News and Updates

Johnston, SC - Congratulations are in order for a pair of Rebels, Kaleb Simpkins and Lawsyn Lowe, who were recently named to the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association and South Carolina Coaches Association of Women's Sports Class AA All-State baseball and softball teams, respectively.

According to The Aiken Standard in a recent article, "Simpkins is an All-State honoree after helping the Rebels to a District 4 championship and spot in the Upper State championship. He carried one of the most feared bats in the state, both for his power and his reputation for coming through in the clutch. He routinely stole potential extra-base hits from opposing batters with his ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield."

FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.postandcourier.com/.../article_ee5b415d-c8e2...

Also, according to The Aiken Standard article, Lawsyn Lowe "finished her sophomore season with a .523 batting average, hitting four doubles, two triples and two home runs while driving in 30 runs, scoring 33 times and stealing 13 bases to go with a .963 fielding percentage."

FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.postandcourier.com/.../article_412cf3b5-289f...

Congratulations, Kaleb and Lawsyn!

Johnston, SC – The speeches at Strom Thurmond High School Stadium have been delivered, the tassels turned, and caps tossed as the 151 members of the Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) graduating Class of 2025 reached a huge milestone in their lives in transitioning on Friday, May 30, 2025, from high school students to graduates. Walking alongside them were four of their beloved classmates who were awarded their special education completion credentials.

Friday’s commencement ceremony began under cloudy skies accompanied by a stiff breeze and ended in full sunshine before a jubilant crowd of family members and friends.

Members of the Class of 2025 received a total of $5,721,665 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 2025 was led by Valedictorian, Presslie Stevens, and Salutatorian, MaKayla Addy. Presslie and MaKayla will both attend the University of South Carolina (Columbia) in the fall and plan to major in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Public Health, respectively. Presslie and MaKayla were tremendous contributors to and performed with excellence in the Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center’s Health Science Program.

Honor graduates of the Class of 2025 included MaKayla Ariana Venteria Addy, Mongkonchai Aemphob, Aaliyah Kianna Nasha Alarcon, Mina Corinne Allen, Jimmy Lee Bates, Lauren Holmes Bates, Landon William Bayorek, Riley Addison Brightharp, Anna Katherine Brucker, Bryston Dennard Bryant, Hartley Morgan Byrd, Ashley Winter Nicole Cates, Jada Amani Collier, Reagan Caroline Clark, Jonathan Tyler Dean, Mirakil Tyiesha Dublin, Olivia Taylor Grant, Daley Brandon Hitt, Faith Israel Johnson, Coleman Trent Kelly, Carrington Olivia Knotts, Vincent Li, Taylor Makenzie Long, Reece Clark Lowe, Maleek Omar McCall, Emily Ann McKie, Sara Elizabeth McKie, Carson Conner Mims, Hannah Ailis Mims, Tucker Edward Mims, Laura Nolasco-Gonzalez, Edhit Paz, Ryan Leigh Raines, Sunasia Andrea Saxon, Emma Lianne Smith, Addison Presslie Stevens, Herlinda Bernice Veracruz Hernandez, Jenasys Aminee Washington, Azaria Sacora Williams, and Harmony Mackenzye Williams-Talbert.

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 MaKayla Addy, Landon Bayorek, and Presslie Stevens. 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 Faith Johnson, Reece Lowe and Hannah Mims.

Graduates MaKayla Addy and Carrington Knotts were also honored for their tremendous academic achievements of also earning their Associate in Arts degrees from Piedmont Technical College.

Two members of the Class of 2025 have chosen military service after high school. They include graduates Litzy Ramirez-Jimenez (U.S. Navy) and Randy Satterwhite (U.S. Navy).

Strom Thurmond High School Student Body President, Leland Reynolds, welcomed guests to the commencement. He also honored the longtime career and memory of Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center teacher, Michelle Smith, who passed away late in the school year. A moment of silence was held for Mrs. Smith, who was remembered for her tremendous kindness, a spirit of gratitude and service, and a passion for all of her students.

Opening remarks were provided by honor graduate Vincent Li, prior to the welcoming of distinguished guests by ECSD Superintendent, Dr. Kevin O’Gorman.

Strom Thurmond High School Principal, Mrs. Fran Altringer, offered her congratulations to the Class of 2025 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 2023 included the following graduates:

Daniel Alonzo Reyna, Demond Antonio Anderson, Gabryell Ideh Bailey, Damien Michael Bazen, Jaycob Sterling Bearden, Jared Smith Bedenbaugh, Camryn Tyric Blacks, La'Darius Kamarion Bolden, Harmony Grace Brown, Trinity Layne Bruenning, Julissa Maria Burton, Charish Hope Butler, Porter James Carroway, Ethan Patrick Chapman Jordan Malik Chinn, Will Manson Clark*, Kaden Grant Clemson, Christopher Landon Cockrell, Edward Gage Cockrell, Braeden James “Moose” Coleman*, Skylar McKenzie Corley, Jayden Deondre Dais, David Delgado Vazquez*, Kottn Dalton Dukes, Michael Loris Egan, Braxton Tanner English, Anderson Jose Escalante Preza, Tamara Lee Finley, Samantha Annette Fleming, Shamarion Jareyi Freeman, Jennifer Alexandra Fuentes Murillo, Serenity Alexis Gilchrist, Sarah Elizabeth Glanton, Alex Manuel Godinez Ordonez, Julius Armon Hardy, Cherish Clarlynn-Lyric Harris, Christian LaMarcus Herrin, Landon Jackson Horton, Joeb Phillip Hutto, Destiny Janiya Corrine Jackson, Payton Samaria Jackson, Tralaysia Latrelle James, Robert Lee Jennings III, Kathryn Savannah Jinks, Kiarah Louise Monae' Johnson, A'Breonna, Lashay Amira Jones, Amiah Nicole Jones, Cherrish Layla Reania Jones, Kenya Brianna Jones, Jericka Mary Burnadette Jones-Mason, Jaylanese Ketcham, Treasure Lil'Star Key, Gabriela Liesl Kinzli, Evan Aleah Lee, Ja'Quavious Zamarion Lee, Lewis Alexander Lee Jr., Brianna Kinsley Lewis, Heidi Naomi Lucas-Perez, Antavius Tai'Shun Martin, Jesse Malcom Mathis, Micheal Brayden McAllister, John Louis McGee Jr., Nilaya Inez McKie, Ny'Asia Taliyah McKinney, Jesus Ronaldo Mejia Sanchez, Amy Abigahil Mejia*, Ja'Kyra Nicole Merriweather, Joshua Trenton Merriweather, Alexius Teshan Moore, Alan Joel Mote Estrada, Rylan James Muns, Shelby Nicole Murrell, Josiah Devine Faith Nicholson, Piper Autumn Parkman, Caden Riley Patterson, Khristopher Leroy Patterson, Shanahce Abreeya Patterson, Rachel Elizabeth Petty, Tyra Nicole Pickens, Eli Hampton Quarles, Litzy Jarely Ramirez-Jimenez, Makenna Grace Rauton, Christopher Terron Reed, Leland Randolph Reynolds, Zairien Jemonte Richardson, Braylin Elizabeth Riordan, Eric Sebastian Rivera Cardenas, Wyatt Scott Roberson, Alyissia Dezorae Rogers, Niya Elizabeth Marie Roldan, Dekaveon Tijuan Rouse, Javan Jeremiah Salley, Lizeth Guadalupe Salvador Diaz, Randy O'Bryant Satterwhite Jr., Ja'Dhan Jovan Sewell, Mary Elizabeth Sherry, Jayden Amaurie Smith, Nytavious Lamar Smith, Bephira Aria Eris Soto, Camren Bella Stark, Khyia Imani Surry, Addison Gayle Temples, Griffin James Thompson, Caleb Zedekiah Thornton, Tifanny Nohemy Urbina-Tabora, Samuel Ricardo Villamil Espinosa, Dayana Guadalupe Villegas Velazquez, Crooze Lavance Watkins Jr., Spencer Blake Whisnant, Joann Mari Wilhite, James David Willis Jr., Matthew Blake Wilson, Datron Jeremiah Wise, Trinity Marie Wood, and Donte Quintavies Wyatt-Jones.

Junior Marshals for the ceremony included Raina Barrs, Carli Burden, Linsey Corley, Estefani Cortez, Mary Grace Fallaw, Kaylee Hallman, Christian Haskins, Sophie Simpkins, Leigh Anne Strock, Ginna Wates, Evan Williams, and Sara Willis. Raina Barrs and Evan Williams served as Head Marshals.

Strom Thurmond High School Senior Class President, Hannah Mims, led the turning of the tassels, and honor graduate Reagan Clark delivered the closing remarks.

The National Anthem was performed by graduating senior Ashley Cates, and the Strom Thurmond High School alma mater were performed by Mr. Steven McKinney. The commencement ceremony was also directed and produced by Mr. McKinney for the final time as he is retiring this year.

The Class of 2025 graduation livestream was filmed and produced by members of the Edgefield County School District’s Technology Department.

Strom Thurmond High School Stadium was prepared and set up for graduation by members of the ECSD Facilities and Maintenance Department. These dedicated employees also arrived before dawn the day of graduation to dry seats for graduates and guests following tremendous rainfall the previous day and evening.

(Awarded Special Education Credential*)

We've had a great time celebrating the Class of 2025 with our Senior Spotlight feature.

In our final feature, we're really going out on a "high note" with one of Strom Thurmond High School's top band students in Class of 2025 graduate Jenasys Washington!

STROM THURMOND HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: JENASYS WASHINGTON

Parents: Robert Washington and Javonne Williams.

Jenasys’s Accolades and Achievements: Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2025, 2024 Junior Marshal, USC Upstate Junior Scholar, National African American Recognition Program, National First-Generation Recognition Program, Erskine Fellows, John Philip Sousa Band Award, Conductor’s Band Award, Band President, Drum Major.

Jenasys’s College/Career Plans: She plans to attend the College of Charleston and Major in Geology with a Minor in either Music or Spanish.

Jenasys’s Summer Plans: I plan to spend the first half of summer hanging out with my friends before leaving to attend the SPECTRA program at the College of Charleston for the remainder of the summer.

Jenasys’s Memorable Moment(s) at STHS: Performing in my first play freshman year and earning a Superior with Distinction at CPA last year.

Jenasys’s Advice to Rising Seniors: Don’t let Senioritis get to you. Apply for as many scholarships as you can.

Who Has Inspired her? The teachers who inspired me the most were Ms. Ginn and Mrs. Coker. Ms. Ginn has such a kind heart, but she knows how to stand up for herself. Mrs. Coker knows how to push through tough times to achieve what she wants.

Johnston, SC – Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Valedictorian Presslie Stevens knows life can often bring with it trying times and difficult circumstances. In her valedictory speech to her fellow Class of 2025 graduates on Friday, May 30, 2025, she encouraged them to embrace those times and emerge on the other side of them even stronger.

“Maya Angelou once said, ‘you may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeat so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it’ and that quote has stayed with me,” stated Presslie. “It reminds us that failure is not final. In fact, it’s part of the process. It’s not just about overcoming but becoming. The challenges we’ve faced weren’t just obstacles; they were opportunities in disguise.”

Her own pathway was not always easy. There were challenges unique to her journey.

Through them all her personal strength and fortitude, the support of her family and friends and the opportunities made possible through the Self Regional Healthcare Human Services and Business Academy and Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center (STCTC) health science program proved an ideal combination for success.

Presslie’s achievements display her value of hard work and a commitment to excellence, and include the following:

Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Palmetto Fellow, Watson Brown Scholar, USC Deans Fellow, USC Institutional Grant, USC Stem Scholarship, Kitty M. Fairey Scholarship Recipient, Health Science Completer, CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician), CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician), CET (Certified EKG Certification), BLS Certified, James Otis Scholar Recipient, National Technical Honors Society, Columbia College Junior Scholar, University of South Carolina Upstate Junior Scholar, Converse Junior Achievers Award, Erskine Fellow, Lander Junior Fellow, Principal's Honor Roll, Strom Thurmond High School Junior Scholar, Junior Marshall, FBLA President/Vice President, HOSA, Beta Club, Leos Club (Board of Directors), Senior Representative, German Honors Society, Tennis.

With those achievements, Presslie plans to attend the University of South Carolina (Columbia) and Major in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a goal of becoming a pharmacist in the future.

“I'm not sure when I knew it, but I knew I wanted to be in healthcare and bridge the gap between medical diagnosis and action,” stated Presslie. “Pharmacists are kind of behind the scenes, and I just think they're really important. I don't like to be the center of attention, so to be in the background but still being able to help people is what I want to do.”

STCTC Health Science teachers Rebekah Brown and Kasey Wall watched Presslie blossom and grow in their program.

“Presslie shined with dedication, compassion, and a strong commitment to learning,” Stated Brown. “Her enthusiasm for health science inspired her peers, reflected a genuine passion for helping others and made a positive impact. Presslie’s hard work, kindness, and collaborative spirit embodied the very best qualities of a future healthcare professional. It’s a joy to see such talent and heart grow through this program.”

“Presslie’s strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning have been truly refreshing,” added Wall. “I’m confident she will make a meaningful impact in healthcare. While I will truly miss having her in class, I look forward to seeing all the great things she will accomplish in the future.”

Presslie’s recommendation for the Strom Thurmond Career and Technology Center’s Health Science Program to students who are interested in a future career in healthcare is compelling.

“I would definitely recommend it,” she stated. “Being able to go through and do your clinicals you really get to find what you like and what you don't like. Going through clinicals really showed me pharmacy was the right spot for me. The instructors. Going into college knowing what I want to do, it takes a lot of stress off of me. Knowing what you want to do, being able to go ahead and get into the major you want, I think it's really beneficial.”

Now that her speech has been given, her tassel has been turned and her diploma is in hand, Presslie Stevens has everything she needs to transition smoothly into the next phase of her life.

“I'm just so excited and ready to go to college and kind of move on,” she says. “I'm more of a homebody, but I really want to start my life and my career, so I'm excited.”

Parents: Sam and Jennifer Stevens.

Presslie’s Accolades and Achievements: Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Palmetto Fellow, Watson Brown Scholar, USC Deans Fellow, USC Institutional Grant, USC Stem Scholarship, Kitty M. Fairey Scholarship Recipient, Health Science Completer, CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician), CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician), CET (Certified EKG Certification), BLS Certified, James Otis Scholar Recipient, National Technical Honors Society, Columbia College Junior Scholar, University of South Carolina Upstate Junior Scholar, Converse Junior Achievers Award, Erskine Fellow, Lander Junior Fellow, Principal's Honor Roll, Strom Thurmond High School Junior Scholar, Junior Marshall, FBLA President/Vice President, HOSA, Beta Club, Leos Club (Board of Directors), Senior Representative, German Honors Society, Tennis.

Presslie’s College/Career Plans: Presslie will attend the University of South Carolina (Columbia) and Major in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Presslie’s Summer Plans: I plan to spend time with my family and friends before heading off to USC!

Presslie’s Memorable Moment(s) at STHS: There are so many memorable moments at STHS, but one that stands out is the time I spent with three of my closest friends in our Health Science class. It made class not only fun but also something I looked forward to.

Presslie’s Advice to Rising Seniors: My advice for rising seniors is to appreciate the small moments, not just the big milestones. Those simple, everyday experiences often end up meaning the most.

Who has inspired her? My sister and four cousins have been my biggest inspirations. Growing up with them, each one taught me something meaningful that I still carry with me every day.