Hopkins Middle School Students Rewarded for Raising PACT Scores

It came as a total, wonderful surprise. Around 1:25 p.m. on April 18, about 200 Hopkins Middle School students were instructed to leave their classrooms and report to the cafeteria. Once inside, the big announcement came.

Because they had raised their Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) scores by at least one level, they would be treated to a Burger King Kids Meal instead of the regular school lunch. But there was more. Eleven of them would receive $2,500 college scholarships for raising their PACT scores by at least two levels.

The benefactor of their good fortune was Florida businessman Kenneth Gary, who serves as president and CEO of the Gary Foundation and Gary Enterprises. As a guest speaker at Hopkins Middle nearly a year ago, Gary promised students they would get lunch on him and scholarships if they raised their test scores by one to two levels. Although medical reasons prevented Gary from attending Friday’s event, his generosity and commitment were greatly appreciated.

The 11 Gary Foundation Scholarship winners (currently in the seventh through the ninth grades) are Andrew Baxter, Octavia Blyther, Jasmina Lewis, Asia Conyers, Kelvin Jackson, Keenan Leonard, Alondra Little, Daisha Montgomery, Peter Nazario, Jeremiah Tate and Courtney Taylor.

 

 

For more information please contact the Richland One Office of Communications at 231-7504 or 231-7510.