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District honors students with perfect scores, theater and kindness awards

Spartanburg School District 1 Board of Trustees · December 9, 2025

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Summary

Superintendent Dr. Smith and school staff recognized students across Spartanburg District 1 for perfect SC Ready scores, state theater awards and a national 'Kindest Kid' honor, and highlighted new literacy and enrichment clubs at Edmond Elementary.

Superintendent Dr. Smith used his Nov. 18 report to spotlight student achievement across Spartanburg School District 1, recognizing a list of students who earned perfect scores on the 2025 SC Ready assessments and honoring district winners in theater and national recognition programs.

John Hodge of Edmond Elementary described a set of in-school clubs aimed at boosting literacy and engagement — from a Pete's letter club for kindergarten through a 100-book club for first graders, a 'Be the Difference' math club for second graders and a silent disco reward for third graders who master multiplication tables. Hodge credited assistant principal Holly Switzer and instructional coach Courtney Smith and thanked the Cliffs of Glassy resident outreach program for funding support.

The board read names of students with perfect scores on the SC Ready ELA, math and science assessments; examples called by district staff included Ian Manlove, Wyatt Moss, Harper Smith and Landon Pruitt. The board also recognized Chapman High School senior Ocalani (Okalani/Okelani in the transcript) Fox for being named the South Carolina Theater Association 2025 best performer and Amina (Hamina/Amina spelled inconsistently in the transcript) Estrada for a national 'Kindest Kid in America' designation.

Dr. Smith noted the achievement in a personal aside: "Students, this might surprise you, but I never as your superintendent received a perfect score on any standardized test," using the remark to praise the students' accomplishments. The recognitions concluded the superintendent's report and drew applause from the audience and board members.

Several students and principals were invited to the front for photographs and group recognition.