Chesterfield County School District honors student athletes, Beta Club winners, art recipients and 15 students who earned associate degrees

Chesterfield County School District recognized dozens of students for athletics, academic and arts achievements and for completing college-level coursework during a board meeting.

The recognitions included individual athletic awards and district co-athletes of the year, Beta Club state competition winners and service honors, superintendent’s art award winners, and a group of 15 students who have earned associate degrees through dual-credit programs with regional colleges.

Quay Clark, a senior whose introduction included both a reported 3.0 grade-point average and extensive football and track statistics, was one of several athletes honored. The presentation listed his football totals (84 receptions, 1,334 yards and 15 touchdowns), 82 rushing attempts for 785 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, defensive numbers (83 tackles, four interceptions including two returned for touchdowns), and special-teams returns for touchdown. A remark attributed to head football coach Nick Dixon — presented in the meeting materials — described Quay Clark this way: "Leadership isn't loud and Quay Clark proves that daily with a solid 3.5 GPA, a strong work ethic and a humble spirit." The announcer at the meeting also noted Clark is a recipient of a Kappa Alpha Psi alumni scholarship and will attend Newberry College on a football scholarship.

Presenters named the Chesterfield County School District Pepsi-Cola of Bennettsville co-athletes of the year after ties in both categories: Kai Price (Chesterfield High School) and Lily Beasley (MacBee High School) were named co-female district athletes of the year; Jaquavis Clark (Chesterfield High School) and Tyreke Wright (MacBee High School) were named co-male district athletes of the year. The board presenter said the athletics directors’ votes for both male and female district winners resulted in ties.

The board also heard reports from Beta Club advisers and principals about state competition results. Representatives said groups from multiple schools placed in events including robotics, photography, cake decorating and 3-D design; specific winners mentioned included Sarah Mims (first place, on-site cake decorating), Tyrique Wright and Gabe Casten (third place, robotics), and a team of Paige Talbert, Lily Beasley, Christa Conte, Kendra Oliveira and Carmen Scott (third place, 2-D design). Advisors said several teams qualified to compete at the national Beta convention in Orlando. One advisor reported the district’s Beta Club recorded nearly 30,000 service hours and placed third nationally for recorded service hours; the advisor also identified Jakar Spivey as the state Beta Club president and a candidate for national office.

Superintendent’s art awards were presented for primary, elementary, middle and high school categories. The winners named in the meeting were Mateo Martinez Reyes (primary, Petersburg Primary School), Jade Burgess (elementary, Charro Intermediate School), Sadie Usher (middle school), and Selena Munoz (high school). Attendees were invited to view the winning pieces on display at the district office.

District staff also recognized 15 students who earned associate degrees through partnerships with regional colleges and dual-credit programs. Presenters said most of those students had completed associate degrees at Northeastern Technical College or USC Lancaster prior to or in the same week as their upcoming high school graduation. Names announced included Christina Lisonbee, Aidan Hughes, Lily Beasley, Xander Hamilton, Emily Oliver, Sarah Dixon, Janesha Brown, Roe Gaskin, Emma Andrews, Mariah Brock, Bradley Durr, Christian K. Miller, Kamlin Cutchin and Porter Kearns; presenters said these students will graduate from their high schools and many had already completed college-level ceremonies.

Remarks and presentations were delivered by multiple school and district staff during the recognition portion of the meeting; no formal motions or votes were recorded on these items. The board was invited to view art displays after the meeting, and several students and advisers were asked to remain for photographs.