Exciting Developments in Columbia: Grants, Awards, and Community Achievements Highlight Local Schools

Exciting News from Columbia: Grants, Awards, and Musical Highlights!

Hey there, Columbia residents! Have you heard the fantastic news buzzing around our community lately? There’s been a whole lot of positive energy, especially when it comes to our schools and the amazing work being done by our local educators and students. Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into the highlights!

Bright Ideas Grant Program Shines Bright for Local Teachers

First up, let’s talk about the Bright Ideas program from Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (MCEC). Each year, this initiative awards grants that fuel the flames of creativity in our classrooms, and this year, it was a successful landing for School District Five, which scored nearly $6,500 in funding!

Among the grant winners, we’ve got the incredibly inventive Craig Andrysczyk from Oak Pointe Elementary with his project, “21st Century Engineering for Elementary Learners.” And let’s not forget Jaime Chason at Dutch Fork High School who is bringing us “Reborn Art,” focusing on creative expression in difficult times.

Other innovative projects include Dr. Paul Duggan’s “Featherheads STEAM Club” at Leaphart Elementary, which is all about science and technology for fourth graders. And let’s show some love to Grace Fields with her project on “Outdoor Air Quality” at Dutch Fork High! What a breath of fresh air, literally!

Also making waves is Dr. Cherisha Floyd’s initiative at Irmo High School, “First Generation College Student Initiative,” aiming to uplift students navigating college for the first time. Not to be overlooked is Heather Studer’s innovative “Collaborating in the Math Classroom” at Chapin Middle School and Carl Tilson’s “Culturing Marine Algae for Bioremediation Research” at Dutch Fork High. These educators are truly inspiring!

Students Stepping Up for a Cause

And speaking of inspiration, have you heard about Mary Ellen Morrison and Bella Qian from Spring Hill High School? These two dynamic students just snagged the Len Rodger’s Spirit Award from Good Days Effective Compassion. Their campaign, “Fighting Chronic Illness Together,” involved designing and selling cool t-shirts, hoodies, and bracelets, with all proceeds going to help those in need of treatment for chronic illnesses. Major props to them for making a difference!

Magnet Fairs Invite Families to Explore Opportunities

For families looking for options for their kids, mark your calendars! On Thursday, November 21, Lexington-Richland School District Five is hosting the first of two Magnet Fairs at Irmo High School International School for the Arts from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This is a golden opportunity to explore various offerings at several high schools and middle schools and get an inside scoop on what’s available for grades six through twelve.

Academic Milestones and Music Making Magic

In other exciting news, Gabrielle Goodwin, a senior from Spring Hill High School, has made it to the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program for the class of 2025! This could lead to a phenomenal $20,000 college scholarship. Fingers crossed for her as she moves through the selection process!

And let’s not forget about the musical talents from Dreher High School. Over twenty students recently participated in an epic recording project with the Virtual Guitar Orchestra and Augustine Strings, performing “The Sun” by Ronald Pearl. The finished product was released on YouTube on November 6, so be sure to check it out!

Arts Funding Celebration at Nursery Road Elementary

Last but certainly not least, Nursery Road Elementary School – Arts Magnet (NRES-AM) is celebrating a huge win! They have received a generous $12,400 Distinguished Arts Program (DAP) grant from the South Carolina Department of Education for their project “Excellence in Arts.” What a fantastic boost for our young artists!

Columbia, there’s so much to be proud of in our schools. From grants and awards to inspiring community efforts and musical achievements, it’s clear that our students and educators are going above and beyond in every way possible. Let’s keep this positive momentum rolling!