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PANORAMA
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
THE SUMTER ITEM
WEDDING
ENGAGEMENT
Stutz-Bellew
Geddings-Linnerud
ATHENS, Georgia — Elizabeth Louise Stutz and Robert Shelton Bellew, both of Athens, Georgia, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at the University of Georgia Chapel. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stanley Stutz Jr. of Sumter, and the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson Hill of Sumter and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stanley Stutz Sr. of Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Sumter High School and the University of Georgia with a bachelor of arts in comparative literature and a bachelor of fine arts in interior design. She is employed as the merchandising manager at Trader Joe’s in Athens and is an independent design consultant. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Porter Bellew Sr. of Marietta, Georgia, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry William Paris of Birmingham, Alabama, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gaines Bellew of Oneonta, Alabama. He graduated from The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia, from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of arts in journalism, from Universitá degli Studi di Frenze (University of Florence) in Italy with a master’s in mass communication and marketing, and from the University of Georgia with a Ph.D. in ro-
mance languages. He is employed as assistant professor of romance languages and coordinator of the Modern Languages Department at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. Dr. James B. Mooneyhan officiated at the ceremony. Music was provided by Ms. Carrie Scruggs, harpist; Meghan Ross Amey, vocalist; and Jodi Swint, pianist. Escorted by her father, the bride wore a fitted ivory Italian duchess silk dress with a sweetheart neckline and a full trumpet skirt that flowed into a chapel-length train. It was accompanied by a Spanish lace off-the-shoulder bolero with a scalloped neckline, three-quarter length sleeves and a covered back, and a cathedrallength veil edged in French alencon lace. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white and blush roses. Mrs. Theresa Stutz Summers, sister of the bride, served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Mrs. Christina Leventis Slate, Mrs. Katie Davis Terrell and Amanda Joy White. Junior bridesmaids were Anna Louise Summers and Margaret Elizabeth Summers. Flower girls were Catherine Caldwell Summers, Deborah Madeline Stutz, Elizabeth Raine Stutz, Louisa Charlene Stutz, Matilda Nancy Stutz and Sarah Gracelyn Stutz. Dr. Brian Sydnor Burnes served as best man. Grooms-
EDUCATION NEWS Sumter School District AMY HANSEN HONORED Amy Hansen, the administrative manager to the superintendent and the Sumter School District Board of Trustees, was the 2015 recipient of the annual Superintendent’s Award of Excellence, announced at the district’s opening meeting last month. Dr. J. Frank Baker created the award and determines who receives it. It may be a certified or classified employee of the school district and is someone the superintendent knows went above and beyond in his or her willingness to get the job done during the past school year. Hansen began her career in the former School District 17 in 1998. She started with the school district on a parttime basis when her children were young, and she transitioned to full time at Bates Middle School before moving to the district office as the assistant to the superintendent in 2000. She has worked with the superintendent and the school board in Sumter School District since the consolidation of the two former districts in 2011. When announcing the award, Baker said Hansen “goes above and beyond every day. She has a tremendous job working for the board of trustees and for me. She is at the office late almost every day, and she always has a smile on her face. She pays very close attention to detail, and she is wonderful dealing with employees and parents. She can always be counted on to do her job and do it very well. She is a well deserving recipient of the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence.” Hansen said she was “shocked and amazed” when Baker said her name. She said, “It’s an extreme honor for me, but I don’t feel like I deserve it. It is still unbelievable to me. I enjoy working with Dr. Baker and with everyone in the district, and I truly appreciate being recognized in this way.” Hansen is a native of Sumter and serves on The Salvation Army Board of Trustees. She and her husband, Jeff, have three sons, Britton and twins Bradley and Brandon. Two of her sons are recent Citadel graduates, and the third one is a senior.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WALK SCHEDULED The Sumter High School International Baccalureate students will sponsor the ninth annual Walk Against Domestic Violence event at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The purpose of the walk is to spread awareness of domestic violence in South Carolina. No pledges or fundraising is required to participate. The event will begin in the Sumter County Library parking lot at 111 N. Harvin St. The public is encouraged to walk with the students, and all participants are asked to wear purple or white. In addition to the walk to raise awareness, the students are collecting items for the YWCA domestic violence program. Those who wish to donate may bring their items to the event. Items needed include cleaning products, hand sanitizer, soap, trash bags, deodorant, toilet paper, household products, hand towels, paper products, plastic cups, wash cloths, bath towels, hair
MRS. SHELTON BELLEW
men were Mr. James Porter Bellew Jr., brother of the bridegroom, Mr. Ian Christopher Hagarty and Mr. Jeffrey Robert Landau. Junior groomsmen were Henry Luis Bellew and James Lowry Bellew. Ushers were Dr. Gary Kenneth Baker, Mr. Curtis Lancing Lowe and Dr. Byron Hilbun Warner III. Ring steward was Claude Victor Brown IV. Also participating were Genevieve Louisa White, Teresa Owen and Mrs. Zoe Terrell. The bride’s parents held the reception at The Foundry Ballroom at Graduate Athens. The bridegroom’s parents and Amy and Jeff Landau held the rehearsal dinner at The Hardeman Sams House in Athens. Following a wedding trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, the couple will reside in Athens.
brushes and combs and baby products.
TEACHER ADVISORY COUNCIL NAMED The Sumter School District Teacher Advisory Council has been selected for the 2015-16 school year. The council meets with Baker at the district office each month to voice concerns, raise questions and offer suggestions. Teachers and other staff members at each school are invited to submit their suggestions and concerns to the school’s TAC representative. The representative then presents them at the monthly meeting. Topics covered include testing, curriculum, discipline, policies and procedures, personnel concerns and a variety of other items. Baker also briefs the TAC on items of interest including decisions made at the monthly board meetings and other issues that affect the school district. Following the meetings, the minutes are sent to each representative to share with the faculty and staff members at the schools. Representatives on the council this year are Brittany Huckeba, Alice Drive Elementary; Katherine Davis, Alice Drive Middle; Cindy Seckel, Bates Middle; Dale Richardson, Brewington Academy; James Boone, Career Center; David Fair, Cherryvale Elementary; Joanna Myles, Chestnut Oaks Middle; Nicole Bowman, Crestwood High School; Kristin Marsh, Crosswell Drive Elementary; Kaneshia Allen, R. E. Davis Elementary; Meredith Partridge, F. J. DeLaine Elementary; Aretha Smith, Ebenezer Middle; John Van Patten, Furman Middle; Theresa Cousar, High Hills Elementary; Robert Easley, Hillcrest Middle; Annette McCaffrey, Kingsbury Elementary; Eric Cooper, Lakewood High School; Barbara Rookstool, Lemira Elementary; Julie Strange, Manchester Elementary; Elaina Lemon, Mayewood Middle; JoLawrence Corbin, Millwood Elementary; Jennifer Bordelon, Oakland Primary; Krista Jennings, Pocalla Springs Elementary; Bridget Bradley, Rafting Creek Elementary; Cynthia Smiley, Shaw Heights Elementary; Kelly Anderson, Sumter High School; Debbie Sweat, Wilder Elementary; and Denise Robinson, Willow Drive Elementary.
Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Joseph Geddings Jr. of Sumter announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren Abigail Geddings of Mount Pleasant, to Benjamin Scott Linnerud of Charleston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Scott Linnerud of Boiling Springs. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L. Mathis Sr. and Harriet Loretta Geddings, and the late Bobby L. Geddings Sr., all of Sumter. She majored MISS GEDDINGS, MR. LINNERUD in vocal performance with a minor in communications. She is employed as a public relations and social media associate at The Brandon Agency in Charleston. The bridegroom-elect is the grandson of Ms. Verna Vaness of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Walsingham of Boiling Springs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He is employed as a technical account manager at Blue Acorn in Charleston. The wedding is planned for Jan. 23, 2016, at The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston. ••• The couple is registered at Belk, www.belk.com; and Target & Bed, Bath and Beyond, www.bedbathandbeyond.com.
utilities, volunteerism and other areas. Baker will take part in the Community Circle at most of the schools. The skit lays the groundwork for understanding Sumter’s history and government. Throughout the remainder of the year, the students will have history lessons that teach them about Sumter during the Colonial period, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and other events up until present day. The program is coordinated by Joanne Morris, director of Sumter Volunteers. For more information or to volunteer to participate in the Community Circle, call Morris at (803) 775-7423.
VETERANS ASSOCIATION HOSTS WING WEDNESDAY FUNDRAISER The Student Veterans Association of Central Carolina Technical College recently held a Wing Wednesday on Sept. 16. Volunteers served a variety of deliciously flavored wings to faculty, staff and students. The event raised more than $500 and the funds will be used to spread awareness about the SVA and support veterans in the community. — Becky H. Rickenbaker
CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER RECEIVES GRANT
Clarendon School District 1
The Sumter Career and Technology Center is the recipient of a Lowe’s Grant for Community Service. Lowe’s awarded a $25,000 grant to the Sumter Career Center’s SkillsUSA Chapter for a live burn training container and building. Because of these funds, students in the fire and emergency service class will train on the techniques of how to enter a burning structure, fight the fire, and exit safely from the structure. Joan Higginbotham, Director of Community Relations at Lowes, said, “Lowe’s is committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work. We are excited to partner with SkillsUSA and the Sumter Career and Technology Center to provide support for students who want to give back to the community through service projects.”
St. Paul Elementary School Boys to Men Mentoring Program will begin on Wednesday and will be facilitated by Harold Brunson during the school day. Brunson is a retired educator who enjoys inspiring young men. The mentoring program is designed to keep students in school, improve self-esteem and give young men the assurance that they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. Please encourage the young man in your life to sign up and participate in this motivational program.
BOARD MEETS MONDAY NIGHT The Sumter School District Board of Trustees will have a workshop meeting Monday night at the district office, 1345 Wilson Hall Road. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. — Mary B. Sheridan
Central Carolina Technical College CCTC STUDENTS REGISTER TO VOTE IN CELEBRATION OF CONSTITUTION DAY
SCHOOLS BEGIN MY COMMUNITY AND ME Alice Drive, Cherryvale, R.E. Davis, F.J. DeLaine, Kingsbury, Lemira, Manchester, Millwood, Pocalla Springs and Willow Drive rlementary schools’ fourth-grade students have begun Sumter Volunteers’ My Community and Me series. My Community and Me is a program that teaches area fourth-graders about Sumter County and provides a unique, first-hand learning experience about the Sumter community, its history, its services and the role of citizen volunteers, including fourth-grade students, in the community. The students will be treated to a production at each school titled “The Community Circle,” which features numerous volunteers from all aspects of the community including Shaw Air Force Base personnel, police and firefighters, religious and civic leaders, health care workers, people from the educational arena, many from the helping professions, and persons representing government, business, fine arts, recreation,
tional politicians, as well as enjoy free refreshments.
ST. PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SCOTT’S BRANCH MIDDLE / HIGH SCHOOL Even though Scott’s Branch Middle / High School has been a technology-rich school for years, staff and students say technology is really making a difference this year. Teachers say their students worked hard last year and they saw great improvement, but they are convinced that the ongoing use of technology is having a greater impact on student learning. From New Tech classes to across curriculum core contents, teachers are incorporating technology into the learning environment. This kind of environment is possible because teachers are able to extend students’ learning through the use of fully operative computer labs, iPods, interactive blackboards, cell phones, etc. The labs are enhancing reading and writing skills, as well as inquiry and communication skills. — Beverly Spry
University of South Carolina Sumter INTERNATIONAL PIANIST KLEIN OFFERS FREE CONCERT
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left, Elizabeth White, financial aid counselor; Teneisha Adams, financial aid counselor; and Austin Floyd, student life coordinator, hosted a Constitution Day event for all Central Carolina Technical College students, faculty and staff on Sept. 17. The Office of Financial Aid and Student Life held an event on Sept. 17 to celebrate Constitution Day. Constitution Day recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. Students were able to register to vote, take a Constitution quiz, learn about local and na-
German-born pianist Andreas Klein will present a lecture recital at noon and again at 7 p.m. Tuesday at University of South Carolina Sumter in Nettles Auditorium. The recitals are free and open to the public. A free reception with light hors d’oeuvres will follow the evening recital. Klein has distinguished himself as a dynamic and compelling performer with his command of a wide range of tonal colors and imaginative interpretations. The New York Times declared him “a fascinating artist with all the indispensable qualities: temperament, taste, touch, tone, the four Ts of pianism” and “a pianist who makes silences sound like music.” Klein’s career as orchestra soloist and
SEE USC SUMTER, PAGE C5