Congratulations to scholarship winners, other achievers

More news of great things happening every day in South Carolina's public schools:

Charleston County School District students earned a record-setting amount of scholarships this past year with $47.9 million. The district's scholarship total grew $1.7 million from last year, and this year's total is a more than $10 million increase from the district total in 2007, the district said Wednesday.

The state Department of Education compiles scholarship totals for every district in the state, and it counts the value of scholarships awarded as opposed to those accepted by students. The total also includes the multiple-year value of the scholarship offers.

State officials said that report, which will include figures from Berkeley and Dorchester County schools, will be released within the next few weeks.

In the Pee Dee region, several other graduates were honored:

Two Timmonsville High School seniors received D.J. Johnson scholarships at the school’s annual Salute to Education award program in late May, which recognizes standout students. Anna McDowell received $1,000 through the scholarship and plans to attend Coastal Carolina University in the fall and major in biology to eventually become a dentist. Jasper McDaniel received $500 though the scholarship and plans to attend Francis Marion University to major in pre-engineering to become an electrical engineer.

Johnson High School served the Timmonsville area as a school for black students before schools were segregated. The school closed its doors in 1970 after desegregation, and the school became Johnson Middle School. The scholarship is given in honor of David J. Johnson, who was the first principal of Johnson High and served the district from 1929 to 1963.

Proceeds from the 2010 Carolina Ball and individual donations provided funds for the scholarships. The Johnson High class of 1970 also provided funds to the district to help purchase supplies and support the district’s game room initiative.

Lake City High School student Alexander Brown won a silver medal in a competition at the annual SkillsUSA championships, which is an organization for students interested in trade, industrial, technical and health occupations education. Brown won the award in the Action Skills portion of the competition, which includes a demonstration of an occupational skill in an area in which the student is training. This year’s competition was held in Kansas City.

And in the same region, another JROTC instructor has been elected to a leadership post:

Marlboro County High School JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Justin Blum has been elected by the S.C. School Improvement Council Board of Trustees to serve a three-year term. During his time on the board, Blum will represent all middle schools and high schools in the Pee Dee. The S.C. School Improvement Council was established more than 30 years ago to provide member training, technical assistance, statutory accountability and other resources to the state’s public schools.

Congratulations to these and other honorees from our public schools.

Congratulations to Marlboro County High's character

Good news at Marlboro County High School, recipient of its fifth "Promising Practice Character Education Award" for a program designed to help students in their communities.

The program, Bringing Rigorous Instruction, Determination, Guidance to Everyone, or BRIDGE, is a catalyst program for Marlboro County to reach out to at-risk students and help them develop life skills.

The BRIDGE program consists of many programs, including having students work with trainable mentally disabled students and working at the district’s alternative schools, including AMIKIDS School of Infinity and Camp Bennettsville.

MCHS Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps instructor Lt. Col. Justin Blum oversees the BRIDGE program, and said it’s important for his cadets to be leaders.

“It’s important for our cadets to get involved with individuals and groups that need a little bit of extra help. It helps them understand in life when there are people who need help, we need to perform selfless service,” Blum said.

The high school’s Cadet Major Alexis Freeman said she wanted to get involved when she heard what the BRIDGE program was all about— she now is the captain of a step team at Camp Bennettsville.

“At first, it wasn’t always easy to get in with (the students) because we weren’t used to each other. … The main thing I like about it is I’m able to communicate with other kids the same age as me and show them it’s OK do to what you like,” Alexis said.

Her sister, Captain Alexandria Freeman, is also involved, especially when it comes to working with the trainable mentally disabled students at the high school, even during her summer break.

“I like helping people, and that’s what I want to do in the future. That’s what I love to do. Of course, I could be doing something else, but to give my time and know I’m doing a good thing is just fine,” Alexandria said.

The BRIDGE program operates in conjunction with the Bennettsville Police Department’s Crossroads Program.

One more example of the great work being done by JROTC leaders in South Carolina's schools. Take a moment this week -- what an appropriate time to do it -- to send an email of thanks to the one(s) serving the high school in your area.

South Florence High wins Home Depot Foundation grant

Good for South Florence High School and its Navy JROTC cadets, who have just won a $1,500 grant from the Hope Depot Foundation's annual Community Impact Grant program.

And good for Home Depot -- known for being a conscientious employer as well as a great community partner -- for supporting students at South Florence High. It comes as welcome news to that county and its communities this summer.

The group of cadets plans to use the money in July to spruce up four homes for senior citizens who might not be able to afford yard work.

Joe Harmon, the group’s lieutenant commander alongside Senior Chief Mike Brown, said they requested a grant and were thrilled to hear their project was accepted.

“We said, what the heck, we’ll ask for that much, and a week or two later we got the email. We got our shopping list ready to go,” Harmon said.

The idea is to instill values in NJROTC cadets, including community service and humility.

“The folks that need our services, they really need our services,” Harmon said.

What a great example of the good work being done by education professionals in Florence County's schools. Congratulations to Lt. Commander Harmon and to his cadets.