News and Updates

Johnston, SC – The Edgefield County School District (ECSD) and Superintendent Dr. Kevin O’Gorman welcomed a surprise guest to Johnston Elementary School (JES) on the first day of the 2026-27 school year (7/28) in State Superintendent Ellen Weaver. Weaver toured the school alongside JES Principal Tammy Martin, visited with teachers and students in classrooms and the school cafeteria, and held a roundtable discussion with a select group of JES educators.

“We were so excited to be able to come and visit Johnston Elementary School today,” said Weaver. “The first day of school always has that special, back to school feel.”

“You have teachers who have been preparing all summer to welcome these students back, so to be able to be here today to say thank you to our teachers for their hard work and preparation, and then just to be able to see the students, which is why we do all of this in the first place is a really special way to start the school year,” she added.

During the previous week, Superintendent Weaver visited schools in Anderson, McCormick, Sumter and Marlboro counties. Prior to her stop in Johnston, Weaver attended a teacher convocation in Richland County, and she followed her visit to Edgefield County later in the week with trips to Darlington and Florence counties.

Part of her visit to JES included speaking with teachers regarding their successful implementation of the state’s High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), which led to significant improvements in the school’s spring assessments scores.

“This is the real work, this is where the rubber meets the road,” said Weaver of her visits and those of her staff. “Everything we do in education is about how is this going to classroom practice and ultimately propel student learning. We’re going to do a roundtable with the teacher and talk about their end of the year results. We’ll be releasing those results statewide here in a couple of weeks and so, a little sneak preview, they did really well here at Johnston (Elementary).”

“I’m so excited to talk to them about what they did, how they implemented their High Quality Instructional Materials in their classroom, learn from them, which is ultimately what this is all about,” she added. “We need to harness the wisdom of our teachers, figure out what’s working well, scale and support that, and then let go of the things that aren’t working so well. So, that’s what I’m here to do today, is to listen and learn from them, and just to say thank you for what they do because everything we do at the Department of Education is to support their work in the classroom.”

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – The newest members of the Edgefield County School District (ECSD) family were welcomed for employee orientation Thursday, July 16, 2026, enjoying comfortable accommodations and a terrific lunch at Pine Ridge Country Club.

The thirty six new employees, who were greeted by ECSD Superintendent Dr. Kevin O’Gorman and Edgefield County Board of Education member, Mrs. Robin Ball, included teachers, school administrators, counselors, athletic coaches, and members of the school district’s technology department. They received information regarding employee benefits, training from human resources staff, and expert assistance from members of the school district’s technology team to ensure they were confident and prepared to begin the new school year on Tuesday, July 28, 2016.

The new ECSD employees (including transfer employees) include Sam Faulk (Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center), Drew Towery (Strom Thurmond High School/STHS), Matt Hayes (STHS), Luke McClure (STHS), Kayla Cox (STHS), Ashley Whitlock (STHS), Sergio Daneri (STHS), Morgan Baughman (Douglas Elementary School/DES), Alisha Harley (DES), Brooke Benenhaley (DES), Layton Jones (DES), Kanvious Lott (DES), Shelby Merriweather (DES), Kimberly Bell (DES), Julianne McAllister (DES), Katelyn Jones (Merriwether Elementary School/MES), LaTonya Smith (MES), Ranada Gilchrist (MES), Jeanette Beck (MES), Kearsten Hudson (MES), Tia Scott (MES), Reagan Gillespie (Johnston Elementary School/JES), Brittany Soy (JES), Emily Reid (JES), Breana Robinson (W.E. Parker Elementary School/WEP), Neeley Martin (WEP), Jordan Atkinson (WEP), Lindsey Stewart (WEP), Eric Enlow (WEP), Dylan Lott (District Office/DO), D'Andre Lambert (DO), Christopher Nettles (DO), and Wes Herlong (DO).

ECSD is thrilled to welcome each of these outstanding individuals to our school district family.

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – When the curtain lifted, lights brightened, and the stage revealed on Thursday, June 25, 2026, following a brief hiatus last summer, Strom Thurmond Theatre’s popular Musical Theatre Summer Camp was back with a gusto only the larger than life characters of the DreamWorks animated motion picture franchise “Madagascar” could provide.

They were all there. Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Skipper and his pesky penguins, and (of course), King Julien.

Strom Thurmond Theatre Director Clare Henry raved about her experience with the summer musical theatre students and what they were able to learn and perform for their peers and the community inside a week of intense preparation.

“It takes a little more time teaching and managing when you have more elementary school students than middle school students, which we had this year, but it’s also fun, too, because they’re young and experiencing it for the first time,” said Henry. “It takes a lot of energy, for sure, teaching things like how to stomp on someone’s foot without actually stomping on their foot, but it’s exciting for them to learn and you get to watch the amazement come over their faces.”

There were also talented musical theatre summer camp veterans on hand to anchor the show.

“Evie Schwarz played King Julien, and she was in our first musical theatre summer camp with ‘Jungle Book’ and has been in every summer camp since then and she is great,” Henry said. “Evie’s in eighth grade this year, but we’ll have her at Strom Thurmond (High School) next year and we're looking forward to that.”

The school district’s summer reading camp students and the community were treated to terrific performances of a show that takes everything loved about the films and tailors it for the stage with a few new additions.

“This is a really fun show, and I think it’s absolutely perfect for kids,” Henry added. “They add new music to the story, and they add a few new moments and elements to the story to make it flow a little bit better on stage, but the iconic lines and the comedy that come from the movie is all there.”

That is especially true for the penguins, with the energetic crew of Skipper, Kowalski, Private, Rico, and Mason being brought to life by students Jazziah Moore, Waverly Wanninger, Jaziah Canty, Evelyn Miller, and Zariya Lovett, respectively.

“The penguins are always popular, and I think it's because you just get the comedy of it. It's the slapstick bits of their timing, and the fact that they're penguins, right? Everybody loves to look at a penguin, but what if a penguin was, like, a ninja and a secret agent? So we added to that and it was probably the most fun to choreograph and work with.”

Cast members for included Timothy Mayson (Alex), Logan Hargrove (Marty), Izel Restrepo (Gloria), Ally Hammond (Melman), Kendall Dyer (Zookeeper Zelda), Olivia Jones (Zookeeper Zara), Kathryn Stanford (Zookeeper Zoe), Waverly Wanninger (Kowalski), Jazziah Moore (Skipper), Jaziah Canty (Private), Evelyn Miller (Rico), Zariya Lovett (Mason), Rodney Gary (Cameraman), Chloe Enlow (Candy Hammernose), Londyn Kennion (Newspaper Woman), Georgia Whitfield (Old Lady), Jade Cruz and Mallory Marks (Police Officers), Chloe Rusk (Ship’s Captain), London Thomas (Lew), Joshlynn Levengood (Lee), Harris Stanford (Lars), TJ Holmes (Lou), Rachel Herring (Mort), Izzy Murrell (Foosa Leader), Danielle Plair (Maurice), Evie Schwarz (King Julien), Lacey Birt, Lydia Murrell and Paisley Stachowski (Lionesses/Foosa), Isaiah Armstrong and Landyn Owen (Animal Control Officers).

Production team members included Director Clare Henry, Music Director Laura Herring, Technical Director Tyler McKinney, Choreography Director Tatum Hanna, Lighting Designer Cory Herbst, Set Designer Matt Herring, Publicity Mike Rosier, and Student Helpers Allie Enlow, Leah Fulmer, Hayden Gregory, Abigail Miller, and Toney Robinson. Crew members included Lauren Ginn (Stage Manager), Cory Herbst (Lighting Technician), Tyler McKinney (Sound Technician), Blair Massey (Tracks Technician), Carter Massey and Truman Massey (Follow Spot Technicians), and Trisha Hammond (Costume Mistress).

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure KIDS is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International. Original music and lyrics are by George Noriega and Joel Someillan.

Looking back on a whirlwind week, Clare Henry smiled with pride at all her musical summer theatre students achieved.

“Preparing these shows would take me about four months in the elementary school world, and the fact that they were able to still put together a show in a week with lines, with blocking, with the choreography, and to pull it off the way they did? Yeah, that was amazing.”

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – Tassels were turned and caps tossed under sunny skies as Strom Thurmond High School’s (STHS) graduating Class of 2026 reached a huge milestone on Friday, May 29, 2026, transitioning from high school students to graduates and STHS alumni.

The 171 members of the Class of 2026 received a total of $7,594,118 in scholarship offers from colleges and universities and more than a quarter of this year’s graduates qualified as Honor Graduates.

The STHS Class of 2026 was led by Valedictorian, Evan Williams, and Salutatorian, Raina Barrs. Evan and Raina will attend Stanford University and the University of South Carolina (Columbia) in the fall, respectively. Evan plans to major in Public Policy, while Raina plans to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with future plans to become a patent attorney. Evan and Raina were outstanding contributors to the school’s three-time S.C. High School Mock Trial Team, with both earning National Top 10 Attorney Awards at the High School Mock Trial National Championships. Evan also performed with Strom Thurmond Theatre and Raina was a member of the Rebel Regiment Marching Band.

Nearly a third of the Class of 2026 were Honor Graduates, or a graduate earning at least a 4.0 weighted GPA. Academic honors are then awarded based on GPA as follows:

- Cum Laude: Awarded to students with a GPA of 4.0 – 4.49.

- Magna Cum Laude: Awarded to students with a GPA of 4.5 – 4.9.

- Summa Cum Laude: The highest honor awarded to students with a GPA of 5.0 or higher.

Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2026 Honor Graduates included Vivyana Acosta (Cum Laude), Kayleigh Bias (Cum Laude), Elizabeth Busby (Cum Laude), Jordan Chinn (Cum Laude), Ivey Coleman (Cum Laude), Jalin Collins (Cum Laude), Amber Doane (Cum Laude), McKenzie Fleming (Cum Laude), Imani Gilchrist (Cum Laude), Kaylee Hallman (Cum Laude), Addyson Harrison (Cum Laude), Berenice Lucas-Perez (Cum Laude), Nathaniel Millings (Cum Laude), Caroline O'Neal (Cum Laude), Brianna Papa (Cum Laude), Haley Potts (Cum Laude), Lucas Quiles (Cum Laude), Madison Rodrigues (Cum Laude), Shania Strom (Cum Laude), Brandon Thomas (Cum Laude); Mollie Jane Bartley ( Magna Cum Laude), Kinsey Berry (Magna Cum Laude), McKenzie Brown (Magna Cum Laude), Emily Casarrubias (Magna Cum Laude), Estefani Cortez (Magna Cum Laude), Molly Harling (Magna Cum Laude), Julianne Harper (Magna Cum Laude), Reese Hidlay (Magna Cum Laude), Caroline Mariano (Magna Cum Laude), Ella Mathis Miller (Magna Cum Laude), Lydia Mims (Magna Cum Laude), Kimberly Ramirez (Magna Cum Laude), Tyler Rearden (Magna Cum Laude), Ivana Restrepo-Sorroza (Magna Cum Laude), Gracie Ryan (Magna Cum Laude), Jules Sides (Magna Cum Laude), Grady Stone (Magna Cum Laude), Kelley Widell (Magna Cum Laude), Sara Willis (Magna Cum Laude), Raina Barrs (Summa Cum Laude), Carli Burden (Summa Cum Laude), Linsey Corley (Summa Cum Laude), Mary Gracy Fallaw (Summa Cum Laude), Christian Haskins (Summa Cum Laude), Emerson Holmes (Summa Cum Laude), Sophia Simpkins (Summa Cum Laude), Leigh Anne Strock (Summa Cum Laude), Ginna Wates (Summa Cum Laude), and Evan Williams (Summa Cum Laude).

Alpha Awards were presented by Edgefield County Board of Education Chairperson Mrs. Blair Massey to the three STHS graduates with the highest scores on the SAT. Alpha Awards were awarded to graduates Evan Williams, Christian Haskins, and Raina Barrs. Strom Thurmond Scholarships, provided each year for STHS graduates of distinction as established by legendary former U.S. Senator and Edgefield County School District (ECSD) educator, Strom Thurmond, were presented by STHS Assistant Principal Mrs. Mary Bates to graduates Kimberly Ramirez, Jalin Collins, and Ella Mathis Miller.

Additionally, graduates Evan Williams and Kimberly Ramirez were each honored for earning their Associate in Arts degree and a University Studies Certificate from Piedmont Technical College (PTC). Raina Barrs, Mollie Bartley, Carli Burden, Jordan Chinn, Ella Mathis Miller, and Leigh Anne Strock also earned University Studies certificates from PTC.

Four graduates have chosen military service after high school. They include Ty’Kirriah Papageorge and Brianne Cheatham (U.S. Army National Guard), Jayden Augustin and Christopher Lopez Monge (U.S. Marine Corps).

Strom Thurmond High School Student Body President, Sara Willis, welcomed guests to the commencement. Opening remarks were provided by honor graduate Ginna Wates, prior to the welcoming of distinguished guests by ECSD Superintendent, Dr. Kevin O’Gorman.

Strom Thurmond High School Principal, Mrs. Kristin Risher, offered her congratulations to the Class of 2026 and recognized STHS faculty members for their tremendous contributions to the success of the graduates. Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center Director, Dr. Alan Gray, also recognized the outstanding contributions of STCTC faculty members.

Additional members of the Class of 2026 included:

Callie Brianna Agner, Bricelda Pe’rez Agustin, Sergio Agustin Chavez, Shelby Grace Anderson, Stajia Marie Angermeier, Jayden Immanuel Augustin, Abigail Michaela Baxter, Carter Tucker Boatwright, Edgar Manuel Bringas Rivera, Jamarian Ny’Quevius Broadwater, Anaha DeJa Carman Brown, Trinity A’Mari Brown, Zariah Renee Brown, McKenzie Ariana Bunch, Preston Tyler Busbee, Jalen Markiese Campbell, Chloe Nicole Castle, Jason Dylan Chasm, Brianne Christine Cheatham, Herman Lee Cheatham III, Bryston Isaiah Coleman, Benjamin Joseph Collar, Sydney Maria Collins, Clarence Ashton Compton, Amariyah Elsepeth Conkright-Most, Jessica Lorraine Cooper, Joey Annabelle Corley, Aaren Michael Crane, Kizziah Danielle Cunningham, Taniya Rihianna Martin Dean, Hugh Isaac Doyle Jr., Porter Brantley Dyches, Jalaysha Keyshunna Edmond, Mikayla Skye Edwards, Gentry Cooper English, Jeremiah Jermaine Farrow, Kamran Scott Free, Keirin Dayana Fuentes Murillo, Ja'liyah Wilses Lavonn Gamble, Jaiden Arayas Gibson, Khalen Ferris Gibson, Mary Jean Kay Gilbert, Alayiah Ky'marni Gordon, Jahari Jeremiah Graham, Nolan Paul Grandy, Tatiana Talicia Grant, Ja'Corey Zayon Gray, Aleah Toni Head, Christopher Eugene Hendricks, Austin Grant Hensley, Alana Latrice Herrin, Carter Remon Hill, Hannah Morgan Holmes, Leah Denise Hunt, Mason Marcellius Johnson, Kendrell Anyius Jones, Akilias Andrea’ Key Jr., Bri’Shaun Markell Lee, Cassidy Rose Long, Christopher Abdiel Lopez Monge, Daisy Paola Lucas-Perez, Ke’Aira Elektra Madison, Bryan Martinez-Ramirez, Miracle Nevaeh Mathis, Rashad Devon Mathis, Trenquilis Dashawn Omari Mathis, Kentralle Jordan McCain, Amari Travon McClenney-Asforis, Taylor Azariah McCullough, Carlos Jariel Mejia, Jada Antoinett Moore, K'Mya Naomi Moore, Alexander Linden Nelson, Dallas Andrew Norris, LaKhia Kemaury Norris, Mariah Shaun’ya Norris, Jeremiah Jae Ontiveros, Steven Marques Page, Kenneth P Palma, Kevin P Palma, Ty’Kirriah Alexandria Papageorge, Armon Artrell Peterson, Deonte’ Jaquarius O’Neal Phillips, Fernando Pineda Trejo, Haley Ann Pixley, Elizeilda Ponce Agustin, Katelyn Denise Powell, Emily Joyann Grace Presnell, Kiley Mercedes Raiford, Adelina Regino Ramirez, Amya Rose Randle, Knox Mitchell Rauton, Billybob Dalton Reed, Shakayla Jaliyah Reynolds, Jordan Lynne Rich, Je’Vae Jesse Richardson, Orlando Martin Rivera Cardenas, Grace Olivia Roberson, Dylan Wade Rose, Dylan Bowdre Rosier, Aziyah Erin Rouse, Nolan Preston Ruiz, Nathaniel James Sayas, Ashawrie Shanise Scott, Caslyn Dakota Sellers, Devin Lavon Shields, Kaleb Tyree Simpkins, Grayson Hamilton Smith, Harry Joseph Taylor IV, Gracie Ruth Thompson, Lindsey Emeli Trejo, Callie Jean Tyler, Gabriele Nickol Vinson, Ze’mera Cordaja Wakefield, Antonio Jonathan Walker, Micah Zechariah Warren, Garren Matthew Waters, Sha’Kiya Miyanna Weaver, Vincent Michael Weaver, Tanika Rena Webb, Keith Devian West, Christopher Lee Whatley, Ethan David Anthony Wideman, Ayaliah La’Shay Williams, Jada Arianna Williams, Shaheed Kweli Williams, Trent Jackson Williams, Kobe Lamont Windless, and Brison Lee Yonce.

Junior Marshals for the ceremony included Lawsyn Lowe, Olivia O’Gorman, John Laster, Carter Massey, Lilly Smith, Amber Bishop, Mary Hamilton, Alexander Cain, Avon Webb, Kinley French, Ni’Miah Lyons, and Joseph Greene. John Laster and Carter Massey served as Head Marshals.

Strom Thurmond High School Senior Class President, Imani Gilchrist, led the turning of the tassels, and honor graduate Christian Haskins delivered the closing remarks.

The National Anthem and the Strom Thurmond High School alma mater were performed by graduating senior Zariah Brown

The Class of 2026 graduation livestream was filmed and produced by members of the Edgefield County School District’s Technology Department. Strom Thurmond High School Stadium was prepared for graduation by members of the ECSD Facilities and Maintenance Department.

PHOTO: Charles Reel Photography