EDUCATION
THE SUMTER ITEM
FIELD TRIPS
PHOTO PROVIDED
Student Rachel Floyd was one of more than 30 students, staff and faculty who participated in Central Carolina Technical College’s Oct. 30 Red Cross blood drive.
Central Carolina Technical College JUMP WEEK HELD Hundreds of CCTC students took advantage of “Jump Week,” a special event from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5 at Main Campus; F.E. DuBose Campus in Manning; Kershaw County Downtown Campus in Camden; and Lee County Site in Bishopville. Academic and financial aid advisers were on hand to help students get a “jump” on spring registration and provided course registration assistance. Spring semester begins Jan. 12.
In conjunction with their S.C. History class taught by Alan Moore, seventh-grade students visited Hampton Plantation State Park on Oct. 27. Located on the banks of the Santee River outside of McClellanville, it was the home to several prominent S.C. founding fathers and to Archibald Rutledge, the Poet Laureate of S.C. for many years. The three preschool classes visited Covenant Place on Oct. 29. Dressed for Halloween, the students participated in a costume parade for the residents. As part of their physical education class, eighth-grade students visited Wagon Trail Farm for a course in hunting safety on Oct. 29. — Sean Hoskins
Clarendon School District 1
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Scott’s Branch High School senior Natrone Davis attended the Emerging Young Leaders program in Greenville.
51 INDUCTED INTO SOCIETY Central Carolina Technical College inducted 51 students into the Beta Eta Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the college on Oct. 27. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of the two-year college. Its mission is two-fold: to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students; and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Inductees are: William Adams, Joshua Arbeiter, Lakeithea L. Bailey-Nelson, Heather Brackett, Alvin Brown, Terry Brown, Jessica Burris, Jessica Clark, Ashley Coker, Trent Coker, Portia Coles, Brittany Collins, Nicole Costanzo, Ralph Daly, Shannon Drye, Daniel Fahr, Christina Farmer, Tabitha Gertin, Aaron Gibson, Anthony Gibson, Sonya Gibson, Shanda Goodwin, Charles Gordon, Trevia Harbin, Kenya Harper, Michelle Hinson, Sheila Johnson, Marcela Kennedy, Michelle Kubik, Angela Letterman, Heather Lynch, Jose Maccou, Crystal McCaskill, Briana Mitchell, Loren Nelson, Amber-lyn Orazi, Veronica Ragin, Taneisha Ramsey, David Rhodes, Sterling Sawyer, Rebecca Sears, Zachary Shrift, Jenna Szupka, Monica Thomas, Bobby Tyner, Brandy Vander Sys, Edith Weaver, Stephen Wilkinson, Sekenyia Williams, Stormy Wilson and Assonia Yates. Mark Neal, the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter adviser at the college, presided over the meeting. Dr. Tim Hardee, president of Central Carolina, was the guest speaker. Hardee presented Neal with a special lapel pin honoring his five years of service as adviser. — Becky H. Rickenbaker
Wilson Hall ALL-STATE CHOIR The following students were selected for the S.C. Independent School Associaton AllState Choir: seniors Emily Cross, Gigi Moore and LauraClare Thevenet and juniors John Ballard and Jake Croft. The students, who are members of the choral class taught by Dr. Laura Ballard, performed at the annual SCISA Heads’ Conference on Nov. 6.
SENIOR SUPERLATIVES The following seniors were chosen by their classmates for the superlatives: Simmons deHoll and Chase Belk — Most Likely to Succeed; Hannah Jordan and John Wells Baker — Most Athletic; Carter Dwight and Jim Mayes — Most Dependable; Hanna Niebuhr and Talmadge Johnson — Friendliest; Kendall Brogdon and Raines Waggett — Most Intelligent; Madison Beasley and Holland Johnson — Most School Spirit; Laura-Clare Thevenet and John Eagle Miles — Most Talented; and Daisy Chumbler and Pierce Thompson — Wittiest.
SCOTT’S BRANCH HIGH As a result of attending the Emerging Young Leaders program this summer at the Riley Institute in Greenville, Natrone Davis, a senior at Scott’s Branch High School, plans to make a difference. Emerging Public Leaders, launched in 2003 by the Riley Institute, is an intensive, statewide and service-oriented leadership program for rising S.C. high school seniors. Natrone met for a week this summer to investigate topics such as engaging in the community, analyzing critical issues, practicing ethical leadership, developing communication and presentation skills, and planning for the implementation of a service project. Natrone has begun working on his project and will present it at the Riley Institute in the spring. Natrone’s project consists of mentoring a group of young males that attend Summerton Early Childhood Center and St. Paul Elementary School. He chose these schools because he feels there is a vital need for young black role models during their early school years. Natrone says, “The statistics of young black males in the prison system is staggering and that is unacceptable.” Natrone visits a group of young men once a week during his service learning hours class time. In addition to mentoring the young men during the day, Natrone plans to hold a Thanksgiving Youth Basketball Camp at the high school. As a reward for positive behavior, the youths will attend the camp with two friends of their choice. The cost of the camp will be waivered for all participants because of donations and an allotment that the Riley Institute has given for expenses. — Beverly Spry
University of South Carolina Sumter RIVALRY BEGINS USC Sumter’s 21st Annual Big Wednesday Tailgate Party presented by the USC Sumter Alumni Association will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the USC Sumter Nettles Gymnasium. The state’s largest combined Carolina-Clemson Indoor Tailgate Party will begin at 6 p.m. and will be catered by Logan’s Roadhouse. The annual Tailgate Party includes entertainment by D.J. “Howie D” and visits from “Cocky,” “Tiger” and “Blaze.” There will be fabulous door prizes from our generous sponsors and complimentary face painting. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the “Gaudiest Gamecock” and “Tackiest Tiger” contests. Tailgate Party tickets are available in advance and at the door for the same price. Adults are $20, USC Sumter Alumni Association members are $15, students are $10, children 4-12 are $10, and 3 and
under are free. All proceeds support student scholarships. Visit www.uscsumter.edu for more information or call (803) 938-3760 to purchase tickets. — Misty Hatfield
William Thomas Academy FALL FESTIVAL A SUCCESS William Thomas Academy had its annual Harvest Fall Festival on Friday. It was a big success. Students had time to fellowship and enjoy a fun day filled with food, face painting, games, bounce houses and a fish fry. We would like to thank our supportive parents and all who helped to make this possible.
STUDENTS RECOGNIZED The following students are recognized for making the honor roll this quarter: B Average Students — Todd White and Leneric Thorne First Steps (4K) Satisfactory Students — Shamar Bethea, Amaria Anderson, Jasmine Boatwright, Bianca Jones, Moziah Seymore, Shurie McMillian, Malachi White and Javarian Williams — Lateasha Harris
Sumter School District PETITION FOR DIPLOMAS Students who are no longer enrolled in public school who previously failed to receive a high school diploma due to the exit exam requirement or were denied graduation only because they did not pass one or more portions of the exit exam are now eligible to petition their local school board to determine eligibility to receive the diploma. This is retroactive back to students who would have graduated in 1990 or thereafter. Act 155 was passed and signed into law in April and stated, in part, “Beginning with the graduating class of 2015, students are no longer required to meet the exit examination requirements set forth in this section and State Regulation to earn a South Carolina high school diploma.” Persons eligible to receive a South Carolina high school diploma under the provisions of Act 155 must have met all other graduation requirements at the time of his or her high school attendance. All eligible candidates’ names must be verified and submitted to the S.C. Department of Education by the local school board. The department will not accept requests directly from a diploma candidate. Petitions must be directed to the local school board based upon the high school that the eligible candidate attended. Petitions are available on the district’s website at www.sumterschools.net. If approved, the diplomas are sent back to the district by the Department of Education, and the student will be called and asked to pick up his or her diploma from the Superintendent’s office. The deadline for petitions to be submitted to the local school board is Dec. 31, 2015.
COMMITTEE SPONSORS FORUM The Chamber of Commerce Education Committee sponsors the Student Leadership Career Forum at the Sumter School District high schools. The first one for the 2014-15 school year was held recently at Crestwood High School. Local leaders met with 30 selected students and had a roundtable discussion. The
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 adults spoke with the students about characteristics of good employees, good financial habits, the importance of lifelong learning, and the educational institutions of higher education that can help students reach their career goals. Businesses represented at the Forum were the Sumter Sheriff’s Office, BD, Logic2Performance, Tuomey Regionial Medical Center pharmacy and Bank of Clarendon. A few days after the roundtable discussion, the Crestwood career specialists took the students by bus on site-visits to the businesses. The visits provided a firsthand look into the actual career opportunities at the sites. Following the visits, the student leaders shared their experiences with other students and encouraged them to participate in the next conference.
BAND MAKES VIDEO The Sumter High School band made a video in hopes of winning $10,000 to purchase new percussion equipment. The public is asked to watch it and pass on the link to all their friends. The link to the video is http://www.youtube.come/ watch?v=5I9gjZjCO3I.
FUTURE MINDS SPONSORS TALENT SHOW South Carolina Future Minds, the hub of private support for public schools, will offer a free talent contest to all S.C. public school students. Any public school student is eligible to enter the video competition for talent in the entertainment arts and in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The competition opens Jan. 5 for “This School’s Got Talent,” and Feb. 20 for “This School’s got STEM.” The top three winners in each category will win cash prizes. Posters have been distributed to each school in the district. For more information, please visit www.scfutureminds.org.
GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM BEGINS The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce is continuing its Golden Apple awards program at each of the three high schools and seven middle schools in Sumter School District. The program began as a pilot program in some of the former District 2 and 17 high schools long before the districts consolidated and has grown into an annual, much anticipated program at all the middle and high schools. Students at each school are nominated by their teachers, counselors, or administrators for their outstanding character, and 12 students at each school are chosen for recognition. Parents are invited to the program, and business partners and members of the chamber are there to support and recognize the students. The participants enjoy a breakfast at the program, paid for by business partners. The presenting sponsor for this year’s program is Caterpillar Inc. Gold sponsors are Adams Outdoor Advertising, Childs and Halligan Attorneys at Law, Kaydon Corp. and Dr. James Privett. Breakfast sponsors are Hill Plumbing and Electric Co. Inc. and NHC Healthcare of Sumter. The first event for the year was held at Crestwood High. The program will be held at all 10 schools and will conclude in March.
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CAREER CENTER HONORED The Military Order of the Purple Heart Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Dr. Shirrie B. Miller, principal of the Sumter Career and Technology Center. The Sumter General George L. Mabry, Jr. Chapter 817 surprised Dr. Miller with the award at the Career and Technology Center on Oct. 23. The award recognized the Center’s help with the chapter’s floats in both the Christmas and Iris Festival parades last year. The certificate read, “For her patriotism, devotion, and untiring efforts to assist the military veterans of the community while serving as principal of the Sumter Career and Technology Center, the members of the General George L. Mabry, Jr., Chapter 817 in Sumter, South Carolina, offer their sincere gratitude for your assistance in preparing our float that stands out above the rest. Thanks to you, your staff, and students for a job well done.”
BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED The Sumter School District Board of Trustees will meet Monday night at 6 p.m. at the District Office, 1345 Wilson Hall Road. The new board members will be sworn in at this time. The meeting was originally scheduled at Lemira Elementary.
DISTRICT TO OBSERVE VETERANS DAY All of Sumter School District schools and the district office will be closed on Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day. Many of the schools will host Veterans Day programs at the schools before and after the holiday. Some of the ROTC programs and other students will participate in community events on Tuesday. For a list of all district and school activities each month, see the monthly district calendar on the district website at www.sumter schools. net. There is also a link to each school from the district site. — Mary B. Sheridan
Lee County School District LEE CENTRAL MIDDLE Lee Central Middle School’s Male Leadership Academy traveled to Columbia on Oct. 26 to attend the University of South Carolina vs. Benedict College basketball game. The academy is headed by Assistant Principals Ryacus Dean and Noel Hazzard. Lee Central Middle School’s Male Leadership Academy is a group of eighth-grade male students. The trip was the first of many events planned and was very successful.
BISHOPVILLE PRIMARY Bishopville Primary School unveiled Kinder Lane on Oct. 31. Kinder Lane is a new read aloud center for early childhood students. BPS held its character parade on Oct. 31.
LEE CENTRAL HIGH Lee Central High School’s STEM Department hosted “Science In Action” on Nov. 1. The sponsors were South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics and South Carolina GEAR UP. Guest presenters were from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, South Carolina GEAR UP, Wells Fargo and First Citizens. — Shawnta McKenzie
St. Anne Catholic School
St. Anne Catholic School took a new spin on an old idea this Halloween. Instead of Jack O’ Lanterns, students created Saint O’ Lanterns to remind them of the many saints who’ve shown the love of Christ. The idea was introduced by Liz Morrow. St. Anne’s second-grade class, left, selected the SPCA for their October Service Project Recipients. All month, they collected items and coins to help make animals at the SPCA comfortable and safe. — Leah Kiernan