North Augusta High

Surrounded by family, friends and many teammates inside North Augusta High School's (NAHS) weight room, six student athletes took the next step in their baseball careers with signing NCAA Letters of Intent Thursday, February 19.

These seniors committed to four different schools across the Southeast. Please join us in congratulating the following student athletes who will continue their athletic dreams at the next level: 

• Bren Ivy, Spartanburg Methodist College

• Brady Jenkins, Spartanburg Methodist College

• Landen Jones, Coastal Carolina University

• Wyatt Longe, Emmanuel University

• Sim Lorier, Spartanburg Methodist College

• Dylan Morrison, USC Beaufort

North Augusta head baseball coach Kevin Lynn is proud of these six athletes and the work ethic that got them to the next level.

“I’ve been fortunate to coach these boys for four to five years,” Coach Lynn shared. “To see these kids realize one of their goals that they have had since they were younger, that they’ve worked so hard for has been great. I’ve watched them grow over the last several years and have seen a transformation. To see them earn this opportunity has been a blessing and I am proud of them.”

Earlier in the month, North Augusta cut the ribbon to a state-of-the-art baseball and softball complex. This is a program and school first, with this year’s seniors being the first student athletes to play on the field.

Senior Landen Jones is excited to take in his last high school season with his team, with eyes set on a state championship run.

“We have 14 seniors, so I feel like this year is a big year for us,” Jones, who made a College World Series appearance in 2025, shared. “I think we have a really good shot at winning a state championship and that’s what I plan to do. All of these guys on the team I have played with my whole life and it’s a really big deal to go out my senior year with them.”

“It’s a coach’s dream to see their kids play at the next level and to see them succeed at what they’ve been trying to accomplish,” Coach Lynn continued. “I’m speechless, proud of them, and fortunate to coach these young men.”

One book, two books, red books, and blue books!

Today, Monday, March 2, kicks off Read Across America Week! Read Across America is presented by the National Education Association and plans literacy festivities alongside Dr. Suess's birthday.

We challenge all students across Aiken County Public Schools to pick up a book this week and start reading, and we thank the community leaders who are serving as guest readers bringing literacy to life throughout our classrooms.

During National School Social Work Week, we are proud to recognize and thank our school social workers and student service workers for the incredible support they provide to our school community.

They play a vital role in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being through compassionate guidance, collaboration with families and staff, and a strong commitment to helping every student succeed.

The 2026 theme, “Unite to Ignite: Celebrating Our Impact,” reflects the positive difference they make by bringing students, families, and educators together to create a caring and inclusive school environment across all Aiken County Public Schools.

#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools

Help us congratulate Mrs. Christine Witt, a kindergarten teacher at Hammond Hill Elementary School, on being named a Golden Apple Award Teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.

She was surprised by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsors Kroger, Universal Plumbing, and Great Deals on Furniture on Friday, February 13, in her classroom as a recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Her segment will air on Tuesday, March 3 during the 5:30 PM broadcast on WJBF.

“I love kindergarten," she shared. I see these children come in as a blank slate basically and see them grow and learn. Those lightbulbs that come on... they are the joy every day to get to school."

Mrs. Witt started her career at Curtis Baptist, where she started teaching Spanish and Computer Science. She has experience teaching a variety of grade levels and made the switch to kindergarten during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I had a blank slate,” Witt said. “I had to write a program to keep 20 kids engaged on a computer. I had to get the mommas, daddies and grandparents to be their learning coaches. I wanted them to not be behind... to have the same standards and the same type of teaching at home as in the classroom.”

Mrs. Witt says she enjoys giving her students life lessons for success.

“Sometimes you make mistakes but you try it again and pick it up and that’s what I teach my little ones that you will do hard things, you will make mistakes, but we are going to try it over again.”

“Mrs. Witt embodies a great example of a Golden Apple recipient," Hammond Hill Elementary's Principal Dede Scott shared. "She creates a warm, welcoming classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn in kindergarten. Through her patience, creativity, and high expectations, she helps young learners build strong academic skills and the confidence to believe in themselves. She goes above and beyond each day for her students and families, laying the foundation for a lifetime love of learning. Her heart, dedication, and excellence make a lasting difference in every child she teaches.”

“I cannot wait to get to it in the morning and I don’t want to leave in the afternoon," Witt shared.

This week our Lower State Champions Boys & Girls will head to Columbia to play for State Championships. Girls tip off at 4PM against Westside and Boys will follow at 6PM to face South Pointe. Get your tickets now on TicketMaster and make plans to be at Colonial Life Arena on Saturday. Help us show up IN GOLD 4 GOLD in Columbia. #jackethoops #schslstatechampionships #nabasketball Ticket Link: https://schsl.org/2026-basketball-championships.

Sophomores - It's time to order your Class Ring. If you are ordering your ring through Josten's, please go to Jostens.com to order. There are so many new options and you can even set up payment arrangements. Your Class of 2028 Ring Ceremony will be held in October. Don't miss out on this tradition!

Cheer tryouts for the 2026-2027 year are coming soon!

The cheer clinic will run March 23 and 24 from 4:00-5:30 with tryouts being held on March 25 at 4:00pm.

All girls interested should attend the informational meeting to be held in the gym on March 11 at 5:30pm.

Help us congratulate Mrs. Parliament-Griffith, a math teacher at Paul Knox Middle School, on being named a Golden Apple Award teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.

She was one of three Aiken County teachers surprised by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsors Kroger, Universal Plumbing, and Great Deals on Furniture on Friday, February 13, in her classroom as a recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Her segment will air on WJBF News Channel 6 on Tuesday, February 24 during the 5:30 PM broadcast.

Parliament aims to create a learning environment where everyone can improve and grow their math skills.

“They know that in here it’s ok to be wrong and that I make mistakes too,” Parliament said “They feel, at least I hope they do, that it’s a safe environment for them to be able to make those mistakes and learn and grow from making those mistakes. They are all comfortable raising their hand and answering the questions whether they are right or wrong.”

She also coaches Paul Knox Middle School's Academic Team, a competitive extracurricular activity with a focus on quizzes to showcases a team’s broad knowledge across all subjects. Her team will be headed to Chicago later this year to compete in the National Championships – a back-to-back feat.

"We don’t win every single one of them," she shared, "but we are doing very well in our season. They have built up confidence. A lot of our team, they don’t play sports so they don’t get that competition anywhere else. In the classroom, that’s where they shine and we give them that opportunity so that they can still be competitive if they are like me and suck at every sport ever.”

“Mrs. Parliament is constantly looking for ways to support and praise students at PKMS,” Paul Knox Principal John Bush said. “She really enjoys seeing students succeed and pushes each student in her class to perform at a high level.”

For Mrs. Parliament, she wouldn’t trade her middle school classroom for anything.

“Seventh grade is the best,” she laughs. “They still laugh at my jokes and they still think I’m funny. Once they get to eighth grade they start to think I’m lame. They know how to blow their own nose, do their own thing, and follow directions for the most part. Middle school is the sweet spot.”

Congratulations to the following students in their success in the Miss NAHS pageant held this past Saturday!

Freshman:
2nd runner up: Kirstyn Sweeney
1st runner up: Brianna Kelley
Miss Freshman: Kiley Watkins

Sophomore:
2nd runner up: Zoe Reynolds
1st runner up: Samantha Bullock
Miss Sophomore: Lyla Glore

Junior:
1st runner up: Skye Ese Oduaran
Miss Junior: Saniya Boston

Senior:
1st runner up: Ansley Walker
Miss Senior: Mia McAdory
Miss NAHS: Aubrey Mobley

Miss Sweetheart: Ansley Walker

Miss Congeniality: Skye Ese Oduaran

Miss Photogenic:
Freshman: Brianna Kelley
Sophomore: Lillian Dustin-Hoosier
Junior: Saniya Boston
Senior: Ansley Walker

People’s Choice:
2nd runner up: Kiley Watkins
1st runner up: Loralei Goebel
Winner: Sophie Rojas

Highest GPA
Underclassman: Skye Ese Oduaran
Senior: Mia McAdory

Mr. Yellow Jacket:
1st Runner Up: Victor Bates
Winner: Tripp Brown