RICHLAND 2

SPRING VALLEY HIGH

THE HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (HSAP) exit exam will be administered April 25-27. The HSAP will be given to all first-time 10th-graders, repeating ninthgraders, 11th- and 12th-grade students who have not previously passed the exam and 11th- and 12th-graders new to the S.C. public school system (including exchange students). The exam is one of the major requirements for a high school diploma in South Carolina. Students should contact their guidance counselor for more information.

SPRING VALLEY STUDENTS Zak Rakes and Alastair Hutchison took first and second place respectively in the National Art Society state art competition. Rakes’ win marks the fourth consecutive year a Spring Valley student has taken the top spot.

SPRING VALLEY BANDS performed at the SCBDA State Concert Festival March 30. The Symphonic Band earned a Superior rating in Grade VI, the most difficult level of music. The Concert Band took an Excellent rating in Grade IV.

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KERSHAW COUNTY

LUGOFF-ELGIN HIGH

JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT students attended the Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) convention the first week in March. Competing with students from 16 southern states, Lugoff- Elgin students brought home several awards. The 2007 yearbook cover, designed by Wesley Hinson, Brianna McLeod and Micah Rowell, was named Best of Convention. A story by Shanon Green and Cassie Stanton of the newspaper staff placed first in the writing, editing and design competition. Amanda Kelly took second place for a feature story and Micah Rowell was named first runner-up for sports photography. Ashley Gardner received the Sylvia Daughtery scholarship. Advisor Jenny Proctor and the Kaleidoscope staff received the Shoquist Freedom of the Press Award. Diana Martin was elected student president of the association and will help plan the 2008 convention.

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OTHER NEWS

RICHLAND COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT SOIL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM is sponsoring Earth Day contests for Richland County residents in public, private and home schools. Kindergarten through fifth-graders and special education students may compete in the Poster Contest, the theme is “Where is Energy?” An essay contest on “Energy Conservation — Fuels for the Future” is open to sixth- through eighth-graders. A photography contest for grades 9- 12 will comprise images depicting “What is Energy?” Deadline for entries is Monday, April 23; certificates and cash prizes will presented at an awards banquet in May. (803) 576-2080 or (803) 576- 2083

RICHLAND 1 is recruiting teachers who can motivate students academically and socially, who want to make a difference in the lives of young people and who seek a challenge. Five schools in the district are under state review because they did not make significant student achievement goals measured by state testing over three years. Schools in the A+ Project, C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, Eau Claire High, Alcorn, Gibbes and W.A. Perry Middle schools, will focus on achievement, access and accountability. Potential annual earnings for A+ teachers with a bachelor’s degree and no experience, up to $44,455; master’s degree with 10 years experience, up to $71,981; master’s degree plus 30 semester hours, up to $85,000; doctorate, up to $96,104. Teachers can receive substantial compensation for additional work hours and work days, performance-based incentives, retention bonuses and supplemental pay for National Board certification. For more information, call (803) 231-7418 or go to www.richlandone.org and click on the A+ Schools link.

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COLLEGES

HONORS

SARAH FORD has been named to the USC President’s List for the fall semester of the 2006- 07 academic year with a grade-point average of 4.0. A 2006 honors graduate of Lugoff-Elgin High School, she is the daughter of Norman and Phyllis Ford of Elgin.Caption:

(1) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Hallelujah Singers organizer Marlena Smalls conducted a two-day workshop for eighth-graders at Blythewood Middle School. Her knowledge of South Carolina history was enriched by stories, music and dance from the Gullah culture of the South Carolina Sea Islands. (2) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Sharon Draper, author of ‘Double Dutch’ and the awardwinning ‘Copper Sun’, speaks to Blythewood Middle School students about the writing process. (3) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Illustrator Tate Nation of Mount Pleasant shares his book, ‘Yo, Millard Fillmore,’ in a lively and humorous presentation to eighthgrade social studies students at Blythewood Middle School. (4) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Blythewood Middle School students collected books for Blythewood High School student Amanda Millar’s senior Girl Scout project. The books will be given to Sistercare, a shelter for women. (5) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Killian Elementary School held its annual Family Math Night during which faculty, parents and students played hands-on math games. First-graders delighted the audience with their rendition of ‘Monthareana,’ while fourth-graders sang ‘Measure Around the Clock’ to the tune of the ‘Happy Days’ theme. (6) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Spring Valley High School’s Air Force JROTC drill team placed third at the Air Force Nationals held in Landover, Maryland on March 23. The team placed third in the nation in Armed Division Exhibition and Armed Division Regulation, and Cadet Lt. Col. John Greene placed third in Best Cadet Commander. Spring Valley was the only South Carolina team to compete. (7) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Summit Parkway Middle School winners in the Lieutenant Governor Essay Contest include from left, Geoffrey McCray, Deidre Melvin, Ashontie Daniels and Sarah McNab. (8) – Ford (9) by SPECIAL TO THE STATE – Blaney Elementary students raised $2,275 for Family Resource Center in Camden. Because Blaney’s total exceeded last year’s giving, selected students got to put all the trimmings on school counselor and FRC board member Glenna Brown-Kaiser. Students who poured it on include Leanna Purvis, Madison Locklear, Mikayla Price, Kaitlyn Bressler, Brianna Price, Nicole Collins, Shannon Lester, faculty member Tyler Bowers and Jaimie Whitfield.