Betty McDaniel is Honored with The Order of the Palmetto During Hagood Mill’s Super Kids Fest

YAM Founder Betty McDaniel is Honored with The Order of the Palmetto
During YAM Super Kids Fest at the Hagood Mill

By Karen Brewer

State Senator Rex Rice and State Representative Davey Hiott are pictured presenting Betty McDaniel with The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor. McDaniel (pictured with her husband, Ed, and Rice and Hiott) was surprised by the presentation, which was made at noon during the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) Super Kids Fest held at the Hagood Mill in Pickens on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Photo by Karen Brewer)

Betty McDaniel was quite surprised when State Senator Rex Rice and State Representative Davey Hiott took to the stage during the Hagood Mill’s Kids Fest on Saturday, March 16, 2024 and asked her to come join them. Hiott then asked some people special to McDaniel (her husband, Ed, and several other family members) to come up on stage. Rice and Hiott then presented Betty McDaniel with The Order of the Palmetto, on behalf of the Governor.

According to the Governor’s office, The Order of the Palmetto is given to recognize “a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service, and contributions on a national or statewide scale” and “recognizes individuals who have selflessly given of their time, resources, and goodwill through a variety of different causes and pursuits to the benefit of their neighbors, fellow citizens, and the fabric and prosperity of South Carolina.”

After McDaniel was presented The Order of the Palmetto, Danielle Yother, an original member of the Young Appalachian Musicans (YAMS), sang and played a song she wrote especially for McDaniel, founder of the Young Appalachian Musicians.

Billy Crawford, Director of the Hagood Mill Historic Site, invited everyone to a reception for McDaniel.

Below, click on the play button to listen to The Pickens County Chronicle’s 14-minute audio of the special presentation to Betty McDaniel, with Senator Rice and Rep. Hiott presenting her with The Order of the Palmetto, Danielle Yother singing a song she wrote for McDaniel, and Billy Crawford, Director of the Hagood Mill Historic Site, speaking.

Also, view a video taken of the presentation and videos of music by some of the YAM students.

Also, view many photographs taken during the event.

The Super Kids Fest event was held for six hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with music by YAM students from Central Academy, Pickens Evening Program, Easley Evening Program, Six Mile Evening Program, Liberty Elementary, McKissick Academy, Dacusville Elementary, Ambler Elementary, Hagood Elementary, Pickens Elementary, West End Elementary, Six Mile Elementary, and the Sweet Potato Pie Kids. The event also included vendors, Appalachian games, Fun with Buffalo Barfield, and a talent show.

All photographs, video, and audio by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle