As they prepare to head off to college, nearly 2,000 seniors in the Class of 2023 are receiving some significant financial assistance in their pursuit of degrees. Officials at Richland School District Two’s five high schools are reporting that graduating seniors earned more than $168,756,900 in college scholarships. That is an increase of nearly 16 million dollars from last year. Individual school scholarship totals are as follows:
- Blythewood High School: $40,583,706
- Richland Northeast High School: $23,005,000
- Ridge View High School: $36,059,519
- Spring Valley High School: $40,957,275
- Westwood High School: $28,151,400
This graduating class includes 22 students who earned a high school diploma and college degree at the same time. The students enrolled in the Richland Two AVID Early College housed at Ridge View High School four years ago. They received Associate’s degrees in the Arts from district partner the University of South Carolina-Sumter and saved at least $25,376 in tuition per student, $558,272 collectively.
Additionally, the Richland Two Education Foundation has announced the recipients of several college scholarships it awards to high school seniors in Richland Two. The foundation awarded a total of $11,500 for the Calvin “Chip” Jackson, Dr. Debra W. Hamm, The Michael J. Lowder, Demetria Bannister and Dr. Sarah Sanchez scholarships. Another $20,000 in scholarships was awarded to students through the foundation from district partner, Service Solutions.
The Calvin “Chip” Jackson Scholarship was established in memory of former Richland Two school board member and Richland County Councilman Chip Jackson. Mr. Jackson passed away unexpectedly in August 2020. Luther Bells of Westwood High School is the recipient of the $3,500 scholarship.
The Debra W. Hamm Scholarship,established to honor the legacy of the former Richland Two Superintendent, will provide $3,000 in financial assistance to Ridge View High School’s Tamara Munoz-Romero.
The Michael J. Lowder Scholarship was established in memory of Michael Lowder, a graduate of Spring Valley High School and Clemson University. Qualifying seniors in Richland Two who plan to attend Clemson were eligible to apply for this $1,500 scholarship. This year’s recipient is Aniyah Smith of Westwood High School.
The Demetria Bannister Scholarships, worth $1,000 each, were established to honor thethird grade teacher at Windsor Elementary School who died of COVID-19 in 2020. The recipients are Ethan Gaines and Leila Sherman of Spring Valley High School.
The Dr. Sarah Sanchez Scholarships of $500 each are awarded to three students who have overcome barriers to learning and are now graduating from high school and eligible to attend an institution of higher learning. Dr. Sanchez, a school psychologist and administrator, worked for 35 years with students with disabilities. This year’s recipients are Madison Bonig and Maximilian Hernandez of Spring Valley High School, and Faith Tobias of Westwood High School.
Additional scholarships awarded through the Richland Two Education Foundation
Service Solutions Scholarships, $2,000 each
- Jordan Franklin, Blythewood High School
- Ryan Hamner, Richland Northeast High School
- Kaitlyn Hardy, Blythewood High School
- Dekere Howard, Westwood High School
- Angel Kennedy Ridge View High School
- Tashauna Mack, Richland Northeast High School
- Jayla Nelson, Westwood High School
- Cathy Tang, Spring Valley High School
- Madison Tankersley, Blythewood High School
- Eamon Wood, Spring Valley High School
