Laurens County Celebrates Innovation and Achievement at Second Annual STEAM on the Square

The Laurens Public Square was transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and discovery this past Saturday, March 28, 2026, as Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56 joined forces with the City of Laurens and Main Street Laurens to host the second annual STEAM on the Square, a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

The event once again brought education to the heart of the community, showcasing the innovative, hands-on learning taking place daily across Laurens County schools. Families and visitors explored interactive booths, engaged in hands-on building challenges, and toured the LCSD 55 Magic School Bus/STEM Bus.

“It was a tremendous pleasure to be part of the 2nd Annual STEAM on the Square—it was a magnificent success,” said Mayor Nathan Senn.

Mayor Senn added, “The City of Laurens recognizes the value of education and its strategic importance for our future. We were honored to support and promote STEAM education through this impactful event.”

The influx of visitors provided a significant economic boost to downtown Laurens. Gary Bailey, one of the developers of the Bailey Building and owner/operator of Groucho’s Deli at the Laurens Square, noted that the event drew crowds from well beyond the county lines.

“I appreciate Laurens 55 and all the organizers of STEAM on the Square for bringing in business from both within and beyond Laurens,” said Bailey.

“I met first-time diners who traveled from as far as Spartanburg. Saturdays are typically slower for us, but this was such a busy day that I stepped in to help serve customers myself,” Bailey continued.

Throughout the day, the Square was filled with excitement and a dynamic lineup of student performances across multiple venues, including the Plaza Stage, the Capitol Theater, and the Laurens Museum. Audiences enjoyed everything from elementary choruses and drumming ensembles to high school bands and orchestras, while more than 30 vendors—including Clemson 4-H and the South Carolina Children’s Theatre—offered engaging exhibits that sparked curiosity and inspired learners of all ages.

A highlight of the event was the STEAM Awards Ceremony, led by LCSD 55 Director of Teaching & Learning Wendy Burgess, LCSD 55 Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland, and LCSD 56 Director of Elementary Education Eddie Marshall. Among those honored was Mr. Harold Ligon, who received a Science Award in recognition of his 38 years of dedicated chemistry instruction in LCSD 55.

Ligon shared, “I am pleased to receive an award for things I have done years ago. I simply did work that I enjoyed and never expected recognition. It was especially meaningful to reconnect with former students at the event.”

Reflecting on the experience, Ligon praised both the scale and spirit of the celebration. “I was impressed by the setup, the students, and the incredible variety of activities,” he said.

Ligon added, “It was such a pleasant day that we stayed until the very end. Hearing the music and seeing families fully engaged made it truly special.” He also noted the unique atmosphere of the event, where adults were enjoying what the kids were enjoying, and highlighted the strong presence of community leaders and state representatives.

Other award recipients included John M. Young (Laurens Commission of Public Works) for the STEAM Business Award; Dr. and Mrs. David O’Shields (LCSD 56) for Science; Brittni Johnson and Darrell Pitts (LCSD 56) for Technology; Jimmy Jacobs (LCSD 56) for Engineering; Jeannie Browning (LCSD 56) and Janette Marvin, the event’s resident artist, for Arts; and Katherine Addison (LCSD 56) for Mathematics.

The success of STEAM on the Square was made possible through the generous support of local businesses and organizations. Both districts extend sincere appreciation to event sponsors, including Byars Machine Shop, PRISMA Health, Laurens Tool, Laurens First Steps, Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC), Crowder Gulf, The Budd Group, United Community Bank, Laurens Commission of Public Works, the City of Clinton, and the Rotary Club of Laurens.

The event was attended by numerous local and state leaders, including a representative from the South Carolina Department of Education, board members of both school districts, members of the city and county councils, Gray Court Mayor Stellartean Jones, State Representative Doug Gilliam, and Senator Danny Verdin. A special message from U.S. Senator Tim Scott emphasized the importance of education, noting that “education is the closest thing to magic that we have here in America.”

This collaborative effort was made possible by a dedicated planning team from LCSD 55, LCSD 56, and community partners. Representing LCSD 55 were Wendy Burgess, Dr. Kristi Tucker, Rebecca Marsh, Angela Compton, Dr. Jody Penland, Cindy Wright, and Faye Colley. LCSD 56 was represented by Dr. Brenda Schrantz, Eddie Marshall, Josie Kate Haupfear, and Kerri Gearhardt. Community partners included Lisa Canada and Rebekah Smith of the City of Laurens and Brad Abercrombie of Main Street Laurens.

Building on the momentum of this year’s resounding success, Laurens County School District 55 is proud to establish STEAM on the Square as a cornerstone annual tradition. District leaders are already looking toward the future, exploring innovative ways to expand the experience and ensure next year’s celebration is even more impactful, engaging, and inspiring for the entire Laurens County community.