Rebecca Annand attends South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, where she studies visual arts. She is currently working on a piece for a local hospital in collaboration with other students. She is active in the Connecting Arts Through Service club at her school and has worked as a camp counselor for young students. Attending the school required Rebecca to move from home and has taught her valuable life lessons. After graduation, Rebecca hopes to earn a bachelor’s in fine arts and a master’s degree in metalsmithing. She plans to teach art at the post-secondary level while working as a practicing artist.

Cary Balser of Wando High School works hard and aims high. As a member of the soccer team, Cary overcame many obstacles to become a respected player who was voted captain by his peers. His hard work and determination is also evident in his leadership in the Junior Air Force ROTC program at his school. As a Corps Commander and Cadet Colonel, he leads more than 250 cadets. Cory has participated in several leadership forums, including Palmetto Boys State and the National Youth Leadership Forum on Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy and has been active in political campaigns. Following graduation, Cory will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and hopes to earn a pilot’s position and serve his country through a career in the military.

Senior Maureen Brown of Estill High School considers herself an independent thinker with a positive attitude. Among the organizations to which she devotes her time are the Boys and Girls Club, Estill High School Forensics Team and Upward Bound. As co-captain of her cheerleading squad, Maureen has tried to lead by example and encourage her teammates to make positive decisions. She says that her mother has had the greatest impact on her by stressing the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity. After graduation, Maureen plans to pursue a degree in psychology with a minor in theater or music.

Balancing school, extracurricular activities and church, Nicole Chapman shines at Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology. She is involved as a volunteer with a local hospital, Beta Club, National Honor Society, student government and other groups. As president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Nicole
helps coordinate Red Ribbon Week activities across campus. This leadership experience taught her the importance of determination, dedication and organization. Her plans for the future include earning a degree in biology and music and continuing on to medical school to become a pediatrician.

A leader in Lower Richmond High’s JROTC program, Steven Chase credits his participation with increasing his determination to excel. As the commander of the Air Rifle Team, he has had the opportunity to grow as a leader through the obstacles he has encountered. He hopes to be remembered as a role model for younger students at his school. “I would like to leave a positive, lasting influence on my fellow students that would motivate them to excel,” says Steven. He plans to attend the University of South Carolina and major in engineering. In addition, he wants to enroll in the ROTC program and achieve a commission in the Army as a second lieutenant.

Rebecca Crane of Edisto High School is described as an independent thinker and self-motivator. Academically, she is currently ranked number two in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society. Rebecca is active in a large number of extra-curricular activities, such as class president, Future Farmers of America club president and a participant in the Junior Orangeburg Leadership Program. She is director of the senior play and is a member of the softball and cross-country teams, as well. She plans to attend Clemson University and major in electrical engineering.

Brittany Crosby is one of only five International Baccalaureate diploma candidates at James Island Charter High School, and she is the only female participating in this rigorous academic program. She is also active as a cheerleading captain and member of the National Honor Society. In her free time, Brittany volunteers as a cheerleading coach with young children and participates in Young Life. She has also been named as a delegate to Palmetto Girls State and has been nominated for the 2003 Palmetto Touchdown Club Cheerleader of the Year award. Brittany hopes to become the first physician in her family and to work with children.

Kingstree Senior High quarterback Larry Elmore leads on the field and off. In his key position on the team, Larry understood that he set the tone for his team and that he must stay strong and positive in the midst of tough times. He also learned that you have to trust your teammates. Larry is involved in the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Who’s Who Among American High School Students and Upward Bound. He plans to graduate with honors and attend the University of South Carolina to major in computer programming. He also plans to play baseball and hopes to play professionally.

Region II AAA baseball player of the year Curtis Johnson has made Lakewood High School proud. He has played varsity baseball for four years and has learned the value of teamwork from this experience. Curtis also serves as student body president and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a senior mentor for his school’s freshman academy. Curtis plans to attend USC-Aiken and play baseball.

Lauren Jones of Burke High School says that being captain of her school’s academic bowl team has taught her about leadership. She is also president of the science club and National Honor Society. Lauren helps with a volunteer organization in her community and is a participant in Upward Bound at the College of Charleston. After high school, she hopes to attend Wake Forest University and eventually become a forensic pathologist.

Caring and accomplished, Megan Maher has distinguished herself at Walhalla High School as a young woman who is concerned about others and who sets high standards for herself. As a leader with student government, Key Club and her cheerleading team, she has learned many valuable skills, such as patience, listening to others and planning events. Megan also volunteers weekly with an elementary school student to help the child learn and to know that someone cares. This experience, along with other opportunities to help kids, has led Megan to choose early childhood education as a career. “When I become a teacher,” she says, “I feel I will have the opportunity to give back by preparing our young children to be the future of our community.”

Wagener-Salley High School senior Miranda Parker gives 110 percent to her school. As captain of the varsity volleyball team, she has received praise from coaches and players. She was also voted “Miss War Eagle” by her peers in appreciation for her school spirit. Miranda has been recognized as a Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee and is in the top 10 percent of her class. She is currently vice president of Beta Club, a member of the SAT 1000 Plus Club and Future Business Leaders of America. Miranda also enjoys being a part of the teacher cadet program, where she works with second graders. Following graduation, she hopes to attend college and obtain a degree in criminal law.

Carolina Forest High School’s Jennifer Perkins is a proud member of her Future Farmers of America club. Through her experience seeking state office with the organization, she learned the importance of confidence and teamwork. With the FFA, she has also been able to travel, speak and impact the lives of other people. In addition, she is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, peer mediation, Beta Club, Habitat for Humanity and several honor societies. Jennifer hopes to pursue a career as an agricultural educator at a high school.

Brence Pernell of Blackville-Hilda High School strives to embody this Emerson quote: “To know one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have success.” He lives this out through volunteer work and personal integrity. Brence devotes a week each summer to a camp that targets drug and alcohol prevention among youth. He also helps coordinate drug and alcohol prevention rallies in his community and sponsors a Relay for Life fundraiser at his school. As a leader in his Beta Club, he also planned numerous volunteer activities, such as can drives, visits to nursing homes and blood drives. Brence is president of the student body and an all-state and all-region soccer athlete. Music has also had a great impact on his life through his eight years of playing trombone. After graduation, Brence plans to become a pediatrician and participate in trips to Third World countries to provide medical care.

Liberty High School junior Alicia Skelton is ahead of the game as a competition-level cheerleader and captain of the varsity team. Voted “Hardest Worker” by her peers, she is the first junior to hold the position of captain. In addition to the time commitment of cheering, Alicia also participates on the yearbook staff, Beta Club and other clubs. She is an active volunteer with Helping Hands of Clemson, a home for abused and neglected children. As part of her work with this organization, Alicia organized a sock drive at her school to collect nearly 300 pairs of socks for the children. Through her experience with these children, she has decided to pursue family law in order to help other kids in similar situations.

Wando High School student body president Sara Suiter has learned a lot about teamwork, delegation and organization. “The leadership skills that I have learned through student council will be very important to whatever career I choose,” she says. Sara is an active participant in many organizations, including her school chorus, swim team and Young Life. Each summer, she participates in mission trips through her church and has assisted with other community projects. Following high school, Sara plans to pursue a career teaching high school English or working in political science.

Lancaster High School student body president Titorya Stover displays humbleness, style and determination. Even when she doesn’t succeed, she knows how to value the experience as a learning opportunity. This positive outlook may come in part from her wise grandfather, who taught her valuable lessons. As a gift before he died, he gave her a globe and the advice that living in the world is not easy, but “when it seems like you’re in the ocean, know that somewhere there is land.” Titorya says this wisdom encourages her to keep reaching for her goals. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as a pre-med major. After graduating, she plans to work in a hospital, inner-city clinic and take part in mission work overseas.

Lia White sets the bar high as a student at academic magnet school Greenville Senior High Academy. Though younger than many of her peers, her maturity and leadership qualities help her to excel. As student body treasurer and a member of the National Honor Society and SAT team, Lia has had the opportunity to be an influential leader in her school community. While on the student council, she helped lead a fund-raising event that garnered more than $100,000 for charity. In the future, Lia plans to pursue an MBA in accounting and continue to law school.

Creek Bridge High School’s Yolanda Wilson wants to be remembered as “that one smart, crazy girl who would let nothing stand in her way.” As president of her junior class and captain of her academic team, she has excelled as a leader. Yolanda has also been the top winner for three years running on the math team. She volunteers as a tutor for mathematics and sings in her church choir. As a sixth grader, she was published in New Moon magazine for a poem she wrote in honor of Black History Month. Yolanda plans to become a high school or college math teacher.

Article provided by