Laurens County Schools Receive Nearly $70,000 in Arts Enhancement Grants for Creative Programs

Exciting News for Arts Programs in Laurens County!

Laurens, South Carolina – The arts are alive and thriving in Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) thanks to recent funding from the South Carolina Department of Education! In late October of 2024, the SCDE announced that seven schools in the district would be receiving nearly $70,000 from the Arts Enhancement Program Grants to boost their arts programs. This fantastic news has sparked joy and excitement among students and educators alike.

Who’s Receiving the Funds?

The schools benefiting from this grant include:

• Laurens District 55 High School – Kristopher Briggs (Orchestra) and Anne Lane (Visual Arts)
• Sanders Middle School – Rebekah Hinton (Band)
• Laurens Middle School – Sarah Rinaudo
• EB Morse Elementary School – Margaret Davis (Art) and Majorie Tobias (Music)
• Hickory Tavern School – Melissa Yarchowicz (Art) and Sean Burns (Music)
• Laurens Elementary School – Jessica Tate (Art) and Gregg Hinton (Music)
• Waterloo Elementary School – Cindy Wright (Art) and Sara Glogowski (Music)

With such a diverse array of artistic disciplines being funded, it promises to be a creative year for students.

Exciting Events on the Horizon

One highlight that has everyone buzzing is the upcoming Artist in Residence event at Waterloo Elementary School (WES) with renowned artist Billy Jonas. Known for his unique approach to music, Jonas will lead workshops focusing on creating instruments from recyclable materials. Cindy Wright, the art teacher at WES, expressed her enthusiasm stating, “Our students will have a unique and fun experience using recyclable materials to create musical instruments!” The event will also showcase the students’ creations for their families.

Laurens Elementary School (LES) is equally excited! Visual Art Teacher Jessica Tate shared that they will explore Polynesian art, music, and dance. Students will engage in creating artwork inspired by Polynesian culture, learn to play the ukulele, and even get to learn traditional dances. “I hope this becomes one of our students’ fondest memories of elementary school!” Tate exclaimed with excitement.

Search for the Next Generation of Artists

LCSD 55 also owes a big thanks to Ginny Cartee, their District Grant Writer, whose hard work over the years has helped secure these wonderful opportunities. After 43 years in the district, Cartee is dedicated to empowering students through the arts. She remarked, “I think of writing these grants as a way for me to use my skill set to support the youth of our community.” Cartee believes that the arts provide vital skills and confidence that are essential for students’ futures.

EB Morse Elementary School’s Artistic Journey Continues

Over at EB Morse Elementary, they’re making waves for the second time with this grant. After successfully diving into Asian art and music last year, they’ll now immerse students in African art and music. Teachers Marjorie Tobias and Margaret Davis express their gratitude for the support they’ve received, especially from Cartee and Wright. They feel grateful for the administration’s strong support and understanding of the importance of fine arts.

Looking Forward

The excitement in Laurens County is palpable as students prepare to explore, create, and innovate through these generous grants. From learning to make instruments from recycled materials to exploring global art forms, the children of LCSD 55 are in for a vibrant and enriching school year. The community can look forward to seeing the wonderful projects and performances that will surely flourish as these grants come to life!