School business partners, mentors, volunteers, and parent-teacher organizations gathered at Seven Oaks Park on April 2 to be honored and celebrated as an integral part of the success of Lexington-Richland School District Five.
Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross said, “Our volunteers are an instrumental part of our success story. They connect with our students. They connect with our teachers. They are an extension from the community into our schools and by having them in our schools and having them visible, we are able to reach so many more students and change so many trajectories of lives because in a positive way they contribute to our story.”
District schools nominate one group or person for each category. Categories include: Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Volunteer Group, Outstanding Business Partner, Outstanding Mentor and Outstanding PTO. Awards are given to each school level in each category: elementary, intermediate/middle and high school.
Ivan Larrymore received the Outstanding Mentor Award in the high school category for his service to Irmo High School. Larrymore is a part of the Young Men United program and is a pillar of strength, guidance, and unwavering support for the young men of Irmo High. He builds relationships rooted in trust, respect, and accountability, helping young men navigate academic, personal, and social challenges. His presence reassures students that they are seen, valued, and capable of success.
Upon receiving recognition, Larrymore said, “I am incredibly honored to receive this award because I love being able to give back to the community. We do this work to pour back into the youth because someone did that for us. At the end of the day kids and children spell love with quality time. It’s one thing when teachers and school staff work with them but it hits differently when people in the community take the time out of their schedules to help them reach their goals and achieve success.”
Ellen Henderson received the Outstanding Volunteer Award in the elementary school category for Seven Oaks Elementary School. Henderson is the heart and soul of the Seven Oaks school community and makes a huge impact. She works with students two days every week, and she tackled the huge task of scanning and organizing at least ten teachers’ classroom libraries. She also helps the registrar with managing tedious paperwork. She is a bridge between school and community and shows how one person can make a big difference.
“I am truly humbled to be recognized,” Henderson said. “I retired from School District Five in 2021 and was hoping to be able to give back to students and that is when I started volunteering. The teachers can’t do it all by themselves, so I think it is great that the community members can come in and fill a gap and complete tasks and assist with things that teachers and school staff can’t get done during the regular day of instruction.”
This year’s award recipients included: Ellen Henderson, Seven Oaks Elementary (Outstanding Volunteer); Megan Ray, Chapin Middle (Outstanding Volunteer); Sky Davis-Yarborough, Irmo High (Outstanding Volunteer); Team Landolph & Eaglets Making Impact, Chapin Elementary (Outstanding Volunteer Group); Chapin Christian Community Church, Chapin Middle (Outstanding Volunteer Group); River Springs Church, Spring Hill High (Outstanding Volunteer Group); Midlands Family Chiropractic, Harbison West Elementary (Outstanding Business Partner); Kayla Bryant, Sam’s Club, Irmo Middle (Outstanding Business Partner); Steve Arnold, Chick-fil-A Ballentine, Spring Hill High (Outstanding Business Partner); CHS & SHHS Students: Eagle Enrichment, Chapin Elementary (Outstanding Mentor); Chris Whitehead, Chapin Intermediate (Outstanding Mentor); Ivan Larrymore, Irmo High (Outstanding Mentor); Chapin Elementary PTO (Outstanding PTO); Irmo Middle PTSO (Outstanding PTO); Spring Hill High PTO Executive Board (Outstanding PTO).
“Community involvement is critical to School District Five’s success,” said School District Five Superintendent Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. “The strength of the community is the strength of the schools and when the community comes in and offers their support to the schools it makes a tremendous difference to the success of our students and staff. It warms my heart to see this in action and we are so honored to celebrate these businesses and volunteers for their continued support.”
Among the honorees, Midlands Family Chiropractic was recognized as the Outstanding Elementary School Business Partner for the second consecutive year.
