Rock Hill Schools board honors state champions, academic achievers and introduces new administrators

The Rock Hill Schools Board of Trustees held a brief business meeting Tuesday evening, June 10, at the Comporium Conference Center at the district office, devoting most of the session to recognitions before closing with a signal that graduation ceremony policies will be on the agenda at the next meeting.

Board Chair Helena Miller called the meeting to order and the board approved an amended agenda on a 4-0 vote to add a late-arriving recognition item for a Rock Hill High School state champion in the throws.

South Pointe Boys Track and Field State Champions

The board opened recognitions by welcoming the South Pointe High School boys track and field team, which won the state championship this spring. Head throws coach Sacco and coaches King and Weathers accompanied the athletes to the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the group, a representative thanked the board for the recognition and credited the coaches’ dedication. Several individual athletes were highlighted: Kell Brown, who won the overall state cross country championship, the 3,200-meter state title in track, and finished state runner-up in the 1,600; Riley Henfield, a member of the 4×800 relay team; Devin Eley, who competed in the 100, 200, and 4×100 relay; Jaylen Davis, who competed in the long jump, 200, and 4×100 relay; and Rashad Brown, who competed in the 100, 200, and 4×100 relay. Coach Sacco’s boys and girls cross country program was also noted for winning the state title this year.

Rock Hill High Shot Put and Discus State Champion

Added to the agenda before the meeting, the board recognized Rock Hill High School senior Aiden Graham, presented by throws coach Steven Smith. Graham won both the shot put and discus at the 5A Division I state championship meet, making him a double event state champion. Smith noted Graham ranks in the top 100 shot put and discus throwers in the country and in the top 50 among seniors. Graham will compete in both events at the University of South Carolina, where he will join the Gamecocks’ throws program in the Southeastern Conference.

“It’s very difficult in this day and age for a high school thrower to advance all the way to the SEC instead of having to go through smaller schools,” Smith said.

AP Scholars, IB Diploma Candidates, Dual Credit and Seal of BiLiteracy

Alicia Johnson, presenting on behalf of the district, told the board that more than 300 seniors were recognized in at least one academic achievement category this year across four programs.

The South Carolina Seal of BiLiteracy recognizes students who demonstrate functional proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Bronze requires intermediate mid proficiency, silver requires intermediate high, and gold requires advanced low. The seal is now recognized in all 50 states. AP Scholar status is awarded by the College Board to seniors who score a three or higher on three or more AP exams. AP Capstone Diploma candidates must score a three or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research in addition to four other AP exams. International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates complete the full academic and extracurricular IB requirements and sit six international exams. Dual credit recognition goes to students who complete 12 or more hours of college credit.

Students present at the meeting to receive Seal of BiLiteracy recognition included Brandon Steven Coella Char Carbaria, Emily Mitchell Cruz Orana, My’Asia Simone Davis, Valyria Gonzalez Rivera, Lissa Jazelle Hernandez Garcia, Mariela Belton Carell, Isabella Zoe Blanket, Alexander Martinez Guerrero, Melvin Medina Duron, Fatu Benito Niang, Sophia Isabella Cano, Kenneet Rivera Garcia, Logan Michael Sheling, and Alexis Denise Williams. Logan Sheling also earned the 12-hour dual credit recognition. Johnson thanked Flora Morales and a colleague identified in the transcript only by partial name for their work supporting students in earning the seal.

New Administrators Introduced

Superintendent Elder introduced three administrators joining Rock Hill Schools for the 2026-2027 school year.

Dr. Ryan Kirkland will serve as principal of Saluda Trail Middle School. She brings 15 years of experience in public education, including roles as testing coordinator, program coordinator, and assistant principal of instruction at Northwestern High School. Kirkland holds three degrees from Winthrop University and earned her doctorate in educational practice and innovation from the University of South Carolina.

Sarah Hayes joins Northwestern High School as athletic director. Hayes is a former professional athlete and served most recently as an associate commissioner with the South Carolina High School League for three years. She was recognized as an award-winning athletic director and competed as a Division I standout.

Anthony Scarone joins the district as executive director of human resources. Scarone brings more than two decades in public education, including four years as director of human resources for Clover School District and 10 years as a school administrator in Fort Mill and York County Schools. He began his career as a special education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Graduation Ceremonies

The board’s only substantive business item came under other and future business, when Chair Miller and Vice Chair Jennifer Hutchinson addressed community feedback received following the district’s graduation ceremonies held in the past week.

Miller told those present the board has heard the feedback and intends to have honest conversations at the next meeting about how to ensure graduation ceremonies serve students well. Hutchinson added that the board believes every graduate should feel celebrated and that the board plans to work with the community to develop policies and action steps.

“Every child has a right to feel special in that moment,” Hutchinson said.

The board did not describe the specific nature of the feedback at Tuesday’s meeting. The topic will be on the agenda at the next Rock Hill Schools board meeting in two weeks.

The board adjourned on a 5-0 vote.