Horry County Schools has narrowed the field for Teacher of the Year to five finalists, who were chosen from 10 semi-finalists representing all school-level teachers of the year.

The finalists are Robin Hardwick, Black Water Middle School; Lindy Williams, Loris Middle School; Shannon DuBose, Ocean Bay Elementary School; Amanda Williams, River Oaks Elementary School; and Jennifer Ainsworth, Socastee High School.

Following a series of classroom observations, the district winner will be announced at the Teacher of the Year banquet May 6.

Schools receive Covey honors

Myrtle Beach Elementary School and Myrtle Beach Intermediate School were named The Leader in Me Lighthouse schools Feb. 28 by the Franklin Covey Leader in Me program during its symposium in Myrtle Beach.

“We have implemented the Covey Leadership Model in such a way that we were reviewed and recognized as a role model for other schools across the world,” said Janice Christy, principal at Myrtle Beach Elementary, who said the schools are two of only 37 Lighthouse schools that have been chosen.

Christy said it is an honor to be tapped as an exemplar, as there are thousands of schools that are trying to begin the Covey initiative, which was adopted by the five schools in the Myrtle Beach cluster about 2 1/2 years ago. The initiative is based on Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and is designed to rebuild school culture from the ground up, providing students with tools to achieve academic success and to become productive and compassionate citizens.

Cast ballot for teacher in state award competition

Nicole Schildt of Myrtle Beach, a teacher at the Academy for Technology and Academics in Conway, is a finalist for the S.C. Teacher of the Year award, given by the American Board, an education 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The award celebrates educators who have completed the American Board teacher certification program.

If Schildt is selected, she will compete for national Teacher of the Year honors. Voting runs through March 29, and the public is encouraged to cast a ballot via the award’s page at http://abcte.org/2012-state-teacher-of-the-year-finalists/. The winner will be flown to the organization’s office in Washington, D.C., to receive the award.

Waccamaw High hosts state student council convention

The 65th annual S.C. Association of Student Councils is holding its state convention through Sunday at Waccamaw High School in Pawleys Island. The event is being led by Mitchell Saum, who is president of the association and of Waccamaw High.

More than 500 student council leaders and advisers from across the state are attending to hear guest speakers, attend leadership workshops and business meetings, elect future officers and attend an awards banquet under the theme of “Catch the Wave of Leadership.”

Career Vehicle Day at Pee Dee Elementary

Conway’s Pee Dee Elementary School held Career Vehicle Day March 1.

Private business owners and community service workers volunteered their time and vehicles to educate students on how their vehicles are vital to their daily work. Event coordinator Fiona McEvoy said it is never too early to expose students to a variety of different careers.

Tiger Invitational results

Conditions were cold and cloudy for the Participants in the Tiger Invitational on March 2 at Bucksport Marina caught seven fish from 12 boats, in cold and cloudy conditions. The standings were: Waccamaw, Vincent Dimaggio* / Blair Avant, 6.08 pounds (* Big Fish 3.31); Conway, Brody Lavoie / Colin Drew, 4.29; Conway, Jesse Hopkins / Justin Anderson, 2.08; Carolina Forest, Corey Singleton / Jackson Denny, 1.39; and Carolina Forest, David Willis / Joey Bardelli, 1.22.

Students win national awards

Two 10th-grade students from the Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology won awards at the National Beta Club Convention that was held in Myrtle Beach Feb. 1-2.

Janette Alcazar-Robbins won first place in the Spanish competition, and Morgan Siuda won third place in the acrylics competition.

Brown’s Ferry celebration

Brown’s Ferry Elementary School hosted its annual Black History month program, “Celebrating Black History: Past, Present, and the Best Is Yet to Come!” Feb. 28. Ishearra Marsh was mistress of ceremony, and Keshon Brown gave the welcome.

All grade levels participated in the event.

Teams move ahead in Mock Trial competition

Teams from North Myrtle Beach High School and Socastee High School have advanced to the S.C. Bar High School Mock Trial State Competition, which will be held Friday and Saturday at the Marc H. Westbrook Lexington County Judicial Center.

Students competed in the regional competition on Feb. 23 where they presented the plaintiff and defendant sides of a fictitious case before a panel of local volunteer judges and lawyers. Additionally, students filled the roles of defendant, witnesses, bailiff and timekeepers. Each team will continue to be judged on its presentation skills, rather than the legal merits of the case.

For more information about the Mock Trial case or program, visit www.scbar.org/lre.

PALS accepting applications

Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success charter school is accepting applications for teachers and student enrollment in preparation for its new school building, which is on schedule to be completed for the 2013-14 school year and brings with it an expansion that doubles the school’s number of students and K-8 teachers.

For more information on teaching positions or to schedule a school tour, call 843-839-1725.

Alternative prom plans

Prom is just around the corner, and The Sun News is looking for high school juniors and seniors who are opting to spend prom night somewhere OTHER than the prom. If that’s you, email cevans@thesunnews.com by March 11.

Contact VICKI GROOMS at 443-2401 or follow her at Twitter.com/TSN_VickiGrooms.