they visited Lee Central Middle on May 15. The “transition” trip gives students the opportunity to get acquainted with the middle school atmosphere.
Four days after sending its Class of 2014 into the real world, Thomas Sumter Academy rolled out the pomp and circumstance again on May 21 — this time for its kindergarten graduating class. More than 30 kindergarteners participated in the morning ceremony. Graduates are: Ronan Beard; Vienna Caluag; Justin Feeney; Abigail Fryar; Wyatt Monahan; Matthew Ragan; Mikayla Razor; Chase Robinson; Ronia Sanders; Shawn Smithp; Palmer Wade; Brylee Watkins; Brayden Barnhill; Lucy Carterp; Andrew Conyers; Brayden Finan; Kayla Gills; Lucy Gore; Carter Hill; Benjamin Kessinger; Ainsley Kuykendall; Layden Moore; Savanna Smith; Kai Varitz; Danni Lynn Waynick; Brendan Wiemer; Anna Bell; Mia Brockington; Aidan Butcher; Rylee Creech; Dillon Kirkland; Benjamin Martin; Camden McGarity; Paisley Newman; Abigail Rocheleau; Sydnie Shaffer; Weston Shaffer; and Payton Sosbee.
CAREER & TECHNOLOGY The Lee County Career & Technology Center held its Annual Completer Award Program on May 14. Nearly 40 students achieved “completer” status by finishing four elective units within their career major. Also, recognized at the program were the Student of the Year, Director’s Award, National Technical Honor Society Students, Non-Traditional Students and others. On May 30, the Lee County Career and Technology Center recognized recipients for the 2013-14 Wall-Wright Scholarship. The Wall-Wright Scholarship provides post-secondary education assistance to a senior enrolled at LCCTC. The scholarship was awarded to the two highest scoring applicants, Jamellah Scott and Cameron Wactor. This year LCCTC offered the National Retail Foundation Professional Certification in Customer Service to Marketing Completers. The Customer Service Assessment is one component in the National Assessment System. NRF’s professional certifications and credentials validate the knowledge and critical skills identified by the industry. Tatyanna Peterson and Micheal Viera passed the NRF’s National Professional Certification in Customer Service proctored by Tonya Porter, marketing instructor. — Rhonda Evans
Sumter Christian School SUMMER DAY CAMP Summer Day Camp is available for students enrolled in SCS this year or next year. The cost is $3.10 per hour, but there is a cap of $90 per week with any time more than 29 hours free. Camp will be held from
Clarendon District 1 SUMMERTON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Summerton Early Childhood Center congratulates 2014-15 Teacher of the Year, first-grade teacher Wanda House. House is a product of Clarendon 1, who has committed herself to giving back to the district for 24 years. On May 30, the Awards Day Program was held to recognize student achievement. Principal Honor Roll recipients were: Kelsey Hall, Trinity Harris, Xavier Thomas, Key’Nyreia Butler, Latyana Bowman, Danasiah Greene, Kelis James, Javier Lawson, Miracle Williams, Cornelius Washington, Ariyannah Junious, Antanique Lang, Najee Allen, Lela Blackmon, Audon Jones, Randy Williams, Emily Saengjunt, Yaquelin Osorio, Ashiya Bailey, Nathaniel Davis, Jamira Hickson, JyQuan Lang – Diggs, Madison Olive and Toni Baxter A/B Honor Roll students were: Logan Preister, DreSean Blanding, Brianna Boatwrit-
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ght, Robierre Brown, Katrese Pringle, Marqus Coard, Christen Williams, Brandi Dailey, Zymire Coard, Najazah Fitts, Jaynayisha Jefferson, Matthew Richburg, Sae’breyien Keaton, Trenton Williams, Shamara Brunson, Timothy Keels, Latanza Hammett, Tiffany Friday, Kenyon Lawson, Jordan Kind, Essence Johnson, Shantele Lawson, Saige Ladson, Wesley McConico, Alexis Moorer, JaNine Pearson, Jayla O’Brien, Tylik Tevis, Alexus Williams, Emoni Sinkler, Tajuana Thames, Zion Thompson, Mia’Anjel Weeks, Shyiann Weathers, Harvey Wells, Louis Ladson, Ashley Wiggins, Decorius Canty, Alexus Belle, Naci Brown, Ashley Friday, Karnesha Jefferson and Cemiya Gibson.
ST. PAUL ELEMENTARY All St. Paul students will be able to participate in a book fair to implement their Summer Reading Project. Each student will be allowed to select eight free books to take home. Parents are asked to encourage their child to read at least 15 to 30 minutes daily.
SCOTT’S BRANCH MIDDLE/ HIGH Scott’s Branch High School JROTC Department in partnership with the American Red Cross sponsored a total of three blood drives for 2013-14. The total units collected for the school year was 61, which were 10 units more than the previous year. Sponsoring three blood drives allowed the school to receive T-shirts from the American Red Cross for all donors. Another incentive offered to graduating students was the Red Cord Program. This program provided a red cord to all seniors who donated or participated in three or more blood drives. SBHS was able to receive 14 red cords for its graduating class. Congratulations are extended to the final list of winners of Student of the Month for May: seventh-grader Nyreasa Lesesne; eighth-grader Robert Matterson; ninth-grader Andre Brown; 10th grader Chauncey Aiken; 11th grader Shane’qua Bennett; and 12th grader Tajametria Dow. Staff of the month from middle school is Jasmine Matterson-Baliey, and from high school is Debra Watson-Norman. — Beverly Spry
St. Anne Catholic School TEACHER OF THE YEAR NAMED Jeanie Brittingham has been named Teacher of the Year. Brittingham is the librarian as well as the teaching assistant for 4-year-old kindergarten. Leah Kiernan, St. Anne’s current Teacher of the Year, asked Brittingham a few questions, and here’s what she learned: Mrs. K: What is your favorite children’s book? Mrs. B: I love to start each year reading “The Library Dragon” by Carmen Agra Deedy. It’s a funny story about a librarian who guards her books like a dragon; and we have a big, wooden dragon in our library. Mrs. K: What is your favorite teen/young adult book? Mrs. B: I think every teen should read “To Kill a Mockingbird.” There are so many life lessons in the story. Mrs. K: How many years have you been at St. Anne School? Mrs. B: Four Mrs. K: Were you a librarian/ media center specialist or teacher anywhere else? Mrs. B: No. I used to be in accounting; this is much more fun! Mrs. K: What is your favorite thing about being a librarian? Mrs. B: When I introduce a student to a new genre, and they realize they enjoy it. Mrs. K: What is your favorite thing about teaching 4’s? Mrs. B: I enjoy both their eagerness to learn and seeing how much they mature throughout the year. We’ve received several contacts from families who’ve been transferred from Sumter after their children spent a year in 4K at St. Anne’s, and they report that their kindergarten teachers are amazed at how well they read, write and function in their new school based on what they learned here. Mrs. K: What is your favorite food? Mrs. B: I love French food — pastries and anything with a sauce.