Greenville County Schools - Class of 2019 by Community Journals

CLASS ACTS Celebrating the Class of 2019 GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

NDENT

E FROM THE SUPERINT Dear Families,

I am successful school year, As I reflect on another e tes will rise to meet th assured that our gradua ce after high school. I am challenges they will fa ue are equipped to contin ey th at th t en id nf co fully their a career, and I recognize their studies or pursue p, s of character, leadershi ea ar e th in ts en em ev achi ue to cation that will contin commitment, and dedi forward. move our community

to succeed. volumes to their drive k ea sp ts en m ish pl m 1089 Our students’ acco r average SAT score of ou d an t, en rc pe .6 83 te is The GCS graduation ra 49. Last year’s e national average of 10 th d an 64 10 of e ag er d we exceeds the state av taling $138.9 million an to s fer of p hi rs la ho sc d graduating class receive . on for the Class of 2019 expect similar recogniti of 1,642 tes with the awarding ua ad gr y ad -re er re ca t We are also preparing Work Career Assessmen to y ad Re IN W e th on . Based ills needed for industry certifications senior class had the sk is th of t en rc pe 86 ar Test, by their junior ye employment. look forward to accomplishments and ur yo of d ou pr ry ve Class of 2019, I am holds. seeing what the future

INSIDE…

• Class of 2019 Valedictorians and Salutatorians...............3-5 • Graduation Plus..................6-7 • 2019 Graduation Schedule......8 • Partner of the Year.............. 10

Sincerely,

. W. Burke Royster, Ph.D ille County Schools Superintendent, Greenv CLASS ACTS 2019 GRADUATION |1 Supplement to the Greenville Journal | Friday, May 31EDITION | 2019 Supplement to the Greenville Journal • Friday, June 1, 2018 • Greenville County Schools

WILDE CREATURES

PEACE CENTER AD JAZZY ASH & THE LEAPING LIZARDS

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE OCEAN SOUL WITH BRIAN SKERRY

TICKETS ARE

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PEACE PASSPORT 2019-2020 FIELD TRIP SERIES

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SCIENCE

MUSIC

THEATER

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE EXPLORING MARS WITH KOBIE BOYKINS Grade Levels: K-12 Sept. 16, 2019

DREAM WEAVING: GULLAH STORIES AND SONGS Grade Levels: 1-8 Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2019

MACBETH Grade Levels: 5-12 Oct. 17-18, 2019

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE OCEAN SOUL WITH BRIAN SKERRY Grade Levels: K-12 Jan. 13, 2020

HARLEM 100 Grade Levels: 3-12 Oct. 15, 2019

DANCE

WHO STOLE THE MONA LISA? Grade Levels: 1-8 Nov. 6-7, 2019

DIAVOLO | ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION® Grade Levels: K-12 Oct. 8, 2019

JAZZY ASH & THE LEAPING LIZARDS Grade Levels: Pre K-8 Nov. 18-19, 2019

CHE MALAMBO Grade Levels: K-12 Feb. 19, 2020

THIRD COAST PERCUSSION Grade Levels: K-8 Feb. 11, 2020

INLET DANCE THEATRE’S “WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA?” Grade Levels: Pre K-3 Feb. 24-26, 2020

1984 Grade Levels: 6-12 Feb. 5, 2020 HOMER'S THE ODYSSEY Grade Levels: 6-12 Feb. 6, 2020 WILDE CREATURES Grade Levels: K-6 Feb. 12-13, 2020 THE CASHORE MARIONETTES Grade Levels: 1-8 Mar. 11-12, 2020

LITERARY ARTS KWAME ALEXANDER Grade Levels: 6-12 Mar. 23, 2019

2 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

peacecenter.org/passport

Class Acts Congratulations Class of 2019! BEREA HIGH VALEDICTORIAN: Sean Seth Rafferty SALUTATORIAN: Alexis Caitlyn Nerpiol CLASS SIZE: 213

BLUE RIDGE HIGH VALEDICTORIAN: Barrett Wilson Broome SALUTATORIAN: Keith Michael Lewandowski CLASS SIZE: 212

The Berea Green Machine Marching Band helped The Blue Ridge High School Cross Country and me grow as an individual and as a student. I Track programs taught me to have a positive met some of the greatest and most uplifting mindset. On difficult running days, I chose to friends through this program. These friends encouraged me to reach for push myself through any self-doubt and put forth my best effort. I have greatness.” – Sean Seth Rafferty applied this same drive and mentality to my academics to find success.” – Barrett Wilson Broome

CAROLINA HIGH AND ACADEMY VALEDICTORIAN: Viridiana Serrano SALUTATORIAN: Arleth Angeles Mendoza CLASS SIZE: 158 As someone who goes to a school of approximately 800 students, you don’t expect teachers to comprehend you at a personal level. Mr. Brendon LaPoe, my social studies teacher, was an exception. He actually cared and gave me some great advice. When I accomplished my short-term goals, he was genuinely proud. Teachers like Mr. LaPoe are the reason I have been successful as a student.” – Viridiana Serrano

EASTSIDE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Robert William Pokora, III SALUTATORIAN: Lily Catherine Anderson CLASS SIZE: 351 Eastside High’s Academic Team has had a significant impact on my development because it vastly expanded my horizons and introduced me to friendships that will last a lifetime. Our coach, Mr. Ray Steadman, is also a fantastic mentor and teacher. Our team won several tournaments including Eastside’s first-ever National Beta Club Championship.” – Robert William Pokora, III

DONALDSON CAREER CENTER HONOR STUDENT: Alexis Brooke McGarity FIELD OF STUDY: Cosmetology

Before I enrolled in the Cosmetology Program at Donaldson, I was very shy. Now, I am not scared to do anything in the field of cosmetology and I am much more comfortable meeting people and talking with them. My confidence has grown, I believe in myself, and I will be leaving Donaldson with my cosmetology license while pursuing a degree in business.” – Alexis Brooke McGarity

ENOREE CAREER CENTER

HONOR STUDENT: Claudio Cortes Chimil FIELD OF STUDY: Auto Body Collision Repair

I first became interested in cars as a young child and can remember playing with my toy cars and wondering how they worked. As a teen, I was fascinated by the movie, “The Fast and the Furious,” and from then on I was determined to go into the auto industry. I am the first in my family to attend college and will enroll in Greenville Tech in the auto body collision repair program.” – Claudio Cortes Chimil CLASS ACTS 2019 GRADUATION EDITION | 3

Class Acts GOLDEN STRIP CAREER CENTER HONOR STUDENT: Robert Jonathon Anchen Sand FIELD OF STUDY: Fire Science

GREENVILLE SR. HIGH ACADEMY VALEDICTORIAN: Emma Catherine McFall SALUTATORIAN: Anne Elliott Marron CLASS SIZE: 315

Mr. Jim Deese has been instrumental in my I have yet to find a teacher more passionate success in firefighting. When I started the class, about the opportunity to shape students than my I had a curious interest, but through his insight U. S. History teacher, Mr. Andrew Newton. He and commitment to seeing his students achieve great things, firefighting had the honest desire to produce thoughtful citizens with all the tools for has turned into a passion for me. I will continue my studies in Fire personal success, and he devoted himself to that every day.” Science at Greenville Tech.” – Robert Jonathon Anchen Sand – Emma Catherine McFall

GREER HIGH VALEDICTORIAN: Hunter Morris Spearman SALUTATORIAN: Gabriel Jose Bolivar CLASS SIZE: 314

HILLCREST HIGH VALEDICTORIAN: Kamil Czerkas CO-SALUTATORIANS: Jacob Edward Kerby & Miranda Allison Lee CLASS SIZE: 498

Through a recommendation from my AP U.S. One teacher who has had a positive impact on History teacher, Mrs. Tabitha Pruitt, I volunteered my education is Mr. Scott Buhr. He was not just as a camp counselor for a program called Camp my AP Physics teacher, but an inspiration for me Invention. In this program, I led young children through STEM-style as well. He deeply cares for the enrichment of his students, regardless of courses. The program allowed me to see the impact STEM concepts have their background or academic history.” – Kamil Czerkas on the real world.” – Hunter Morris Spearman

J. HARLEY BONDS CAREER CENTER HONOR STUDENT: Christopher Evan Williams FIELD OF STUDY: Fire Science

J. L. MANN HIGH ACADEMY VALEDICTORIAN: Sara Elizabeth Johanson SALUTATORIAN: Rachel Nicole White CLASS SIZE: 394

I am driven by seeing my own home catch fire. Being in the Teacher Cadet dual enrollment Seeing the dedication of firefighters made me decide class my junior year showed me the endless on a career in firefighting. I currently work at the possibilities of education. The class and my Tyger River and Gowansville Fire Departments, where I have logged 2,300 semester-long practicum showed me that I can make a difference in each volunteer hours and responded to 157 fire calls. I will continue my studies at child’s life in a powerful, meaningful, and unique way.” Greenville Tech, earning a degree in Fire Science.” – Christopher Evan Williams – Sara Elizabeth Johanson 4 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Congratulations Class of 2019! MAULDIN HIGH

RIVERSIDE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Steven Tuan Nguyen SALUTATORIAN: Abigail Grace Druckenmiller CLASS SIZE: 534

VALEDICTORIAN: Pratamesh Ramasubramanian SALUTATORIAN: Ian Peter Chiu CLASS SIZE: 413

One of my most enjoyable educational Mr. David Dejesa was my speech and debate coach experiences stemmed from being a part of the as well as an academic instructor. Through his Strings Orchestra for the past seven years. It has coaching in Public Forum Debate and instruction taught me to become persistent in my musical practices, which has also in AP Government, he taught me how politics is for everyone. He has translated into my educational studies, improving my efforts to learn.” influenced my career path, allowing me to consider not only the science of – Steven Tuan Nguyen medicine, but also the politics within it.” – Pratamesh Ramasubramanian

SOUTHSIDE HIGH

TRAVELERS REST HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Grace Anderson Johnson SALUTATORIAN: Remi Michel Agarwal Brebion CLASS SIZE: 185

VALEDICTORIAN: Kylie Morgan Simms SALUTATORIAN: Madeline Margaret Martin CLASS SIZE: 251

Coach Katie Smith has made the biggest impact on my education by providing a family environment in cross country and soccer. She picked me up after disappointing races and taught me how to push through defeat as a through an extended team.” – Grace Anderson Johnson and memorization. ”

WADE HAMPTON HIGH VALEDICTORIAN: Priscilla Nguyen SALUTATORIAN: Rachel Ann Enggasser CLASS SIZE: 420

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program allowed my learning to transcend the classroom. I independently explored neuroscience essay on the effects of music on human focusing – Kylie Morgan Simms

WOODMONT HIGH VALEDICTORIAN: Madison Leigh McCall SALUTATORIAN: Aaron Joseph Schickler CLASS SIZE: 373

A teacher who has had a great impact on my Over the course of my education, I have had education is Coach Grant Hunter. He has known several teachers who made a positive impact. me all four years at Wade Hampton High as Mock These teachers ignited my desire to learn and Trial Coach and math teacher. He continued to push me toward my goals taught me in ways that expanded my appreciation for knowledge. by giving me huge workloads without breaks. This strengthened my Among these teachers are Mr. Larry Bachman and Mrs. Beth Persons, work ethic and prepared me for college.” – Priscilla Nguyen who both made learning exciting.” – Madison Leigh McCall CLASS ACTS 2019 GRADUATION EDITION | 5

Greenville County Schools

Graduation Plus

Creating College- and Career-Ready Graduates

College Ready AP Exams Earning Possible College Credit

4,549 Dual Credit College 3,576 Courses Taken

State & Nation

GCS

1049

Exceeds

Average ACT Score

1064

Average SAT Score

1089

*Represents up to 16,000 college credit hours earned in 2017-18.

Nation

18.7 Exceeds State

Career Ready

1,642

Students Earning Career Certifications 6 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Students Have Have Skills Skills Needed Needed for for Employment Employment 85.7%ofof Students

83.6% $138.9 Million

Graduation Rate

in College Scholarships

Our Graduation Plus initiative is focused on providing students with opportunities to earn college credits and/or industry certifications while still in high school. In fact, our goal for 2023 is that 90% of our high school graduates

will also have college or career experience when leaving Greenville County Schools.

To support the G-Plus initiative, we begin conversations about careers while students are still in elementary school. An early focus on

reading and literacy helps ensure students have a strong academic foundation and the ability to learn about the world. In middle school, students complete a career assessment and develop an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP) that helps them determine their areas of interest. In high school, students can use their electives to focus on a particular career pathway or earn

college credit via Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit courses. CLASS ACTS 2019 GRADUATION EDITION | 7 *Based on most recent available data

SCHEDULE OF HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATIONS

BEREA HIGH

J. L. MANN HIGH ACADEMY

Tuesday, June 4 – 1:30 PM at Timmons Arena

Tuesday, June 4 – 5:30 PM at Timmons Arena

BLUE RIDGE HIGH

MAULDIN HIGH

CAROLINA HIGH AND ACADEMY

RIVERSIDE HIGH

EASTSIDE HIGH

SOUTHSIDE HIGH

GREENVILLE SR. HIGH ACADEMY

TRAVELERS REST HIGH

GREER HIGH

WADE HAMPTON HIGH

HILLCREST HIGH

WOODMONT HIGH

Monday, June 3 – 1:30 PM at Timmons Arena

Saturday, June 1 – 1 PM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Saturday, June 1 – 9 AM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Tuesday, June 4 – 9 AM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Tuesday, June 4 – 1 PM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Monday, June 3 – 1 PM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Saturday, June 1 – 5:30 PM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Monday, June 3 – 9 AM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Monday, June 3 – 5 PM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Monday, June 3 – 9 AM at Timmons Arena Tuesday, June 4 – 9 AM at Timmons Arena Tuesday, June 4 – 5 PM at Bon Secours Wellness Arena

2019 BOARD OF

TRUSTEES Charles J. “Chuck” Saylors Area 20 - Chairman

Joy Grayson Area 17

Lynda Leventis-Wells Area 22 – Vice Chairman

Derek Lewis Area 24

Glenda Morrison-Fair Area 23 - Secretary

Roger D. Meek Area 26

Debi C. Bush Area 19

Dr. Crystal Ball O’Connor Area 27

Roy Z. Chamlee Area 21

Pat Sudduth Area 18

Michelle Goodwin-Calwile Area 25

Lisa H. Wells Area 28 W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent

301 E. Camperdown Way | Greenville, SC 29601 www.greenville.k12.sc.us | infoline@greenville.k12.sc.us INFOLine 864-355-3100 Follow Us on Social Media @gcschools Watch Us on YouTube.com/gcschools

Bottom row, left to right: Dr. Crystal Ball O’Connor, Lisa Wells, Joy Grayson, Lynda Leventis-Wells, Glenda Morrison-Fair Back row, left to right: Roger Meek, Roy Chamlee, Debi Bush, Derek Lewis, Chuck Saylors, Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Pat Sudduth

8 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Salute

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program is one singular but larger significant part of Michelin North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment of Michelin North commitment to the students of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greenvillelarger County Schools. to addition the students of Challenge Greenville program, County Schools. In to the which In additionintofive theTitle Challenge program, which is located I schools, Michelin has a

is located in fiveMentoring Title I schools, Michelin has a Lunch Buddies program to provide Lunch Buddies Mentoring program to provide academic, emotional, and social support for academic, social support for elementaryemotional, students, aand Tech Scholars program elementary students, a Tech Scholars program for high schoolers interested in a career in for high schoolers in a career in manufacturing, andinterested a Youth Apprenticeship manufacturing, and ahands-on, Youth Apprenticeship program to provide real world

program to provide realstudents. world experiences for GCShands-on, high school experiences for GCS high school students. In addition, many Michelin engineers volunteer In schools addition,asmany in a partMichelin of STEMengineers hands-onvolunteer learning in schools as a part of STEM hands-on learning opportunities. opportunities.

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10 | GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Award Designed by Eileen Selby, Visual Arts Student,by Fine Arts Selby, Center Award Designed Eileen Visual Arts Student, Fine Arts Center

Congratulations Graduates!

May your journey forward be filled with exciting adventures, wonderful life experiences, and many successful efforts.

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