Laurens County School District 55 Recognizes Outstanding Academic Achievement with Perfect EOCEP Scores

Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) honored students during the LCSD 55 School Board Meeting held on October 28, 2024, at the District Administrative Office. Fifty-nine Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) students have perfect scores on the 2023-2024 End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP). Many of them attended last night’s meeting and were recognized. One student, Chloe May, was recognized for a perfect score on the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) Math. Other EOCEP perfect score students were awarded at the LCSD 55 September 23, 2024, School Board Meeting.

SC READY assesses grades 3-8 students’ proficiency in mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA), social studies, and science, and the EOCEP is mandated to assess performance in gateway courses in mathematics, ELA, and science.

Last night, LDHS Principal Lewis Compton handed the certificates and 100-dollar checks to the EOCEP perfect score students, alongside LCSD 55 School Board Chairperson Cathy Little and LCSD 55 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rhett Harris. You can read the list of awardees at https://bit.ly/EOCEP2024.

Compton said, “I am beyond proud to share the outstanding achievements of our students who have earned a perfect score on their End-of-Course Exams! This incredible accomplishment is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. These students have demonstrated academic excellence, determination, and resilience that will serve them well in all their future endeavors. Their success reflects the support of their families, the dedication of our teachers, and the strong community we have at Laurens High School. Please join me in congratulating these remarkable students! Their achievements inspire all of us to strive for greatness. Let’s continue to encourage and support all our students to reach their full potential.”

Etha Parvathi, LDHS Biology Teacher, is lauded by staff, students, and parents. She has helped many students achieve perfect scores in Biology. She shared her strategies for helping students and her passion for Biology. She said, “I employ a comprehensive approach to ensure my students are successful in EOC Biology. By fostering a deep understanding of biological concepts and emphasizing their interconnections, I enable students to grasp the material fully. Each day, they engage with at least six to ten new concepts, reinforcing their knowledge and preparing them effectively for the exam. I also integrate hands-on activities and real-world applications to enhance their learning experience. I always remind them, ‘We can and we will,’ because when we stay determined, everything falls into place. By breaking down tough topics and learning with easy methods, success is within reach.”

She added, “My passion for teaching biology stems from its fundamental role in understanding the world around us. Knowledge of biology is crucial for aspiring medical professionals. It also empowers all individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Biology intersects with numerous fields, from environmental science to biotechnology, and I strive to inspire my students to recognize its relevance in everyday life and future careers. My ultimate goal is to instill in students the confidence that they can conquer anything.”

Similarly, staff, students, and parents admire LDHS English Teacher Mary Pieniak. She is also passionate and dedicated to educating her students. She said, “I am passionate about students learning English primarily because it is the best, first, most important way to communicate. I was in the business sector for many years, training people to process claims; implement new groups onto health contracts, and; present to the Chief Executive Officer and other higher-level executives. Communication is essential for survival in the ‘real world.’ Filling out job application forms and creating meaningful resumes are just a few examples of how English is used. It may/will affect their future success and happiness.”

Pieniak added, “I prepare my English 2 classes for the EOC from the start of the semester. Many of the focal points in their assignments are directly related to applied learning the EOC likely asks, such as the tone and mood of the readings; figurative language examples, and; essay writing. As we neared the 30-day mark before the EOC, I started focusing on the writing rubric shared by the state. I assigned argumentative writing tasks and informational writing tasks and went through a detailed analysis of their writing based on the rubric. Historically, the students are so familiar with the rubric that it is almost ‘second nature’ to them when they take the EOC,” shared Pieniak.

LDHS Student Sarah Field received perfect scores in Biology 1 and English 2. She is grateful and proud that her hard work paid off. She thanks her parents and teachers, Etha Parvathi and Mary Pieniak, for helping her ace the tests. She advises other students on how to be successful with their EOC, “Do the  work and keep up in class, and just do the best you can and not worry about having a perfect score.”

Sarah’s mother, Jamie Field, is proud of her daughter and echoes her appreciation for LDHS teachers. She stated, “We are extremely proud of Sarah. As a student-athlete, she works hard to maintain and achieve high academic standards. We’ve always encouraged hard work and discipline. Her success and the recognition she received are a reward for the long-term, consistent hard work she has maintained throughout her academic career. It will encourage and motivate her to remain focused on the goals she sets for herself. Sara Beth and her teachers understand the importance of high-level learning.”

Elizabeth “Liz” Leggett perfected the United States History and the Constitution. She is excited about her accomplishment and thankful for having a helpful, informative, and supportive teacher, Mrs. Liner. She advises other students to pay attention, stay on task with their work, and be respectful in class.

Liz’s mother, Carla Leggett, is very proud of her daughter and the teachers and staff of LCSD 55. Leggett is an employee of LCSD 55 and has seen the dedication of district staff members. She said, “Every teacher that Liz has had in her educational journey has made an impact and I am thankful for all of them. However, I could never thank enough Mrs. Keela Davis, Mrs. Rachel Clayton, and Coach Grant Ramsey!”