AIKEN – Kayla Goldschmidt and Grace Burns have grown a lot together over the past four years.
As members of the very first cohort of students at the Aiken Scholars Academy, an academically-accelerated Aiken County Public School District high school opportunity open to all Aiken County residents and located on the campus of the University of South Carolina Aiken, they transitioned from middle school classrooms to a totally new educational experience. They will now represent their Phoenix classmates as Aiken Scholars Academy’s first valedictorian (Kayla) and salutatorian (Grace) when they graduate this week.
Both scholars say the experience at ASA was one they will never forget.
“It’s so hard to summarize my experience in a short answer, but it’s been the very best experience I could have asked for,” stated Kayla, who plans to attend George Mason University in the fall with a major in Government and International Politics and a desire to serve as a Foreign Service Officer. “It has been the most amazing place to go to high school. All of the teachers are the best, and the students here are wonderful. I really feel like I’ve built a family here, and I’m looking forward to coming back and visiting because I love this place.”
Grace is also headed to the state of Virginia where she plans to major in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia. She also holds the unique distinction of having senior athletic banners hanging simultaneously at South Aiken High School and at Aiken High School.
“One of the most challenging things we had to overcome was Covid beginning at the end of our sophomore year and having to move to online for our AP exams,” commented Grace. “The teachers here are amazing, and they just went above and beyond to help us, give us resources, and be online whenever we needed them. We all have a very high regard for them.”
“It’s definitely not a traditional high school experience,” added Grace. “I had my friends here at Aiken Scholars Academy, and I had friends at other schools as well like South Aiken where I played volleyball and at Aiken High where I played lacrosse since no other schools had a lacrosse team. Having a senior banner at South Aiken and one at Aiken was kind of funny. It was awesome.”
Kayla and Grace are just two of nearly 1,300 success stories to be celebrated this week as Aiken County Public Schools hosts its Class of 2022 commencement ceremonies beginning Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center and continuing through Friday, June 3, 2022.
Aiken County Superintendent King Laurence expressed his appreciation for this year’s graduating class in praising them for their perseverance, determination, and will to succeed.
“Our graduates in the Class of 2022 have displayed outstanding resilience and character in overcoming many unique challenges during their high school years,” stated Superintendent Laurence. “Despite facing tremendous adversity, they’ve overcome it all as high school graduates. We are thrilled to celebrate their many achievements.”
Aiken Scholars Academy Principal, Martha Messick, says Kayla and Grace were model students and leaders during an important time when the school’s culture was still being established.
“Kayla and Grace are just two amazing young women,” commented Messick. “From the very start of the school, Kayla really stood out. She is a leader at heart and she exemplifies all of the things we as educators hope to build in our students. She was the recipient of our Spirit of the Phoenix Award and she just carries herself with such grace, confidence, and humility. It’s been a wonderful experience being a part of her life and her parents’ as well. Grace is a very quiet leader and extremely intelligent; she always pushes to be the very best in everything. She and her family have always been willing to support us in any way possible. I’m so excited for both of them.”
Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, USC Aiken’s Chancellor, offered his best wishes for the Aiken Scholars Academy graduates while commending Mrs. Messick for leading the Phoenix.
“Congratulations to the first graduating seniors from Aiken Scholars Academy,” shared Dr. Heimmermann, “This partnership between Aiken County Public School District and the university has proven successful with the Class of 2022. I appreciate the leadership of Ms. Martha Messick, principal and alumna of USC Aiken. I wish all the ASA graduates much future success, especially the eleven seniors who will be entering USC Aiken in the fall.”
Kayla and Grace remain appreciative of all of the support given by Aiken County Public Schools and USC Aiken alike to provide students with such an incredible educational experience.
“This is a great partnership,” stated Kayla. “Being so close to the USC Aiken campus is really nice, and I loved all of my college classes. Students who attend ASA are set up to graduate early or take on maybe a double major. You are so far ahead of everyone else your age it’s just a great opportunity, and I’m forever grateful. We’re a tight group of students and we’ll always have each other. It’s been such a surreal experience to be a part of something new.”
“It’s a beautiful partnership,” added Grace. “We’ve had access to so many resources, like the Gregg Graniteville Library, the Student Activities Center, and the Convocation Center. I’m just so thankful and honored because this opportunity has been such a blessing.”
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center
Aiken County Career & Technology Center completer ceremony at 5:00 p.m.
Aiken Scholars Academy graduation at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 2, 2022, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center
Midland Valley High School graduation at 2:00 p.m.
Ridge Spring-Monetta High School Graduation at 5:00 p.m.
North Augusta High School graduation at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 3, 2022, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center
Aiken High School graduation at 9:00 a.m.
Wagener-Salley High School graduation at 12:00 p.m.
Silver Bluff High School graduation at 3:00 p.m.
South Aiken High School graduation at 6:00 p.m.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2022 PR CLASS OF 2022 GRAD PREVIEW