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<p><strong>Polaris Tech gets go-ahead to expand</strong></p>
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<p>The State Charter School Board of Directors on Monday authorized Polaris Tech in Ridgeland to expand to serve 250 more students in kindergarten through Grade 4, effective with the 2023 school year.</p>
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<p>The approval enables Polaris Tech Charter School to serve students from kindergarten through graduation to better prepare them academically and for careers and college.</p>
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<p>“We are thrilled by the State Charter Board’s careful review of our application and approval,” said retired Air Force Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton, Chairman of the Polaris Tech board who helped found the school and who is a graduate of the Jasper County public school system.</p>
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<p>“We have been laying this groundwork for the past year and it was a central point of discussion when we hired Dr. Fred Hunter last spring to be our new executive director,” Newton said. “We thrive on creating new opportunities to help the young people of Jasper County and the Lowcountry.”</p>
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<p>As part of the increase in grade levels, Polaris Tech leaders will expand the facility with a new school structure to be built in front of the current middle and high school on Grays Highway in Ridgeland.</p>
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<p>The 25,700 square-foot, two-story, 12-classroom and competition gym addition is in design stages now and is expected to break ground this summer. About 250 additional student seats will be available for grades K-4 in addition to the current 300 who attend Polaris Tech’s Grades 5-12.</p>
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<p><strong>Beaufort’s Johnson named to USC Aiken Dean's List</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort’s Kaiya Johnson has been named to the University of South Carolina Aiken Dean's List for Fall 2021.</p>
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<p>To earn this distinction, Johnson had to be enrolled as a full-time student and maintain a GPA of at least 3.5. Johnson's major is Secondary Education. USC Aiken, a comprehensive university in the University of South Carolina system, offers undergraduate and master's degrees to approximately 3,700 students in 50 programs of study.</p>
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<p><strong>Gold stars for Fall 2021 awarded to Citadel cadets and students</strong></p>
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<p>Gold stars were awarded to cadets and students at The Citadel who achieved a 3.7 grade point average or higher in the fall 2021 semester. Cadets and students who achieve gold star recognition are also placed on The Citadel's dean's list.</p>
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<p>The more than 650 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the fall 2021 semester include three students from Beaufort: Elliott Ruoff, Thomas Conrad and Jonathan Lehman.</p>
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<p>A gold star recognition certificate is awarded to non-cadet students who meet the requirements; veteran and active duty students are also awarded challenge coins.</p>
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<p><strong>5 area students among Park University’s Fall 2021 Graduates</strong></p>
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<p>Park University has announced its Fall 2021 graduates. The list of graduates includes those from the University’s flagship campus in Parkville, Mo., as well as its 40 additional campuses across the country and online worldwide.</p>
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<p>Park hosted its Kansas City Area Fall Commencement ceremony on Dec. 11.</p>
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<p>The University had 1,340 students eligible to graduate — 371 students received a master’s degree and/or graduate certificate, and 969 students received a bachelor’s degree, associate degree and/or undergraduate certificate.</p>
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<p>Beaufort’s Michael S. Haga earned a Masters of Business Administration, Project Management.</p>
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<p>There were four area students who earned undergraduate degrees:</p>
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<p>Giselle Lynn Gonzalez, Social Psychology, Beaufort</p>
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<p>Eduardo Antonio Gutierrez, Management, Beaufort</p>
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<p>Charles K. Raley II, Criminal Justice Administration, Beaufort</p>
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<p>Matthew J. Rennolds, Criminal Justice Administration/Law Enforcement, Seabrook</p>
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