Snipes for School Board

🌴🌙 Twenty-seven Lexington-Richland School District Five students recently participated in a one-week leadership and citizenship training program through The American Legion Department of South Carolina, Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State.

School District Five students in attendance for Palmetto Girls State June 7-13 at Presbyterian College included: Meagan Evans, Caroline Petruzzi, Milan Townsend, and Zhixuan Xu (Dutch Fork High); Mullins Gore, Ava Howard, Elizabeth Kujawa (Chapin High); Sophie Hall, Kennedy Hampton & Lucy Pruitt (Irmo High); Anna Morrison & Riley Nicandro (Spring Hill High).

School District Five students in attendance for Palmetto Boys State June 7-13 at Anderson University included: Sawyer Bailey, Stillwell Hainsworth, Ruhao Shen (Spring Hill High); Andrew Baughman & Brennon Graham (Dutch Fork High); Beckham Diimmler, Brewer Haggard, Bennett Smith, Nickolai Sogaard, Benjamin Stover, Brandon Rogers (Chapin High); Antwoine Pierce, Noah Fuller, Gavin Scott and Riley Wilson (Irmo High).

The leadership programs aim to educate outstanding high school students about state and local government and citizenship. The delegates, who are rising seniors in high school, are selected for the program based on the leadership skills and involvement they have shown in their respective schools and communities. Attendees experience governmental procedure by simulating political campaigns, elections, and the political process, while learning about the principles of citizenship and public service from guest speakers, expert panels and staff members.

The South Carolina Department of the American Legion Auxiliary has organized and administered Palmetto Girls State since 1947 and Palmetto Boys State since 1940.

📕 : On Wednesday, H.E. Corley Elementary School Leadership Magnet & Montessori Magnet Crocs enjoyed a relaxing morning of reading, listening, and learning during HEC Summer Library time! Students and families gathered for a special read aloud, shared the joy of books, and discovered that summer is the perfect time to slow down and get lost in a great story.

“Relax, Read, Repeat - Summer Adventures Begin with a Book!”

Many of our elementary school libraries have summer hours where they invite families to check out books or attend events. Inquire with your child's school to learn more.

✏️📚 School Supplies? We've Got You Covered! 🌟

Thanks to Title I funding, all school supplies for the 2026–2027 school year have been purchased and will be provided for every student. We are grateful for this support, which helps ensure our students have the tools they need to learn, grow, and Shine Bright starting on the very first day of school! ✨💛

🎉FIVE ADDITIONAL NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED!

🎓Scholars include: Anthony Coniglio, Jr. (Spring Hill High, University of South Carolina), Luke Elgin (Dutch Fork High STEM Honors, University of Texas at Dallas), Athena Kale (Chapin High, University of South Carolina), Dylan Reynolds (Chapin High, Clemson University), and Conner Thatch (Dutch Fork High STEM Honors, University of South Carolina)

Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the Finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. An additional group of Scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2026 competition to approximately 3,500.

I’m incredibly honored to be nominated for Best Local Politician!

If you’re able, head over and cast your vote for me. It only takes a second, and you don’t have to complete every category for your ballot to count!

Let’s keep the momentum going! Tell a friend, share the link, and help spread the word! Thank you for the support!!

The nominations have been tallied and the finalists determined. See who made the cut before casting your vote in the 2026 Best of Columbia competition. (Full story below.)

Today, I participated in my final D5 graduation as Chair of the Board, and it was both an exciting and emotional experience as the reality of this season began to sink in.

Watching our students cross the stage and celebrate this important milestone was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Congratulations to all of the graduates. The world is truly a better place because you are in it.

Wishing each of you continued success as you begin your next chapter!

BIG WIN FOR THE FOX FAMILY 🦊💚

Thank you to the District 5 Board for voting YES to the stadium, scoreboard, and press box improvements! Huge thanks to every parent, student, coach, alumni, and supporter who showed up and stood behind this vision every step of the way.

This is what happens when a community shows up together. 🔥