IRMO, S.C. – Two outstanding students from Lexington-Richland School District Five have received prestigious honors from the Midlands Education and Business Alliance (MEBA), highlighting their excellence in career and technical education.
Avery Smith, a senior in the Law Enforcement Services program at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies, was named the 2025 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Technology Champion of the Year—not only for the Midlands region, but also for the entire state of South Carolina.
Avery, who plans to attend Western Carolina University in the fall to study Forensic Psychology, was surprised with the award during a special presentation at the Center.
“I am beyond honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Smith. “It means so much to represent Career and Technical Education and The Center in this way. None of this would’ve been possible without my amazing support team. Thank you so much!”
Smith will receive a certificate, plaque, and scholarship as part of the award. This marks the fifth straight year that a student from the Center has received the Technology Champion of the Year title—a powerful streak that showcases the Center’s dedication to hands-on, real-world learning.
Meanwhile, Shaniah Arrington, a senior in the Fire and Rescue program at the Center, was named the 2025 Midlands Work-Based Learning (WBL) Student of the Year.
This award recognizes students who show excellence in connecting classroom knowledge with real-world job experiences. Shaniah plans to attend Clemson University, major in Business, and pursue a career as a firefighter.
“I am absolutely honored and grateful to receive this amazing award,” Arrington said. “I could not have done it without my Fire and Rescue Instructor, Captain Greer, my career specialist, Sandy Ellisor, and my amazing parents. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders.”
Arrington now moves on to compete for the statewide SC Work-Based Learning Student of the Year award, which will be announced in June 2025 at the Education & Business Summit.
Both students were praised by their instructors for their dedication and growth.
“Watching Avery and Shaniah grow into the amazing young women they are today has been incredibly rewarding,” said Joe Chapman, Law Enforcement Instructor, and Michael Greer, Fire and Rescue Instructor. “They truly represent the values of Career and Technical Education and are role models for future students.”
These awards continue to shine a spotlight on the impact of Career and Technical Education programs and the success of District Five students preparing for life beyond high school.
