Rock Hill students collect pennies for charity; York County residents earn awards
Area residents are celebrating accomplishments. Here are some of the highlights:
Rock Hill elementary students give back
Rosewood Elementary’s fifth grade International Baccalaureate students helped make a difference in children’s lives, one penny at a time.
After months of researching, collaborating and “inspiring each other to educate their school,” the students held a school-wide Penny Wars fundraiser April 24-May 5.
Proceeds went to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Children’s Attention Home of Rock Hill.
The students counted thousands of pennies a day and donated $360 to each of the three charities, according to the school.
“When we have 11-year-olds becoming global citizens on this level and taking action in our world, we know in our hearts we are building a better future for us all,” said Rebecca Shackleford, one of the teachers that oversaw the project.
Winthrop senior earns teaching assistantship
Winthrop University senior Anne Cushman has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award, giving her an English teaching assistantship for the 2017-18 school year, according to the university.
Cushman, an English major from Raleigh, N.C., will join more than 1,900 U.S. citizens in studying abroad through the program, a release states. Cushman will spend a year conducting research, studying and teaching in Thailand.
Fulbright grant recipients are chosen based on their record of service and leadership potential in their field.
Cushman, a member of the Winthrop Honors Program, has served as a peer mentor, a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and secretary of the Iota Mu chapter of Sigma Tau Delta national English honor society.
“Anne Cushman is exactly the kind of young woman we would want to represent Winthrop,” said Gloria Jones, dean of University College. “She is smart, polite, athletically gifted, a recognized leader and is quite humble.”
York Prep senior named S.C. Teaching Fellow
York Preparatory Academy senior Kevin Hicks has been awarded a South Carolina Teaching Fellowship, according to the school.
Hicks will enjoy professional development opportunities at Winthrop University this fall.
“I am grateful and honored for the opportunity to be a part of the Teaching Fellows Program,” Hicks said.
Rock Hill schools earn communication awards
Lesslie Elementary School, Northwestern High School and South Pointe High School recently earned awards for their public relations and communications efforts, according to the Rock Hill school district.
On April 28, the National School Public Relations Association recognized the three schools during the annual Rewards for Excellence ceremony in Columbia.
“...we enjoy celebrating and recognizing the hard work of individuals who produce content that allows us all to ... highlight the many great things students and teachers in our state are doing on a daily basis,” said Mychal Frost, director of communications for the district.
The schools earned a combined nine awards, including:
- Communications specialist Dustin Wilson took home an electronic media award for his behind-the-scenes video feature of a 2016 South Pointe football state championship game.
- Seberina Myles, principal of Lesslie Elementary, earned a publication award for her weekly e-newsletter.
- Northwestern High School guidance counselor Bridget Elmore was awarded for her senior newsletter.
- Al Leonard, South Pointe High School’s principal, took home two awards for advertisements highlighting student achievements.
York band to perform at Carnegie Hall
The York Comprehensive High School Wind Ensemble is headed to New York City to play at Carnegie Hall.
The ensemble is invited to perform at the iconic concert hall in the spring of 2018 as part of a symphonic series. The Cougar Band’s trip will include stops in Baltimore, New York City and Philadelphia.
The band will raise money for the trip at the biannual fish fry and bake sale on Sept. 9 and 10 and Feb. 3 and 4, 2018. The annual Yankee Candle sale is Sept. 26-Oct. 10.
This story was originally published June 1, 2017 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Rock Hill students collect pennies for charity; York County residents earn awards."