More than 160 Lexington-Richland School District Five students have been named South Carolina Junior Scholars for the 2018-2019 school year. The 163 students from School District Five’s three middle schools were recognized at a ceremony on March 26 at Irmo High School’s Center for the Arts.

Developed by the South Carolina Department of Education during the 1985-1986 school year, the SC Junior Scholars program is designed to identify eighth grade students with exceptional academic talent based on PSAT scores and other measures.

“School District Five has an impressive number of students receiving this award each year, which points to the quality of educators and students we have in our district,” said Tami Richardson, School District Five’s Coordinator for Gifted and Visual and Performing Arts Programs. “We congratulate these students on their academic success, and we look forward to what the future holds for these bright, young scholars.”

During the ceremony School District Five Superintendent Dr. Christina Melton spoke about the importance of recognizing excellence. “Excellence has come to be expected … But it’s important to pause, reflect and recognize excellence so that it’s not taken for granted. Students, you have already accomplished excellence with this recognition today, but where you go next is up to you. I believe the best is yet to come.”

The complete list of students recognized can be found on www.lexrich5.org .