Good News

Recipients of Twelve-Year Perfect Attendance Certificates - 2010
South Aiken High - Jamal Miguel Chavous
South Aiken High - Kelvin Ameer Coley
North Augusta High - Jonathan Stephen Larry
Silver Bluff High - Kyle Robert Mackey

The Midland Valley High School FFA Association took home many of South Carolina’s top FFA honors this past week at the 83rd Annual South Carolina FFA Convention. (more)

North Augusta Middle School (NAMS) is pleased to announce that Brielle Smith, a rising eighth-grader, qualified for special state recognition from the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). Several students
from the 2009-2010 NAMS seventh grade class qualified for the Duke TIP Seventh Grade program by scoring in the 95th percentile or above on either PASS or MAP tests. The qualifying students earned the opportunity to take the SAT or the ACT college entrance exams alongside high school juniors and seniors this past winter. Duke TIP seventh grade students with very high SAT or ACT scores were invited to be acknowledged at their state's yearly Recognition Ceremony. Brielle and other seventh grade students in South Carolina, who scored at the national college-entry level were acknowledged last week. The qualifying scores for the Duke TIP Seventh Grade 2010 State Recognition Ceremony were: 520+ in SAT Math; OR, 510+ in SAT Critical Reading; OR, 20+ in ACT English; OR, 20+ ACT Math. Brielle scored a 22 on her ACT English and was only 3 points or less away from college-entry level on the other three core subject areas (Math, Social Studies, Science). In South Carolina, Brielle was one of the 1,031 students who achieved this honor. She received a medal at the recognition ceremony on May 26th at Furman
University, Greenville, SC and was congratulated by Mr. Brad Pochard, Director of Admissions, Furman University. Brielle resides in North Augusta and is the daughter of Steven & Katherine Smith. She is the sister of
Brandon and Logan Smith. Congratulations, Brielle! (photo)

ACPS Transportation Department announces the Bus Driver of the Year Awards. (more)

Frederick Grimm, North Augusta High senior, was our school DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Good Citizen winner, the South Carolina DAR Good Citizen, the southeastern regional DAR Good Citizen and the National DAR Good Citizen. He received $300 from South Carolina DAR and will receive $5000 from the National DAR.

South Aiken High NJROTC Unit- Area Six Academic Championship Bowl Winners (photo)

Aiken County has 4 new Red Carpet Schools: Millbrook Elementary, Midland Valley High, Belvedere Elementary and North Augusta Elementary! This brings our total to 24 district winners since the inception of the Red Carpet Awards. (news story)

Shadijhea Jenkins, 8th grader at Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, won the Math Moves U Scholarship. (press release)

The 2009-2010 Aiken County Academic Team Champions are New Ellenton Middle School and Aiken High School. (more)

The Xi Beta Gamma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi provides teachers the opportunity to apply for awards that aim to assist school personnel with the purchase of instructional material/equipment not allocated through the regular school budget. This year, North Augusta Middle School teacher, B. R. Smith, applied for and received an award that will be used to purchase a rock cycle activity to introduce new standards-based material to 8th grade students. Thank you, Beta Sigma Phi! Pictured is Mrs. Smiley, a Xi Beta Gamma Rep, and (right) B. R. Smith, 8th grade science teacher at North Augusta Middle School. (photo)

Three seniors in South Carolina public schools are among the 141 outstanding students nationwide recognized as 2010 Presidential Scholars (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/index.html), according to federal Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The Palmetto State’s winners include two students at the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities ( http://www.scgsah.org/ ) in Greenville – Jake Ross and Uchechi Kalu – and Aiken High School (http://aiken.moodlerooms.com/wb) senior Aric Berning. He was chosen from a pool of 11 semifinalists statewide.
(photo)

New Ellenton Middle School's academic team members are still celebrating their all-county championship. The squad, which went undefeated in nine matches, was recognized at an Aiken County Board of Education meeting in April. Cameron Stephenson, Nick Clevenger, Zachary Glave and Jared Stephens were the top scorers for New Ellenton this season. Other team members are Stephanie Rautio, Kramer Anderson, David Burton, Kari Koon, Christopher Estep, Jabria Duncan and Judy McLaughlin. (photo)

M'Aiken Magic's G-FORCE Wins World Championship!...The 2010 FIRST Tech Challenge Winning Alliance was Team 2868(Captain) “Smoke and Mirrors” from Lakeland, Fla.; *Team 3864 “GForce” from Aiken, S.C.*; and Team 2843 “Under the Son” from Hollywood, Md. There are over 2400 Tech Challenge teams worldwide. This past weekend the top 100 teams in the world gathered in Atlanta to compete for the World Championship. All 3 teams housed at Aiken High School were ranked in the top 100 teams and hence all competed in Atlanta. One of our teams, GForce, won the entire tournament!!!! They are the WORLD CHAMPIONS. They competed against teams from Holland, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, etc. (photo)

Aiken High team members are:
John Fogarty - driver
LoganMurray - driver
Brian Gavin, Jr - build team
Kyle Trusdale - student coach & photographer

South Aiken High team member:
Sarah Henagan - build team

Kennedy Middle team member:
Nathan Witebsky - build team

Aiken Middle team member:
Mary Fogarty - student coach & photographer

Paul Knox team member:
Daron Watters - build team

Coaches
Jim Lee - engineer from Kimberly-Clark
Yvonne Fogarty - teacher from North Aiken Elem
Kelly Russell- Advisor

Wagener-Salley High FFA Tool Identification State Champions Congratulations to Shane Fulmer, Harley Gallop, Dillon Overton and Grayson Joye for placing first in the State FFA Tool Identification Career Development Event held at Piedmont Tech. in Newberry, SC. Special congratulations to Harley and Dillon for posting perfect scores. Contestants were tested on the proper names and uses of 187 tools used around the home and farm. Wagener-Salley FFA members became eligible to complete in the State Contest after winning the lower state contest in March. The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
State Winning Tool Team:
Shane Fulmer, Dillon Overton, Grayson Joye, Harley Gallop and Kerry Lee Cox, State FFA President, Allen Williams- Advisor (photo)

Wagener-Salley High Wins State FFA Agriculture Mechanics Championship...Gunter Fogle, Trey Crosby and Kyle Clarke placed first in the State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Contest held at Laurens High School. The Aiken County School Board recognized them recently for this accomplishment. Contestants had their knowledge tested in Arc Welding, Chemical Sprayers, Cold Metal Work and Electricity. As a result of their win, these Wagener-Salley Ag. Mechanics students will compete for National Awards in Indianapolis, Indiana this fall.
The National FFA Organization is a student organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. (photo)

The WSHS JROTC Drill Team was one of twenty two schools selected to attend the Army Nationals Eastern Regional in Macon, Ga. on March 20, 2010. WSHS was only one of three S.C. schools selected. The WSHS Drill Team earned 4th place in Platoon Regulation with Arms. They finished 7th overall in the competition. The Drill Team was also one of one hundred and twenty nine schools selected to attend the National High School Drill Team Championships held May 1st – 3rd in Daytona Beach Fl. Only three Army Programs from S.C. were selected. Cadet Dillon Overton earned 5ht place overall for the Commander’s Award placing in front of fifty one other Team Commanders. The Drill Team placed 20th overall in the Challenge Level category.

Wagener-Salley Wins State FFA Ag. Mechanics Contest on Saturday, May 08, 2010, Gunter Fogle, Trey Crosby and Kyle Clarke placed first in the State FFA Agricultural Mechanics Contest held at Laurens High School.
Contestants had their knowledge tested in Arc Welding, Chemical Sprayers, Cold Metal Work and Electricity. Kyle was the third highest scoring individual in the contest, Trey the second and Gunter outscoring all other contestants.
As a result of their win, these Wagener-Salley Ag. Mechanics students will compete for National Awards in Indianapolis Indiana this Fall.The National FFA Organization is a student organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Anne Elise Garrison's American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay won first place for Class I at the Department (state) level. Anne Elise, as well as her family and teachers, are invited to attend the Americanism Essay Awards Ceremony on June 5, during the American Legion Convention. Anne Elise will be asked to read her essay at that time. She will also receive the award for Class I, grades 3-4. Her essay will proceed to judging on the division level.

On Thursday, May 6th, twenty-one 8th grade girls visited Bridgestone Firestone to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This trip was made possible by a Great Ideas Grant awarded by Public Education Partners with the sponsor of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. (photo)

North Augusta Middle School Show Choir has been asked to sing The National Anthem for the opening ceremonies at Relay for Life Friday, May 14th at 7:00 PM. It will be held at the Hippodrome in North Augusta.

Aiken High School senior, Aric Berning, is among the 141 outstanding students nationwide recognized as 2010 Presidential Scholars, according to federal Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. (more)

The North Augusta Elementary School Improvement Council in cooperation with the NAE PTO received a $1200 Earning for Learning Grant from Kroger.

For over twenty years, Aiken High School German students have been taking part in the German American Partnership Program, the largest, most successful international high school student exchange in the USA. This year is no different. Aiken High's German partners from the Nymphenburger Schulen in Munich have already visited Aiken and had a wonderful three-week stay. Now, the twenty American students will spend just over three weeks living with their German counterparts, attending school, taking part in exciting excursions and projects, spending four days and nights living in a thousand year old castle and more. They will speak German, learn about German culture not merely as tourists, but rather as participants and will have the adventure of a lifetime. It's going to be 100% Wunderbar!

South Aiken NJ competed today at Georgetown HS For the North and South Carolina Academic Championship! Three of the four teams in the final four Championship Round were Aiken County Schools!
First Place: South Aiken Team #1
Second Place: Midland Valley
Third Place: Georgetown
Fourth Place: Soutn Aiken Team # 2
The First Place Team consisted of : Zackary Furr, Mark Ferguson, Sarah Mehta, Zachary Coleman, and Matthew Bauerlin The Fourth Place Team consisted of: Joshua Huffines, David Griffith, Connor Revell, Fernando Rodriguez, and Gregory Flippen

Midland Valley surprised the other 16 top academic teams by coming in second in the Area Six Academic Championship!!!! NJROTC Area Six includes all 64 NJROTC Units in South and North Carolina. The sixteen top teams, based on their scores from a National Examination, participated. The competition was an all day, double elimination, Jeopardy style electronic format.This is the first time in decades that Midland Valley has been competitive at this level.
The team members:
Keith Black
Jason Knight
Tyshawn Davis
Mark Taylor
Brennon Collins

The Aiken FFA Chapter is sending a State FFA Officer candidate to the State Convention in June at Clemson University. His name is Seamus Cassidy. He will be running against 7 other students in the state to compete for 6 positions as officer. The FFA is also going to Myrtle Beach at the end of June for FFA Leadership Camp. Every year, we take 10 or so students for the week to learn leadership activities and build positive relationships with each other. This is a very fun week as they will be kayaking, learning high ropes, crabbing and over all, just having a fun time during the summer with friends.

The culinary classes at Silver Bluff High School did ( three), 5 course meals for the NJROTC on April 30th. The culinary students prepared and served the NJ cadets . It was a fine dining experience with candle lit tables and white linen tablecloths. As the cadets ate, Mrs. Few taught etiquette class to the cadets. The culinary students enjoyed preparing the food and serving .The cadets loved the experience. It was a good day!! susan few

Silver Bluff's culinary classes went on a field trip to USC's School of Hospitality Management in Columbia. The students toured the football stadium, the Horseshoe and the were guest at the McCutchen House. The McCutchen House is part of USC's Culinary Institute. The meal was incredible and the service was outstanding. Everything is prepared by students in their program. SBHS students were also entertained by a Chef from Iceland with a demonstration on "Iceland pancakes".

Nine students from Aiken High School have been recognized as top state scorers in the first National
Financial Capability Challenge. (press release)

The Hansom Wheels Scion Society of the Baker Street Irregulars (the Sherlock Holmes society) recognized the following students for the projects based on the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles in English I class.
Honorable Mention: Morgan Maroney & Savannah Faulker; Sara Nichols; Jasmine Campbell, Kiersten Lee, and Bailie Timmerman
Winners: Angel Watts, Sergio Brito, William Kalbskopf, and Foster McLane
Angel, Sergio, William, and Foster received an invitation to attend an awards luncheon at the SC State Museum on May 8 along with their families. Congratulations to all these young people for a job well done!
[Photo]Pictured: Back Row: Sergio Brito, Jasmine Campbell, William Kalbskopf, Foster McLane and Morgan Maroney
Front Row: Sara Nichols, Bailie Timmerman, Kiersten Lee, Angel Watts and Savannah Faulkner

Warrenville Elementary had several students participate in the Creative Arts and Talent Festival.
The art and sculpture category junior division: Jennifer Luna - third place
Poetry category junior division: David Ortiz-Fikes - second place
Vocal junior division: Kensley Williams - first place
Instrumental category junior division: Cory Williams - first place
Mime/drama category junior division Blessine Bates , Shanna Bates and Genesha Brown

Midland Valley FFA Archery Team recently received their invitation to compete at the NASP World Archery Tournament in Orlando Florida. (press release)

Ms. Mindy Allee received a $500 grant from the Aiken County International Reading Association (ACIRA). We are proud of this accomplishment!

Congratulations to Shane Fulmer, Harley Gallop, Dillon Overton and Grayson Joye for placing first in the State FFA Tool Identification Career Development Event held at Piedmont Tech. in Newberry, SC Saturday, April 17, 2010. Harley and Dillon deserve special congratulations for posting perfect scores. (more)

East Aiken Elementary won a Kroger Earning Plus Learning Grant Award! Teachers, Brenda Callahan, Jan Catotti, and Linda Walker wrote the proposal and will receive the award at a celebration on May 5, 2010.

Congratulations to North Augusta Middle School 8th grade students Amber Flicek and Allison Herron for placing in the 7th Annual Nancy Carson Library Young Adult Poetry Contest. Amber came in first and Allison came in second. Pictured: 1st place winner Amber and 2nd place winner Allison; left to right. (picture)

Amy Smith, Aiken High School, garnered first place in the National Career Development Association’s 44th Annual Poetry and Poster Contest. (more)

Three African American seniors from Aiken high schools have been named winners in the 46th annual National Achievement Scholarship competition. They are among 800 students to achieve this honor for 2010. (press release) (winners list)

Three Jackson Middle School girls attended the "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center on March 27, 2010 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. Jena Crawford, Shelby Hudson, and Danielle Walton represented JMS. Girls attending the workshop were given the opportunity to interact informally with positive female role models working in various engineering fields to learn about their personal and professional lives. The girls participated in fun, hands-on activities throughout the day with other girls in the CSRA. Prizes and awards were given at the end of the day for various competitions. The event was sponsored by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Central Savannah River Area Section of the Society of Women Engineers and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center.

The Aiken County Speech Intervention Program was presented the South Carolina Speech -Language- Hearing Association's Professional Program of the Year Award! (more)

Ryan Uhle has won the 2010 SC Braille Challenge for his division which was held on Feb. 4, 2010 in Columbia. He competed against about 12 other 7th-9th graders from all over South Carolina. Ryan was recognize by the board on March 23, 2010. (more)

Midland Valley High School FFA Archery Team secures South Carolina State Archery Title on Friday March 26, 2010. (more)

East Aiken Elementary 21st Century Community Learning Center after school program received recognition from the SC State Department of Education for Positive Outcomes in Behavior. Theresa Tobin, director of the East Aiken program, was notified of this honor at a state-wide meeting of 21st CCCC directors.

Two students from Jackson Middle School received awards at the CSRA Science and Engineering Fair held at USC-Aiken March 13, 2010. Amadeus Gay received an honorable mention. Jordan Owens and Nathanael Graybill received the National Society of Professional Engineers-Innovative Engineering Award.

The Jackson Middle School Band scored Superior ratings in all categories at the All-County Band Competition held at Aiken High School last Thursday, March 18, 2010. The Jackson Middle School Band is under the direction of Mr. Randy Hood.

Jean Taylor, the guidance counselor at North Augusta Elementary, received a $500 grant from Wal-mart for the NAE D.A.R.E. program and graduation.

25 South Aiken DECA members win top honors at State Competition and qualify for the International Conference in Louisville, KY. 2 South Aiken DECA members were also selected as South Carolina DECA State Officers. Lucy Burckhalter is the new VP of Special Projects and Ashley Cady was elected as VP of Media Relations. http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/0315-south-aiken-DECA

North Augusta Middle School would like to congratulate Ben Phifer for qualifying for the State Geogrpahy Bee. The Bee will be held in April. (photo)

Several 1st place science fair winners represented North Augusta Middle School at the CSRA Regional Science Fair on Saturday, March 13, 2010. Drew Brown, a 6th grader in Ms. Harmon's class received an Honorable Mention and John Michael Baldy, an 8th grade student from Ms. BR Smith's class won 1st place in the Regional Fair. Thanks to all of the Regional participants for representing NAMS so well, and congratulations to John Michael and Drew.
Pictured left to right: John Michael and Drew (photo)

Wagener-Salley High selected for the 4th Brigade Best of the Best! Only 12 schools from over 320 programs have been selected to attend. The 4th Brigade Best of the Best Drill Competition will be hosted by the Winston-Salem DAI Office and will be held 27 Mar 10 at Simon G. Adkins High School in Winston-Salem, NC.

Students produce professional-caliber video touting high-quality Career/Technical Education...Students from across South Carolina have produced a professional-caliber video that highlights the many high-quality career/technology courses across the state and how these courses are leading more students toward two- and four-year college degrees and better jobs than ever before. Students who worked on the video visited the State House on Wednesday, March 3, to distribute DVD copies to every member of the General Assembly. Students and teachers from career/technology centers and from career-oriented courses in high schools from the following school districts produced the video: Aiken County, Anderson County districts 1 and 2, Charleston, Chesterfield, Greenville, Lexington 1, and Richland County districts 1 and 2. The contact is former veteran state legislator Ronny Townsend, who works with the High Schools That Work program. (more information)

Congratulations to all the students who represented NAMS in the annual art show sponsored by The N. Augusta Art Council. We are proud to announce that Brant Stephens won 1st place and Erin Spivey won 2nd place. WAY TO GO NAMS! (photo)

Two more hybrid buses join state fleet to help reduce pollution, lessen health risks. (press release)

Augusta State University held a ceremony recognizing the top African-American scholars at each of the area high schools. Aiken County was well represented by the following students and their school: Aiken High: Brianna Rice, Britkne Watson South Aiken: Briana Cabbil, Casey Evans Midland-Valley HS: Desini Jones, Markita Minor Silver Bluff HS: Jasmin Ingram, Olivia Taylor Ridge-Spring Monetta HS: Bianca Gibson, Audrey Jones North Augusta HS: Chloe Phillips

South Aiken High NJROTC Academic Team once again, won the 2009-2010 Georgetown SC SAT/Vocab Academic Postal competition. (more)

On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, Paul Knox Middle School celebrated Black History by providing a Black History Program with the theme of “Remembering the Past and Enhancing the Future.” (more)

The South Carolina Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) awarded Frederick Martin Grimm, of North Augusta High, the state award for his Good Citizen Essay submitted through the Martintown Road Chapter of the NSDAR. His essay was judged by Dr. Robert Stevenson, Dean of the School of Communications, Lander University, and designated the first place winner of all those submitted from the State of South Carolina. As South Carolina State winner, his essay will receive consideration for possible further DAR Good Citizen awards at the Southeastern Regional level. The South Carolina award ceremony will take place during the SCDAR State Convention to be held March 25-27, 2010 in Columbia. The Awards Luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, March 27 at 12:30pm at the Clarion Town House Hotel, 1615 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29101.

Congratulations to Cadet Amber Williams who finished 35th in the nation in the 2010 Army JROTC Service Championship. Cadet Williams shot a 1046 out of 1200 points to earn her 35th ranking during the two day competition at Camp Perry, Ohio. Again, Congratulations Amber!

Leavelle McCampbell Wins $5000.00 Lowe’s Grant! (more)

Congratulations to the 39-member delegation from North Augusta High School that attended the State Beta Club Convention Feb 19-21 where the NAHS Betas placed 3rd in the state in the group talent portion of the competitions.

Congratulations to Keyon West for winning the kicking contest at the Cancer Society's 1st annual Punt, Pass, and Kick competition this past weekend at Westside High School in Augusta, GA. Keyon kicked the ball 48 yards. Way to go Keyon!!! (photo)

State Superintendent Jim Rex (right in photo) and State Board chair Tim Moore congratulate superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Everitt, assistant superintendent Peggy Trivelas, principal Amy Gregory and Teacher of the Year Sherlyn Chapman on Chukker Creek's numerous recognitions and awards. (photo) (more info)

The Wagener-Salley high School's R.O.T.C. has been awarded a $3000.00 grant. This grant was funded by the South Carolina State Funds Committee of the N.R.A. Foundation.

"Calliope" at South Aiken High School has won two more awards this year:
1. National Council of Teachers of English Highest Award (Superior) A total of 425 schools entered their magazines, and 78 were nominated for the highest award. Calliope was one of the 78 magazines in the nation.
2. The American Scholastic Press Association's Annual Review (First Place with Merit)
"First Place With Merit" was given to a publication that scored over 900 points out of 1,000, and, in the opinion of the reviewer was an "outstanding overall example of a scholastic publication in format, content, and presentation." Both awards are national-level awards. The students did a fantastic job with the 2008-2009 issue.

Seven hundred ninety-nine South Carolina educators representing 62 school districts and 5 special schools earned National Board Certification in 2009, eleven were Aiken County teachers. (more) (press release) (full list)

East Aiken Elementary fourth grader, DeAsia Mickens, won first place in the third-fifth grade category of the Aiken Help Line Art Show at Aiken Mall. The award includes a check for $250 for our Arts Integration Initiative.

Two East Aiken Elementary authors are among the students selected to represent our district at the South Carolina Young Writers' Conference in March. Congratulations to Quentin Grant, fourth grade, and Sarah Yeargin, fifth grade!

National FFA President Levy Randolph will be visiting with the Midland Valley High School FFA chapter on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 as part of their National FFA Week celebration. (more)

Aiken County's Help Line Art Contest Winners:
Araseli Reyes 2nd Place K-2 Division
Jordan Fikes 2nd Place 3-5 Division

Aiken High School placed first and South Aiken High School placed second at the Academic Team Competition Tournament (finals) held on February 8, 2010.

East Aiken Elementary School student, Sarah Yeargin, is the Aiken County Schools fifth grade winner of the State Superintendent's Essay Contest. Her essay will be published on the South Carolina Department of Education website, and she will represent our school district at the SC Young Writers' Conference in March.

East Aiken Elementary fourth graders had a visit from two Civil War Re-enactors in full uniform. Mr. Ed Mann portrayed Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Mr. Wayne Jones played the part of Gen. Jeb Stuart as they prepared the students for their trip to the Battle of Aiken on February 19.

Holly Galvan, Sami Hale, Fantasia Thomas, Donovan Hale, and Jake Walker enjoyed their limo ride from East Aiken Elementary to Coldstone Marble Slab Ice Cream Shoppe. The students were among the top sellers in the school's fall cookie dough fundraiser. (pict)

North Augusta Middle School is delighted to announce that 8th grader Ally Jacobs is the winner of the DAR Contest on The Transcontinental Railroad for The Martintown Road Chapter. On Tuesday, February 9th at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the Fairview Presbyterian Church, Ally will be recognized for her excellent essay.

Congratulations to Connor Murphy and Sarah Wilson for placing in the American Legion Auxiliary's Americanism Essay Contest! This year's topic is "What is my Patriotic Role as a U.S. Citizen?". Connor placed second in the contest and will receive $20 and a certificate. Sarah placed third and will receive $15 and a certificate. These students, their parents and teachers will be invited to a reception on March 1 at 6:30 PM at the American Legion Post Home where the students will be asked to read their essays to the Auxiliary members. The awards will be presented at that time.

East Aiken Elementary School art teacher, Carrie Power, is the Elementary Art Educator Coordinator for the South Carolina Art Education Association. She presented a workshop, "The Creative Eye", at the SCAEA Annual Professional Development Conference. Ms. Power demonstrated lesson plans involving technology and digital photography to elementary art educators from across the state. In addition, Ms. Power planned and directed the conference luncheon with the keynote speaker. We are very proud of Carrie Power's accomplishments in the arts at our school and at the district and state levels.

East Aiken Elementary students will participate in the Aiken Help Line 211 Children's Art Show on February 11 at the Aiken Mall. Works of art created by 25 of our students will be in the show.

North Augusta Middle School is pleased to announce that they have four students who auditioned for and earned positions in the SC Region Two Band. They will participate in a region clinic and prepare music for a concert with guest conductors on Feburary 26th and 27th at Lexington High in Lexington, SC. They are: Sara Larabee - flute; Seth Rozsnyai - trumpet; Collin Loring - trumpet and AJ Greenwood - tuba. In addition, these 4 students and 13 others earned positions in the Aiken County Band. They will participate in the Aiken County Band Clinic and perform concerts on March 4, 2010. The following students also earned positions in the Aiken County Junior Band: Angel Brooks- flute; Leah Faircloth - flute; Amber Flicek- oboe; Angel Watts - clarinet; Katelyn Wilhite - clarinet; Joselyn Lopez - clarinet; Emily Wilson - alto sax; Blake Sloan - alto sax; Sergio Brito - trumpet; Alex Sims - baritone; William Kalbscof - trombone; Chase Marzullo - mallets; Katianna Smith - mallets. Congratulations students!

LBC Middle School 8th graders Cody Barker and Austin Custeau won first place in the video division in the Pitsco Education Project Competition. They entered a stop-motion animation they created in the LBC Synergistic lab and won! The lab will receive a JVC video camera and a $100 supply card for the students' clever and funny cartoon. Pitso will be posting the cartoon at teachertube.com in the next few weeks and will be featuring the students in the upcoming issue of Pitsco Education Magazine.

The North Augusta Middle School Geography Bee was held on Jan. 14, 2010; congratulations to the following North Augusta Middle School students who won, they are: 1st place: Ben Phifer 2nd place: Geoffrey Powell 3rd Place: Erin Spivey.

North Augusta Middle School held the school Spelling Bee on Monday, January 11th. Congratulations to the following students who won: 1st Place: Julia Spieker, 2nd Place: Ryan Wells, 3rd Place: Eric White. The Area 2 Spelling Bee will be held on Jan. 20, 2010 at North Augusta High School Auditorium at 4:00 p.m. (pict)

Clearwater Elementary School's Spelling Bee 5th grade winners are:
1st Place - Brandon DeAndre Colden
2nd Place - Erica R. Faircloth
3rd Place - Matthew Christopher Wright

The ACPSD Speech Program received a Letter of Congratulations for receiving the South Carolina Speech and Hearing Association's Program of the Year Award. They will be honored at the SCSHA Awards Luncheon at this year's convention in Columbia, on Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 11:30-2:00pm.

Congratulations to Martha Brunson! Mrs. Brunson received a $675 grant from DonorsChoose.org to fund the program "Composer-mania."

Eleven Aiken County Teachers receive National Board Certification. (list) (news release)

The Aiken County School Board recognized Cadet Commander Madalyn Velie, a nationally recognized recipient of the 2009 Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Outstanding Achievement in the Reserve Officers training Corps Program. (more)

The W.S.H.S. Army R.O.T.C. Drill Teams (with & without rifles) have qualified for the 2010 Army nationals. The Nationals will be held on 3/20/10, in Macon Ga. We will compete against the best in the nation. WSHS has also been informed that not only have our Army ROTC Drill Teams qualified for the Army nationals, but we have qualified for the Overall Nationals. This includes all ROTC Units from the four branches of the service. These nationals will be held in Daytona Beach in May. Congratulations War Eagles!

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) has donated $500 in recognition of the Silver Bluff High School Band and Junior ROTC for their participation in support of a National Day of Remembrance for nuclear workers held at SRS on October 30. (more)

Jeremy Brooks, agriculture teacher at Midland Valley High School in Graniteville South Carolina attended the 61st annual convention of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), November 17 – 21 in Nashville Tennessee. (News Release)

Wagener-Salley Sophomore, Lee Ellen Fulmer was recognized at the Savannah River Site Safety Art Contest Banquet Friday evening in North Augusta. Lee Ellen won First Place in the High School Category. There were over 6,800 entries in this year’s contest! Congratulations Lee Ellen!

Reginald Delany Crews II has been accepted as a member of the SC Midlands Junior Region Orchestra as a violinist. The concert will be Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Lexington High School in Lexington, SC at 7pm. North Augusta Middle would like to congratulate Delany. (pic)

Congratulations to Drew Huskey for winning the Rotary Bowl Art Contest. Drew was awarded $100.00. Cortez Bennett placed 3rd and received $25.00. The Rotary Club will donate $150.00 to North Augusta Middle School Art Department. (Pict)

Eleven students from Leavelle McCampbell Middle School participated in the South Carolina Mock Trial regional competition on Saturday, October 31, 2009 in Columbia, SC. (More)

Congratulations to April Jeffcoat, Wagener-Salley High School, on making it to the "High Scores" list on USA Test Prep. She is 14th out of 25 other students from South Carolina on the hardest game on the site, Dance Dance Robot. This is not an easy feat.

Lee Ellen Fulmer, a 10th grader at Wagener-Salley High School, has been chosen as a winner in the SRS Safety Art Contest. She will be recognized at a banquet in North Augusta on Friday, November 13, 2009.

North Augusta Elementary School won the South Carolina award for its "healthy school" initiatives and the Aiken County Board of Education formally recognized the school at a meeting recently. (More)

Dr. Gary Senn, the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center director, presented Dr. Angela Burkhalter with the Dr. Robert Alexander Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award, recognizing her contributions to science education. The award is named after the retired USC Aiken chancellor. Dr. Burkhalter is the former North Augusta Elementary principal. (pict)

Taylor Harvey, from Wagener-Salley High School, won 2nd place in the "Who Wants to Be a Mathematician" held Thursday, October 29th at Fort Discovery in Augusta, Georgia. Taylor competed against students from South Carolina and Georgia to win $500 and a TI-NSpire calculator from Texas Instruments. The contest was sponsored by the American Mathematical Society and was held in conjunction with the Arnold Ross Lecture Series. This series is designed for high school math students.

Eight members of the Midland Valley FFA Chapter as well as one member of the Midland Valley Adult Agriculture Chapter attended the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Indiana. (News Release)

Mary Ann Wilson at Midland Valley High School received a $900 scholarship from the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust.

Clearwater Elementary School received a letter from Mr. Rick Kelley, Savannah River Remediation, Public Affairs. He informed them that Denise Dickey, a fourth grade teacher, is one of the winners in the 2009-2010 "Students, Teachers Achieving Results" (STAR) Grant. She is certainly a teacher that goes above and beyond the call of duty to find ways to increase students' classroom learning experiences. As the Grant states, "This is so essential to the success of our children, our communities, and our country." Denise has been awarded a $1000 to help promote science and mathematics in her classroom. She has been invited to attend a reception for all grant recipients on October 29th at Newberry Hall in Aiken. She will be awarded her check at this time. CES is very proud of Denise and all of her accomplishments!

Forty-four school districts are receiving approximately $7.3 million in federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2)/ARRA Round 9 Competitive Grants. The purpose of the grants is to implement 21st century classrooms using innovative strategies that enhance instruction, facilitate teaching and learning, and improve student achievement. The awards were announced by the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of eLearning. (News Release)

Michael Truitt, Busbee Elementary teacher, got a "Students, Teachers Achieving Results" Grant for $1000.

Congratulations to Ms. Martha Brunson, teacher at North Augusta Elementary School! Ms. Brunson received a $300 grant from the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council to purchase items to use in her classroom.

The Ghost Writing Contest held by Nancy Carson Library was a huge success. North Augusta Middle School is proud to announce 3 winners from the contest, they are: Brielle Smith, Julie Brunson, and Jewell Pierner Nancy Carson will be announcing the winners and allowing the winners to read their stories in front of family and friends on October 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Congratulations to these students! Pictured left to right: Julie Brunson, Brielle Smith and Camille Pierner (pict)

1st place winner was Camille Pierner won $50.00 Border's gift card
2nd place winner was Julie Brunson won $25.00 Border's gift card
3rd place Winner was Brielle Smith won $15.00 Border's gift card

Theresa Spieker received the "Students, Teachers Achieving Results" Grant from Savannah River Remediation for $1000!! The grant will be used to promote education in science and mathematics. Way to go, Theresa!!

Cari Dukes received a $150 grant from the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council. Way to go, Ms. Dukes!!

East Aiken Elementary is featured in the October issue of the Mighty Milers in Motion newsletter. Students walk or run miles as they work toward incentives. As a bonus, teachers are seeing improvements in academic achievement and behavior! (more)

Congratulations to Mrs. Meredith Leopard! North Augusta Elementary's art teacher, Meredith Leopard, received a $300 grant from the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council to purchase items for her classroom. She was also awarded a $2,500.00 grant from Target for her program, “Cultures in Clay.”

Busbee Elementary was awarded a grant from Sylvan Dell Publishing for a free, one-year site license, providing unlimited access to all 35 Sylvan Dell eBooks, featuring flipviewer technology with selectable English and Spanish text and audio. Congratulations!!!

The Midland Valley Agriculture Program was named as the South Carolina Lower State Region Outstanding Agriculture Program of the year on Monday September 14, 2009 by the South Carolina Association of Agricultural Educators at their Fall Meeting held in Ridge Spring. The Midland Valley Agriculture Program will now compete to be named as the South Carolina Agricultural Program of the year.

Chukker Creek Elementary named National Blue Ribbon Award winner!!!! (more)

Six public schools recognized for promoting healthy habits among students, faculty and staff... (more)

Congratulations to Schofield Middle School...we are the first Green Steps School in Aiken County! Schofield Middle has been recycling for 3 years! Mrs. Ashley’s 7th grade students picked up the paper totes on Fridays from each teacher’s classroom and on Mondays rolled the carts to the curb for pickup from the City of Aiken. The students REALLY enjoyed providing this service for our school. Last year added collecting plastic bottles, which Mrs. Roach’s students were in charge of and Ms. Wren’s students ran the aluminum can recycling program. The City of Aiken generously donated all of the recycling bins that we needed for all three programs. We are now a Green Steps School-showing that we have a sustainable environmentally friendly program, supported by staff and students, to protect the environment and teach others about what they can do to help. Let's continue to make this program a success.

Earlier this month, at the International Key Club Convention in Dallas,TX, Silver Bluff Key Club was awarded "The Annual Achievement Award" - Diamond Level. This is the highest recognition a Key Club can achieve. Key Club International is the largest high school community service organization in the world. It is active in 37 countries Silver Bluff was one of only ten clubs internationally to receive this honor. This award recognizes the club's total annual achievement; number of active members, accumulated service hours, number of projects, members' attendance at weekly meetings, the club's involvement with their sponsoring Kiwanis Club (Aiken Kiwanis), money raised for charity and many other aspects and responsibilities of a club and it's advisor. Nick Hall, outgoing Lt. Governor, attended the convention and represented the Silver Bluff Key Club. David Estep is the outgoing president and junior, Julie Radford, is the 2009-2010 club president. In addition, Sarah Zimmermann is the club secretary, Grayson Kern club treasurer, teacher, Meredith Pickering is the new Silver Bluff Key Club advisor.

Wagener-Salley High School is proud to announce that our Army ROTC Unit achieved a perfect score during their Annual Report Summary for the 2008-09 school year. They scored a perfect 400 points. The different categories included are as follows: Competitive, Alternative, Parade/Review, Non-Parade/Review, Formal Event, Color Guard, Community Support, JCLC (summer camp), Cadet Challenge, Service Learning. W.S.H.S.’s Army ROTC Unit is only in the 4th year of existence. Over 100 students are involved in the program. This is an extraordinary honor for such a young program. Special thanks go to Colonel Maxie Joye and Command Sergeant Major Michael Fowler.

Wagener-Salley High School is excited to announce that we have been able to add a Physical Science Lab to our Freshman Academy. This lab will add to the academic experiences that our students need. This lab would not have been possible if were not for the cooperation and financial help of the many arms of Aiken County Public School District. The Facility and Maintenance Department, District Office, Area Four Office, and of course our team at W.S.H.S. worked together to ensure the completion of this lab. This project is just another example of how well Aiken County Public School District works together to do what is best for the students of Aiken County. Special thanks go to Deputy Superintendent – Mr. David Caver, Director of Maintenance Operations – Mr. Allen Mayberry, General Foreman – Mr. Rick Stoker, the District Maintenance Workers, and Asst. Area Four Superintendent – Ms. Joy Shealy, the W.S.H.S. custodial staff, and the W.S.H.S. Leadership Team.

The Midland Valley High School Agriculture Program was recently chosen among 16 agriculture education programs from across South Carolina to participate in a Biosystems Technology project. (more)

The Adult Division of the Agricultural Education Department at Midland Valley High School has been named the Outstanding Post Secondary Program in the southern states and one of the top six in the nation by the National Association of Agricultural Educators, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs for Agricultural Education in South Carolina. (more)

Benjamin Derrick, a member of the Ridge Spring-Monetta High School FFA Chapter, was named the Lower State Regional Star in Agricultural Placement for 2009 by the SC FFA Association at a recent ceremony on the Clemson University campus, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization. (more)

Sally Yon, a 2009 graduate of Ridge Spring-Monetta High School, was recently named the State Star Farmer by the SC FFA Association during a special ceremony at Clemson University, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization. (more)

NAHS students receive awards at FBLA National Convention in Anaheim, California

Listed below are the students, event, national award and advisers:

Jessica Kaczmarek - Business Communications, 1st Place
Kay Meyer - Computer Applications, 9th Place
Sam Abbott -Word Processing II, 6th Place

Partnership with Business: 2nd Place
Advisers: Stephanie Ramey and Lynda Oswald
Presenters: Chris Ramey and Erica Adams

Emerging Business Issues: 3rd Place
Advisers: Priscilla Broughton and Stephanie Ramey
Presenters: Mel Hanks and Emeka Okafor

Community Service Project: 8th Place
Adviser: Linda Skinner
Presenters: Frederick Grimm, Jennifer Price and Nick Gamble

Ridge Spring-Monetta FFA well represented at State FFA Convention.. (more)

The South Aiken High Soccer teams had a fulfilling and downright stupendous year! (more)

The Midland Valley FFA Chapter was honored on Wednesday June 10, 2009 as part of the 82nd Annual South Carolina FFA Convention for their Outstanding work in student development. Chosen from among the group of nine National Gold Emblem FFA Chapters in South Carolina, Midland Valley FFA was presented with the Governor's Citation for outstanding student development, the highest award that is given to an FFA Chapter. The group received a large framed copy of the citation signed by Governor Mark Sanford to display at the school as well as a $1,000.00 cash award from the South Carolina Rural Rehabilitation Program to be used as a means to continue their efforts in student development. The Midland Valley FFA also received the 100% Plus award on Friday June 12, 2009 as part of the South Carolina FFA Convention for their outstanding accomplishment of having over 100% of all students in the agriculture program actively involved in the FFA program. This year the Midland Valley FFA had 104 Midland Valley students involved in the program.

Perfect Score on ACT!!! An Aiken High student was one of the only 2 in SC to do so this April, and he is one of only 268 nationally. Aric Berning made a 36 on the ACT--pretty incredible!

South Aiken High School DECA members Alex Umsted and Abbie Hamman won Top10 honors at the International DECA competition in Anaheim, California in April for their Marketing Research Project. Alex and Abbie were also recently selected as new SC DECA State officers. Several other SAHS DECA members received honorable mention at the International Competition with the DECA Award of Excellence in their events. These students included: Kristen Cook, Michael Paxton, Bryce Shepherd, Christy Roberts, Melody Turner, Becca Bowser, Carrie Crowder and April Royster.

Camisha Stokes, Silver Bluff High School and Samuel Adkinson, Strom Thurmond High School, are among twelve students being honored at the annual Education and Business Summit in Greenville, South Carolina. (story at WRDW)

Rebecca Butler, 4th grade teacher at Warrenville Elementary, was one of nineteen educators from the nation selected to attend Project Atmosphere in Kansas City, Missouri, this summer. The intensive, two-week project is one of the American Meteorological Society's educational programs designed to promote studies in the atmospheric science at elementary, middle, and secondary levels. The workshop will include lectures, tutorials, seminars, hands-on laboratory exercises, and field trips. She will conduct in-service training in the fall to interested teachers throughout the district to promote weather education.

Lula Wooden, lunchroom manager at Mossy Creek, has won the Time to Care award. It will be announced on Channel 12 on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 12pm and 6pm news.

Kanelia Cannon, A.L. Corbett Middle School, has been chosen as one of two recipients of the National Council of Teachers of English Early Career Teacher of Color Award of Distinction.(more) (State Board Recognition)

08/09 Archive

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