St. James High School has HCS 14th Palmetto’s Finest

St. James High School had quite a celebration the other day as the school became Horry County Schools’ 14th winner of the prestigious Palmetto’s Finest award of the S.C. Association of School Administrators. A hushed crowd watched a video projected on the walls of the gymnasium. Then, a deafening reaction as S.C. Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced St. James was the 2016 recipient.

The award is significant for HCS as well as St. James High. The Association of School Administrators started the award in 1978, and in the years since, 14 Horry elementary, middle and high schools have won the honor based on curriculum and academic performance of students. St. James was a finalist in 2015, the first time the school applied, and the award went to Chapin High School. The annual awards are to elementary, middle and high schools throughout South Carolina.

This year, Seneca High School was the other finalist. These are cases of not winning, which isn’t always the same as losing. As one student told Claire Byun of The Sun News, “. . . it’s even more impressive that we won because it’s only our second year of trying.”

St. James principal Vann Pennell had a feeling his school was going to be announced as he welcomed the crowd. He had tears in his eyes as he said, “We’ve got 1,600 of the best kids in America. We’re all here today, in this gym, waiting on this announcement, because of you.” After the announcement, Pennell said “It’s just beyond anything I can imagine for this school. Unbelievable.”

The spotlight literally was on the dancing Sharks mascot, then cheerleaders ran around the gym carrying school flags. It was lights up as teachers showed their dance moves – and Jeremy Claws surprised Kristen Rogers, an English teacher with roses and an engagement ring. All the students cheered as the ring was revealed.

In addition to St. James staff, students and teachers were community members including board of education member Janice Morreale who represents the St. James area. “It’s been a fabulous school since it opened. They’ve worked really hard and they’re so deserving. It’s fabulous.”

Myrtle Beach Primary School was the first Horry County school to receive a Palmetto’s Finest, for the 1980-81 school year. Most recently, Midland Elementary and Forestbrook Middle received Palmetto’s Finest awards for 2013-14. Of the 14 HCS winners, Aynor High School is the only other high school, receiving the award in 2002-03.

It’s an intensive process to select the school with the top innovative and effective programs. The process includes self-evaluation, peer review and on-site examinations. Student achievement, instructional programs and school culture are evaluated as well as the professionalism of teachers and administrators.

The Palmetto’s Finest award, Pennell says, will be additional incentive to improve St. James High School. “This is just another opportunity for us to sit down and critique anything we need to critique. We don’t get complacent, and we’ll continue to improve.”

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 4:28 PM with the headline "St. James High School has HCS 14th Palmetto’s Finest."