The School District of Oconee County Board Meeting held on December 9, 2024, featured a special recognition segment honoring Chelsea Burkhart, a state champion swimmer from Wahaala High School. The meeting commenced with the introduction of Chelsea, who was invited to the stage to celebrate her remarkable achievements in swimming.

Chelsea's coach, Steve Burkhart, who is also her father, expressed gratitude for the support received from the school board and the YMCA, which has been instrumental in developing the swim program in Oconee County. He highlighted Chelsea's dedication, noting that she has been swimming since the age of six and currently practices about five miles a day, six days a week, alongside additional weight training.

During his remarks, Coach Burkhart shared impressive statistics about Chelsea's swimming career, including her high academic performance with a GPA of 4.8 and her involvement in various academic clubs. He emphasized her commitment to the sport, stating that over her six years of high school swimming, she has covered approximately 1100 miles, equivalent to a round trip from New York to London.

Chelsea holds multiple records, including seven individual records at Wahaala High School and three relay records. She has achieved all-region honors every year and has earned seven all-state medals, culminating in her third consecutive championship in the 500 freestyle event.

The meeting concluded with a photo opportunity to commemorate Chelsea's accomplishments, with Coach Burkhart and other attendees joining her for the picture. The board expressed pride in Chelsea's achievements and recognized her as a significant representative of the school district.