LHS Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chad Cooksey, was recently recognized by the South Carolina Association for Physical Education and Sports (SCAPES) as the recipient of the 2016 SCAPES Teacher of the Year Award­ - High School Physical Education Level.

Nominated by his peers, Cooksey received this prestigious award based on his dedication to students, professional membership and involvement in local, state, and national physical education organizations, and also for serving as a positive role model to his students. Landrum High School’s Athletic Director, Mike Gentry, had the following to say about Coach Cooksey, “Chad Cooksey has not only changed the culture of the athletic department, but changed the culture of Landrum High School. Our coaches have seen tremendous strides from a strength standpoint, but also a huge gain in confidence in our kid's attitudes toward competing. Chad challenges these athletes to sacrifice for the team which, in turn, pays big dividends for the individual.  Chad affects everyone around him in a positive way.  He has a distinct way of blending enthusiasm with hard work that makes athletes and coaches love to be around him.”

The Chapman High School Theatre Department presented the Tony Award-winning play, The Last Night of Ballyhoo last month at Chapman High School's auditorium.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo, written by Alfred Uhry, won the Tony award in 1997 and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, as well.  Uhry is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Driving Miss Daisy, which he also adapted into the Academy Award-winning movie, a beloved classic film.  The Last Night of Ballyhoo is a poignant and hilarious comedy that focuses on a Jewish family growing up in Atlanta in 1939 on the eve of the opening of Gone With the Wind.  

The CHS Theatre Dept. did an outstanding job and did not disappoint!

Students at O.P. Earle Elementary and Landrum Middle School have been flexing their minds and bodies through arts integration techniques taught by Carrie Chinners, an Arts Integration Consultant from Focus 5, Inc.

Ms. Chinners worked with 3rd graders at O.P. Earle Elementary and taught them how to use their “Actor’s Toolbox.” She showed them how to use their body, voice, imagination, concentration, and cooperation to make strong choices. Students then connected this experience to the classroom and how they can use the “Actor’s Toolbox” throughout the school day.  Some of the student reactions were, “This can help me get focused for a test” and “I can find my focal point and concentrate when I feel like I’m bullying someone.”  Several teachers had the opportunity to observe during the sessions and were able to pick up several new classroom management techniques.  Ms. Chinners held a professional development at Landrum Middle School to follow up and extend learning with the teachers who observed.

A “Kessler Cultural Evening” reception was held on September 26th at the Historic Landrum Depot to honor Ms. Chinners. The Landrum Depot location was chosen to welcome more community involvement and to further support partnerships with Landrum businesses.