News and Updates - Edgefield County School District (2024)

Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Senior Spotlight: Tristian Coleman

Parents: Ericia Coleman

Accolades and Achievements: Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024, Class President; 2023-24 STHS Scholar Engineering Award, A/B Honors; Achievement in BLS(CPR) CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician), OSHA 10, Engineering, Sports Medicine, Health Science; Member of Student Council (Class President), HOSA.

College/Career Plans: Tristian will attend Newberry College and Major in Nursing.

Summer Plans: My plan is to have fun with friends and family before going off to college.

Memorable Moment(s) at STHS: “Every Friday morning I would go on the morning announcements with full energy because it would be the end of the week and Friday night football games. I loved coming to every football game and literally losing my voice cheering on our Rebels as they take on any team. Those are always memorable.”

Advice to Rising Seniors: “Don’t be afraid of being afraid, it’s ok. Enjoy every moment of your senior year because it will go by fast. Apply to colleges and scholarships ahead of time, NEVER wait until the last minute and always check your email the exact same way you check your phone for text message.”

Who Has Inspired you? “Growing up as the oldest of four children my mother inspired me tremendously. Watching her as a single parent working hard and taking care of me and my siblings impacted me and helped me grow into the young woman I am today. Her advice to me is, ‘keep going baby girl, you will always achieve anything you put your mind to’ and I love her for that.”

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Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Senior Spotlight: Erin Williams

Parents: Ericka and Randall Williams.

Accolades and Achievements: Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024, Class Rank (6); Grade Point Average 5.028; Junior Marshall (2023 Graduation); Palmetto Fellows Scholar (2023-24); Member of: DECA, National Beta Club (Vice President), Varsity Soccer Team (Captain), High School A Honor Roll (2020-present), National African American Recognition through College Board, Junior Scholar (recognized by Presbyterian college and USC Upstate), Academic Honoree by The Links Foundation.

College/Career Plans: Erin Williams will attend The University of Tennessee (Knoxville), and major in aerospace engineering.

Summer Plans: In June, Erin will attend an advanced summer engineering program in Knoxville. After the program, she will travel and visit family before starting college.

Memorable Moment(s) at STHS: “I remember, it was in my junior year, towards the end of the football season. My friend and I had never been to a high school football game until we impulsively decided to go. I think it was the second to last game before playoffs. We both had so much fun in the student section even though we both knew nothing about football. After that night, we went to many more together.”

Advice to Rising Seniors: “Get used to new things. There have been more times than I can count where I have tried new events or programs. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable when you are new, but the more you stand out, the more others are open to connect with you. There will be situations where you may not be with your friends, or may be uncomfortable not knowing anyone, but you can establish new relationships and be more comfortable meeting new people and trying new things.”

What Has Inspired you? “My favorite genre of books has always been historical fiction and non-fiction. I loved the idea that inspiring themes in books could also happen in real life. However, I didn’t get into (theatre) until I was a junior at Strom Thurmond. We had a literature class where we read a book of our choice, and I chose ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ by Loraine Hansberry. After researching her journey, I was inspired by her resilience, being one of the few women to succeed in the literary world.”

Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Senior Spotlight: Dawson Kulp

Parents:Jason and Sylvia Kulp.

Accolades and Achievements:Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024, Class Rank 7; GPA 4.939; Junior Marshall 2022-2023; AP Human Geography score 4/5; 2022-24 Varsity Swim Team Co-Captain; Palmetto Fellows Scholar, National Beta Club, Mock Trial Witness 2020-2023; Outstanding Fine Arts Graduate 2017-2024; Marching Band Member 2019-2023.

College/Career Plans:Dawson will attend the New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts and Major in Film and Television Studies.

Summer Plans:Working to save for college.

Memorable Moment(s) at STHS: “I believe my most memorable moment at STHS would be performing the last show of Aladdin in Musical Theatre. As we sang the final song, our journey of exploring characters and creating unforgettable memories came to an end. Tears filled the room and the pain of leaving my Musical Theatre family filled my heart. In that moment, I truly understood what Rebel Pride meant to me.”

Advice to Rising Seniors: “Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You think you have an entire year until you graduate, but before you know it, you will be walking across the stage wondering where the time went. Apply yourself wherever you can and make memories with those around you.”

Who Has Inspired you?“I believe the two people who have inspired me most have to be my older brothers. When I was younger, I acted like I couldn’t stand them, but truly, I was in awe of the talent that they possessed and the things they did. I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to fill their shoes as I grew in the same school they did.”

Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Senior Spotlight: Salutatorian Selina Li

Parents:Yanfang Lin and Guang Xing Li

Accolades and Achievements:Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Salutatorian; Class Rank (2); Grade Point Average (5.408); Junior Marshall (2023 Graduation); College Board AP Scholar Award (2023); Palmetto Fellows Scholar; 2023-24 STHS Achievement in Math; 2023-24 STHS Achievement in Foreign Language (Spanish); QuestBridge Finalist (2023); Member of National Technical Honor Society, HOSA

College/Career Plans:Selina will attend the University of South Carolina Columbia and Major in Biology.

Summer Plans:“I will be doing a lot of traveling this summer. My first stop will be in New York City to visit my grandparents. Later in the summer, I will be taking a road trip along the coast of South Carolina with a few friends. Hopefully, before college begins, my parents and I can also take a quick trip to China.”

Memorable Moment(s) at STHS:"During my freshman year in AP Human Geography, our class had an international food day where everyone would bring in a homemade dish from a country they had researched. That dayI got to try a variety of foods, which I loved, and watched my friends' faces light up with amusem*nt and joy as they learned about global cuisines. This memory stands out to me because it was a day filled with fun and simple enjoyment."

Advice to Rising Seniors:"Start exploring which colleges you want to attend, what you want to major in, and how you will financially support your education, as early preparation is key. Senioritis will hit you hard towards the middle and end of your senior year, but don't let that stop you from staying focused on your goals and maintaining your grades. Spend more time with your friends if you don’t already and simply enjoy your last year.”

Who Has Inspired you?"My parents mostly. When they moved to the United States, they were not able to finish their education due to the language barrier and the need to work to support their family. I chose to work hard during high school to demonstrate that their sacrifices were worthwhile and to fulfill the educational dreams they couldn't pursue. My other source of inspiration came from the vision of the future I wanted to create for myself.”

Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Senior Spotlight: Valedictorian Drew Sloan

Parents: Jay and Leigh Sloan.

Accolades and Achievements: Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2024 Valedictorian; Class Rank (1); Grade Point Average (5.508); Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award (HOBY SC, 2022); Head Junior Marshal (2023 Graduation); Palmetto Boys State Delegate (2023); College Board AP Scholar with Honor Award (2023); National Rural and Small Town Recognition through the College Board (2023); Scholar Athlete Award (2023); EKG Certification through the National Healthcare Association (2024); Piedmont Technical College Studies Certificate and Summa Cum Laude (2024); Palmetto Fellows Scholar (2024); STHS Achievement in Science (2024); STHS Achievement in Social Studies (2024); STHS Outstanding Scholastic Graduate (2024); Leadership positions in Beta Club, FCA, HOSA, and Varsity Track.

College/Career Plans: Attend Princeton University and major in Biology.

Summer Plans: “I’m definitely spending time with family and friends before heading off to Princeton. I’m also looking forward to summer vacations and my church’s annual beach retreat!”

Memorable Moments at STHS: “So many memories come to mind. In the eighth grade, my two friends, Cody Davenport and Katie Willis, and I were driven from JET to STHS to take geometry with Mrs. Padgett. I still remember walking the halls of STHS and thinking to myself, ‘Man! Everyone looks so grown-up! They know what they’re doing!’ Now that I am a senior, it is funny to see how my perspective has changed over time — I may have gotten older but still don’t have a clue what I am doing! Another great memory is definitely all of the fun that I have had in my classes. In Ms. G’s physics class, my friends and I worked together to build rockets, and that was hilarious! I have also really enjoyed the AP classes I have taken. Even though they’re challenging, they truly are so rewarding, and when you get to take these classes with great teachers and friends, you truly feel so supported. I could honestly go on and on, from delivering lessons for FCA to cheering on my friend Terrell as he danced down Columbia Road in a Christmas tree outfit for the Edgefield Christmas Parade. I’m very grateful for all of the memories STHS has given me.”

Advice to Rising Seniors: “Enjoy all of the lasts and have fun! Continue to challenge yourself both inside and outside of the classroom. Also, get started on college and scholarship applications early! I know this saved me from a lot of stress. Remember to stay grounded in the face of the hustle-and-bustle of senior year. You’ve got this!”

Who Has Inspired You? “So many different people have inspired me. Ever since we were little, my parents have always been so supportive of my brother and me, and they have never put any pressure on us. Having such loving and encouraging parents has definitely been so instrumental in my life. When I told my parents I was thinking about applying to Princeton, they never once told me, ‘Drew, I think Princeton is a little out of reach,’ but rather flooded me with encouragement. Honestly, if it were not for their support, I probably would not have gone through with applying to Princeton. But here I am now, heading to Princeton in the fall! I also have to mention my brother, Trey. I can get hard on myself at times, but Trey’s sense of humor never fails to put me at ease. Many teachers have inspired me as well. Two that especially come to mind are Mrs. Prince and Ms. G. Mrs. Prince was my eighth-grade English teacher, and she has always had faith in me and my goals. Ms. G was my junior-year physics teacher, and her genuine support for me means so much. I am definitely really thankful to have so many inspirational people in my life.”