Polaris Tech graduates 39, largest class yet
Polaris Tech Charter School’s largest graduating class yet – 39 – earned South Carolina diplomas last month with 64 percent headed to college or trades school and others joining the workforce.
Valedictorian Esmeralda Ortega of Ridgeland plans to attend the College of Charleston to major in Systems Engineering.
Salutatorian Kimberley Amaro, also of Ridgeland, plans to attend Clemson University and major in Biological Sciences.
“Not only is this our largest graduating class since the school started in 2018, but 22 of our 39 graduates have been with us since sixth grade, when they were part of our opening day class,” said Kim Statler, executive director at Polaris Tech.
Polaris Tech is a state-approved charter school now serving K-12 students from Jasper, Colleton, Hampton and Beaufort counties. It is a free school (no tuition), that focuses on preparing young people for successful work and college.
Polaris Tech students see strong academic growth
Polaris Tech Charter School students improved greatly in reading and math during the past school year, with more students than ever performing at or above grade level.
The iReady Spring Diagnostic results show strong academic growth in both subjects, Polaris Tech Executive Director Kim Statler said.
In reading, the percentage of students performing on or above grade level increased by 24 percent between Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, while the number of students performing two or more grade levels below decreased by 17 percent.
In math, students performing on or above grade level increased by 22 percent during the 2024-25 school year, and those two or more grade levels below decreased by 21 percent.
“By any measure, these results are both strong and encouraging,” Statler said. “Our learners really picked up their pace, and the navigators continually challenged their classrooms to stretch academically.
“These iReady test results are a fabulous way to wrap up our school year after 39 seniors earned diplomas and are headed to college, trade schools and employment,” she said.
7 from Beaufort graduate from College of Charleston
The College of Charleston recently awarded seven local students undergraduate and graduate degrees at its Spring 2025 commencement.
From Beaufort: Katelyn Carter (Bachelor of Science in Commercial Real Estate Finance), Cadence Gillaspie (graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health), Annie Guimond (Masters of Public Administration), Rainee Kearney (graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Professional Studies; also earned a Undergraduate Certificate in Project Management Certificate), Jacob Rye (graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre), Benjamin Straut (Bachelor of Science in Finance), and Anthony Szczepek (Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science).
More than 1,700 bachelor’s degree and master’s degree candidates participated in the 2025 College of Charleston Spring Commencement ceremony.
College of Charleston announces President’s, Dean’s lists
The College of Charleston named eight Beaufort students to the President’s List for Spring 2025: Emily Bennett (Studio Art), Catherine Cozad (Communication), Cadence Gillaspie (Political Science and Public Health), Emma Jansen (Archaeology and Anthropology), Jacob Rye (Theatre), Emily Stacks (International Studies and Spanish), Charlotte Vyge (Psychology), and Ryan Wadman (Marketing).
To qualify for the President’s List (Highly Distinguished), students must earn a GPA of 3.800 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 semester hours.
The College of Charleston also named nine Beaufort students to the Dean’s List for Spring 2025: Margaret Armes (Chemistry), Rainee Kearney (Professional Studies and Project Management Certificate), Connor McCombs (Historic Preservation/Community Planning), Tyler McGuire (Computer Science), Zelie Plair (Psychology), Olga Richards (Business Administration), Reagan Sandstrom (Early Childhood Education), Anthony Szczepek (Exercise Science), and Emily Womack (Public Health).
To qualify for the Dean’s List (Distinguished), students must earn a GPA of 3.500 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 semester hours.
3 local students graduate from Wofford College
Wofford College awarded 452 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees to graduates during the college’s 171st Commencement exercises.
Three local students graduated: Izzy Yeager of Beaufort (29902), Talie Phillips of St. Helena Island (29920), and Jordyn Ford of St. Helena Island (29920).
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg. It offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of 1,800 undergraduates.
Georgia Southern honors 10 local students
Georgia Southern University recently recognized approximately 2,420 students, including four local students, for excellence in academics on the Spring 2025 President’s List. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must have at least a 4.0 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester.
Honorees included Lily Melville of Beaufort (29906), Dejanae Dixon of Beaufort (29907), Jason Hernandez of Beaufort (29906) and Zoe Pedro of Fripp Island (29920).
Georgia Southern University recognized approximately 3,800 students, including six local students, for excellence in academics on the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester.
Honorees included Kiara Hall of Beaufort (29906), Sergio Smith of Beaufort (29907), Olivia Akers of Beaufort (29902), Hannah Tidwell of Beaufort (29907), Talmadge Magbee of Beaufort (29902), and Jayra Hernandez of Beaufort (29906).
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 27,506 students through 10 colleges on three Georgia campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction.
Mississippi names 2 from Beaufort to Chancellor’s Honor Roll
The University of Mississippi announced students named to the Spring 2025 Honor Roll lists.
Noah Questelle (Beaufort — Risk Management and Insurance) and Jessica Polk (Beaufort – Psychology) were named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00.
To be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.
The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state’s flagship university.
Henry named to Mississippi State’s President’s List
Beaufort’s Noah Henry was named to the Mississippi State University spring 2025 President’s List.
Students on the President’s List achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.
Mississippi State University is a national STEM-focused, doctoral degree-granting, land-grant university offering a wide range of educational experiences for learning and growth to a diverse student body of more than 23,000 students.
Beaufort’s Blencoe named to Alabama’s Dean’s List
Beaufort’s Joseph Blencoe was named to The University of Alabama Dean’s List for Spring Semester 2025.
A total of 14,289 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2025 at The University of Alabama were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above).
The UA dean’s and president’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students. The lists do not apply to graduate students or undergraduate students who take less than a full course load.
Beaufort’s Ellenberger earns Emerson College Dean’s List honors
Sawyer Ellenberger of Beaufort (29907) earned Dean’s List honors for the spring semester at Emerson College. Ellenberger is majoring in Media Arts Production and is a member of the Class of 2026.
The requirement to make the Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.
About Emerson College
Based in the world-class city of Boston, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theater District, Emerson College offers experiential learning programs in Boston and across the globe.
19 local students make Maryland Global Campus Dean’s List
Nearly 18,000 University of Maryland Global Campus students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 term, including 19 from the Beaufort area.
The following students from the area were recognized:
From Beaufort — Tylor Arnett, Artyoom Cobb, Kristen Haynescosio, Jason Hill, Heather Hodge, John Imms, Leandre Ingram, Jason Jerozal, Anthony Martinez, Diana Martinez Portuhondo, Gabriel Morales-Salas, Luis Reyes Arias, Caitlin Skoufis, Jamil Torres, Tiare Waldon, and Xinyi Xie.
From Seabrook — Kevin O’Quinn.
From Port Royal — Erica Allen and Madison Minner.
To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC.
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members.
— From staff reports
