School business partners, mentors, volunteers, and parent-teacher organizations gathered at Seven Oaks Park April 2 to be honored and celebrated as an integral part of the success of Lexington-Richland School District Five.
“Our volunteers are an instrumental part of our success story,” Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross said. “The strength of the community is the strength of the schools and when the community comes in and offers their support to the schools it makes a tremendous difference to the success of our students and staff. It warms my heart to see this in action and we are so honored to celebrate these businesses and volunteers for their continued support.”
District schools nominate one group or person for each category. Categories include: Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Volunteer Group, Outstanding Business Partner, Outstanding Mentor and Outstanding PTO. Awards are given to each school level in each category: elementary, intermediate/middle and high school.
Ali Hendrick received the Outstanding Volunteer Award in the elementary school category for her service to Lake Murray Elementary School. Hendrick is a part of the PTO serving as Treasurer and a PTO Board Member. She collaborates with school leadership to provide financial oversight and organizational leadership that directly supports teachers and staff. Her stewardship ensures that funds are aligned to instructional priorities, teacher needs, and student enrichment opportunities.
“Today has been a good day. I am so happy to represent Lake Murray Elementary School. Lake Murray Elementary is such a wonderful school and there are so many people that volunteer alongside me and it makes it fun,” Hendrick said. “I think it is so kind that the district takes a minute to draw attention to volunteers, mentors and organizations that give back to the school district. Everybody sees what our kids do and that is the main focus but it is important to shed light on the community members and organizations that are giving back to our schools so that we as a community can pour back into those organizations and hopefully can inspire others to continue to step up and volunteer.”
Susan Riley and the Carolina Results Team received the Outstanding Business Partner Award in the middle/intermediate school category for Irmo Middle School. Through their ongoing generosity, the Carolina Results Team strengthens the school’s resources in meaningful ways. From providing supplies to sponsoring meals and special events, their contributions enhance both classroom instruction and overall school operations.
“As a former teacher, I know the needs that schools have and I want the teachers to feel appreciated,” Riley said. “We also don’t want a classroom to go without supplies that the kids need. Each year we add more schools and I think we are now serving six or seven schools. I just love supporting schools in School District Five because it makes me happy.”
This year’s award recipients included: Ali Hendrick, Lake Murray Elementary (Outstanding Volunteer); Saundra Campa, Chapin Intermediate (Outstanding Volunteer); Ronald Johnson, Dutch Fork High (Outstanding Volunteer); Palmetto Foundation for Prevention and Recovery, Harbison West Elementary (Outstanding Volunteer Group); Elevation Church, Irmo Middle (Outstanding Volunteer Group); Chapin Women’s Club, Chapin High (Outstanding Volunteer Group); Chick-fil-A Ballentine, Ballentine Elementary (Outstanding Business Partner); Susan Riley and the Carolina Results Team, Irmo Middle (Outstanding Business Partner); Davis Orthodontics, Spring Hill High (Outstanding Business Partner); Normlyn “Oma” Ernst, Irmo Elementary (Outstanding Mentor); Palmetto Foundation, CrossRoads Intermediate (Outstanding Mentor); Carroll Baker, Irmo High (Outstanding Mentor); Heroes of the Hive (Outstanding PTO); Irmo Middle PTSO (Outstanding PTO); Chapin High PTSO (Outstanding PTO).
