Five Schools Named Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest
March 9, 2009
SC Association of School Administrators & Carolina First Bank Honor S. C. Schools across the State
COLUMBIA, SC – March 9, 2009 – Five schools have been named the 2009 Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Schools. They are:
• Bell’s Crossing Elementary in Simpsonville, Greenville County Schools
• West View Elementary in Spartanburg, Spartanburg School District 6
• Lugoff-Elgin Middle in Lugoff, Kershaw County Schools
• Greenville Technical Charter High in Greenville, Greenville County Schools
• Spring Valley High in Columbia, Richland School District 2
About 1,500 excited teachers, school supporters and education leaders representing the 16 finalist schools gathered Monday, March 9, at Columbia’s Koger Center, to learn which schools would take the top honors. The schools had progressed through an intensive application process requiring self-evaluation, peer review and on-site examinations.
Also recognized were the 2009 Principals and Assistant Principals of the Year.
Secondary Level
Mrs. Lucy Beckham, Principal, Wando High School, Charleston County Schools
Dr. Glenda George, Assistant Principal, Spring Valley High School, Richland School District 2
Middle Level
Ms. Carole Ingram, Principal, Beaufort Middle School, Beaufort County Schools
Mrs. Jennifer Morillo, Assistant Principal, Lady’s Island Middle School,
Beaufort County Schools
Elementary Level
Mrs. Camilla “Cammy” Groome, Principal, Newington Elementary School,
Dorchester School District 2
Mrs. Jan Fickling, Assistant Principal, Lake Carolina Elementary School,
Richland School District 2
Bell’s Crossing Elementary (Simpsonville, principal, Barbara Barlow) opened its doors for the first time in the fall of 2002. Four different area schools make up Bell’s Crossing’s school population of over 750 students, from an area called the Golden Strip. There school motto is “To Soar and To Lead”.
West View Elementary (Spartanburg, principal, Shawn Wootton) was founded in 1968 and houses over 690 students. West View has grown from one class per grade level to six classes per grade level and has tripled in size over the past 20 years.
Lugoff-Elgin Middle (Lugoff, principal, Daniel Matthews) enrolls over 630 total student’s grades 6-8. The mission of their school is to prepare all students to excel; to encourage self-discipline, which will promote student self-worth; and to develop thinking skills by providing a challenging, safe and caring school climate in which students can become productive citizens who can succeed in society.
Greenville Technical Charter High (Greenville, principal, Fred Crawford) was established in 1999 and serves grades 9-12. They are a Palmetto Gold Award winner and have been recognized for meeting AYP for five consecutive years. With classes of no more than 25 students, the school is geared for achievement, providing a strong core academic program with many opportunities for leadership.
Spring Valley High (Columbia, principal, Dr. Greg Owings) opened in 1970 and houses a diverse student body of just over 1900 students. In early 2008 the student body moved into a new 450,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge technology, science and fine arts labs that are designed for specific content, and exceptional athletic facilities.
“Carolina First is honored to help recognize these high-achieving schools,” said Scott Frierson, President of Carolina First. “We applaud the dedication and hard work of the faculty, staff and students of both the finalists and winners.”
Dr. Sue Rex was on stage Monday evening to help present the 31st annual awards. She joined representatives of the two cosponsoring organizations, the SC Association of School Administrators (Molly Spearman, Executive Director) and Carolina First Corporation (David Lominack, Midlands Market President). Dr. David Mathis is the chairman of SCASA’s Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Awards Committee.
“We’re very pleased to partner with Carolina First Bank to offer this recognition for innovative, effective schools,” said SCASA’s Molly Spearman. “Carolina First’s generous support validates the importance of an excellent education for South Carolina’s young people.”
Presenting the awards to the four winners in a grammy style format were Mrs. Judi Gatson (Anchor WIS-TV News), Dr. Jo Anne Anderson (Executive Director, South Carolina Education Oversight Committee), Mrs. Jenna Hallman (2009 South Carolina Teacher of the Year), and Mrs. Pamela Lackey (President, AT&T South Carolina).
SCASA is the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 2,900. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.
