Flora Update

Tuesday, November 3- Election Day Holiday

Monday, November 23- Friday, November 27- Thanksgiving Holiday

26-27 Richland One Calendar

Senior Emil Ince has been named a 2026–2027 PalmettoPride Youth Ambassador, chosen from nearly 200 applicants statewide. Emil Ince created and leads his Scout troop’s Adopt-a-Street cleanups and has volunteered with Gills Creek Watershed. In Mr. Codega's IB Design Technology class, he’s designing a trash can that attaches to picnic tables. See photo.

Emil is already making the Midlands a better place to live. For more information about the program, contact Megan Hamilton at mhamilton@palmettopride.org.

Principals are the heart of a school community, leading with compassion, dedication, and a genuine commitment to student success. Whether celebrating accomplishments, navigating challenges, or supporting others along the way, Ms. Childs makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students. Please see the office door decorations photo- a surprise for Ms. Childs from our our student council members.

Thank you Ms. Childs for your outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment, and all you do to make our school a great place to learn and grow!

ICYMI: Sixteen works of art by AC Flora students were displayed in the Cantey Building at the South Carolina State Fair. Two AC Flora students received awards for their artwork. Arhan "Efe" Ari and Degan Hang each received Honorable Mentions for their submissions. Dhruv Gupta also received awards in the Youth Home and Craft category (banana bread, cupcakes, apple pie, and nature craft). Congratulations Falcons! Click here for more information about the art awards and here for information about the Home and Craft Competition. Please see submissions below.

Eight students from AC Flora High School auditioned for and were accepted into the 2027 South Carolina American Choral Director's Association Honor Choir! Three of the eight students scored in the top ten for their voice part in the state. These students will travel to Coastal Carolina University in January 2027 to participate in this state honor choir under the direction of Dr. Eric Nelson and Dr. Brandon Cash. Congratulations to these students! See announcement.

Upcoming college and career visits:

College room in guidance (Flight Time)

Monday, November 2: The Citadel

Please see the latest Scholarship Update.

Please see this useful list of Scholarship Websites for the 26-27 school year.

Interested in SC State University? Click here for information about a recruitment event.

Interested in a career in manufacturing? Click here to learn more about the Volvo Accelerator Program.

The 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Keeper Scholarship Awards applications are due December 4, 2026.

Click here for the application.

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.

Teaching Fellows Info Sheet

Zoom session:

November 17, 2026 - 7 p.m.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93619670892

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

• Application Link: https://admissions.clemson.edu/apply/?sr=b525f812-4db1-4ad8-9759-2956be7d505b

• 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.

As the season of giving approaches, we are once again called to uplift our school community by supporting those in need. Many Richland One families continue to face challenges, including food insecurity, but together we can make a difference in a meaningful way. This year, Richland One is proud to once again partner with the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department and Harvest Hope Food Bank to host the 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honor the Dream Food Drive. Please donate canned goods!

Food Drive runs from now - November 13, 2026

Collection Bins: Front lobby and cafeteria

To donate a Thanksgiving Meal Box, please see flyer and click here to sign up.

To adopt a family, please see flyer and click here to sign up.

Go to jostens.com/ybbuy to place your order for the 2026-2027 yearbook! Prices increase on November 20, so order yours 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 is limited, so be sure to place your order today!

Makeup Picture Day will be Friday, November 6. Seniors, click here to book your senior portrait session.

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

Flora Athletics

To buy Falcon gear, see My Team Shop.

The 2026 Falcon Invitational is this Saturday! See schedule below.

Come out to see your Falcon Cheerleaders take the mat at home!

Be there and be loud!

Coach Purdy is holding a parent information session for the 2027 Boys Lacrosse Program (Varsity, JV and B Team) on Tuesday, November 10, at 6pm, 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.

The AC Flora Golf Gathering is the primary fundraiser conducted by the 18-time State Champion AC Flora Golf Program (both Boys and Girls teams). All tournament proceeds fund equipment, entry fees, match and tournament travel expenses and uniforms for both the Boys and Girls Champion Golf Teams.

The Flora Golf Gathering, now in its 10th year, is an 18-hole fundraising event that includes an 18-hole golf competition, lunch, silent auction, and featured speaker during our post play gathering. This year’s speaker is 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.

Treat our teachers and staff to a Thanksgiving lunch!

Help us celebrate them by purchasing a delicious lunch from Pasta Fresca for your favorite teachers and staff! The A.C. Flora PTSO is sponsoring a Thanksgiving lunch on Nov. 17 to thank teachers and staff for all that they do for our students. The lunch also will help raise money for the PTSO to buy needed supplies for the school and teachers. Teachers and staff will receive a card with the names of all students who purchased a lunch for them. Thank you!

Click here to purchase lunches: https://www.acfptso.org/teacher-luncheon Deadline to purchase is Friday, Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m.

PTSO at Monthly Faculty Meetings

The PTSO provided snacks for the faculty meeting this week , with the help from junior parents and the AC Flora Baking Club. Faculty and staff enjoyed veggies, pita chips, crackers, pimento cheese, as well as other other snacks. The Baking Club provided pumpkin Nutella bars and banana Nutella bars. Thank you to everyone who helped!

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

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

LJ and Kat Dragner

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

Falcon Platinum

Forest Acres Needlepoint

forestacresneedlepoint.com

Falcon Gold

Ameris Bank

amerisbank.com

Brabham Griffin Insurance
brabhamgriffin.com

Sumter Utilities, Inc.

sumter-utilities.com

Falcon Silver

Andrews Law Office

thomasandrewslaw.com

Border States

borderstates.com

Bryan Eye Clinic

bryaneyes.com

HLJ Creative

hljcreative.com

JHV Travel

Bookyourjollyholiday.com

Johnson & Lesley

johnsonandlesley.com

McKenzie & Lybrand

mckenzielybrand.com

Milliken Properties

millikenproperties.com

Milling Law Firm
millinglaw.net

Peace of Mind

sodacitypeaceofmind.com

Purpose Equity Group

www.purposeequitygroup.com

Resource Financial

Tara A. Leaphart, Attorney at Law, LLC
taraleaphartlaw.com

Falcon Bronze

Ace Glass

aceglasssc.com

Big Red Box

Bigredboxdumpstercompany.com

Brabham Fence

brabhamfence.com

Brandon Davidson Interiors

brandondavidsoninteriors.com

Camp, Moring & Brendle, LLC

cmccpas.net

Lipscomb Auto Sales
lipscombautosales.com

Lipscomb Stump Grinding
lipscombstumpgrinding.com

Sandhills Pediatrics
www.sandhillsped.com

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