Flora Update
The Latest News and Information from AC Flora High School
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 6-Interims
Monday, November 23- Friday, November 27- Thanksgiving Holiday
AC Flora at the SC Legislative Youth Summit
Narjis Al-Shami Al-Saedi, Stephen Adams, Kamaya McDonald, and Kali Francis recently represented AC Flora at the SC Legislative Youth Summit. They learned about some South Carolina-specific scholarships. They also had the opportunity to walk through the process of making a bill into a law. This included creating the committee, nominating the chairperson, clerk, and discussing the proponents and opponents before voting.
A few of the topics that were discussed and voted on were:
Cell phone use and bans for students
Mandatory youth mental health days
JROTC Blood Drive
Once again, AC Flora JROTC teamed up with the American Red Cross for a Blood Drive, on October 28th. Knowing blood cannot be manufactured and that it can only come from generous donors, our goal was to collect 25 units. We are so pleased that through our meticulous planning, aggressive information campaign, deliberate sign-up operations during lunch, there were 33 units of blood collected. One in seven patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion, and further, a single blood unit could potentially save 3 lives. We are proud to have conducted this very important community service that potentially will affect 100 lives. See photos below.
Cross Country Region Champions
Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Cross Country Team for winning the 4-4A Region Championship last Thursday at Westwood! Photo below: L to R: Yukta Phogaat, Anna Goblirsh, Emily McCook, Grace Hewett, Sydney Cramer, Graicen Edwards, Zanna Edwards, Aisley McArthy, Sally Gambrell and Emily Parsons. Up next is the State Qualifier Meet tomorrow at Newberry Farm, 9 a.m.
AC Flora at the Richland One Theatre Competition
On October 25, our Theatre students competed in the Richland One Theatre Festival. Please see the results below.
Superior Ratings:
Akira Whetstone - Monologue and Solo Musical Performance (2)
Ollie Shiley, Rae Daetwyler, Silas Daetwyler - Group Musical Performance
Rae Daetwyler - Musical Solo Performance
Ollie Shiley and Ellis Navarro - Duet Scene
Karyssa Burkett, Kyran Burkett, Zoey Land - Group Musical Performance
Audrey Caudle and Yaretzi Luna-Galvez -
Bella Contrell and Via Johnson - Duet Scene
Zoie Phillips - Solo Musical Performance
Kyran Burket - Solo Musical Performance
Superior with Distinction (the highest placement possible):
Katie Steinert - Superior with Distinction in Technical Theatre for her Costume Construction
Abby Toole - Superior with Distinction for Solo Musical Dance
Zoey Land - Superior with Distinction for Solo Musical Performance
Wish these students luck as they prepare for their state competition in February!
Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to our very own Jillian Brown!
Jillian Brown (pictured left) has received a full-ride scholarship to South Carolina State University! She is one of only four students in Richland One to receive this prestigious honor!
Jillian plans to major in Agricultural Business as she begins this exciting next chapter.
Fall Dance Showcase
The AC Flora Dance Department presents REWIND: the 2026 acfDANCE Fall Showcase on Friday, November 13 at 6pm in the Flora Theater. Come with us on a dance journey from the 1980s to today! New members of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts will also be inducted. General Admission is $8, 12 and under are FREE. Ticket link: https://bit.ly/acfDANCErewindtix
From the Counseling Office:
Upcoming college and career visits:
College room in guidance (Flight Time)
Wednesday, November 18: Fayetteville State University
Please see the latest Scholarship Update.
Please see this useful list of Scholarship Websites for the 26-27 school year.
Clemson Career Workshop
The Clemson Career Workshop (CCW) is a two-year college preparation and Clemson recruitment program for high-achieving 10th-grade students nationwide. Each year, we select a cohort of approximately 50 students who are interested in learning more about Clemson while preparing for the college admissions process. Click here for more information.
Students begin with a week-long residential experience at Clemson during the summer before their junior year. The tentative Summer 2027 experience is scheduled for June 20–25.
Applications: Open now through January 1
Cost: There is no application fee. Accepted students are responsible for a registration fee and transportation to and from Clemson. Once on campus, CCW covers lodging, meals, programming, and program-related field trips.
You can also follow @clemsoncareerworkshop on Instagram for program updates and application support.
DreamKeeper Scholarships
The 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards applications are due December 4, 2026.
Click here for the application.
Seniors!
Meeting Street Scholarship
On Tuesday, November 17, 2026, during Flight Time, we will hold an information meeting for the Meeting Street Scholarship. Only students that complete this form will receive a pass to attend.
If you’re in the Class of 2027, you could qualify for up to $10,000 toward college expenses. And there’s no competition: every student who meets the eligibility requirements receives a scholarship.Come to our presentation at A.C. Flora to find out if you qualify, how the application works, and what support comes with the scholarship. It’s quick, and it could make a real difference in how you pay for college.
Don’t assume you won’t qualify. Come hear the details and ask us anything.
We will see you on the 17th!
Meeting Street Scholarship Information meeting – Fill out form
South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program
The South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program supports high-achieving high school seniors with up to $24,000 ($6,000 per year for four years) at one of 14 participating colleges and universities. Eligible South Carolina residents can apply October 1–December 1; start your application today at CERRA.org!
This is for any senior who may want to teach - you do not have to major in Education to be a Teaching Fellow.
Zoom session:
November 17, 2026 - 7 p.m.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93619670892
Order your senior’s yearbook ad today!
Yearbook ads are a great way to show your recognition and pride for your senior! To create and purchase your ad, go to jostensadservice.com/student and place your order. Time and space are limited, so be sure to place your order today!
Season of Giving Opportunities:
Yearbook Information:
26-27 Yearbook Sales
Go to jostens.com/ybbuy to place your order for the 2026-2027 yearbook! Prices increase on November 20, so order yours today!
From Flora Athletics:
Boys Lacrosse Parent Information Session
Coach Purdy is holding a parent information session for the 2027 Boys Lacrosse Program (Varsity, JV and B Team) on Tuesday, November 10, at 6 pm, in the ACF theater. At the meeting, we will provide important information about the 2027 program, including registration, tryouts, equipment needs, volunteer opportunities, and the calendar for the season.
Flora Golf Gathering
The AC Flora Golf Gathering, now in its 10th year, is the primary fundraiser conducted by the 18-time State Champion AC Flora Golf Program (both Boys and Girls teams). This event includes an 18-hole golf competition, lunch, silent auction, and featured speaker Chris Baker, Tournament Director of the Colonial Life Charity Classic.
Click here for Sponsorships and Tournament Registrations. If you have questions, please contact us @ acfgolf1@gmail.com.
From the PTSO:
Clean up Flora’s Campus and Earn Service Hours
Don’t miss Spirit Night!
Collecting Facial Tissues
Join the AC Flora PTSO
To join and support the PTSO’s ongoing efforts in the AC Flora community, please click on the following links:
Friends and Family Memberships
https://www.acfptso.org/membership
Business Partners
As a Business Partner, you can promote your business to the large AC Flora community throughout the whole school year. All donations are tax deductible.
https://www.acfptso.org/business-partners
Stay in the know about your student’s grade level.
For each grade level at AC Flora, the PTSO hosts a GroupMe in which the PTSO’s grade representatives will post and circulate information about events and activities for that grade.
To get added to your student’s grade level GroupMe, please click here.
2026-2027 PTSO Donors:
Falcon’s Pride ($500 or more)
Josh and Martha McCain
Kenzie and Ryan Newton
Sarah and Harrison Penn
Falcon’s Flight ($250)
Stephan and Rachael Ardis
Aaron and Katie Barthel
Nicholas and Elizabeth Beasley
Shaun and Courtney Blake
Tommy and Missy Boggs
Nick and Heyward Bonyata
Tushar and Blakely Chikhliker
Susan Childs
Edward and Molley Clarkson
Stephen and Lindsay Creech
Shaun and Allison Cranford
Brian and Lauren Cunningham
Stephen and Townes Denemark
Alex and Sarah Dillard
Jay and Jackie Edwards
Ryan and Kelly Foster
Ryan and Melissa Gentry
Patrick and Leslie Gibbons
Shelton and Elizabeth Haile
Kyle and Meredeth Hewett
Sara Svedberg Homewood
Scott and Ashley Jaillette
Carter and Elizabeth Jeffords
Andrew and Jennifer MacLeod
Jonathan and Cydney Milling
Preston and Louisa Sabalis
Stephen and Liza Sansbury
Kevin and Anna Shalkham
Zac and Carmen Thomas
Bill and Rebecca Warren
Benefactors ($100)
Matt and Rebecca Agee
Tom and Kim Andrews
Blair and Erin Baldwin
Jonathan and Kelly Barbrey
Wendy Bauman
Ed and Elizabeth Black
Matt and Rhoda Jane Bowers
Rob and Danielle Boysen
Tim and Courtney Brooks
Blake and Ashlee Buchanan
Kristen Sullivan and Chad Burgess
Jason and Talyse Burkett
Travis and Elizabeth Burt
Gary and Celeste Carnaggio
Walt and Marianna Cartin
Erik and Nicole Crook
Eric and Laura Curbo
Dan and Mandy D’Alberto
Andrew and Christin Daniel
Brunson and Emily DePass
Angelo and Margaret DiBiase
LJ and Kat Dragner
Sara Fawcett
Antione and Kalenia Frederick
Scott and Raven Gambrell
Michael and Mundi George
Will and Lauren Gillespie
John and Megan Harrison
Ian and Emily Hancock
Mike and Suzy Hanes
Michael and Jessica Haught
Dave and Kristin Heydt
Todd and Amanda Hicks
Shannon and Gretchen Hope
Harry and Kelly Hoppman
Rocky and Eveleigh Hughey
George and Elizabeth Hutton
Oz and Elise Ince
Kenn and Ginny Jameson
Tom and Victoria Juran
Richard and Kalen Kloskey
Kent and Nan Krieg
Spann and Elizabeth Laffitte
JP and Clark Lee
John and Kim Leighton
Jim and Angie Lichty
Deonne and Kristen Long
Jon and Erica Ludovina
Glenn and Elisa Lumpkin
Denny and Elizabeth Major
Marwan Marzagao
Phil Muhlenkamp and Laura Nolting
Michael Mareska and Tara Powell
Mark and Lori Mauldin
Keith and Kelly McCook
Jamie and Monica McCutcheon
Reaves and Colleen McLeod
Terry and Kristy Moore
Blake and Anna Montgomery
Dale and Kerri Ness
Chris and Jenny O’Neill
Drew and Adriane Radeker
Hal and Melissa Ray
Wes and Brandi Rikard
Ricky and Kristie Rowe
Austin and Caroline Scott
Stephen and Amy Scott
Mary Catherine Scouten
Andy and Christy Slaughter
Jamie and Oakley Smyth
Bart and Rachel Snyder
Will and Ashley Thomas
Patrick and Shawn Toole
Justin and Kate Vaughan
Laura and Chad Voyles
Aaron Jasnow and Kristy Welshhans
John Lavigne and Sheryl Wiskur
Michael and Mandy Wren
2026-27 Business Donors
Falcon Platinum
Forest Acres Needlepoint
Falcon Gold
Ameris Bank
Brabham Griffin Insurance
brabhamgriffin.com
Sumter Utilities, Inc.
Falcon Silver
Andrews Law Office
Border States
Bryan Eye Clinic
HLJ Creative
JHV Travel
Johnson & Lesley
McKenzie & Lybrand
Milliken Properties
Milling Law Firm
millinglaw.net
Peace of Mind
Purpose Equity Group
Resource Financial
Tara A. Leaphart, Attorney at Law, LLC
taraleaphartlaw.com
Falcon Bronze
Ace Glass
Big Red Box
Brabham Fence
Brandon Davidson Interiors
Camp, Moring & Brendle, LLC
Lipscomb Auto Sales
lipscombautosales.com
Lipscomb Stump Grinding
lipscombstumpgrinding.com
Sandhills Pediatrics
www.sandhillsped.com
Contact Us
Email: jennifer.collins@richlandone.org
Website: https://www.richlandone.org/Domain/45
Location: 1 Falcon Drive, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-738-7300
Instagram: @acflorahigh