York County teachers, students, business leaders celebrate wins. Here’s who.
Each month, The Herald shares accomplishments from the York County region. Here are the highlights:
Riverwalk Academy names elementary teacher of year
Kindergarten teacher Emily Hyleman has been named Riverwalk Academy’s 2020 elementary school teacher of the year.
“Mrs. Hyleman has a passion for teaching and it is evident in her classroom. She is an amazing teacher and colleague,” Elementary Administrator Erica McCray said in a prepared statement. “We are grateful to have her as a member of our school family.”
Riverwalk is a public K-10 charter school in Rock Hill. Riverwalk serves about 530 students.
Hyleman graduated from Winthrop University in 2017 with a degree in elementary education. She is certified in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
“The past three years that I’ve been teaching at Riverwalk Academy have been so rewarding. Not only have I been able to help my students learn and grow, but they’ve helped me learn and grow too,” Hyleman said in a prepared statement. “I am so grateful for everything that I’ve gained here at Riverwalk.”
Fort Mill students head to cyber security nationals
The Nation Ford High School Marine Corps JROTC computer defense team won a state competition in February and are headed to the nationals.
The team took first place among more than 6,300 teams and will compete March 19-23 at the CyberPatriot national competition in Bethesda, Maryland, a release from the Fort Mill school district states.
The Nation Ford “Red” team is one of 28 high school teams competing nationally in their division, the release states.
Team members are: Team captain Caeden Intemann, William Levy, Jason Garrett-Dye, Josue Perla, Aidan Rossi and Lauren Buckley. The team is coached by parent volunteer Don Steele.
York County students win math competition
A team of Sullivan Middle School students won first place in the MATHCOUNTS competition hosted by the Catawba Chapter of the South Carolina Society of Engineers. Sullivan student Braxton Townsend won fourth in the individual competition.
During the Feb. 11 competition, about 90 middle school students from 10 schools answered difficult math problems, a release states. The event was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill.
Students compete individually for their team before the team later competes together, the release states.
The York Middle School team took second place. Students Andy Goss won first and Jackson Rampey placed third in the individual competition.
Fort Mill Middle School eighth grade student Zachary Ritz won second place in the individual competition, the release states.
The team from St. Anne’s Catholic School in Rock Hill placed third.
York County residents celebrate job wins
Williams and Fudge: The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce named David Williams, president of Williams and Fudge in Rock Hill, the chamber’s Businessperson of the Year. Williams, 43, joined Williams and Fudge in 2000, a release states. Williams is a past chair of Rock Hill’s Come See Me Festival and has served on local boards, including the Old Town Association, Miracle Park Executive Team, York County Board of Disabilities, Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation and York Technical College Foundation. Williams is a Deacon at Oakland Baptist Church and coaches baseball and basketball, the release states. “David’s leadership and commitment to the success of others is tangible and continues to shape our community” Rob Youngblood, chamber president, said in a prepared statement.
Sharonview Federal Credit Union: Blaine Lahrs, vice president of member experience at the Rock Hill location, has been named chair elect for Adult Enrichment Centers. The York County nonprofit offers day programs aimed at promoting independence for people with physical and intellectual disabilities, a release states. Lahrs will review the organization’s operations and strategy, increase brand awareness and help with fundraising. Lahrs’ mother worked as a special education teacher and he had a family member with Down syndrome, the release states.
Rock Hill school district: James Brown Jr. was named the district’s new director of safety and security. He started Feb. 4. Brown is tasked with overseeing and building the district’s safety, security and emergency management plans and develop training for district personnel, according to a release from the district. Brown comes to Rock Hill from Atlanta, where he worked in emergency management and safety operations positions. Brown worked in emergency operations at the Hartfield-Jackson International Airport. Brown also worked in emergency management for the Dekalb County School District in Georgia.
Fort Mill school district: Peter Olinger has been named the district’s new executive director of elementary education. He will start his new role July 1. Olinger is principal of River Trail Elementary School, which will open for the 2020-’21 school year. Olinger currently is helping open both River Trail and Kings Town Elementary School, according to the district. Olinger has been with Fort Mill schools since 2002 and has held multiple administration positions. The school district is looking for a new principal to lead River Trail.
Local organizations receive donations
Don Garrett with the Fort Mill Men’s Golf Association recently presented a $5,000 check to the Fort Mill Care Center, Garrett told the Herald in an e-mail. The care center assists people in need with medicine, heat, propane, food and power. The center needs donations of individually packaged toothbrushes for adults and children, toothpaste, tampons and nonperishable food items, according to the website.
Four York County children battling pediatric cancer got to attend Camp Happy Days’ week-long summer camp thanks to a $6,000 donation from the York County Cancer Association, which helps local cancer patients. The camp was June 30 to July 6, 2019 at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton, S.C., a release states. The camp for children with cancer and their siblings helps children build self-esteem and courage.
To submit an accomplishment, e-mail details and a photo to aharris@heraldonline.com.
