Around pelion

Agood crowd attended the January meeting of the Pelion Ruritan Club. The guest speaker was Mr. L. Z. Harrison with the SC Patriot Guard Riders. He spoke about the organization and how it supports the military heroes, first responders, and veterans. This organization is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services.

Members attend funeral services of American heroes who died on the battlefield as well as of service men and women who served and died in peacetime. They come from all walks of life; some are veterans, but some have not served. Most ride motorcycles. The Patriot Guard Riders “stand the flag line” at places of services. The SC Patriot Guard Riders have supported the Pelion Ruritan Veterans Memorial Service since it’s completion in 2015.

Pelion Middle School students presented a $1,000 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They formulated the idea during Genius Hour, an inquiry-based project held one hour a week where students brainstorm to solve school and community issues. The money was raised with a student-led Winter Wonderland Dance. They ordered supplies, arranged food, decorated, and set up and maintained stations that offered face painting and green screen photos. Student organizers include Trinity Bruner, Jamal McKennan, Tye Murphy, and Charlie Spires.

Pelion Middle School Valentine Dance will be February 8 from 6 to 8 pm.

Pelion Elementary School’s Daddy Daughter Dance was held February 6 with proceeds going to the Pelion High School Varsity Baseball team. February 15 is a professional development day for teachers, so no school for students.

Forts Pond Elementary teacher Chastity Parker’s first graders typed Christmas letters to soldiers overseas and they sent a picture of the group. FPES collected 31 units of blood from the January 17 blood drive. Students who referred donors will receive a medal and certificate from the American Red Cross.

The Pelion library hosts Yarn Art February 9 at 10 am. for all ages.

Pelion High students attended the SC Music Educators Association Central Division Region Choir January 24 and 25. The students got to see the USC campus and work with Dr. Alicia Walker and students from 10 other schools across the Midlands. An extra special congratulations to MacKenzie Bennett, who was selected to sing a solo on one of the songs. Students who participated were Anna Bazemore, MacKenzie Bennett, Alex Dowling, Rhianna Dowling, Taylor Eu-banks, Jayleen Haynes, and Cadin Jordan.