This Week

During the month of March, This Week has presented history-making, trail-blazing women in our community who give credit to educators who have impacted their lives in some way

Wanda DuBose James is Florence's first female McDonald's franchisee owner/operator. She received a BS degree from Southern University in Baton Rouse, Louisiana, and an MBA from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

She and her husband have two sons-(Arnett, a second generation McDonald's franchisee owner/operator, and Alex, a manager at Performance Foods), and they have four grandchildren.

Impact of a Teacher - Sister Mildred Goodson, teacher and principal at St. Peter's Elementary knew her students. She encouraged them to participate in church activities which made me a better reader and speaker. At right Wanda DuBose James converses with employees at the McDonald's located at 1908 West Lucas Street in Florence.

Florence 1 Schools will have a normal school day on Monday, April 8th during the partial solar eclipse. The partial solar eclipse will occur from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Florence 1 is committed to ensuring the safety of its students while providing them with a unique and memorable educational opportunity.

Lesson plans from kindergarten through grade 12 have meticulously and thoughtfully been prepared for educators to teach students about the experience. Through valuable partnerships with MUSC of Florence and Chartwells K12, over 16,000 solar eclipse glasses have been purchased for every student to safely participate in this event.

All afterschool activities and athletics are scheduled to begin after 5:00 p.m. on April 8th.

Florence 1 Schools appreciates the support of our community and business partners for providing its students with this unique and unforgettable learning experience during the school day.

The month of March has been designated Youth Art Month. In recognition, local student artists from South Florence, West Florence and Wilson High have provided works for This Week readers' enjoyment. Middle school selections are also featured.

Artwork above is by eleventh grade artist Andrea Scott whose work in colored pencil is called, Blood Oranges. Amber Harrar is the instructor. At right is ninth grader Brandon Graham's, Digital. Danielle Hubbard is the instructor.

Yulia Prokofyeva, an eleventh grade student at South Florence, had her art selected for the 2024 National Art Honor Society Juried Exhibition. She was one of 124 student artists whose work was selected for inclusion among 2,725 students across the nation. Visit Prokofyveva's work here among other selections in the exhibition.

To view additional artwork from South Florence High School, click here. Instructors for these students are Ashley Nesmith, Adrianna Gardner, Danielle Hubbard and Amber Harrar.

Above is art by Elliana Mills, a ninth grade student, Marilyn Monroe (graphite and colored pencil). Colleen Kennedy is the instructor. At right is Surrealism (digital art) by Danielle Pearson, a senior. Emily Shokes is the art instructor.

Above is Assasin's Dance by Grace McGowan , a 12th grade student. Murriel Calcutt is the Instructor. At right, is Bee Trip by Rachel Gregory, also a senior. Harriet McMillan is instructor.

Mark your calendars for the International Baccalaureate Art Exhibition Show will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 6:30 pm. in the auditorium at Wilson High School.

Florence 1 Schools will present the annual All-City Art Show featuring elementary and high school art exhibits at in the Yellowjacket Room of the McClenaghan Building.

The elementary and *Horizons art display is on Thursday, May 16th (5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Awards will be presented at 6:00 p.m.)

The high school and *Horizons 2 art display on Friday May, 17th (5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Awards will be presented at 6:00 p.m.)

*Horizons is a visual arts G/T program available to rising 4th and 5th graders.
*Horizons 2 is a visual arts G/T program available to rising 6th through 8th graders.

Three students in Florence are first and second place winners of the South Carolina Art Education Association’s Youth Art Month eastern regional competition. Olivia Schirripa (Williams Middle, placed first in the middle division), At right is her work, The Hero Portrait which is titled, Josh Hutcherson. Tracy Carter is the instructor.

South Florence’s Sadie Patterson, (placed first) and Emma Tindal, (placed second) in the secondary division. Amber Harrar is Patterson’s art instructor while Adrianna Gardener is Tindal’s instructor. These winners will compete at the state level with three other SC regions. Prints will be displayed at the annual statewide art conference in November 2024.

ArtFields, Jr., is South Carolina's premiere art competition for students in grades one through twelve. Student submissions are reviewed by a panel, and selected works are displayed in galleries during the prestigious ArtFields regional art festival each April.

This year Florence 1 Schools had a record number of forty-eight students selected, including nineteen students each from Southside and South Florence. Delmae, McLaurin and Williams all had two students selected, while Carver, Moore, Sneed and West Florence each had one. The ArtFields festival runs from April 19th through April 29th in galleries across Lake City, South Carolina.

Judging takes place during the festival, and winners are officially announced during the ArtFields awards ceremony at the Bean Market on the final day of ArtFields.

Art (pictured right) is by Elijah Case of Southside Middle. Emily Viering is the instructor. Southside Middle School will hold its Arts Showcase and Award Show on Wednesday, April 17th from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

For more information visit artfields.org.

The Florence County Library will celebrate National Library Week on Thursday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m., with award-winning children’s and teen author Varian (Chad) Johnson, who will give a special presentation. Books-a-Million of Sumter will offer sales of Varian Johnson’s books on-site at the library, and a book signing will follow.

Varian Johnson was born in Florence and graduated from Wilson High School, and had a love for reading. He wanted to write books that had characters that looked like him. Some of his books include Twins, The Parker Inheritance, and Playing the Cards You’re Dealt. Varian’s books are available to check out at all Florence County library locations.

This program targets children, teens, and families who enjoy reading and using the library, and the event is free to attend.

This event is sponsored by the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, Friends of Florence County Library, and Otis Elevator. For more information, call the Greenberg Children’s Library at (843) 292-7382, or email kids@florencelibrary.org.

Have you heard? Local dancers provided unforgettable showmanship at The School Foundation's Dancing for Our Future Stars event. Read the whole story here.

Did you also hear that the West Florence High School Symphonic Band received a superior rating at its most recent competition? Check them out here.

Schools in Florence 1 will be closed Friday, March 29th through Friday, April 5th. Classes will resume Monday, April 8th.