Greenville County Schools Class Acts 2023

CLASS ACTS

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Celebrating the Class of 2023

To the Members of the Graduating Class of 2023, Graduation time is here, and what a journey it has been! I hope that you have enjoyed your senior year and all that it entails, such as Homecoming, prom, yearbook signing, performances, and all the milestone events to which many of you have looked forward with anticipation since you first walked through your high school doors four years ago.

This is a time of great change and anticipation. Some of you may feel grief over the prospect of leaving behind valued friends, teachers, routines, and activities. Others of you are eager to move on to your next phase, whether that be further education, entering the workforce, military service, or other endeavor. Very likely, you are experiencing a combination of these emotions. All of this is normal, and your feelings may change from day to day, or even moment to moment.

Whatever you do next, you will carry with you the lessons learned during your Greenville County Schools education. Our goal is for you to graduate prepared for your next opportunities in life, education, and career. This includes both your academic foundations as well as the “soft-skills” that are so important in every endeavor, such as getting along with others, self-management, and the ability to work as part of a team. Through your class offerings, extracurricular experiences, and/or work-based learning opportunities, you have gained these skills and more, and you leave us well equipped for both the expected and the unexpected in your future.

On behalf of everyone at Greenville County Schools, I want to express our boundless pride in your perseverance and accomplishments. Congratulations!

Sincerely,

W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent, Greenville County Schools

Congratulations!

BEREA HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN:

Luis Alberto

Gonzalez-Gonzalez

SALUTATORIAN:

Kayla Hoang

CLASS SIZE: 216

BLUE RIDGE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN:

Jacob Leighton Davis

SALUTATORIAN:

Kendall Renea Hilton

CLASS SIZE: 245

CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL

VALEDICTORIAN:

Jennifer Godinez-Perez

SALUTATORIAN:

Theodore Stephen Brandon

CLASS SIZE: 200

DONALDSON CAREER CENTER

HONOR STUDENT:

Adrian Shamar Fair

CTE COMPLETERS: 179

EASTSIDE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN:

Emily Grace Farmer

SALUTATORIAN:

Stone Walker Pillsbury

CLASS SIZE: 374

“The Tiger Alliance Program of Clemson gave me an opportunity to enter college without having to worry about debt. In my time in the program, it allowed me to network and have many learning opportunities.”

ENOREE CAREER CENTER

HONOR STUDENT:

Kayla March’e Townsend

CTE COMPLETERS: 139

“Mr. Walden, my Welding teacher at Enoree Career Center, has impacted my life over the last two years. He cares about his students and wants us to be successful. ‘Walden,’ as he likes to be called, has prepared me for the work force and day-today life.”

“My orchestra director, Mrs. Jessica Morgan, has had the most positive impact on my education. She has encourged me to have a strong work ethic and level of self-reflection.”

FINE ARTS CENTER

HONOR STUDENT: Devon Myles Thompson

CLASS SIZE: 95

“Donna Shank from the Fine Arts Center has had a massive, positive impact on my education. I had the pleasure of taking her 2D Design course as a freshman, and the knowledge and wisdom she has passed down to me is the cause of my success.”

“Bridges to a Brighter Future offered me a safe space in which I could explore my career options. Over the course of my four years in the program, I have grown close to all of the instructors and counselors. It is like a second home and family to me.”

“I would like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Sarah James. This amazing lady helped me a lot throughout my academic and personal life. She gives me the best advice, and she is a great listener who you can talk about anything to.”

GOLDEN STRIP CAREER CENTER

HONOR STUDENT: Jillian Ranae Talbot

CTE COMPLETERS: 112

GREENVILLE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Cassidy Bryn Welcome

SALUTATORIAN: Zoe Patricia Welcome

CLASS SIZE: 338

“Without the Culinary Program and Chef Edwards, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m currently in. Over the past 3 years, I’ve had a fruitful education, meeting multiple industry professionals and receiving many job opportunities.”

“I’ll forever be grateful for my calculus teacher, Dr. Stevens. She willingly spent hours answering my never-ending questions and supporting my goals. She’s the reason I’m pursuing a math career. The time I got to spend in Dr. Stevens’ class was the highlight of my high school years.”

“Starting with K5, I always had amazing teachers who genuinely care about my success not just in school but also in life. The cool thing about each and every one of my teachers is they continually invested in me and cared for me like I was their own child!”

GREER HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Cade Morgan Iwansky

SALUTATORIAN: Rafe Bullock White

CLASS SIZE: 286

“Mrs. Morgan has constantly pushed me to improvement and success as a cellist. As a student who has put so much focus on academics throughout my life, challenging myself through Greer’s orchestra program has enlightened me, and I am grateful for it.”

2023 CLASS ACTS

HILLCREST HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN:

Margaret Asa Hollingsworth

SALUTATORIAN: Elizabeth Rylie Hannon

CLASS SIZE: 543

J. HARLEY BONDS CAREER CENTER

HONOR STUDENT: Maria Alejandra Herrera

CTE COMPLETERS: 132

J. L. MANN HIGH ACADEMY

VALEDICTORIAN: Pablo Czerkas

CO-SALUTATORIANS:

Katelyn Brianne Bergman & Lathika Soumya Chaluvadi

CLASS SIZE: 439

MAULDIN HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN:

Audrey Greer Cobb

SALUTATORIAN:

Allison Brooke Norris

CLASS SIZE: 540

RIVERSIDE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN:

Emma Shuyu Bao

SALUTATORIAN:

Nicholas Mark McGowan

CLASS SIZE: 433

“I spent three years in the classroom of Ms. Sarah Blackman at The Fine Arts Center. It is a welcoming atmosphere decorated with the art and music. It’s a place where artists from all schools, crafts, ages and backgrounds can team up to brighten the world together.”

“Mr. Carroll was my chemistry teacher during my Sophomore year. It was a time when I was struggling with a lot of things. He would always teach with a smile. He would always worry about his students. He would always be there to cheer us up.”

“Mrs. Vincoli, my AP Spanish teacher, has been instrumental in my academic career. She illuminated my understanding of the idiosyncrasies and beauties of Latin America, making me love my culture even more. She advocates for every student and creates more empathetic and insightful Spanish speakers.”

“Coach Sands, who was previously my history teacher, had a significant impact on me when she agreed to coach the Mauldin Cross Country team after we lost our previous coach. Coach Sands pours her heart and soul into our program, making it one of the most successful in the state.”

“I am proud to call the Riverside tennis team my second family. Coach Heather and all of our teammates have created a lasting community that will be with me forever, and I can’t wait to see how our program progresses!”

SOUTHSIDE HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Danika Ruichen Yang

SALUTATORIAN: Chloe Anne Bayle

CLASS SIZE: 149

TRAVELERS REST HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Emma Paige Ferrell

SALUTATORIAN: Alexis Jade Miller

CLASS SIZE: 260

WADE HAMPTON HIGH

VALEDICTORIAN: Joshua Keller Evans

SALUTATORIAN: Hayden Thomas Lorenz

CLASS SIZE: 430

“The International Baccalaureate Program at Southside has been integral to my successes. Not only have I learned an entirely new way of thinking about the world and the people around me, but I’ve also been challenged in a multitude of ways.”

“My AP Calculus teacher, Mrs. Batson, has always encouraged me to be the best student I can possibly be and always works with me if I need extra help or need to catch up on a missed lesson. She is the reason why I want to major in math.”

“Through the courses of AP Seminar, AP Literature and English 102, Mrs. Bekki Benjamin has taught me how to properly value my academic opportunities. As my swim team coach, she exemplified proper leadership techniques. Her encouragement continuously motivated me to perform to the best of my abilities.”

VALEDICTORIAN: Lydia Christina Lou Owens

SALUTATORIAN: Caroline Reese Duncan

CLASS SIZE: 465

WOODMONT HIGH “Mrs. Black is the kind of teacher who amplifies her attentiveness to all students. I want to teach because she showed me that being a teacher means truly caring for the well-being of your students by helping them have a successful future both academically and in society.”

“Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.”

CHADWICK BOSEMAN

7,659

Students

59%

PUPILS IN POVERTY

GO FORTH AND DO GREAT THINGS to our Bridges Class of 2023

NOT PICTURED

Shakyriah Benson

Isaiah Corthell

Journe Kelly-Bowens

Curtis Wilson

Hannah Alegrai Yadhira Antonio-Martinez Natalie Bryant

Dalton Carroll Dominick Cipully Rayni Disterfano Timber Edmonds

Julio Esteban Clarice Gonzalez-Mendoza

Shanya Hunn NyKira Johnson-Jones Anjali Lada Ashley Marroquin-Gonzalez Irving Oliver Jennifer Perez

Sean Smith Kashia Stewart NyTrell Valentine Sara Villegas

Graduation SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023

7:00 PM – The Fine Arts Center

McAlister Auditorium, Furman University

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023

10:00 AM – Washington Center

Washington Center

TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

8:00 AM – Hillcrest High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

8:00 AM – Berea High

Timmons Arena, Furman University

11:30 AM – J.L. Mann High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

11:30 AM – Blue Ridge High

Timmons Arena, Furman University

3:30 PM – Greer High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

3:30 PM – Carolina High

Timmons Arena, Furman University

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023

8:00 AM – Riverside High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

8:00 AM – Southside High

Timmons Arena, Furman University

11:30 AM – Woodmont High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

11:30 AM – Travelers Rest High

Timmons Arena, Furman University

3:00 PM – Mauldin High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

6:30 PM – Greenville Early College

Hartness Pavilion, Furman University

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023

8:00 AM – Wade Hampton High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

11:30 AM – Eastside High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

3:30 PM – Greenville High

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

5:30 PM – Lifelong Learning

Greenville Technical College, SSC Auditorium

W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent

Debi Bush Area 19 – Chair

Carolyn Styles Area 17 – Vice-Chair pro tempore

Glenda Morrison-Fair Area 23 – Secretary pro tempore

Amanda Brett Area 26

Jeff Cochran Area 28

Sarah Dulin Area 27

Michelle Goodwin-Calwile Area 25

Lynda Leventis-Wells Area 22

Ann Marie Middleton Area 18

Angie Mosley Area 21

Anne Pressley Area 24

Charles J. Saylors Area 20

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We are Greenville’s credit union.

We are Greenville’s credit union.

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For more than 54 years, Greenville Federal Credit Union has provided financial services to the Greenville, South Carolina community. As a not-for-profit alternative to traditional banking, we offer more money-saving advantages including lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits, and fewer fees overall. We invite you to come by and see why more than 33,000 fellow Greenvillians have chosen us as their preferred financial partner.

For more than 54 years, Greenville Federal Credit Union has provided financial services to the Greenville, South Carolina community. As a not-for-profit alternative to traditional banking, we offer more money-saving advantages including lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits, and fewer fees overall. We invite you to come by and see why more than 33,000 fellow Greenvillians have chosen us as their preferred financial partner.

For more than 54 years, Greenville Federal Credit Union has provided financial services to the Greenville, South Carolina community. As a not-for-profit alternative to traditional banking, we offer more money-saving advantages including lower loan rates, higher returns on deposits, and fewer fees overall. We invite you to come by and see why more than 33,000 fellow Greenvillians have chosen us as their preferred financial partner.

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