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Richland One honors students and longtime employees; superintendent outlines summer programs and services
Summary
The Richland One School Board recognized scholarship recipients and dozens of employees for service milestones May 26 and Superintendent Dr. Walker highlighted district achievements, upcoming graduations, summer SOAR learning (June 1–July 9) and free summer meals (June 2–July 17) at 27 sites.
The Richland One School Board on May 26 honored student scholarship recipients and dozens of district employees, and Superintendent Dr. Walker used the meeting to recap end‑of‑year achievements and announce summer programming.
Commissioner Weston introduced two named scholarships honoring former superintendents: the Dr. Percy A. Mack Jr. Leadership Scholarship ($1,000) and the Dr. John R. Stevenson Music Scholarship ($2,500). Dr. Percy A. Mack Jr. presented the scholarships and recipients were recognized onstage. Recipients included Kenisha Robinson, a CA Johnson High School senior and CTE completer planning to study biology at the University of South Carolina, and Amari Ro, a Colombia High senior headed to the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University.
Karen York, the district’s executive director of communications, led employee recognitions. The board acknowledged 39 employees who met service milestones this year, honoring staff at 25‑, 30‑, 35‑, 40‑ and 45‑year intervals. The program recognized employees across departments including nutrition services, facilities management, and teaching staff.
In his superintendent’s report, Dr. Walker highlighted academic and extracurricular accomplishments: Richland One’s girls soccer team won the Class 4A state championship; 108 students earned a total of 121 South Carolina seals of biliteracy this school year; and Richland One announced its 2026–27 Teacher of the Year and classified‑employee honoree. He confirmed that high‑school graduations are scheduled at the Colonial Life Arena on May 27–28 and that ceremonies will be livestreamed at richland1.org.
Dr. Walker also announced district summer offerings. SOAR, the district’s summer learning program, will run June 1–July 9 with elementary, middle and high‑school sites; families were directed to richland1.org/soar for registration. The district will provide free breakfast and lunch for children aged 18 and younger from June 2 through July 17 at 27 school sites, with weekly meal pickup options at Forest Heights and Hopkins Elementary.
The superintendent framed recognition as an important district value: "What we recognize we value," he said, and he encouraged continued celebration of staff and students beyond formal ceremonies.
The board’s recognitions and announcements completed the meeting’s spotlight and superintendent segments before public comment and routine business proceeded.
