[caption id="attachment_29615" align="aligncenter" width="508"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/books.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29615"><img class="size-full wp-image-29615" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/books.jpg" alt="“I like reading anything that’s about history,” said Holy Trinity fourth-grader Joshua Mark. “If you have something that’s about history and share it with me, I’ll like it.”" width="508" height="569" /></a> “I like reading anything that’s about history,” said Holy Trinity fourth-grader Joshua Mark. “If you have something that’s about history and share it with me, I’ll like it.”[/caption]

<b>Reading the classics is part of foundation at Holy Trinity school</b>

Students at Holy Trinity Classical Christian School in Beaufort are being exposed to Classical Studies with rudimentary lessons at a young age and more detailed course work as they rise through the upper grades.

Classical Studies involves exposing students to Greek mythology and to Greek and Roman history, language and literature.

The courses enable the students to attain a comprehensive understanding of the roots of Western civilization.

“Education can be defined as the transmission of culture,” said Josiah Tobin, a teacher in the upper school. “At Holy Trinity, we trace back our country’s roots through Western Civilization. We do not want our students to merely read what our Founding Fathers wrote, but also what our Founding Fathers read. Our Classical Studies curriculum accomplishes this task, and the students enjoy reading about the ancient Greeks and Romans.”

Holy Trinity students are exposed to the Great Books at an early age.

Third-graders read D’Aulaires’ "Greek Myths.” Fourth-graders read "Famous Men of Rome."

In fifth grade, students advance to “Famous Men of the Middle Ages.” Sixth-graders immerse themselves in “Famous Men of Greece,” “The Trojan War” by Olivia Coolidge and “Horatius at the Bridge.” In seventh grade, students read the “Book of the Ancient Greeks” by Dorothy Mills and Samuel Butler’s translations of the “Iliad and Odyssey.” In the eighth grade, they read the “Book of the Ancient Romans” and the David West translation of “The Aeneid.”

By the ninth grade, students are reading “The Oresteia” by Aeschylus, “Three Theban Plays” by Sophocles, “Trojan Women” and “Medea,” both by Euripides; and Classical Literary Criticism. It all comes together in grades 10, 11 and 12 when students will read “De Officiis,” “On Obligations” and “The Republic and the Laws,” all by Cicero. Then there’s “The Agricola” and “The Germania” by Tacitus, selections from Plato and Aristotle, “Philosophy 101” by Socrates, and, finally,”Western Civilization Art, Architecture and Sculpture.”

<b>Clemson awards degrees </b><b>at August graduation</b>

Local residents are among summer 2016 graduates of Clemson University.

They are Katherine Marie Neal, of Beaufort, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Thomas Chandler Jackson, of Bluffton, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management; and Dalton Miles McCaffrey, of Bluffton, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology

They were among nearly 1,000 students who received degrees in the Aug. 5 graduation ceremony at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville.

<b>Martmetz graduates from </b><b>University of Nebraska</b>

Luke Merritt Hartmetz, of Bluffton, was among nearly 800 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the summer all-university commencement ceremony Aug. 13 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Hartmetz earned a bachelor of science in PGA golf management from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

<b>TCL accepting nursing </b><b>school applications</b>

The Technical College of the Lowcountry is accepting applications until Thursday, Sept. 15, for spring 2017 entry into its associate degree in nursing (ADN) program. Classes start in January.

“Prospective students don’t have to wait until next fall to start pursuing their dreams of becoming a nurse,” health sciences dean Glenn Levicki said. “The sooner students start the program, the sooner they’ll finish and be able to enter a high-paying nursing career.”

TCL’s two-year ADN program prepares graduates to practice as registered nurses. Students experience on-campus learning using high-tech simulation equipment and receive additional hands-on practice at clinical sites located throughout Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties.

For more information, call 843-525-8267 or visit www.tcl.edu/programs-of-study/health-sciences/nursing.

<b>Beaufort Academy to hold back to school night</b>

Beaufort Academy is holding its first Back to School BBQ Bash at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.

This event will not only be informational, but fun. Parents will be able to check out their child’s schedule by running through their classes, meeting their teachers, mingling with fellow BA parents and then having barbecue and drinks at the main campus. Preschool parents will tour the preschool campus at 5:45 p.m. before heading to the main campus. Parents will also be able to sign up for volunteer opportunities. Beaufort Academy’s Main Campus is at 240 Sams Point Road in Beaufort. The preschool campus is at 7 Fairfield Road. For more information, call 843-524-3393.