We had a lot to celebrate at our May 20th Spartanburg School District Three Board of Trustees Meeting!
First, we recognized amazing student accomplishments in and out of the classroom.
The Broome High School Strength Team won the 3A State Championship. The team was led by Coach Lynn Fleming, Coach Jason Farmer, Coach Spencer Dearybury, and Coach Shane Cleapor.
Tyler Morgan competed in the 140 lb weight class. He finished 3rd in the region and 5th in the state. Preston Thrift competed in the 150 Ib weight class. He was the region champion and finished 7th in the state. Jaylen McGill competed in the 205 Ib weight class. He was both the region and state champion. McGill also set the state record for his class with a 610 Ib squat and he was named Male Strength Athlete of the Year by the Strength Coaches Association. Steven O’Dell competed in the Unlimited weight class. He was the region champion and finished 6th in the state with the top bench in his weight class of 380 Ibs. Asher Littlejohn competed in the JV division where he finished 2nd in the region and 6th in the state.
Next, we celebrated 6 Broome High School students headed to Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State this summer. Andrea Lema Torres, Amaya Harris and Shamya Wilkins were selected to attend Palmetto Girls State. Deacon Lawson, Payton McAmish and Michael “Jay” Thornton were selected to attend Palmetto Boys State.
For staff recognitions, we celebrated Mrs. Summer Carling, who was selected to speak at the national AVID 2024 Summer Institute in Dallas, Texas next month. It is an honor to be selected to speak at this event in front of educators from around the country and we are so proud of her. Mrs. Carling teaches science at Broome High School and was the 2022-2023 Spartanburg School District Three Teacher of the Year.
Next, we recognized Mrs. Carling, Mrs. Jana Calvert, Mrs. Lana Greene, Mrs. Tonya McCullough and Mrs. Molly O’Dell for earning their micro-credentials. We believe this type of professional development will be very beneficial to our educators and students. Mrs. Carling earned her micro-credential in Identifying Teacher Leadership Opportunities. Mrs. Calvert earned her micro-credential in Planning Historical Thinking Skills. Mrs. Greene earned her micro-credential in Visualizing Historical Thinking Skills. Mrs. McCullough earned her micro-credential in Scientific Argumentation and Mrs. O’Dell earned her micro-credential in Defining Target Behaviors Operationally.
Additionally, Mrs. Calvert was recognized for earning a mini-grant through the Junior League of Spartanburg and Mrs. Carling was recognized for her exemplary leadership of the D3 Teacher Forum.
Mr. David Thornton, technology instructor at Daniel Morgan Technology Center, was recognized for being selected as a member of the SREB Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster oversees the commission. Mr. Thornton is the only educator in South Carolina to serve on the commission.
Next, we recognized our retirees in Spartanburg School District Three. This year, 11 members of our D3 family are retiring. We recognized Ms. Nancy “Nan” Manasas (English Teacher, Broome High School), Ms. Robin Breitenbach (ELA Teacher, Clifdale Middle), Mr. Dennis Nance (Assistant Director, Daniel Morgan Technology Center), Mr. Heath Roberts (Director, Daniel Morgan Technology Center), Ms. Joy Biggerstaff (Special Education Teacher Assistant, Cannons Elementary), Ms. Marisa Broadhead (5K Teacher Assistant, Cowpens Elementary), Ms. Audrey Jennings (Receptionist, District Office), Mr. Horace Hatchette (Bus Driver), Ms. Cathy Ward (Instructional Coach/Testing Coordinator, Broome High School), Mr. Norman Kramer (Head Custodian, Daniel Morgan Technology Center) and Mr. Gary Barnard (School to Work Counselor, Daniel Morgan Technology Center).
Every year, schools select a Volunteer of the Year. This award is given to volunteers at each school who go above and beyond for our students. This year, we recognized Ms. Kathy Dunagin (Cowpens Elementary School), Ms. Daniel Robbins (Pacolet Elementary School), Ms. Heather Grow (Cannons Elementary School) and Ms. Leslie Boone (Clifdale Middle).
Finally, we recognized the winners of our Be the Change! Award. This prestigious honor is awarded twice each school year to employees who are agents of change and inspire students and their peers to do their best. Our spring 2024 recipients are Ms. Lindsey Meulemans (Broome High School), Ms. Jenna Brock (Cowpens Elementary), Mr. Gary Barnard (Daniel Morgan Technology Center), Ms. Pam Henderson (Pacolet Elementary School), Ms. Lana Naquin (Clifdale Middle), Ms. Shanon Turner (Cannons Elementary School), Ms. Cindy Snead (District Office) and Mr. Taggart Houck (District Office).
Congratulations to all students and staff who were recognized! We are proud of you!