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Columbia County School Board honors state-championship teams and five "Teachers of a Lifetime"
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the board presented awards to the Columbia High weightlifting and girls softball teams for state championships and recognized five long-serving educators, whose biographies and family remarks highlighted decades of service.
Columbia County School Board, June 9, 2026
The Columbia County School Board used its June 9 meeting to honor students and educators: the Columbia High weightlifting and girls softball teams were recognized for recent 4A state championships, and five educators were named "Teachers of a Lifetime." The board offered standing applause and individual board members delivered tributes.
Principal Trey Hosford introduced the athletic honorees and asked Coach Allen to address the board. Coach Allen described the weightlifting team's progression from district to regional and state competition and credited assistant coaches and student dedication, saying their "hard work paid off tremendously this year." He also noted several state champions on the roster.
The softball coach, introduced by Hosford, told the board the team finished the season 29-3 and described community support and booster fundraising that helped the playoff run. The coach highlighted a pivotal triple in the state championship and praised a freshman shortstop reported in the meeting as the 4A state player of the year.
Assistant Superintendent Hope Journ read brief biographies for the five honorees given the "Teacher of a Lifetime" award. Among them, Joyce Tonsel was noted for beginning her Columbia County career in 1946 and for 45 years of service; Joanne Torrren and Joanne Chamberlain were honored for decades of instructional and administrative service; Carla Hatcher was recognized for 34 years of work in special education; and Bobby Simmons was honored for a long career as coach, teacher and administrator. A family member recounted historical discrimination faced by Black teachers in the district in the 1950s and said that a court ultimately ordered the teacher reinstated.
Honorees addressed the audience: Joanne Chamberlain and Carla Hatcher offered personal reflections on teaching, retirement and continuing service in adult education and special needs programs. Hatcher told the crowd, "Lean on me when you need to, and then we'll walk together until you can stand on your own." Board members then offered personal tributes and recounted memories of working with several honorees over many years.
After applause and photographs the board moved on to regular business, including the financial report and routine votes.
