News and Updates

Johnston, SC - For a number of years, the Edgefield County School District has provided students and families with the opportunity to report concerns related to student health and wellbeing, including potential instances of bullying, harassment, or peer conflicts. This reporting has changed over time with new advances in technology, and what had previously required an in-person visit to your child’s school may be done from the privacy of home on your cell phone.

The next stage in this development has been made possible through our partnership with ParentSquare, our school district’s new District-wide communication and information sharing tool for students, parents and guardians, who can conveniently locate and access the ECSD Bullying, Harassment, or Peer Conflict Report Form at the top of your ParentSquare feed.

The reporting is also age appropriate, with separate forms for the elementary and secondary (middle and high school) levels.

Important Safety Reminders

For Immediate Danger/Physical Threats: Call 911 or local law enforcement immediately if there is an imminent safety threat or physical assault.

24/7 Crisis & Mental Health Support: If a student is in crisis or needs mental health help, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or call 911.

For Immediate Non-Emergency Concerns: Submit the form using the instructions provided below.

Enhanced Bullying, Harassment, or Peer Conflict Reporting Benefits

Confidential Reporting: Provides students, parents, and staff with a simple and confidential way to submit school-related safety or wellbeing concerns. Access to reporting information will be limited to District and school-level administration and Law Enforcement (as needed).

Multi-Layered Support: Serves as a central system that forwards reports directly to school and district staff to ensure coordinated care and swift action.

Proactive Action: Helps school teams track and resolve issues early to maintain a safe learning environment.

How to Use the Form

Select the Issue Type: Choose the category that best fits the situation—Conflict (mutual disagreement), Harassment, Bullying (unwelcome, repeated targeted acts), or Other

Provide Event Details: Describe what happened, name the individuals involved, and indicate when the incident occurred (during school, at a school activity, or outside of school).

Note Supporting Documentation: Indicate if you have photos, screenshots, messages or video evidence so staff can follow up to collect them if needed.

Include Contact Information: Provide your name and contact information so an administrator or team member can reach out to discuss next steps.

The safety and wellbeing of our school district community is a responsibility we all share. Thank you for partnering with us to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, families, faculty, and staff in our ECSD Family.

Johnston, SC – Alongside their collective academic and personal achievements, and considerable grace and beauty, the 12 members of the 2026 Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Homecoming Court may also add longsuffering and resilient (along with their escorts) to their many positive character traits. After a lengthy delay approaching three hours due to frequent lightening and heavy thunderstorms, it was long after 10:00 p.m. when STHS senior Natalie Hardy – sponsored by #66 Tyler Culpepper – was at last crowned as the school’s new homecoming queen by last year’s queen, Imani Gilchrist.

The evening’s first runner-up was Nichole Brown (sponsored by #4 Daevian Wise), with Madison Coleman (sponsored by #99 Xavier McAdoo) being named as second runner-up.

Completing this year’s homecoming court were Adriyanna Johnson (sponsored by #18 Bladeon Shuster), Te’Ajiah Lee (sponsored by #6 Jakari Gordon), Aryan Lyons (sponsored by #10 Dayton Griffith-McCranie), Karrington Miller (sponsored by #7 AJ Hillary), Glorieanna Mosley (sponsored by # 35 Christopher Craft), Jalia Simpkins (sponsored by #9 Wytravious Dugar), Callen Trapp (sponsored by #73 Aiden Romero), Shacara Watkins (sponsored by #3 Gregory Moore), and Rahlyn Widener (sponsored by #78 John Laster).

2025 Homecoming Queen Miss Imani Gilchrist was escorted by STHS Principal, Mrs. Kristin Risher. Imani is currently attending Claflin University and majoring in Accounting.

Congratulations to this year’s winners and each member of the 2026 STHS Homecoming Court!

2026 STROM THURMOND HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING COURT BIOS (Placed in Alphabetical Order)

Miss Nichole Brown – Nichole is the daughter of Phil and Lakeshia Bush. She was escorted by her papa, Robert Jones. Nichole is on the Track and Field team and is a member of the BETA Club and FBLA. She is also involved in the Medical Billing and Coding program as well as Teacher Cadet. After graduation, Nichole plans to join the Air Force and later attend an HBCU to become a travel Ultrasound Technician.

Miss Madison Coleman – Madison is the daughter of Joseph and Audrey Coleman. She was escorted by her father, Joseph Coleman. Madison is the STHS Senior Class President, was named Prom Princess and was crowned Miss Junior in the Miss Strom Thurmond pageant. She is also a member of the HOSA and BETA clubs. After graduation, Madison plans to attend North Carolina A&T and take the Pre-Med track to major in Psychology and Chemistry. She plans to become a Neurologist.

Miss Natalie Hardy – Natalie is the daughter of Wilson and Amy Hardy. She was escorted by her mother, Amy Hardy. Natalie is a Varsity Cheerleader. She is also a member of HOSA, FBLA, FFA, BETA Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the National Technical Honors Society. After graduation, Natalie plans to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia to major in Exercise Science. Her plan is to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.

Miss Adriyanna Johnson – Adriyanna is the daughter of Andrea Leaphart and Willie Johnson. She was escorted by her father, Willie Johnson. Adriyanna is a Varsity Cheerleader and a member of the Varsity Volleyball team, as well participating in Track and Field. She is a member of BETA Club, FBLA, and the Cosmetology Club. After graduation, Adriyanna plans to attend a four-year university where she will major in business. Her plan is to become a successful real estate agent.

Miss Te’Aijah Lee – Te’Aijah is the daughter of Dewanda Lee. She was escorted by her grandmother, Christy Eigner. Te’Aijah is part of the STHS Sports Medicine program. After graduation, Te’Aijah plans to attend The University of South Carolina to major in Forensic Chemistry. She plans to go into the field of crime scene investigations.

Miss Aryan Lyons – Aryan is the daughter of Ashley Davis and Don Gause. She was escorted by her father, Don Gause. Aryan is a member of the STHS Varsity Volleyball team as well as the Varsity Track and Field team. She is a member of FBLA, HOSA, BETA Club and the National Technical Honors Society. After graduation, Aryan plans to attend North Carolina A&T and take a Pre-Med track with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.

Miss Karrington Miller – Karrington is the daughter of Warren Miller. She was escorted by her father, Warren Miller. Karrington is on the Varsity Soccer team and is a member of HOSA and the National Technical Honors Society. After graduation, Karrington plans to attend Piedmont Technical College and major in Radiology with the goal of becoming a Radiologist Technician.

Miss Glorieanna Mosley – Glorieanna is the daughter of Aisha Ingram and Albert Mosley and the granddaughter of Mary Felton. She was escorted by her father, Albert Mosley. Glorieanna is a member of the Varsity Basketball team. She is also a member of BETA Club, student leadership, and the Cosmetology Club. She also participated in Color Guard. After graduation, Glorieanna plans to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia, where she hopes to major in Criminology and Criminal Justice and eventually attend law school to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. She is passionate about law and beauty, so while in college, she plans to continue styling hair and growing her cosmetology skills. In the future, Glorieanna hopes to open her own beauty salon offering hair, nails, makeup, and other beauty services. Her goal is to build a successful career in law while also creating a business that allows her creativity and passion for beauty to shine.

Miss Jalia Simpkins – Jalia is the daughter of Ashlea Mathis and Brian Simpkins. She was escorted by her Uncle, Montez Mathis. Jalia is a Varsity Cheerleader and plays on the Varsity Volleyball team. She is a member of BETA Club and a HOSA Officer. After graduation, Jalia plans to attend a four-year university and major in Nursing, to later become a Pediatric Nurse.

Miss Callen Trapp – Callen is the daughter of Charles and Megan Trapp. She was escorted by her father Charles Trapp. Callen is involved in STHS Varsity Cross Country and Varsity Soccer. She is also a member of BETA Club, HOSA, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After graduation, Callen plans to attend college to major in Nursing with a goal of becoming a NICU or Pediatric Nurse.

Miss Shacara Watkins – Shacara is the daughter of Crooze Watkins and Whitney Holmes. She was escorted by her brother, Crooze Watkins Jr. Shacara is involved in Track and Field and a member of HOSA, FBLA, the Cosmetology Club and National Technical Honors Society. She is also an active member in the Health Science program. After graduation, Shacara plans to attend USC-Upstate and major in Biology with the goal of becoming a Dental Hygienist.

Miss Rahlyn Widener – Rahlyn is the daughter of Michael and Heather Widener. She was escorted by her father, Michael Widener. Rahlyn is a STHS Varsity Cheerleader and a member of the Varsity Volleyball team. After graduation, Rahlyn plans to attend Georgia Southern University and major in Nursing with the goal of becoming a Pediatric Oncology Physician’s Assistant.

Johnston, SC – Standing together as a team again for the first time in several months and perhaps for the last time for many years to come, members of the 2026 Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Mock Trial state champions looked at the black boxes in their hands with pride and anticipation. They had been here before, but each journey to a state title is unique.

Longtime STHS Attorney Coach Blair Massey counted down … three, two, one. The boxes were opened, mouths opened, and eyes widened. Taking in the sight of a shiny new state championship ring for the first time is a feeling that never ages.

The team’s ring ceremony was held on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in the Edgefield County School District’s board room.

National Finals team members include Raina Barrs (Class of 2026), Rebecca Carpenter, Dennis Fraser, Joseph Greene, Julianne Harper (Class of 2026), Carter Massey, Olivia O’Gorman, Toney Robinson, Lilly Smith, Olivia Stevens, and Evan Williams (Class of 2026). Team coaches include Lead Teacher Coach Tommy Behr, and Attorney Coach Blair Massey.

The team’s teacher coach, Thomas Behr, praised each team member for their individual contributions as they were presented with their rings, and attorney coach Blair Massey was also honored with a special presentation for her 20th year of dedicated service to the STHS Mock Trial program.

The Rebels have now advanced to the High School Mock Trial (HSMT) National Finals Competition as South Carolina’s state champions for three consecutive years, traveling to the states of Delaware, Arizona, and Iowa to compete.

The HSMT Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. It is most often conducted as an extracurricular school activity. According to the S.C. Bar Association, which sponsors the state competition each year, The goal of Mock Trial is to educate students about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in the Mock Trial program, students will increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking and problem analysis.

The Rebels have captured South Carolina Mock Trial championships in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012, 1987, 1985 and 1984. Strom Thurmond High School was also the South Carolina state runner-up in 2014 and 2011.

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

Edgefield, SC – The voices of young leaders were heard loud and clear during the Edgefield Town Council meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, as Strom Thurmond High School NJROTC cadets stepped forward to advocate for a special community event honoring the men and women who serve our communities and our nation.

The cadets presented a proposal for the first Strom Thurmond NJROTC 5K Hero Run as a fundraising initiative designed to support the Strom Thurmond NJROTC program while also honoring our veterans and emergency responders—those who have served, those currently serving, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Representing the NJROTC program was Cadet Chase Lawton, an 11th-grade student and the program's Operations Officer. Cadet Lawton presented the event to council members, demonstrating not only confidence and professionalism but also the leadership and civic responsibility that NJROTC seeks to develop in its cadets.

Edgefield Town Council members voted unanimously in favor of the event, giving the cadets and NJROTC program the opportunity to bring the Hero Run to the community on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

The Hero Run represents much more than a 5K race. It is an opportunity for the Strom Thurmond NJROTC cadets to put their leadership training into action while bringing together the community in support of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving others.

The event welcomes veterans, emergency responders, sponsors, families, friends, and community members who want to come together to show their appreciation for the heroes who have served and sacrificed.

Participants may choose to either walk, jog, or run the 5K.

The unanimous vote is a significant achievement for the cadets, demonstrating what can happen when young people are willing to step forward, accept responsibility, and advocate for something bigger than themselves. For the Strom Thurmond NJROTC cadets, the Hero Run is also an opportunity to demonstrate one of the program's fundamental principles: leadership is not simply something you learn—it is something you put into action.

The cadets are creating an event that brings generations together, strengthens community relationships, supports NJROTC, and—most importantly—ensures the service and sacrifices of America's heroes are remembered and honored.

Please make plans now to join our Strom Thurmond NJROTC cadets in downtown Edgefield on Oct. 17^th for our first 5K “Hero Run” in honoring those who’ve served, those who serve, and those who gave all. 

 

Strom Thurmond NJROTC 5K Hero Run

Saturday, October 17, 2026 (Edgefield, South Carolina)

- Registration: $25

- Location Start/End: Edgefield Courthouse Town Square

- On-site check-in: 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

- Hero Run begins: 8:00 a.m.

- Awards and presentations: 11:00 a.m.

- Participation: Walk, Jog, or Run

- All heroes, sponsors, family, and friends are welcome

Online registration is available through:

"Facebook Event Registration" https://facebook.com/events/2694470187622140

"Run Signup Registration" https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Edgefield/STROMTHURMONDNJROTCHERORUN  

 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured is Strom Thurmond NJROTC Cadet Chase Lawton during a recent event presentation to members of Edgefield Town Council. Cadet Lawson is a junior student at Strom Thurmond High School and serves as the program’s Operations Officer.  

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured from left to right are Cadet La'Trez Figueroa (11th Grade/Armory Officer), Cadet Chase Lawton (11th Grade/Operations Officer), Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham, Cadet LaTrez Robinson (12th Grade/Command Senior Chief), Cadet Kinsley Lawton (Ninth Grade/Seaman Recruit), and Strom Thurmond NJROTC Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI) Lt. Col Tommie L. Williams (USMC/Ret).

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