VIP Magazine

Author: vipmagsc

  • South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics

    South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics

     

        Nestled in the small town of Hartsville, SC is the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM), a high school for academically motivated juniors and seniors pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and math—one of only 12 specialized, residential high schools in the nation. The accelerated students that attend excel not only academically, but also athletically, through extracurricular activities, and leadership opportunities.

        GSSM’s varsity sports teams have had great success and big wins in the last few years, including Men’s Soccer and Cross Country both being named the 1A State Champions this past school year and seven individual athletes being named State Championships at the 2018 State Track Meet. In fact, 64% of the student body participates in Varsity Athletics, playing 125 regular season games, matches, and meets every year. With 21 seasonal coaches and a full-time athletics staff, the 16 varsity men’s and women’s teams receive professional guidance under the principles of sportsmanship, teamwork, skill fundamentals, and persistence.

        Within the past two years, many changes have occurred related to GSSM athletics in order for student-athletes to get the most out of their time in high school sports. There are written coaching standards and contracts for 21 seasonal coaches, including a coaching stipend based off of years of service. Each team now has a head coach and at least one assistant coach who receive training in many different areas. Every athlete gets playing time. There is now an Athletics Department sponsorship program with local businesses and an online store and active department Facebook page with new department branding. Students now have the opportunity to participate in a Sports Medicine Interim class developed by the department, summer strength and conditioning programs, and fitness, dance, and kendo classes twice a week for those interested.

        Emerging as an athletics powerhouse in its conference, GSSM academics remain unsurpassed and it comes as no surprise that students accomplished many major achievements this year. The school continues to enable opportunity for all talented students with the passion and grit to succeed. This is accomplished in a rigorous yet humane learning environment where students are challenged and nurtured by meeting them where they are in their academic and personal development. The outcomes of this nourishing learning environment include 100% college attendance, including to highly selective institutions such as Yale, Princeton, Brown, MIT, UCLA, U.S. Naval Academy, and others.

  • Rotarians in Drug Deterrence Education

    Rotarians in Drug Deterrence Education

        Circle Park Behavioral Health Services, Florence School District One and the three Florence area Rotary Clubs conducted a graduation ceremony recognizing this school year’s participants in the RIDDE (Rotarians in Drug Deterrence Education) program. The ceremony was held Friday, May 18 at McLaurin Elementary School and included 125 third grade students.

        The RIDDE program was created in 1994 as a result of South Carolina Rotary District 7770’s Governor who challenged eighty clubs across the state to address alcohol and other drug use by youth in their respective communities through direct interaction. The District Governor recommended conducting an essay in local schools but local Rotarians representing the three area Rotary clubs, spear headed by Tom Shearin, Ernie Kirkland, Charles Young, Paul Pittman, and Dr. Ben Ward, wanted to do more. They approached Clyde Nance at Circle Park in an effort to see what could be done to create a program that was both effective and had a long term impact on students, regardless of cost and commitment of the Rotarian’s time.

        By chance, Nance had just reviewed a research study on 6,000 elementary students conducted by Brown University. The study indicated school based substance abuse prevention programs could be effective and long lasting if it included several key components. These components included:  eight or more sessions, taught by a professional, role modeling by community leaders, decision making and refusal skills, and hands on experiential learning activities. The research also indicated that students in the fourth grade begin to focus on the physical, social and intellectual differences in each other, and begin to start making decisions based on the perceived differences and resulting influences. In an effort to provide the necessary skills before the fourth grade, third grade students were selected for the program. At the time, prevention programs targeted mainly high school and occasionally middle school students.RIDDE was considered a unique approach to school and community based prevention. It would be one of the first prevention programs in the country to directly address third grade students.

        Nance drew from a number of resources and created a ten-lesson curriculum and supporting activities to develop positive decision making skills and quickly received the endorsement of the area Rotary clubs and Florence School District One. The three area Rotary clubs, Florence West, Florence Breakfast and The Florence Rotary, agreed to provide the financial and volunteer support, and the school district provided schools and third grade students to participate. Though the curriculum was viewed as the foundation of the program, it quickly became apparent the heart of the program was the direct role modeling provided by the Rotarians. They would go into the classrooms and work directly with small groups of third graders during the forty-five minute lesson each week taught by a Circle Park staff member.

       The program was piloted in its first year at Lester Elementary and quickly moved to McLaurin Elementary and eventually Greenwood Elementary. Wallace Gregg Elementary, Royall Elementary, All Saints and James F. Byrnes have participated in the program over the years. Since its inception in 1994, over 4,000 third graders have successfully completed RIDDE with nearly 200 local Rotarians actively participating in the classrooms. RIDDE has been recognized by International Rotary as one of the Top 20 International Community Programs, The South Carolina Department of Education as an effective collaborative community partnership, the JCPenny Golden Rule Award for exceptional community volunteerism and even featured in People Magazine for its commitment to the youth through community collaboration. Circle Park representative and Rotarian Clyde Nance shared, “as much as the world and the challenges facing youth today have evolved over the years, the principles of RIDDE and the importance of making good choices still rings loud and clear. We have had a great experience over the past 24 years while demonstrating the true spirit of Rotary through this effort and it has been most gratifying for us all.”

  • 19th Green – Now Open!

    19th Green – Now Open!

        Are you looking for a year-round entertainment option for a diverse crowd? 19th Green Indoor Golf Center, the only indoor golf course in Florence, is where you need to go! Located near Party City, the modern facility features four simulators and over eighty finer golf courses, plus repairs, lessons, and an overall enjoyable experience. Whether you’re looking to practice, play for the first time, hang out with friends or co-workers, or even have a birthday party, 19th Green is for you!

        Charles and Akilah Weaver (father/daughter team) are the master minds behind the 19th Green business model. Charles, a retired U.S Air Force Veteran, has always had a love for the game of golf and Akilah has always wanted to own her own business. “Golf is a popular sport among all generations, but we wanted to provide a concept that would attract those that want to improve their game or try it out for the first time in a comfortable environment. The idea to offer virtual reality golf has been a year in the making and Florence was the perfect market to make it happen,” says Akilah. 19th Green Indoor Golf Center opened mid June.

        The facility is equipped with full 4k HD simulators which feature over 90 of the finer golf courses from around the world including, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Torrey Pines, Bay Hill, and many more. With advanced technology, each screen has cameras and sensors, taking a million pictures per minute to calculate and display distance and speed making the experience very real. What makes the indoor golf experience unique is that one person can play 18 holes in an hour or 9 holes in a half hour, which is convenient for lunch breaks or a quick weeknight activity. Akilah shares, “The concept is really new and appealing for millennials who want something quick, but also for anyone who wants to beat the heat and play in a shorter time.” Tee times can easily be reserved online in order to avoid long wait times or a simulator not being available.

        The good news is anyone of any age can participate, including those with or without any golf experience. A knowledgeable PGA staff and service department are on site to assist with lessons, fittings, or repairs and services. You can even rent the facility for a corporate event, team building experience, bachelor party, or birthday party. It is encouraged that visitors bring their own golf clubs, however, golf clubs can be rented at the facility. Regular shoes are ideal in order to protect the artificial turf within the simulators. Prices are based on a per hour rate regardless of the number of players. Four players per simulator are encouraged.

        19th Green Indoor Golf Center is an overall sociable, fun experience. They serve packaged snacks and beer and have also partnered with local restaurants who will deliver. Mike Porter, Director of Operations, explains, “We want everyone to disconnect from their own technology and take the time to interact and enjoy open conversation.” They will be holding contests every month, have leagues beginning in the fall through the winter, and will also host year-round tournaments. The simulators can also serve as TVs and show popular football games, PGA championships, and more! The options are really endless for the 19th Green. Don’t miss out. Grab your clubs and go check it out today!

  • Te’Quan Coe – A Contemporary Violinist

    Te’Quan Coe – A Contemporary Violinist

        Twenty-one-year-old Te’Quan Coe always loved music since he was young, but never knew he would be a musician. He has a rare talent when it comes to playing the violin, and his passion and unique style have led him to incredible opportunities. Today he continues to perform in the Hartsville community and beyond.

        Te’Quan started playing the violin in the third grade, though it wasn’t until two years later when he began to feel fully inspired to take it more seriously. He shares, “I wasn’t really that interested in violin until I had a new teacher come in. She was African-American like me, and I had never seen an African-American play the violin. I remember thinking, “Wow, I want to do what she is doing.” Te’Quan attended Thornwell School for the Arts in Hartsville, then continued to play throughout middle school and high school where his teachers encouraged him to audition for all-state and region bands. “All-state and region helped me to play with kids on my level,” shares Te’Quan. “There were a lot of other students I played with in school, but many of them did not take it seriously. I was more advanced than most of them.”

        What makes Te’Quan’s style unique is that he can play all types of music on the violin. Although he can read music, he also plays music by ear. Depending on the audience he is playing for and the venue, he can play anything from R&B and hip-hop, to other genres like classical and gospel. “My Mom really pushed me to become more well-rounded and learn different genres. I used to just play classical, but now I have learned and can play more up-to-date music too.” Te’Quan has even had celebrities re-tweet videos of him playing their songs on his violin.

        Te’Quan has been able to share his talent locally, but also on a higher level. His first major event playing was at his grandmother’s funeral where he played Amazing Grace in her honor. Since then, he has been asked to play at churches, weddings, local spots around town, and other events. However, his most prideful moment was when he played at Carnegie Hall in New York City his senior year of high school. “I auditioned just to see if I could do it, but I didn’t think I would make the orchestra,” explains Te’Quan. “I remember my Mom called me crying saying that I made it and I just couldn’t believe it! We started saving and raising money so I could go.” Te’Quan was able to play with other musicians his age from all over the world. He describes the experience as being surreal. “I remember playing the last measure of the song and looking around at everyone,” he says. “I got emotional because I felt so honored to be there and I was playing with so many other talented kids. A tear actually rolled down from my eye and I just remember taking it all in and thinking how amazing it was.” After that, he also traveled to play and audition in other states, including being a part of the City of Hartsville’s presentation team in the 2016 All-America City competition in Colorado. Te’Quan says, “That was another memorable moment for me. By having young talent included, it really proved what Hartsville was all about to other people, and we won. After that, Hartsville started adding new businesses and activities and I started doing more with the city too.”

        Te’Quan currently works in Hartsville, but is always available for gigs to share his passion with others. He tries to accommodate everyone the best he can when it comes to how much he charges because he knows everyone may not have the funding. However, it mostly depends on the distance he has to travel. The sky is the limit for his future. “I want to do a lot with the violin. I have been incorporating it into writing songs and want to produce for people. I’m not just limited to one thing. I want to be able to share it with all types of people and incorporate it a lot of different ways.” 

  • River Neck Acres ATV Park

    River Neck Acres ATV Park

        River Neck Acres provides enjoyable, family-friendly camping and thrilling ATV riding near the Great Pee Dee River. The ATV Park is located on the outskirts of Florence County on 1,174.99 acres of swamps, hills, dirt, and mud. They accept ATV’s, 4-wheelers, UTV’s, side-by-sides, and golf carts. The property has several cabins and around forty-three campsites that can be rented. With feature scheduled events at the park open to the public, they offer a little something for everyone to enjoy!

        Connie Hardwick owns the property and her twin daughters, Jamey Hilburn and Jordan Hicks, run the business. Connie is a retired New York Life agent. With a master’s degree in Education, Connie also taught at Marion High School in the late 1980s. Her daughter, Jamey, shares, “She has a giving heart and will give you her last cent if she believes you’d be better off. She’s the heart behind all our charity work, which we hope to continue to do more of in the future.”

        Jamey and Jordan both graduated from Aynor High School. Jamey attends Horry Georgetown Technical college and plans to transfer to Coastal Carolina in the spring of 2019 to pursue a degree in hospitality. She married her high school sweetheart, Bruce. Jordan will be attending the College of Charleston starting in the fall and also married her high school sweetheart, Brandon. In addition to helping with River Neck Acres, Bruce and Brandon co-own a food truck, Burgers-In-Law. It’s hard to believe these couples are barely out of high school but the success of both businesses proves their age is merely a number. Within minutes you can tell they were born to be entrepreneurs.

        For several years, Connie ran the property as an equine park. She found great pleasure in the business but it began to be tough to make ends meet. That’s when Jamey and Jordan approached her with the idea of an ATV park. The girls enjoyed riding and had several friends that supported their idea. “Had it been left up to me, the business would have completely sunk,” says Connie. “These girls turned it around and have made it far more successful than I could have ever imagined!”

        River Neck Acres opened just last summer. “We wanted a safe, fun place for families to be able to enjoy the outdoors on ATVs without the worry and dangers that come from riding on highways,” explains Jamey. River Neck Acres allows any motorized vehicles that do not have to be registered by the DMV to ride. They hold mud races, concerts, and hope to expand to other spaces in the future. They also try their best to accommodate any sort of group outings or celebrations. Plans for the future are bright, as they plan to expand their land, add more cabins and accommodations, and host more concerts featuring larger artists.

  • Hartsville Young Professionals

    Hartsville Young Professionals

        Fear, stress, anxiety. Who will I socialize with? What will I do for fun?

        These are all thoughts and feelings that are associated with moving to a new town. Hartsville Young Professionals aims to eliminate those thoughts and feelings. We have a motto, “Let’s do something together”. HYP wants to make young professional life in a small town a great experience. When I joined HYP I remember having my reservations, but figured it would be a nice way to meet other young professionals in the area. After getting more involved and meeting people I had never met in a town I thought I knew everyone in, it was eye opening. Fast forward a few years and I’m now in my sixth month as president of HYP. I am supported by a great board made up of motivated and talented professionals who work hard to make HYP a success.

        During this past year we have been looking back at the leadership that created HYP. They knew how important forming relationships would be to young professionals moving to Hartsville, as well as natives that want to call Hartsville home. Growth of the city is dependent on a great community welcoming young professionals deciding to plant roots and raise families.  The low cost of living, high quality of life, and excellent employment opportunities make Hartsville the perfect place for someone who wants to become involved in a strong community. Our town is full of opportunities to get involved and lead that  might not be available to a young professional in a larger city.

        HYP is proud to be a division of the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce. We have a strong audience of supporters in our community. Sonoco has sponsored us since the beginning and recognizes our value and role in the community. Other businesses like McGee Financial and Project EXcape, provided fun, interactive opportunities for us to network and get connected. The true purpose of HYP is to create friendships and ease what may have otherwise been a stressful adventure. We have some great events coming up. We will be hosting a cookout at the Hartsville Country Club sponsored by SPC Credit Union on July 13th from 6 to 9 p.m. If you’d like to give HYP a try, we’d love for you to join us.

        Hartsville is a great community that is caring and inclusive. There are wonderful opportunities to get involved in our growing town. It is a place where you come thinking it’s temporary, but then you find yourself planting roots and finding a home. The friends I’ve made through HYP are some of the closest I have. We welcome anyone who would like to get involved.

  • Heather Byrd – New Owner of Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville

    Heather Byrd – New Owner of Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville

        Heather Byrd grew up in Charleston, SC and attended College of Charleston, but has called the quaint town of McBee, SC home for the past twelve years. Her family members are all celebrating next chapters of their lives. Her son, Gage, and daughter-in-law, Cassidy, are expecting their first child in October. Her daughter, Lindsay, is going away to college this fall. Heather and her boyfriend, Daniel, will soon experience a new feeling as empty-nesters. Just last month Heather took her own leap of faith into an exciting new life chapter as becoming the new owner of Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville (MDAH).

        Heather owns Infinity Images Portrait Studio where she specializes in photographing children from Birth to 1 year. Heather shares, “After many years in the photography business I decided it was time to look for work that isn’t so taxing on my body. Photographing babies is my favorite thing to do but it is tough work and I know my body won’t be able to do it for many more years.” Heather approached the former owner and friend, Terie Rousseau, about coming to work for her as Administrator. After many conversations and much deliberation, Teri offered to sell Heather the school. “It wasn’t in my plans, but after speaking with the parents and staff I knew I would be a good fit and it would be such a rewarding experience.” While Heather will be opening the door to a new adventure, she will still run her photography studio on a part-time basis. “I can’t imagine not having that in my life,” says Heather.

        Montessori Day Academy of Hartsville is a private, independent education institution that practices the Montessori Method of learning serving children from ages six weeks to six years. The curriculum at MDAH promotes learning through a psychology-based approach to education that encourages students to explore math, science, language arts, music and the outdoors in an academically stimulating environment at their own pace. The school incorporates the time-tested, research-based, nurturing educational philosophy of Maria Montessori with an emphasis on individualized learning, student independence, and strong family engagement. MDAH intentionally attracts and supports a diverse student and parent body.

        Heather has big plans for the upcoming school year. “We have hired a new Lead Guide for our Toddler Room as well as several new after-school teachers who will be doing French lessons, music and baby sign language,” explains Heather. “Together with families, we are going to continue our mission to build a school that meets the needs of all learners and helps all of our children reach their full potential.” Open Enrollment for the school year continues through the end of July with the new school year starting on August 6th.

  • Lake City – Best Small Town Cultural Scene – USA Today’s 10Best

    Lake City – Best Small Town Cultural Scene – USA Today’s 10Best

        A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees for Best Small Town Cultural Scene by USA Today. The top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Seth Kines, Executive Director of Visit Lake City SC, shares more about the contest and how Lake City was named number 1 in the 10Best selection.

    Were you aware that Lake City was being researched as a 10Best?

        “Initially, we were not aware of this.  USA TODAY 10 Best has a panel of experts that focuses on different regions of the country.  Their South Carolina representative recommended Lake City as a nominee for Best Small Town Cultural Scene because of the progress that’s been made with regards to recent revitalization efforts.”

    How did your team react when you were notified about being chosen as a finalist?

        “We were overjoyed! It was such an honor to be nominated as one of the top 20 small towns recognized for their cultural scene.  The nomination was exciting, but we quickly changed our focus from celebrating the nomination to spreading the word to encourage voting.  The voting process lasted for approximately a month, so we were thrilled to hear that we came out on top  to be named the #1 “Best Small Town Cultural Scene!” From a marketing perspective, it is invaluable to receive a national award from a well-known, reputable source like USA TODAY 10 Best!  We also have the rights to use the USA TODAY 10 Best logo for marketing & promotional purposes over the next year so we can help promote our cultural scene and remarkably unique venues to tourists and conference meeting planners.”

    What qualities do you feel led Lake City to be nominated?

        “When you realize everything we have going on in Lake City, it’s pretty easy to understand.  ArtFields received the Charles A. Bundy Award last year in recognition of its positive impact on tourism in rural communities.  The upcoming inaugural Rhythm & Q’s BBQ Competition featuring live, local music boasts the largest cash prize purse for S.C. BBQ competitions. No visit to Lake City would be complete without a trip to Moore Farms Botanical Garden, known not only for its lush beauty, but for its engaging event calendar as well!  Our historic downtown features great shopping & dining, a fabulous boutique hotel, and three art galleries!  Lake City Creative Alliance brings art out into the streets of our historic downtown, with a variety of vibrant murals peppering downtown walls and sculptures enhancing the beauty of enchanting downtown floral beds. Also, local organizations like Lake City Community Theatre, Lake City Concert Series & Lynches Lake Historical Society add to our rich cultural tapestry that is obviously centered around the arts.”

    What can we look forward to from Lake City to continue being named the “Best”? 

        “We’re moving full steam ahead with revitalization projects including several downtown apartments so residents can maximize the “live, work, play” feel that our downtown offers.  We are actively filling the few available downtown retail spaces to complete the diverse palette of shopping & dining options available for locals and visitors.  It’s particularly exciting that one of our historic venues, The Ragsdale Old Building (affectionately known as The ROB), has taken off as a hotspot for wedding receptions, trade shows and festivals!  Upcoming events at The ROB include Lake City Community Outreach’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, The Southeast Wedding & Event Expo, Pee Dee Comicon & SC Arms Collectors Association’s Gun & Knife Show. We’re excited to play a role in the continued development of Lake City as a destination for tourism, events, festivals and corporate conferences.”

  • Savvy Soiree

    Savvy Soiree

     

        Planning a wedding can be overwhelming to say the least. However, Andrea Knapp and Stephanie Forte have had years of experience in creating the special day. In 2015, Andrea and Stephanie decided it was time to share their expertise, as well as the expertise of many local wedding professionals, with brides throughout the Pee Dee by hosting a wedding expo, Savvy Soiree Wedding and Event Showcase. Join us as we venture into the minds and backgrounds of these skilled wedding professionals.

    VIP: “Tell us a little about yourselves.”

    Andrea: “I moved to the U.S. almost 20 years ago and became a citizen in 2009. I have been a professional photographer for 14 years and am the owner of ‘Photographs by Andrea.’ As a wedding and portrait photographer, I have shot 25 to 30 weddings each year.”

    Stephanie: “I’m lead planner at Elegant Events, a wedding and event planning company. I became a certified wedding and event planner shortly after moving to Columbia 13 years ago. I’m originally from Johnsonville so we work a lot in the Pee Dee area because it’s still home to me. Seeing a wedding or event come together and executed flawlessly is one of my greatest joys.”

    VIP: “How did the two of you meet?”

    Stephanie: “We met through a wedding vendor forum online right after Andrea moved to S.C. She was searching for area wedding vendors to network with and we QUICKLY became GREAT friends. We have worked a couple of weddings together as vendors, Andrea as the photographer and I as the wedding planner.”

    Andrea: “During this time we also attended and participated in many wedding shows in S.C. and N.C. We quickly realized that we weren’t happy with the way those shows were being produced or the way we were treated as wedding experts. We knew that we could do better by producing well-rounded shows.”

    Stephanie: “While being vendors, we also learned that we didn’t only want to cater to the needs of brides and grooms, but also to the industry experts. We wanted to do everything we could to get their businesses known to people that need their services.”

    VIP: “How is the success of Savvy Soiree?”

    Andrea: “Each one has been more successful than the previous one! We have industry experts that showcase with one show and immediately sign up for the following one, which is a testament to our success. The feedback from not only the experts who showcase with us, but also the brides confirms this. We have brides and grooms that have been to one show recommending the follow up shows to their recently engaged friends.”

    Stephanie: “We are excited to take the show on the road this August to The R.O.B. in Lake City! Our next expo, August 5th, will be our first show outside of Florence. Seth Kines and the team at Visit Lake City have been wonderful to work with.”

  • Honda of South Carolina Celebrates 20 Years

    Honda of South Carolina Celebrates 20 Years

     

       In July, Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) reaches an enormous milestone with the celebration of 20 years at the Timmonsville plant location. The company will celebrate with associates on July 17th by providing a team lunch and commemorative gifts. Local elected officials, community partners, local media, and Honda company guests have been invited to celebrate with the team. HSC will also acknowledge a few local organizations with donations that tie into their 20 years of success in the community.

       During HSC’s 20 years, they have provided countless employment opportunities to the surrounding areas. In fact, 66 of their current associates have been with the company since it originated. HSC believes that their associates are the foundation of the company. Although the facility has grown in both size and number of associates, they have “mostly grown together,” says Michele Pridgen, Assistant Manager and 20 Year Associate. She continues, “Our workforce is made up of a variety of skilled and passionate associates that are all striving for the same goal: Building the Best Product on Earth!”

       HSC associates can agree that the company “isn’t somewhere you just get a job, it’s somewhere you make a career,” says Justin Watkins, 16 Year Associate. HSC has created an atmosphere where associates encourage family and friends to also search for a career path within the company. Several associates have family members that have joined the HSC team after witnessing their success.

       In addition to being part of a team that builds top-of-the-line products, associates pride themselves in being owners of Honda ATV’s and side-by-sides (SxS). And Honda prides itself in building where the product is utilized and largely sold. That motto has also encouraged their dedication in being involved with the community in a wide variety of avenues. Education being a large platform, but they also seek to be involved in community events and local non-profit organizations that are preferred by HSC associates.

       Along with celebrating 20 years, HSC will produce its 3 millionth ATV during July, an operation that couldn’t be accomplished without their skilled associates.. Over the next several pages, we present some of Honda’s most popular products, built right here in Timmonsville, and tell the success stories of associates that have chosen HSC as their career.