During its regular meeting, Barnwell School District 45 board members honored Lindsey Hallingquest, a sophomore at Barnwell High School for being recognized by the National Society of High School Scholars.
BHS Principal, Jon Burdge said, “He (Lindsey) has shown a strong commitment to academic excellence.”
Hallingquest has maintained a 4.77 GPA and is currently in the top five of the sophomore class, Burdge said.
He is a member of the student council and was selected as a Duke Scholar in the TIP program in seventh grade, Burdge said.
“I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that Lindsey has demonstrated to achieve this level of academic excellence,” said Claes Nobel, NSHSS founder and Chairman, in a press release.
“We aim to help students like Lindsey build on their academic successes and enhance the skills and desires to have a positive impact on the global community,” said NSHSS President James Lewis in the press release.
Inclusion in the national society qualifies students for many benefits including scholarship opportunities.
Lindsey Hallingquest spoke to the board after receiving his award.
“All you have to do is believe in yourself,” Lindsey said of achieving this milestone in his academic career.
Hallingquest is the son of Melinda Hallingquest of Barnwell and Adam Williams, III of Wake Forest.
Board Member Certifications
Two board members were recognized Catherin Geter and Abraham Sexton for having completed new levels in their training as board members.
Geter has completed level three of the training and Sexton has completed level two.
School Nurses
The nurses in District 45 gave a report to the board highlighting the duties of the school nurses.
Dawn Wilbanks, the Barnwell Elementary School nurse, said each year the schools participate in a two-week survey which counts the number of health service encounters during that period.
In 2010 for the two week period, school nurses had 1,654 encounters with students and 204 staff encounters, she said.
Brooke Kearse is the nurse at Barnwell Primary School. She has 793 students, 31 special education students, and 117 faculty members to serve.
Wilbanks is the nurse at Barnwell Elementary School. She has 579 student, 45 special education students and 59 faculty members to serve.
Kimberly Pridgen is the nurse at Guinyard Butler Middle School. She has 405 students, 68 special education students, and 84 faculty members to serve.
Leslie Bell is the nurse at Barnwell High School. She has 691 students, 80 special education students and 87 faculty members to serve.
The nurses were thanked for their presentation and for their service to the school district.
Chairman Chad Perry said the schools now have on staff the faculty the current board helped to choose.
“I feel like we are turning the corner. We are making strides,” Perry said.
Other business:
* The board approved a second reading of policy GDF. GDF is the support staff hiring policy.
* The board also heard an update from the Barnwell County Career Center from board member Valenda Black.