School Board Hosts Ribbon Cutting at new Seneca Middle School Building
On a bright sunny Spring afternoon in April, the Oconee County School Board hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site of the new Seneca Middle School. Before actually cutting the ribbon, the Board recognized the design and construction teams for the new school as well as a number of former principals of SMS. Finally, the ribbon was jointly cut by current SMS principal Dr. Michael Cory and School Board member Dr. Sandra Sloan, who represents the Seneca area.
Due to open in August, the new school building consists of 170,000 sq. ft. and stretches for .2 mile from one end of the building to the other. The new school, designed specifically for middle school students, includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, cafeteria and library as well as administrative, collaboration, and classroom spaces. While the faculty, staff, and students eagerly anticipate the start of a new school year in the new building, the school structure is just one part of what makes up a school. It is the people who occupy that structure along with the community who support them who truly make a school what it is.Thus, those people can't wait to transfer the special SMS culture, history, and standard of excellence to our new home.
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Seneca Middle Art Student Earns Honorable Mention in Statewide Contest
Imagination, talent, and great instruction can lead to amazing pieces of art. Such was the case for a group of students of Seneca Middle School Art teacher Mara Diaz. She challenged these students to create and submit pieces of art for the 9th Annual Read Across South Carolina Art Contest sponsored by the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA). This statewide contest draws in artwork from all over South Carolina. Students worked hard to create pieces of art based on this year’s contest theme – From the Mountains to the Sea, Read with Me. Out of the many entries from across the state, an Honorable Mention was awarded to SMS 7th grader Sophie Price. Recently, SCEA representative Nicole Davis travelled to SMS to recognize Sophie and the other SMS participants for their beautiful works of art and to present Sophie with a certificate, t-shirt, and award ribbon. She also treated them all to a cupcake snack.
When asked about her students’ participation in this contest, Ms. Diaz first quoted Sir Ken Robinson who said, “Creativity is now as important in education as literacy.” She went on to say, “This poster project was the perfect opportunity to showcase the creativity and talent of my students while emphasizing the global impact of literacy. I am so proud of how my students were able to depict their own original interpretation of reading across South Carolina. Sophie’s poster embodies the literacy theme in a very clever way that also embraces the beauty of our state and its symbols. The vibrant Carolina sunset and the Palmetto tree with the hanging books were brilliant additions to the poster!”
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Seneca Middle Honors Chorus Shines Again
It has almost become the expected. For more than a dozen years running, the Seneca Middle School Honors Chorus has earned top scores at their annual Concert Performance Assessment (CPA) evaluation. Thus, when this year’s edition of the Honors Chorus left campus for the 2024 CPA, no one could really fathom anything less. Due to hard work, great leadership, and talent they did not disappoint. The group earned a Superior with Distinction rating (the highest rating possible) for their prepared material along with a 100 on their sight-reading piece of music. Their director, Carla Brock, said of the results, “I am so very proud of our Honors Chorus! They performed extremely difficult music with precision and passion and displayed their musicianship skills so well, shown by the 100 they received in sight-reading. I could not ask for more than their best and they gave all they had.”
SMS Announces 2rd Quarter Honor Roll
6th Grade
Principal’s List (All grades 96 or higher) –
Noah Thomas Barton, Ryleigh Vivian Greene, Charles Jackson Helms, Mollie Kate Kanagy, Aryana Mae Langley, Audrey Tuyet Ma, Carter William Reid, Rishi Embar Santhanam, Karleigh Michelle Woods
All As
Bellaleigh Danielle Aldrich, Lacy Rae Bernhardt, Jaxson Connor Bramlett, Kynslee Breanne Desirae Butler, Jacob Edward Chavis, Pressley Elizabeth Choppin, Josiah Lee Collins, Zariya Free Craig, Jalia Nicole Davis, , Layla Grace Davis, Lincoln Alan Dull, Lily Blake Glass, Brody Thomas-Allen Grams, Rain Norris Hagerman, , Ayden James Heeter, Miles Daniel Hoverman, Jordyn Faith Jared, Amariah Isabella Jenkins, Alyssa Hope Johnson, Emory Beeson Lanford, Jakob Grant Mason, Nora Caroline McGhee, Lillian Amanda Moore, Campbell Drew Moroney, Alexander Nattarith Muir, Margaret Lorraine Yeoh Nimmons, Kert Anthony Lumantod Paalisbo, Isabella Elise Patterson, Alizey Bella Rankin, Zander Austin Roach, Landon Michael Robertson, Jocelynn Rae Scruggs, Ethan Cyrus Smith, Jaydin O'Neal Smith, Joshua Paul Thomas, Luciana Vargas Samboni, Amrah Kira Watts, Emily Grace Webb, Elijah Xavier Wilkes, Jaxon Isaiah Wilkes, Zoey Elliana Wilson
All As and Bs
Jaxon Paul Adams, Jeremiah Jamel Alexander, Deseriah Chanelle Barnette, Lain Blake Becker, Brianna Alise Bradley, Jaxon Nolan Bradley, Aaron Rolando Breazeale, Elijah Nathaniel Brooks, JaDaveon Terrence Eli Campbell, Owen Mitchell Campbell, Luke Michael Cope, Zaralyn Skylee Cote, Keegan Chase Crocker, Will Everett, Karmen BriLynn Fuller, Cush Carter Gale, Aubrey Jane Glenn, Liam Raines Gordon, Egypt Millionna Rose Griffin, Colt Norris Hagerman, Hannah Brook Hancox, Alaena Christine Hardin, Alyce Nicole Hendricks, Cairo Adriel Hernandez-Martinez, Edison Lome Hoff, Conner Lee Aiden Holbrooks, Samiyah Aiyanna Holland, Kennedy Mae Hudson, Hope Laurel Hughes, Timothy Jordan Elijah Humphries, Charley Jordan Hunt, Kayleigh Paige Hunter, Emmit Gene Johnson, Hazen Christopher Kaczkowski, Jacob Scott Koonce, Raegan Elizabeth Leard, Annabelle Grace Lee, Matthew Ryland Leister, Cherish Brierre Mi'Joy Lewis, Reggie Chason O'Neal Lone, Kingston Amarri Luckey, Kayden Tomas Martinez-Cocoyutla, Camille Alexandria McKnight, Ellie Grace Murr, Mason Jacob Neri, Maci Ann Newton, Vinh Tien Nguyen, Isabelle Teresa Olvera, Mae Lee Huiqiu Pitts, Nadya Jane Potthast, Harrison Maise Powell, Marilyn Elliana Reeder, Alyson Sofia Reyes, Aliya Christina Rena Robinson, Lily Anna Rothell, Sydney Leigh Rothell, Karlean Zoe Santiago Martinez, Tyler Aric Schildmeier, Hayden Alannah Shroyer, Chase Alexander Simmons, Brielle Achalyunta Sloan, Landen William Smith, Anastasia Marie Spoelstra, Ka'Mora Aniyah Thompson, Alexis McKenzie Tribble, Khloe Danielle Verner, Kelsii Adanna Elise Washington, Mia Belle Wheeler, Braylon Nicholas Whitner, Malachi Lex Wilbanks, Aleska Leah Wiley Flores, Aiden Linwood Wirtz
7th Grade
Principal’s List (All grades 96 or higher) –
Evi Nicole Bakogiannis, Parker Holland Brown, Ava Lynn Dover, Miriam Ellis Gourdin, Addison Leigh Griffin, Nolan Christopher Howard, Sophia Madeleine Keese, Zoee Zoraya Palmer, Jean-Luc Ellis Pennington, Tucker Blake Sitton, Connor Riley Stice, Izabella Danielle Wynn
All As
Saniya Ty'leah Alexander, Olivia Caroline Allen, Peyton Scotlynn Anderson, Aaliya Jasmine Argo, Kevin Neil Carney, Weston Allan Childs, Dylan Jene Collins, Jalen Michael Collins, David Taylor Fields, Makayla Shavon Grimstad, Adonai Azriel Martinez, Addilyn Reese McGhee, Ingrid Sofia Mendoza, Jenna Noelle Oxford, Philip Gordon Powell, Eli Phillip Rainey, Kalyssa Renee Ramey, Leo John Rebholz, Tyler Alan Marchbanks , Rochester, Giselle Josephine Romijn, Kamden Matthew Smith, Gabriel Thomas Stockman, Chloe Madison Tensley, Destiney Marie Verner, Samuel Steven Wald, Eli Scott Wylie, Sophia Brielle Young
All As and Bs
Danielle Ashawn Allen, Amen Precieuse Attisso, Kellen Reid Bay, Raelynn Grace Burdette, Annabel Lee Carlson, Alexander Cole Carswell, Rosalee Janie Christenbury, Ti'Keyvius O'Money Cleveland, Jazlyn Elise Craig, Abby Nicole Cromer, Chloe Marie Derrick, Maria Hope Dever, Matthew Edward Donovan, Kayli LeAnn Duffy, Barbara Sofia Duran Ovalles, Kathryn Claire Duvall, Manuel Elias, Lucas Franco Gil, Kristopher Daniel Gabrick, Matilda Laine Gallimore, Michael Thomas Hedler, Robert Colton Reid Henson, Cooper Emerson Hicks, Aleighya Jade Holden, Gabriela Shae Kaczkowski, Landon Brady Kay, Collins Isaiah Lee, Kyndall Ryerson Leeper, Zymere Kingston Long, Olivia Morgan Martin, Justin Matthew McCauley, Morgan Moon Meldau, Adam Mitrovic Keats, Christian Anthony Moody, Madelyne Grace Neal, William Tyler Parks, Alexzander Ryan Phillips, Emmanual Josiah Poole, Sophia Elizabeth Price, Cole Brexton Pruett, Dakarai Lakenyon Jaterryus Ramsey, Triston Phillip Rhodes, Johnny Richardson, Reece Nadine Robertson, Kingston Alexander Rogers, Lamya Janae Rogers, Lyndsey Nicole Rollins, Riley Grace Sole Sayres, Abby Melynn Schipper, Evatt Michael Simmons, Emma Marie Smith, Ella Joy Steele, Madison Grace Thomason, Nathaniel Greyson Lee Trotter, Benjamin Michael Ura, Jacob Kwan Ward, Janie Beth Watts, Cherrish Ekiya Weaver
8th Grade
Principal’s List (All grades 96 or higher) –
Mariana Beatriz-Pinto, Molly Moon Bradley, Sarah Allison Helms, Alana Jean Madden, Hope Catherine Martin, Jinx Isabelle LeeAnn McIntyre, Addison Grace Steele, Tillman Ryan Sullivan
All As
Emily Kate Barton, Benjamin Alexander Bolton, Aliah Yariel Breazeale, Erin Blakely Brown, Olivia Kendraya Brown, Natalie Ann Bryson, John Richard Cantrell, Elijah Perry Collins, Connor Johan DeVries, Ramsey Leigh Earle, Raquel Elizabeth Hernandez, Brylee McKenna Hise, Luke Joseph Holladay, Isabella Raine Jorgensen, Rei Thornton Langley, Brian Christopher Lianos, Cokeleigh Kay Long, Adriana Tuyet Ma, Jaleigh Makena Martin, Cole Michael McGuffin, Daegan Charles Morris, Bronson Andrew Murray, Harper Morgan Powell, Hunter Simmons, Rosalind Elizabeth Spoelstra, Isabel Julia Stinard, Taylor Amelia Stratman, Xander Amick Terry, Isabella Ayanna Rochelle Thompson, Holly Alissa Voyles, Kamiyah Delphine Waddell, Nailah Mozelle Wilks, Olivia Michele Willoughby, Meiquel Jameer Wilson, Sophia Jo Ann Wylie, Abigail Grace Zeller
All As and Bs
Cristian Jose Amador Mata, Gabriel Jose Amador Mata, Abbey Jane Deuda Aragon, Landen Ray Balchin, Braylon Robert Brown, Cloey Shyann Brown, Jarvis Jarod Brown, Jaylah Danielle Brown, Reid Warren Campbell, Ayden Sydney Carnes, Kaylie Alexis Chastain, Arnett Mehki Cobb, Jemarrion Brayden Cobb, Rebekah Ann Collins, Emolyn Mirabella Cote, Braylon Lee Craig, Kiley Imma DeBlois, Robert Jack Foulke, Preston Gage Hancox, Samuel Walker Harvell, Ma'niaja Kaleeah Hawkins, Bryce Daniel Heeter, Mason Hill-Swaney, Abreigh Ansel Jefferson, Kalisha Jaynia Jones, Savannah Riaan Kesley, Aiden Robert Helmut Kirchner, Jackson Jonathan Krueger, Jeffrey Walter Mahaffee, Jacob Anthony Martinez, Kaylee Laine McGuffin, Ethan Ryan McMahan, Annabella Saphira Meldzuk, Isabella Joanne Mendez, Audrey Claire Metler, Brianna Elizabeth Morel, KyLeigh Elizabeth J Morris, Jacob Bobby Murr, Gregory Miles Parkin, Ashelyne Raine Potolicchio, Mila Mireille Potthast, Corbin Michael Reno, Parker Jay Riches, Chase Owen Russell, Elona Andreyevna Svistun, Emma Carolina Swaney, Brooklyn Faith Thomason, Fatima Torres-Gonzalez, Cole Greyson Ulrich, William Jackson Webb
SMS Students Win First Place in Fleet Reserve Association Essay Contest
The entire process may be long, but the results are certainly rewarding. Back in the fall, students in 7th through 12th grades across the country began writing essays for the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Americanism Essay Contest. The essays, written for this year’s theme – What Memorial Day Means to Me – were then submitted to local FRA branches at the beginning of December for an initial round of judging. Students in our area submitted their essays to FRA 015 in Walhalla. Two students at Seneca Middle School, 8th grader Tillman Sullivan and 7th grader Izabella Wynn, were notified in January that their essays had earned first place wins for their grade at the local level. Following an awards ceremony, their winning essays then moved forward to judging at the regional level. Recently, Izabella was notified that her essay had also won first place for the Southeast Region which includes South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Her heartfelt and moving essay now moves to the national level with national winners to be announced in April or May. Small cash prizes were awarded at both the local and regional level and even more sizeable prizes are available at the national level. Of course, also of value is the personal pride and experience that Izabella has gained throughout this process.
The FRA is an association made up of current and former US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel and has been “working to preserve and protect benefits and quality-of-life programs for Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel since 1924.” The local Walhalla FRA 015 chapter was represented at the ceremonies by members Jim Jones, Lena Jones, Joyce Jones and President Larry Jones.
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Applications are now being accepted for school choice for the 2024-2025 school year. Families who wish for their child to attend a school other than the one they are zoned for must complete a school choice application annually, even for those who are currently on school choice. Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 7, 2024. Any parent wishing to apply for school choice for an incoming kindergarten student will be able to do so during Kindergarten Pre-registration which opens on Monday, March 4th.
Please note: to submit an application, the student’s birthdate and student ID number will be required. Parents should have received an email from School Messenger this past week for each student that contained the student's ID number - Parent's are encouraged to check their spam folder if the email is not in their inbox. Parents should reach out to their student's school if they did not receive the email or if they have questions.
There are currently no restrictions on specific schools and/or grade levels for 2024-2025. Once enrollment numbers are finalized, it is possible that some schools and/or grade levels may not accept school choice students. Students currently on school choice will be grandfathered in as long as they submit the yearly application and continue to meet the requirements. The School Zone Locator tool is available for families to determine what school their child is zoned to attend.
SDOC School Board Administrative Policy JFB governs the school choice process. Policy JFB includes the following parameters:
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Only students that reside in Oconee County are eligible for school choice.
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Transportation to a "choice school" is the responsibility of the parent/guardian (no bus service)
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Principals will consider behavior, attendance, and grades before approving applications.
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A lottery will be used to fill spaces if more applications are received than available space.
Note: Eligibility for athletics at the middle and high school levels is governed by the South Carolina High School League. Attending a choice school may affect a student’s eligibility to participate in sports.
The School District of Oconee County encourages all Oconee County families with students eligible to attend K5 kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year to complete a pre-registration application. To be eligible for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2024.
Parents who pre-register their student will receive email notification when online registration becomes available in July. If a family wishes for their student to attend a school other than the one they are zoned for, they must also submit a School Choice application. The School Zone Locator tool is available for families to determine what school their child is zoned to attend.
Children presently attending an SDOC K4 program do not need to pre-register. Those students will be included with returning-student registration that will open in July 2024.
As a reminder, families with children who will be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023 are encouraged to schedule a 4K screening to determine if their child is eligible to attend an SDOC 4K program. Please visit SDOC 4K Program to schedule an appointment.
PE Department to Sell Remaining Stock of PE Uniforms
To prepare for the move to our new building, the PE Department is selling all of their remaining (brand new) SMS PE Uniforms for $5 (each piece). A shirt and shorts set = $10. All proceeds go to supply the new building's PE closet with equipment and supplies for next year. We have sizes ranging from Youth Medium - Adult XL shirts and Youth M - Adult XXL shorts. While supplies last. Cash or check payments (made out to SMS) are accepted through Ms. Woolbright, the school's bookkeeper, in the front office.
We also have a few GOLD retro shirts with navy shorts from years back - $5 each. Limited supplies available in those (Adult L-XL).
SMS Hosts Final Game in Time Howard Gymnasium
Monday, January 29 saw a wonderful and memorable night at SMS. The final SMS basketball games in the Tim Howard Gymnasium were held that evening. Not only were 8th grade players and their parents honored before each game, but between the girls and boys games individuals from the school's long history were also honored and remembered. The capacity crowd was introduced to former players, coaches, administrators, and district officials. However, the most touching recognition was saved for the family of the legendary Tim Howard for whom the school gymnasium was named. Howard was a long-time teacher and coach at Seneca before his untimely death more than 20 years ago. His wife, children, and other extended family members were recognized at center court as part of the final act of a storied history of athletic events which took place both when the gym was part of Seneca High School and now for many years as Seneca Middle School.
While official Seneca Middle School games will now be held at the new school on Wells Highway, the gym's history and legacy, as well as its name, will live on as part of the Shaver Recreation Complex.
Students Win Fleet Reserve Americanism Essay Contest
A strong showing in essay contests continues at SMS with two students being named local winners for the Fleet Reserve Americanism essay contest. Participants submitted a 350-word essay to our local Fleet Reserve branch which, after a thorough review by local Fleet Reserve members, resulted in 8th grade Tillman Sullivan and 7th grader Izabella Wynn being named as the local winners. Their essays will now move forward to the Southeast Region competition and possibly onto the national level. Should either student ultimately be named as the grand national winner, a monetary prize will be awarded.
SMS Students Take First and Second Places in Essay Contest
English teachers ask their students to write essays all the time. As with most things in life, practice improves the activity. For writing, passion for the subject matter also enhances the final product. Thus, each year Seneca Middle School teacher Angela Lee asks her English I students to write and submit an essay for the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The themes of this contest inevitably inspire impassioned writing from her students no matter how they end up faring in the contest itself. However, with this year’s theme, “How Are You Inspired by America?” both first and second places in the contest were attained by two of Lee’s students. Eighth graders Tillman Sullivan and Annabella Meldzuk earned first and second places respectively at the local level and their essays went on to earn Tillman fourth place and Annabella eleventh place at the district level.
Locally, the essay contest is sponsored by the Allison P. Rhodes Post 6830 in Walhalla. Recently, four members of the post – Angie Dye, Donna Haas, Kelli Lusk, and Ginger Ziskal – visited the school to present both Tillman and Annabella award certificates and a monetary prize for their outstanding work. Said Lee, their teacher, of their essays, “My goal as an English teacher is to find ways for my students to take their reading and writing skills beyond the classroom and use them in their everyday lives. This is an example of several of my students, including Tillman and Annabella, taking this opportunity to write about something they feel passionately about. I am proud of each student who entered the contest.”
SMS Family Writing Project to Begin Second Round
Join us for the second round of the Family Writing Project (FWP) at SMS beginning Tuesday evening, January 30, from 6-8 pm. It is an opportunity for families to gather and participate in writing activities, to share their pieces, and to foster a supportive community of writers. Former students and parents found it a meaningful experience for all involved. In addition, we have great snacks!
Theme: "Write at Home"
Click on the following link to learn more about the FWP. In addition, there is a registration link at the bottom of the newsletter page for
those interested in joining this fun and engaging activity. Hope to see you there!
https://www.smore.com/5gxmk
Regional Tournament for The International Academics Competition to be Held at SMS
The Social Studies Department is excited to announce that we are hosting a Regional Tournament for The International Academics Competition on January 27th here at SMS.
All students participated in the Geography Bee that is a part of this competition before Fall Break. Students should have been notified by their Social Studies teacher if they qualified for the Regional Competition. If they have not been notified please have them see their Grade level Social Studies teacher.
Students who qualified are invited to participate on January 27th at SMS. The cost is $47.**
At the regional, students compete with buzzers against students their own age. There are three medalists per age group, per topic, and the top 50% of the field qualifies to compete in Orlando at Nationals this summer.
We hope to see you on the 27th!
**If cost is a factor in your student's participation please contact Tiffany Ackerman at tackerman@sdoc.org and we will see what we can do to accommodate your student.
Middle School Art Students Bring Kindergarten Monsters to Life in Unique Collaborative Project
In a heartwarming display of creativity and collaboration, art students at Seneca Middle School partnered with Mrs. Jessica Basyari’s kindergarten and special education art classes at Blue Ridge Elementary in an extraordinary collaborative project. The collaboration involved transforming the imaginative drawings of elementary students into lovable stuffed monsters and culminated in a heartwarming gifting ceremony.
Under the guidance of their art teacher, Ms. Mara Diaz, the middle school students eagerly embraced the challenge. Armed with colorful fabrics, threads, sewing needles and heaps of enthusiasm, they meticulously crafted almost 100 plush monsters, mirroring the vibrant sketches envisioned by the younger artists. The collaborative effort not only honed the older students' artistic skills but also instilled a sense of responsibility and empathy. It taught them the value of working together to achieve a common goal. "The idea behind this project was to foster creativity and build connections between different age groups through art," shared Ms. Diaz. "It was incredible to witness the older students embracing the innocence and creative imagination of their younger peers.” Eighth grader Jaylah Brown added, “This has been a very fun experience! I’m glad to be a part of this project, and I think it’s an amazing opportunity to stay connected with my elementary school!”
However, the project didn't conclude with the completion of the monsters. To further personalize the experience and make the exchange special, the middle school students decorated gift bags, included adoption certificates, and wrote heartfelt letters addressed to the elementary artists. Each letter was filled with admiration for the creativity displayed in the original drawings and excitement about the journey of bringing these creatures to life. In addition to the letters, some middle schoolers went the extra mile and recorded special video messages, sharing stories about the making of the monsters and expressing their joy in the collaborative process.
Following a wonderful ceremony at the elementary school where the young artists saw their plush monsters for the first time, Mrs. Basyari shared, "The best part was seeing the excitement on the faces of the kindergarteners when they saw their drawings come to life as cuddly monsters.”
“I loved making the monster and the whole experience. It’s amazing to stay connected to the elementary school I went to!” - Abreigh Jefferson, 8th Grade
As the monsters found their new homes with the young artists, the project left a lasting impression, serving as a testament to the power of art in fostering connections and nurturing creativity across generations. The collaboration between the middle school and elementary students has not only created adorable monsters but also beautiful memories that will be cherished for years to come.
December 29, 2003 Journal Article
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Innovative Teacher Finds Novel Way to Teach Writing Before Christmas
With the approach of the Christmas holiday, keeping students motivated is sometimes a challenge. Enter a teacher some might call eccentric. Or offbeat. Or quirky. Her students definitely find her entertaining, fun, and captivating. Her colleagues find her innovative yet challenging, unconventional but inspiring. All of these descriptors were on display in the classroom of eighth grade ELA teacher Jill Lukac at Seneca Middle School just before the Christmas break.
To engage her students in writing elements of suspense, plot, dialogue, characterization, and setting along with sentence structure, word choice, and conventions, Lukac devised a Christmas whodunit. Unbeknownst to her students beforehand, Lukac transformed her classroom and various hallway locations into a crime scene. As they walked into her classroom they saw Christmas decorations and gifts destroyed beside a toppled Christmas tree. Further clues awaited them in the hallways, both up and downstairs. Based on their observations of the crime scene, students quickly began detective stories. Possible “crimes” included eating Santa’s cookies, theft of presents, and theft of decorations.
Lukac may spend a portion of her Christmas break grading these stories, but will do so knowing that she was able to reach even the most reluctant class participant as her students eagerly anticipated their Christmas break.
SMS Sends Two Dozen Students to All-County Band
In only her first year at Seneca Middle School, Band Director Charlotte Tanner succeeded in having a large contingent of her students qualify for All-County Band. Even better, one-half of all first chair positions were earned by her students. In total, twenty-four SMS band students earned spots in the countywide honor band following a rigorous audition process. These students along with others from around the county recently spent a day together with an outside clinician and then gave a wonderful performance for the public. Tanner shared, “I am so proud of my students and their accomplishments. Our incredible clinician from Dacusville Middle in Pickens County, Gary Carpenter, created an incredibly memorable weekend for the students.”
Securing a position in the All-County Band from Seneca Middle School were Flutes – Olivia Willoughby (1st chair), Rheagan Goss, Isabella Thompson, Ramsey Earle, Elona Svistun, and Emma Swaney; Clarinets – Mattie Goodson, Geo Campos Isidro, Adam Mitrovic Keats, and Madelyn Neal; Bass Clarinet – Aly Holden (1st chair); Alto Saxophone – Mekhi Cobb; Trumpet – Daegan Morris and Zach Stephens; French Horn – Jacob Murr (1st chair); Trombone – Ayden Carnes (1st chair), Isabella Jorgensen, and Fatima Torres-Gonzales; Euphonium – Peyton Anderson; Tuba – Kaylie Chastain and Elise Barnes; Percussion – Sam Harvell (1st chair) and Jeff Mahaffee; and Timpani – Karsyn Burriss (1st chair).
Sullivan Earns Place in Southeast Region Choir
Success is no stranger to Seneca Middle School eighth grader Tillman Sullivan, whether it be academic or in the arts. As evidence of his musical abilities, Tillman has routinely earned spots in both All-County Chorus and All-County Orchestra as well as All-State Chorus. Now Tillman has earned even more choral success. From over 1700 auditions, he was one of a very few to be chosen for the 2024 Southern Region ACDA SATB Youth Honor Choir. This choir is made up of students from 11 Southern states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Tillman will travel to Louisville, Kentucky in February to take part in the very prestigious choir. Seneca Middle School’s Chorus Director, Carla Brock, will also attend the Southern Region ACDA conference and looks forward to hearing Tillman in this elite choir.
Nine Named SC Junior Scholars at Seneca Middle School
Each year thousands of sophomores and juniors across the nation take the PSAT, the precursor to the SAT exam for college entrance. At the high school level, the PSAT is also used to begin the selection process for National Merit Scholars. However, a much smaller number of eighth grade students also take the PSAT each year. The exam for those students helps designate who among that grade level qualify to be named a SC Junior Scholar. This year, nine Seneca Middle School students earned this special distinction – Lucas Dent, Ramsey Earle, Rei Langley, Alana Madden, Hope Martin, Daegan Morris, Addison Steele, Tillman Sullivan, and Nailah Wilks.
The SC Junior Scholar program is designed to identify students of exceptional academic talent and provide them with special opportunities to “facilitate their intellectual growth, broaden their individual interests and promote their scholastic achievement.” In addition to these special enrichment opportunities, these students will receive a special award and bumper sticker denoting their achievement at the school’s Awards Day at the end of the school year.
Seneca Middle School Sends Eleven to All-State Chorus
Hours and hours of preparation and stellar auditions earned eleven Seneca Middle School chorus members a place on the 2024 SCACDA Middle School All-State Honor Choir. These eleven talented students will travel to Florence, SC in January to participate in a day-long clinic and concert along with dozens of other talented singers from across the state. Led by SMS Chorus Director Carla Brock, the eleven students from Seneca Middle School are Sophia Keese, Audrey Metler, Amarie Morales, Kamden Smith, Rosalind Spoelstra, Ella Steele, Tillman Sullivan, Xander Terry, Eli Towe, Holly Voyles, and Janie Beth Watts.
Seneca Middle School Chorus Director Earns Award
Recently, Seneca Middle School Chorus Director Carla Brock was awarded the 2023 South Carolina American Choral Directors Association Excellence Award, an award given for excellence and achievement in the field of choral music. It is presented each year by the South Carolina Choral Directors Association to a South Carolina choral director with 10 or more years of experience in recognition of excellence and achievement in the field of choral music. Brock is certainly a worthy recipient of this award. In fact, Brock’s classroom is filled with a multitude of trophies, plaques, and other awards her choral programs have earned over the years, giving ample tangible evidence of why she is such a deserving recipient of the award.
Of this great accolade from her fellow music educators, Mrs. Brock said, “I am extremely humbled and honored to have been recognized by my fellow choral directors and educators by receiving the 2023 South Carolina American Choral Directors Association Excellence Award for excellence and achievement in the field of choral music. Teaching 11 to 14-year-old kids in Seneca, SC, to love singing and create beautiful tone, while teaching music literacy and to convey the messages of each song while also working to provide amazing experiences outside of the classroom for all South Carolina middle school singers, has been an absolute joy for the past 28 years. Being recognized for it is icing on the cake!”
