Brookland-Cayce High School teacher Beth Cleland and Sen. Nikki Setzler, the longest-serving senator in South Carolina history, will both be recognized on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the annual Brookland-Cayce gala.

The gala will begin at 6 p.m. at Seawell's, located at 1125 Rosewood Dr. in Columbia.

Cleland will be inducted into the Educator Hall of Fame, while Setzler will become a member of the Alumni Wall of Fame.

Setzler graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in 1963. During his time at Brookland-Cayce, he became the school’s first male cheerleader, participated in track, and was a member of the yearbook staff and booster club.

In 1968, Setzler graduated from the University of South Carolina and then earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1971. He opened his own law office in 1973, where he continues his practice today at West Columbia's Setzler and Scott.

In 1976, he was elected to the S.C. Senate and has served for 47 years. Throughout those years, he has held numerous roles, including chair of the Senate Education Committee and minority leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

He has also been involved with the West Metro Chamber of Commerce, Cayce-West Columbia Lions Club, and the Lexington County Development Corporation.

Beyond his years of service, he and his wife, Ada Jane Taylor, have four daughters and are advocates for education.

Cleland served for over 28 years at Brookland-Cayce High School from 1982-91 and 1994-2014. She was certified to teach AP Government and Economics and served as a coaching teacher. During her time teaching, she was a volleyball coach, leading her team to a Class 3A state runner-up finish in 2006-07.

Cleland was a member of the school improvement team, served on the S.C. Department of Education’s Instructional Materials Review Panel, was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, and formed a grief group as a safe place during lunchtime for students to share their experiences.

The Brookland-Cayce High School Education Foundation created the Educator Hall of Fame in 2002 and, in 2024, expanded it to include the Alumni Wall of Fame.

Ticket prices range from $45 to $180. Sponsorships are available for $400, which include a table for eight, gala recognition, and website acknowledgment.

To purchase tickets, visit this link.