GCS honors partners, students, and staff at 49th annual Salute to Education
Greenville County Schools celebrated the 49th annual Salute to Education banquet on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the Greenville Convention Center. This end of the year celebration recognizes outstanding accomplishments by GCS schools and staff members from throughout the year, unveils the newest GCS Partner of the Year, reveals the winners of the 2021 Employee of the Year program, and recognizes honor graduates from each of the district’s 14 high schools, the Fine Arts Center, and four career centers. This year’s honorees are:
Partner of the Year
- 2020 GCS Partner of the Year – The Greenville Drive*
- 2021 GCS Partner of the Year – The United Way of Greenville County
* Award presentation delayed due to COVID
State and National Award Recognitions
Erica Aiken, Mauldin Middle
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (National Science Foundation)
Patty Barker, Bryson Middle
Outstanding School Library Program of the Year (SC Assoc. of School Librarians)
Angelica Childes, Summit Drive Elementary
Top Five South Carolina State Teacher of the Year Program (SC Dept. of Education
Lauren Couchois, Food and Nutrition Services
Produce Excellence in Foodservice (United Fresh Produce Association)
Christine Dodd, Greenbrier Elementary
Elementary Art Educator of the Year (SC Arts Association)
Natalie Ingle, Riverside Middle
Library Paraprofessional of the Year (SC Assoc. of School Librarians)
Michelle Michael, Golden Strip Career Center
Administrator of the Year (SC Assoc. of Career and Technology)
Steven Sokohl, Berea Middle
SC Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year (SC Assoc. of School Administrators)
Mollye Spitler, Sterling School
SC Art Educator of the Year (SC Arts Education Assoc.)
Jason Warren, Greenville High
AAAA Principal of the Year (SC Athletic Administrators Association)
AJ Whittenberg Elementary
National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Eastside High
Honor Roll (S.C. School Improvement Council)
Northwest Middle and Ralph Chandler Middle
National School to Watch (National Forum Schools to Watch)
Wade Hampton High
Computer Science Female Diversity Award (College Board)
Woodland Elementary
Palmetto’s Finest (SC Assoc. of School Administrators)
ASCA Model Program (American School Counselor Assoc.)
Beck Academy, Chandler Creek Elementary, Greer Middle, League Academy
Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase (Flippen Group)
2021 GCS Employees of the Year
Martha Harris, Mitchell Road Elementary
School Support Employee of the Year
Ginger Johnston, Communications Department
District Support Staff Employee of the Year
Dale Dearman, Mauldin High
Operations Employee of the Year
Erica Scott, Riverside High School
Assistant School Administrator of the Year
Joe Foster, Woodmont High School
School Administrator of the Year
Janet Lage, Director of Health Services
District Professional Employee of the Year
Class of 2021 High School Honor Graduates
Makenzey June Kephart, Berea
Carlos Anotonio Gualajara, Berea
Maria Lissette Balderas, Berea
Isabella Grace Balliew, Blue Ridge
Logan Thomas Bonavia, Blue Ridge
Katelyn Grace Boiter, Carolina
Kayla Miranda Richard, Carolina
Campbell Thomas Altman, Donaldson Career Center
Carson Scott Mozingo, Eastside
Sydney Claire Butenhoff, Eastside
Mary Ellison Joye, Eastside
Malaijah Raejene Williams, Enoree Career Center
Luisa Penaflor, Fine Arts Center
Sarah Emily Weaver, Golden Strip Career Center
Allison Katherine Phelps, Greenville
John Michael Pitts, Greenville
Renna Margaret McNair, Greenville
Claire Louise Smith, Greenville
Hannah Raegan Smith, Greer
Ivey Frances May, Greer
Jesalyn Sage Vinkemulder, Greer
Ryan Cole Meyer, Hillcrest
Michael Robert Sprenger II, Hillcrest
Brandon Scott Phillips, Hillcrest
Graci Elise Gotchy, Hillcrest
Stefania Sepulveda, J. Harley Bonds Career Center
Mahika Jammula, J.L. Mann
Madalyn Grace Bergman, J.L. Mann
Aryan Pratham Naveen, J.L. Mann
James Walter Moon, V, J.L. Mann
Matthew Robert Rundle, Mauldin
Madison Elizabeth Jackson, Mauldin
Parker Andrew Finch, Mauldin
Arianna Grace Simon, Mauldin
Alvin Jin Hong, Riverside
Laurel Claire Holley, Riverside
Cameron Thomas Tsai, Riverside
Brian Yoon, Riverside
Jason Lizong Yao, Southside
Molly Elizabeth McHenry, Southside
Elias Verdin Smith, Travelers Rest
Calvin Dillon Brinkman, Travelers Rest
Zachary Charles Verdin, Travelers Rest
Caitlin Brooke O’Hare, Wade Hampton
Flora Fadgyas, Wade Hampton
Rylee Madison Milz, Wade Hampton
Christine Wu, Wade Hampton
Samantha Faris Omar, Woodmont
Natalie Nichole Truman, Woodmont
Emily Ann Martinez, Woodmont
Claire Alise Runyan, Woodmont
