SRP Federal Credit Union Representatives Present Strom Thurmond High School with Check for Over $30,000

Johnston, SC - A check for $30,912 from proceeds of the SRP High School Affinity Debit Card Program was presented to Strom Thurmond High School Principal Fran Altringer on Thursday, March 14, 2024, by representatives of SRP Federal Credit Union.

The SRP High School Affinity Debit Card Program was designed to help provide funding to local high schools. Every time a purchase is made using an SRP High School Debit Card, SRP donates money to that particular school. Schools can then use these funds to purchase books, equipment, materials, fund school programs, or whatever the school may need.

Be sure to get your High School Affinity Debit Card and help raise money for our Rebels with every purchase you make.

For the check presentation, STHS students wore a new T-shirt provided by affinity debit card funding.

THANK YOU SRP Federal Credit Union!

For more information, please visit https://ecsdsc.link/atg7o.

ECSD Public Information Office

Strom Thurmond High School Beta Club Inducts 115 New Members

Johnston, SC – Strom Thurmond High School recently held its National Beta club induction ceremony.

On February 12, 2024, 115 were inducted into the National Beta club at Strom Thurmond High School. These students were selected for membership based on their academic standing and character and join more than 500,000 members across the United States and beyond.

National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit educational youth group in the United States. Its mission is to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students.

The ceremony included a candle lighting in the STHS Auditorium highlighting the four pillars that National Beta is founded upon: achievement, character, leadership and service.

Beta Sponsor, Marcie Burnip, congratulated the students for their hard work academically and their efforts in serving their school and community.

In the past, students have served their community by volunteering in local nursing homes, at their churches, school functions and events. The Beta Club members eagerly anticipate assisting other students in our county with this year’s Spring Games.

National Beta CEO, Bobby Hart offered his congratulations to the students saying, “The skills and opportunities that come from National Beta membership impact students not only during their time in school, but as they move forward in life. We are proud of these new inductees and are excited to see how they grow as leaders and positively impact the world.”

ECSD Public Information Office

Over Eighty Strom Thurmond High School Students Take Advantage of National Job Shadow Day to Explore Potential Careers

Johnston, SC – On this year’s National Job Shadow Day, Strom Thurmond High School senior Jonathan Dean found an outstanding career experience awaiting him at Mulch & More in North Augusta. While the business certainly serves the community by offering mulch and landscaping supplies, there is indeed more to the business, as it also features a vehicle repair shop.

“It was a great experience because they have everything here out front, but there is also the shop in the back, so I was able to get a look at different jobs and also learn more about what it takes to actually run a business behind the scenes,” stated Jonathan during a break in his job shadow duties. “Owning my own business may be something I want to do in the future, so this has been a great experience for me.”

Eighty additional students from Strom Thurmond High School had similar experiences with many different career pathways on National Job Shadow Day (Feb. 2).

Strom Thurmond High School students who participated in a job shadow on National Job Shadow Day included Makenna Rauton, Ashley Cates, Imani Gilchrist, Matthew Wilson, Amber Doane, Leigh Anne Strock, Molly Harling, Toboris Simpkins, SaraBeth Mckie, Emily McKie, Charish Butler, Khyia Surry, Skylar Corley, Dayana Villegas, Gentry English, Christopher Whatley, Brandon Thomas, Chasity Butler, Mollie Bartley, Ella Mathis Miller, Harmony Talbert-Williams, Haley Potts, Mary Grace Fallaw, Carli Burden, Amya Randle, Jaylanese Ketcham, Lauren Bates, Carson Mims, Abigail Baxter, Landon Bayorek, Makayla Addy, Rachel Wilson, Taylor Long, Vivyana Acosta, Ginna Wates, Destiny Jackson, Addison Temples, Kiersten Tabb, Gracie Ryan, Kaylee Hallman, Herlinda Veracruz, Laura Nolasco, Hailey Castle, Jaelyn Gill, Kelley Widell, Ryan Raines, Jules Sides, Raina Barrs, Kinsey Berry, Reese Hidlay, Sophie Simpkins, Kmya Moore, Jada Moore, Shakyra Ramirez, MaryAnn Bunch, Ethan Wideman, Evan Lee, Samuel Villamil, Dylan Rose, Emma Smith , Kizziah Cunningham, Sara Willis, Caroline Mariano, Julissa Burton, Joann Wilhite, Anna Brucker, Harmony Brown, Joseph Brooks, Dylan Rosier, Hannah Mims, Lydia Mims, Madison Rodrigues, Addyson Harrison, Isaiah Chavous, Rachel Petty, Samani Lanham, Olivia Grant, Jared Bedenbaugh, Jimmy Bates and Makayla Rushton.

Strom Thurmond High School Career Specialist Meghan Johnson was thrilled with the number of students who took the time to explore new careers, and the professionals who hosted them.

“We had a tremendous outcome for our ‘Groundhog Job Shadowing Day’ at Strom Thurmond High School,” commented Ms. Johnson. “We had over eighty students ranging from tenth to twelfth grades who set out on a journey to shadow a job they might enjoy as a career.”

“I really enjoyed getting pictures from their experiences throughout the day,” she added. “I am proud to say our students represented our school with respect, pride and courage, and showed our community what it means to be a STHS Rebel.”

Participating businesses, organizations and individuals who hosted STHS students included Benchmark Physical Therapy (North Augusta); Merriwether Middle School; Community Solutions, LLC; Edgefield County Hospital; Messer; Veterinary Healthcare (North Augusta); W.E. Parker Elementary School; ATI Physical Therapy (Saluda); TFE, Inc (Accountants); Little Rose's Beauty Shop (Edgefield); Herlong Ford (Edgefield); Rural Health Services; Trantech (Edgefield); ATI Physical Therapy (North Augusta); Yonce Farms (Johnston); Custom Specialty Fabrication (Johnston); Industrial Mechanical Group (Johnston); Dj's on Bauskett (Edgefield); Strom Thurmond High (Mr. McKinney, Lt. Bayorek, Ms. Key, First Sgt. Johnson); Mulch & More (North Augusta); Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center (Mrs. Brown); Johnston Elementary; Riverwood Dental (Evans, GA); J-E-T Middle School; Terrace and Crest; Chick-fil-A (North Augusta/Edgefield Rd.); Augusta Pediatrics (Augusta, GA); Edgefield County Healthcare; Edge Salon and Spa (North Augusta); Urban Outfitters (Augusta, GA); STCTC Cosmetology; Department of Veteran Affairs (Augusta, GA); Wellstar/MCG Health (Augusta, GA); Martin IMI (Edgefield); McCormick County Schools; Hudson RPO (North Augusta); Aiken County Clerk of Court (Aiken); JD Lever Elementary School; Hidlay Mobile Welding and Fabrication (Johnston); TS Simpkins Investments, INC (Aiken); Edgefield County Animal Control; City of North Augusta; Hyundai of Augusta (Augusta, GA); Merriwether Elementary School; Vince Smith (Engineer); Rolling Green Village; IGS Energy; Cold Creek Nurseries (Aiken); Robbie's Automotive (Martinez, GA); North Aiken Elementary; Aiken Regional Cancer Center; Betty Herrin (CNA); Sandra's Salon and Spa (Edgefield); and NHC (North Augusta).

Thank you so much to all of our participating businesses, organizations and individuals who made this year’s National Job Shadow Day such a tremendous success.

ECSD Public Information Office

Strom Thurmond High School Cheerleader Elizabeth Holmes Signs with Newberry College

Johnston, SC – For the second consecutive school year, the Strom Thurmond High School cheerleading team is sending one of its own to cheer at the collegiate level.

Rebels’ senior Elizabeth Holmes signed with Newberry College on Friday, February 9, 2024, in the STHS field house surrounded by her family, friends, coaches and cheer team.

She will join former standout Rebels’ cheerleader, Beth Yonce, a member of the STHS graduating Class of 2023, who signed to cheer for the Wolves a year ago.

Elizabeth Holmes is the daughter of Wilbur and Carisa Holmes.

Congratulations Elizabeth! We are very proud of you!

ECSD Public Information Office

Strom Thurmond Defeats Shamrocks, Blazers to Advance to Class AA ‘Elite Eight’ Where Season Ends; Lady Rebels’ Season Ends Versus Fairfield Central

Johnston, SC – The Strom Thurmond High School Rebels and head coach Owen Jacobs reached the Class AA basketball version of the “Elite 8” after a pair of solid state playoff victories over the Eau Claire Shamrocks and Greer Middle College Blazers.

The Rebels utilized their trademark defensive intensity to keep the No. 7-ranked Blazers well below their scoring average in a 51-37 road victory on Friday (2/16) that propelled Strom Thurmond into the third round. The team played at hoops powerhouse W.J. Keenan on Monday (2/19).

“(Greer) had a really solid back to back all-state post player who over the last few games had been averaging close to 20 points and game and a guard who could really shoot it and he had been averaging around 20 points per game the last several games,” stated Coach Jacobs. “We really keyed on (their guard), picking up on him as soon as he crossed the timeline and then we tried to deny the post and double him when he got the ball. Landen Jones and Daley Hitt did a great job down there and accepted the challenge.”

“Anytime we can hold a team under 45 to 50 points we feel like we have a good shot to win the game, and they really executed the gameplan perfectly,” Jacobs added.

Offensively, the Rebels were led by All-Region 3-AA honoree, Roosevelt Walker, with 21 points.  

“Ro had been sick but he’s going to fight through it and give us everything he can to help us get the job done and he gave us 21 and had a great night for us,” commented Coach Jacobs.

The Rebels opened the state playoffs with a hard-fought 50-43 victory over the Shamrocks, which eliminated Strom Thurmond in the first round of the playoffs last season. This time around, however, and despite a slow start, the Rebels persevered and got the win behind 17 points from All-Region 3-AA honoree Quan Edmond, 13 points from Roosevelt Walker and seven huge points from Daley Hitt in the fourth quarter.

Getting off to a better start against Greer Middle College was important for Coach Jacobs.

“We didn’t start off in a hole and the energy and intensity from the jump was there,” stated Jacobs.

In the next round, a great season ended at 22-8 overall as the Keenan Raiders defeated the Rebels in a final score of 55-31.

Great job this season, Rebels!

ECSD Public Information Officer