Students from Pickens County middle schools and high schools were honored by the Fort Prince George Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) during an awards day ceremony held at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Students were present with family members as well as faculty members from their respective schools.

Following scripture reading and prayer and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the American’s Creed, the Preamble to the Constitution, and the salute to the South Carolina Flag, the meeting began with a welcome by Joyce Hansel, Regent of the Fort Prince George Chapter, who also recognized Easley Mayor Lisa Talbert, who was in attendance to honor the students.

Dianne Crooks, Chair of the Fort Prince George Chapter’s American History Committee and a retired teacher, recognized Ian Graybeal, an eighth grade student at Liberty Middle School, as the DAR state winner of the American History Essay contest.

Crooks also presented each of the following eighth graders with a DAR Certificate Award for Excellence in American History: Pickens Middle School student Kaylen Threatt (who was chosen by her teacher, Kelsey Porter), R.H. Gettys Middle School student Luke Stone (who was selected by his teacher, Tyreik James), Dacusville Middle School student Alex Rubley (who was chosen by his teacher, Garrett Morgan, who was unable to be present), and Liberty Middle School student Ian Graybeal (who was selected by his Principal, Lisa Cassidy). Each teacher explained why each student was chosen for the DAR American History Award.

Fort Prince George Chapter member Julie Thompson then presented the DAR Good Citizen Awards to Luke Hatfield of Easley High School, Mary Elaine Bryson of Liberty High School, and Kaylen Kelley of Pickens High School. Hatfield was chosen by Guidance Counselor Quinn Buss, who spoke about why she chose him for the award. Mark Stauder, one of Hatfield’s ROTC instructors, was also in attendance to show his support. Bryson was selected by her teacher, Zack Arms, who explained why he chose her for the Good Citizen Award. Kelley was chosen by her teacher, Denise Hodges, who spoke about why she chose her for the award from her school.

Thompson also presented the JROTC awards to Kaleaha Cook of Easley High School, Samaya Field of Liberty High School, and Maddison Elkins of Pickens High School. Easley High School JROTC instructor Mark Stauder introduced Cook and explained why he chose her as the outstanding cadet in the unit. Liberty High School JROTC instructor 1^st Sgt. Curtis Tate explained why he chose Field as the award winner for Liberty High School. Pickens High School JROTC instructor Lieutenant Colonel John Rainville recognized last year’s winner, Pickens High School senior Skylar Church, whom he had asked to choose this year’s winner, Maddison Elkins, and he spoke about why Elkins was chosen for the honor this year.

Easley Mayor Lisa Talbert congratulated the students and said that she was very proud and honored to be in attendance for the ceremony. “I love working with students, and I’ve put a lot of time this year into developing an internship program, to get some of the kids involved. I so appreciate what you ladies are doing for these kids, and I appreciate how smart our kids are and how interested and engaged they are. Parents make a huge difference in their interest. I have been completely amazed by how engaged students are in our community and how interested they are in the community and in politics. And so we’re hoping to do more things to get you involved, but I’m so proud. Congratulations.”

Crooks then recognized Wanda Tharpe. “This lady has been such a wonderful friend of DAR,” Crooks said. “She was a former Principal at Dacusville Middle. She was also a social studies teacher. When she went to Central Services, she said, ‘I’ll help you. I’ll help send out the information.’ She sent out the information to Principals for me, so it had an important name on it, to say, ‘I support this.’ You have been wonderful. Thank you, and I just want everybody to know what you have done for DAR and for the American history essay contest. You are so appreciated.”

“Thank you,” said Tharpe. “It has been a pleasure. And I also want to say to ROTC I am a former ROTC cadet, for high school, four years. So, what you do with our students is very much appreciated, as well. So, thank you.”