Clover Middle School band earns superior rating at South Carolina Jazz Performance Assessment

The Clover School District Monthly Board Business Meeting held on March 24, 2025, showcased a series of commendations for students and teams excelling in various fields, emphasizing the district's commitment to celebrating academic and extracurricular achievements.

The meeting commenced with a performance by the Clover Middle School band, highlighting the district's focus on music appreciation. The Clover Middle School Jazz Ensemble received accolades for earning a superior rating at the South Carolina Jazz Performance Assessment, establishing itself as one of the state's top middle school jazz groups. Notably, several musicians were recognized for their selection to the Region 6 Honor Band, with Alexa Corona also earning a spot in the All State Honor Band Clinic.

Following the music segment, the Clover High School Sapphire dance team was honored for their impressive performance at the Contest of Champions in Orlando, where they placed tenth nationally in the small team division. The team also achieved commendable rankings in state competitions, finishing seventh in hip hop and eighth in jazz.

The Oak Ridge Middle School Science Olympiad team was next to be recognized for their inaugural participation in the competition, where they secured multiple medals, including golds in entomology and optics. The team was also awarded the George W. Renwick Sportsmanship Award, underscoring their exemplary conduct during the event.

Athletic achievements were highlighted as well, with Clover High School recognizing winter sports honorees. Kaleesia Gardner was celebrated for winning the 5A state wrestling championship for the second consecutive year, while Samantha Lucas was named the Region 3 5A Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The meeting also acknowledged the accomplishments of the Clover Middle School rugby team, particularly Lydian Rice, who was selected for the North Carolina All-Star Rugby Team.

In the realm of career and technology education, students from the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and SkillsUSA were recognized for their outstanding performances at state conferences. Eight FCCLA students earned the right to compete nationally, with several receiving gold and silver medals in various categories. SkillsUSA participants also excelled, with students winning gold and bronze medals in diesel engine technology and automotive services.

The meeting concluded with a strong sense of pride in the achievements of Clover School District students, reflecting the district's dedication to fostering talent and excellence across a range of disciplines. The board expressed its commitment to supporting these initiatives and looked forward to future successes.