Anne Mathis Thomas
Daughter of Shelley and Johnny Thomas, Walterboro
GPA: 5.32
Class Rank: No. 1
College Plans/Major: Anderson University majoring in elementary education
Career Goal: I would like to be an Elementary School teacher to be a light in young students lives and share the knowledge my past teachers have given me.
Scholarships: Palmetto Fellows, Anderson- Founders Scholarship ($12,000), Denmark Scholarship ($5,000), PRTC Scholarship, SWU- Presidential Scholarship ($9,000)
Remarkable High School Memory: Being able to see a large crowd together, singing and dancing while watching the performance of Mamma Mia! After a year of isolation and quarantining, that was a moment I will never forget from high school.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 definitely put a wrench in our ideal senior year plans, however we were able to rise-up and make the most of our situation. It was different, but we got through it, and we can now be known as the “online” class that made it to graduation through a pandemic.
Sydney Mackenzie Howard
Daughter of Diane and Mark Howard, Cottageville
GPA: 5.28
Class Rank: No. 2
College Plans/Major: University of South Carolina majoring in environmental science
Career Goal: I want to work in climate change research or a field prioritizing sustainability.
Scholarships: Palmetto Fellows, Dean’s Scholar Award, USC Stem Supplement
Favorite Quote: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” – Anatole France
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: I was a full-time student at USC Salkehatchie this year, so getting used to a schedule loaded with college courses and adjusting to learning virtually was tough.
Ian Patrick McLaughlin
No bio available
Savannah “Rhayne” Bongiorno
Daughter of DeAnna Herndon, Walterboro
GPA: 5.146
Class Rank: No. 4
College Plans/Major: University of South Carolina – Columbia with plans to major in computer information systems.
Career Goal: I want to go into Cyber Security with a large company or with the government.
Scholarships: LIFE Scholarship, Garnet Scholar
Favorite Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: The biggest thing that affected me was band. I was one of two drum majors for the Band of Blue and we had to alter our show and our season because we could not practice the way we could before, and we were not going to any competitions. I am proud of all the band members as well as the staff and parents that made the season memorable despite the setbacks.
Grace Ann Cox
Daughter of Jennifer and Daniel Cox, Ruffin
GPA: 5.095
Class Rank: No. 5
College Plans/Major: Anderson University with plans to major in communication – public relations
Career Goal: My number one career goal is to love the job I do. I want to enjoy working, and I want to also help others. My dream job is to become a wedding/event planner and travel all over the world.
Scholarships: Anderson University Awarded Scholarships: Founders Scholarship—$12,000, Baptist Scholarship—$300, Girls State Scholarship—$1,000, LIFE Scholarship—$5,000
Remarkable High School Memory: The most memorable thing from high school, which I learned from my weightlifting coach, is “Life sucks, then you die. But die hard.” This quote could be interpreted in a brutal way, but the way I see it is life may throw obstacles in your path of success, but you must make the most of them and give it your all, every single time.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 brutally ripped many things away from the seniors, but we survived. There are many things our school performed this year that would not have happened in a “normal” school year. As students, we were challenged with learning new technology platforms at the same time our facilitators and teachers were. This made it difficult to ask questions, and to figure out technical difficulties and such. We overcame many things, and I am beyond proud of each one of my classmates.
Ashley Caroline Goettee
Daughter of Samantha and Dale Kizer, Walterboro
GPA: 4.974
Class Rank: No. 6
College Plans/Major: USC – Salk with plans to attend cosmetology school
Career Goal: I hope to eventually own a pageant consultant studio where I do hair and makeup, photography, and coaching.
Scholarships: Life Scholarship, Miss Cougar Scholarship, Miss Grits Festival Scholarship
Remarkable High School Memory: My favorite memory was being in Shrek the Musical my sophomore year. Being one of the three blind mice was something I will always remember.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: After losing all the first semester, my senior year has felt very incomplete. Although it was hard, it had made me appreciate the little things so much more.
Noah Oren Brockman
Son of Allison Brockman and Francis “Squeaky” Brockman, Walterboro
GPA: 4.94
Class Rank: No. 7
College Plans/Major: College of Charleston with plans to major in marine biology
Scholarships: Access to Excellence Scholarship, College of Charleston Merit Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship
Remarkable High School Memory: When our principal dressed up as a student during lunch and sat at my table.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: Classes being canceled, and students stuck doing packets of homework for the last part of our junior year, will always be a memory I hold from COVID-19. My senior year was comprised entirely of Dual Enrollment classes, which had in-person classes, but even those were limited. Group work was difficult due to social distancing, and we were heavily encouraged to wash our hands often.
Zora Amaris Jamison
Daughter of Lakeesha Crosby and Leon Jamison, Lodge
GPA: 4.869
Class Rank: No. 8
College Plans/Major: Furman University with plans to major in neuroscience
Career Goal: To become a neurologist
Scholarships: Furman Scholarships include Joseph Vaughn Scholarship with full tuition annually (valued at $212,000), NSF STEM Scholarship ($5,000 annually); SC LIFE Scholarship, Gregory Kinsey Memorial Scholarship and DAR Good Citizen’s Award.
Remarkable High School Memory: In English class my junior year, my friends and I would have unofficial karaoke. We sounded awful, but other classmates would join in so there was never a dull moment.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: What makes high school great are the small moments, things that seem insignificant, for example eating lunch with your friends or walking to class together. This year, I did not get to make anymore of those memories. Senior year was always something I could not wait for, but it ended up being something I will not have memories of. I will always wish things were different, but I am thankful I survived something that took the lives of so many.
Makenzy Paige Hand
Daughter of Kenny Hand and Jessica Bell, Walterboro
GPA: 4.866
Class Rank: No. 9
College Plans/Major: North Greenville University with plans to major in psychology
Career Goal: To use psychology to help people and possibly becoming a high school guidance counselor. I would also like to get involved with mission organizations.
Scholarships: NGU Founder’s Scholarship (10,000 a year) and SC Life Scholarship (5,000)
Remarkable High School Memory: Winning the spirit stick as juniors after we did an incredible dance at the pep rally.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 affected my senior year by making it quite easy to catch “senioritis.” It was extremely hard to stay focused and positive, but I managed and finished the year off strong and happy.
Rebekah Lynn Grace Hanna
Daughter of Jerilynn and Scott Hanna, Walterboro
GPA: 4.861
Class Rank: No. 10
College Plans/Major: Charleston Southern University majoring in early childhood education
Career Goal: After college, I plan to teach kindergarten in Colleton County and be a light to our future generations.
Scholarships: John A. Hamrick CSU Scholarship, Teaching Fellows, Jerry C. Hunter CSU Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows
Remarkable High School Memory: Without a doubt, my most remarkable and unforgettable memory in high school was participating in the spring musicals with the CCHS Singers under Mrs. Stephanie Drawdy's teaching. I acted in Beauty and the Beast my freshmen year as part of the ensemble and again in Mamma Mia my senior year as Donna. I will always cherish the amazing memories and long-lasting friendships I made during these experiences.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 presented a challenge to the Class of 2021, but I am proud to say we thrived and pushed through it. Personally, COVID-19 taught me how to be truly responsible, remembering due dates and commitments without the constant reminder of a face-to-face teacher. It also taught me to appreciate the little moments with friends and loved ones, because you never know what crazy things could happen in the future. Most of all, COVID-19 taught me how to persevere and to discover my goals and work for them, no matter how difficult, because that is how we truly succeed.
Dorothy Grace Dessoye
Daughter of Patti and Bernie Dessoye, Walterboro
GPA: 4.82
Class Rank: No. 11
College Plans/Major: University of South Carolina with plans to major in marine biology
Career Goal: I hope to become a marine biologist.
Scholarships: LIFE Scholarship; USC Garnet Scholarship
Remarkable High School Memory: Hearing our principal call us alumni for the first time.
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 changed how our school operated. Our learning style, teachers, and friends changed. We lost out on a normal senior year, but we managed to make the best of it. Being able to participate in sports and chorus were two of the most exciting things about this year. I am glad were able to do so.
Christina Leigh Morrall
Daughter of Kim and Robert Morrall, Walterboro
GPA: 4.755
Class Rank: No. 12
College Plans/Major: Undecided; plans to major in marketing
Career Goal: I plan to pursue my marketing dreams and hope to open my own insurance company in the future.
Scholarships: Not available
Remarkable High School Memory: An unforgettable memory would be when the Class of 2021 won the spirit stick as juniors!
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 affected my senior year in many ways. One way was we had to adapt very quickly to learning differently, along with no interaction in person. Not being about to see any of my classmates face-to-face made it extremely hard on teamwork.
Maria Soledad Guardado Caudillo
Daughter of Yadira Lyons and Dale Lyons, Jr., Ruffin
GPA: 4.726
Class Rank: No. 13
College Plans/Major: University of South Carolina – Columbia with plans to major in pre-pharmacy
Career Goal: I hope to one day be a pharmacist for a rural community in need. Seeing how many lives I touched through my career would be the most rewarding achievement I could dream of.
Scholarships: LIFE Scholarship, College of Charleston Merit Scholarship, Micro-Scholarships
Favorite Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
The Class of 2021 weighs in on COVID-19: COVID-19 impacted my senior year by making me appreciate all my high school memories and friends. I will forever hold those experiences close to my heart and thank everyone who made a positive impact on my life.
