Awards committee impressed with leadership

Gaffney High School joined elite company last week when it was selected as a Palmetto’s Finest winner, the 10th high school statewide to be selected since high schools were added to the awards program for the 1996-1997 school year.

It’s an honor Palmetto’s Finest committee chairman David Mathis calls the “Academy Awards of education.”

The Palmetto’s Finest selection process began last fall when schools submitted a 20-page application with details on their academic programs, teaching staff, community involvement and the overall school climate. Twenty-two schools applied to the South Carolina Association of School Administrators for the Palmetto’s Finest award this year.

“Committee members visit schools to speak with students, teachers and community members to verify the information included in the application. The committee then scores each application and determines if a school should receive a second visit as a finalist,” said Mathis, an assistant superintendent in Edgefield County who has been involved with the Palmetto’s Finest selection process for the past 10 years.

There are 200 high schools in South Carolina. Gaffney High was one of five schools selected as a finalist this school year.

The Palmetto’s Finest committee does not have a magic number of finalists each year, Mathis said.

“Each finalist for Palmetto’s Finest is a model school. It’s a school anyone in the state can look at and learn from the good things in place for their students,” Mathis said. “The Palmetto’s Finest award is usually a one shot deal.”

Gaffney High has received its share of good and bad publicity this school year.

Gaffney High won a Palmetto Gold award for its improved high school exit exam scores and a state championship in football last fall. The school’s 3year scholarship total of $27.2 million in scholarships is the highest among Upstate high schools.

On a negative note, the school dealt with the resignations of a teacher and staff member following accusations of misbehavior in January. Also, several students, including one highprofile athlete ran afoul of the law.

“The Palmetto’s Finest committee does not look at a school’s honors and accomplishments or the type of publicity a school receives when determining whether a school should be named Palmetto’s Finest,” Mathis said. “When we make our second visit to the finalist schools, we are looking at a school with a more critical eye. We want to look at the total program to see how a school is making a difference in the lives of all students.”

There are several factors which weighed in Gaffney High School’s favor when the Palmetto’s Finest committee selected it as the state’s top high school, Mathis said.

Committee members were particularly impressed with the leadership of Gaffney High Principal Dr. Quincie Moore, according to Mathis. The committee found Gaffney High’s theme “School of Champions” was a motto reflected in how the school balanced its athletic, academic and fine arts programs.

“Gaffney High School is probably the only school in the state to a win a state championship in a sport and Palmetto’s Finest in one school year,” Mathis said. “Gaffney High has been able to provide a balance for all students with really strong academic, sports and fine arts programs.”