FCSD3 Holds Annual Arbor Day Celebration

FCSD3 Holds Annual Arbor Day Celebration
Posted on 12/07/2018

Florence County School District Three’s annual observance of Arbor Day culminated Friday with an awards ceremony for winners of the poetry and poster contests.

Winners received certificates and prizes for their entries.

District-level winners of the poetry contest were:

  • 5K - 2nd grades: Asa Flemming (first place), Donielle McElveen (second place) and Damarion Spates (third place)
  • 3rd-4th grades: Dontae Godfery (first place), Matthew Richardson (second place) and Jhoumae Parker (third place).
  • 5th-6th grades: Karen Gamble (first place), Ryan Gamble (second place) and Marquez Witherspoon (third place).
  • 7th - 8th grades: Parker Hardway (first place), Taylor Fulton (second place) and Amaria Myers (third place).
  • 9th - 12th grades: Sydney Morris (first place), Justnasia Spruill (second place) and Lillianne Elliott (third place).

District-level winners of the poster contest were:

  • 5K- 2nd Grade: Daniel Boyington (first place), Poppy Welch (second place) and Charlotte Scurry (third place).
  • 3rd-4th grades: Kelsie Smith (first place), Cameron Stone (second place) and Aubree Holsonback (third place).
  • 5th-6th grades: Messiah McFadden (first place), Ervin Rodriguez (second place) and Halleigh Porter (third place).
  • 7th-8th grades: Trevor Jordan (first place), Taylor Robinson (second place) and Madison Shake (third place).
  • 9th-12th grades: Nauddyua Rich (first place), Kaylah Cooper (second place) and Zachary Courtney (third place).

The awards program also included an Arbor Day proclamation from Lovith Anderson, mayor Lake City, as well as musical performances by the choruses from J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School and Lake City Early Childhood Center of the Arts and poetry reading by JPT students Destinee Alexander.

Tommy Taylor of Taylor Garden and Gift Shop in Florence was scheduled to be the guest speaker, but was unable to attend due to a family emergency. Mr. Taylor will also donate a tree to be planted at a school in the district. In his absence, Renee Kirby, FCSD3 director of literacy and 7-8 curriculum and instruction, spoke about the history of Arbor Day.

Earlier in the week, Moore Farms Botanical Garden, in partnership with FCSD3, planted Southern Magnolia trees (Magnolia grandiflora) from MFBG’s collection. Southern magnolias are known for their glossy, evergreen foliage and lemon-scented white flowers. Moore Farms Botanical Garden is a Nationally Accredited Plant Collection Holder recognized by the American Public Gardens Association for their extensive collection of Magnolia grandiflora.

This classic Southern tree will make a beautiful addition to the school campuses.

Trees were planted at Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy, the Alternative Center for Education and Lake City Early Childhood Center of the Arts. This planting partnership has been a tradition for more than 6 years.

Kelli Meeker, youth and outreach coordinator, and Nina Franklin, educator, worked with a class at each of the three schools to plant the trees and discuss the importance of Arbor Day.

Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image of Lake City Early Childhood chorus performing
Image of J. Paul Truluck Magnet School chorus performing
Image of Lake City Mayor presenting the Arbor Day proclamation
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony
Image from Arboard Day awards ceremony