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Dorchester District 2 honors students, teachers and schools with national awards
Summary
Board recognized students and educators across Dorchester District 2, announcing national honors including Read 180/Math 180 awardees, a NAESP Gold Star designation for Beach Hill Elementary, ASCA student-council honors and the district's first Daisy Award for school nursing.
Dorchester District 2 trustees opened their May 18 meeting by celebrating student and school achievements, naming winners of national programs and honoring educators.
Matt Moschel, the district MTSS coordinator, said the district was "honored to celebrate the 180 award winners," a national recognition for students and teachers involved in Read 180 and Math 180 programs. Moschel noted the awards are selected through blind judging and highlighted nominees from several district schools.
Carrie Balhage, the district director of elementary schools, announced that Beach Hill Elementary School was named a 2026 National Gold Star School by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, one of only a small number of South Carolina schools to receive the distinction. Balhage said the honor recognizes "exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to student success." Principal Renee Harris and Beach Hill staff were invited forward for recognition.
The board also acknowledged two schools that earned the American Student Council Association School of Excellence award and named Kayla Freund of Joseph R. Pye Elementary School as an ASCA Exemplary Advisor. In the district's first Daisy Award for school nursing, Amanda Sims, director of nursing and health services, recognized Allison Brown of Newington Elementary for exemplary clinical care and compassion.
The recognitions covered a range of programs and grades, from student leadership and literacy to career-technical education. No board action was required for the awards; the meeting proceeded to committee reports and subsequent agenda items.
