The Pulse

March began on a high note as our schools celebrated Read Across America Week with energy and enthusiasm! Classrooms welcomed special guest readers who helped bring stories to life and inspire a love of literacy in our students. Throughout the week, schools hosted a variety of engaging activities in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, encouraging creativity, imagination, and a deeper appreciation for reading.

From themed dress-up days to interactive reading experiences, the excitement was contagious. These celebrations not only made reading fun, but also reinforced the importance of building strong literacy skills and fostering a lifelong love of books in every student.

Marion County School District is proud to recognize and celebrate our 2026–2027 Teachers of the Year! These outstanding educators exemplify excellence in the classroom through their unwavering dedication, passion for teaching, and commitment to student success. Each honoree represents the very best of our district, inspiring students, colleagues, and the community each day.

As we continue through the district’s Teacher of the Year selection process, we look forward to honoring these exceptional individuals and highlighting their contributions. The journey will culminate in May with the announcement of our District Teacher of the Year—an exciting moment as we celebrate the impact of teaching at its finest.

Throughout March, our schools enthusiastically participated in a 30-day reading challenge that inspired a love for books and encouraged a little friendly competition along the way. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our dedicated readers—your commitment is making a meaningful impact! The winning school will be announced in the next issue of The Pulse, along with special highlights and photos from this exciting initiative—so stay tuned!

Marion County School District’s Parenting and Community Engagement Department encourages families and community members to keep the momentum going by reading with and supporting our students. Together, we can continue to spark curiosity, strengthen literacy, and foster a lifelong love of learning.

March is recognized as Youth Art Month, a time to celebrate the creativity, talent, and artistic achievements of students across our district. This year, Marion County School District proudly highlighted this special month by hosting Art in the Park, a vibrant community event held at Amazing Grace Park and the Marion County Museum.

The event was a tremendous success, bringing together families, educators, and community members to experience the incredible work of our talented students. From colorful paintings to unique mixed-media pieces, the creativity, passion, and dedication of our young artists were on full display. Each piece reflected not only artistic skill, but also the imagination and hard work our students bring to their craft.

We are incredibly proud of the outstanding talent showcased by our Marion County students. Events like Art in the Park provide meaningful opportunities for students to express themselves, build confidence, and share their gifts with the community.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support and celebrate our students during this special event. Your encouragement and presence truly make a difference and help inspire the next generation of artists.

Poetry Winners

1st place: Brayden Little - Johnakin Middle

2nd place: Icys Johnson - Johnakin Middle

3rd place: Johnasia Fling - Johnakin Middle

Art Awards for Primary Grades

1st place: Christina Moebus - Easterling Primary

2nd place: Gia Brantley - Easterling Primary

3rd place: Brycen Evans - Easterling Primary

Honorable Mention: Journee Davis - Creek Bridge STEM Academy

Honorable Mention: Laraysia Leggette - Easterling Primary

Art Awards for Elementary Grades

1st place: Ja'Laiz McCollum - Marion Intermediate

2nd place: Mia Godfrey - McCormick Elementary

3rd place: Sutter Nobles - McCormick Elementary

Honorable Mention: Brennan Ritter - Marion Intermediate

Honorable Mention: Levi Williams - Marion Intermediate

Art Awards for Middle School

1st place: Kimya Adams - Johnakin Middle

2nd place: Laura Gonzalez - Creek Bridge STEM Academy

3rd place: Ximena Maza - Creek Bridge STEM Academy

Honorable Mention: Annalisa Larrimore - Palmetto Middle

Honorable Mention: Lattice Griffin - Johnakin Middle

Art Awards for High School

1st place: Emma Bray - Marion High

2nd place: Miriam Fernandez - Marion High

3rd place: Gracie Skipper - Marion High

Honorable Mention: Aiza Llagas - Mullins High

Honorable Mention: Hazel Donnelly - Marion High

BEST IN SHOW

Jada Evans - Marion High

Battle of the Bands Winners

Creek Bridge STEM Academy

Mullins High School

Students across the district recently experienced the power of arts integration through exciting Artist-in-Residence opportunities. Mr. Foxworth’s 8th graders brought history to life in a dynamic performance of “Swamp Fox: The Man Who Saved the American Revolution,” showcasing their understanding of Francis Marion through storytelling and collaboration. At Creek Bridge STEM Academy, students partnered with an artist-in-residence to design and create a meaningful mural, promoting teamwork, creativity, and school pride. Meanwhile, at Mullins High School, students explored photography and visual storytelling, experimenting with composition, perspective, and creative expression. These engaging experiences allowed students to connect learning with creativity while building confidence, collaboration, and communication skills.

Students from across the district continue to shine, earning recognition at both the regional and state levels. At Marion High School, Ivan Morley and Logan Sports were selected to participate in the SCBDA Region 5 Honor Band, showcasing their musical talent among the best in the region.

Meanwhile, Mullins High School’s JAG program is celebrating outstanding success at their recent state conference. Students earned 1st place in the Blanket Drive, 2nd place in Chapter Display, and 3rd place in Spirit Photo. In addition, Takhye Williams was nominated for the prestigious President’s Award—an honor that highlights exceptional leadership and dedication. Together, these accomplishments reflect the hard work, talent, and commitment of our students as they continue to excel and represent their schools with pride.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to HTC for their incredible generosity! At the March Board of Trustees meeting, Kevin Cox of HTC presented a $10,000 donation to support our programs and ongoing school improvements. This generous contribution will have a meaningful impact on our students, staff, and schools, helping us continue to provide exceptional learning experiences. We are grateful for community partners like HTC who share our vision and invest in the growth and success of Marion County School District every day!

Our fourth-grade students recently enjoyed an exciting and memorable day as each one received a copy of Francis Marion and the Legend of the Swamp Fox. This special opportunity was made possible through the generosity of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Chamber for their continued support of our students and schools. Their thoughtful contribution not only puts a book into the hands of every child, but also helps spark a lasting love for reading, history, and learning. Partnerships like this truly make a difference, and we are grateful for their commitment to education and to our community.

Our first annual District-Wide Career Fair was a tremendous success, bringing together students and community partners for an engaging and impactful experience. Held at the Academy for Careers and Technology—“The Hub”—the event provided valuable opportunities for students to explore a wide range of career pathways and connect with local professionals.

We extend our sincere thanks to the many community members and organizations who participated and shared their time and expertise. A special appreciation goes to our middle and high school Career Development Facilitators (CDFs) for their exceptional planning and dedication in making this event possible. Their hard work helped create an inspiring experience that will benefit our students for years to come.

Dr. Bethea recently hosted a wonderful Teacher Advisory Meeting, bringing together an outstanding group of educators for an afternoon of connection and collaboration. Over desserts and coffee, participants engaged in meaningful conversations and shared valuable insights and ideas that help guide and strengthen our district.

We extend a special thank you to Awaken Coffee Shop for their warm hospitality and welcoming atmosphere. Their support helped create the perfect setting for this important dialogue.