Page 9 - SRNS Today November 2021

NOVEMBER 2021 | SRNS TODAY | 9

College Night success

Another important milestone was recently reached, with the success of this year’s
virtual CSRA College Night. The annual event normally fills the James Brown Arena,
in Augusta, Georgia, but this year, SRNS used a website application, providing area
students with access to more than 100 college recruiters.
“Since 1993, more than 100,000 high school students and parents from the
greater Aiken-Augusta area have attended CSRA College Night,” said Gladys Moore,
SRNS Education Outreach and CSRA College Night Chairperson. “The pandemic
has caused us to be innovative in our use of available resources to reach the same South Aiken High School and Aiken Scholars Program student Jay Saxon
college reps and students as in the past. Moving from a huge face-to-face event to discusses the merits of attending Andrew College with Admissions
a totally online event was quite a challenge; however, it all worked out wonderfully.” Officer Alexis Young as his mother, Mindy Noe, listens in during this
year’s virtual CSRA College Night.
Over the years, more than $300,000 in scholarships have been offered to past
student attendees of CSRA College Night. “The generosity of our scholarship SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
sponsors and much appreciated help from volunteers are major reasons why this
event is so popular,” said Moore. Andrew Towner, North Augusta High School
This year’s event featured recruiters from nearly 80 colleges and universities, Curtis Thompson, Williston-Elko High School
reaching over 600 students. Throughout the evening, scholarships – each worth Da’Naya Johnson, Allendale-Fairfax High School
$1,000 – were awarded to 15 students.
Destiny Reeves, A.R. Johnson High School
“The CSRA community provides a tremendous amount of support, both financially
and with in-kind donations of service,” said Francine Burroughs, who manages Donte’ Smith, Academy of Richmond County
SRNS Workforce Services Operations and Education Outreach Program. “The Erica Brown, Aiken High School
community partnerships that have been forged through participation in this event Jaden Lyons (Dee Dee), Evans High School
allow our College Night committee to provide more resources for the students and Jake Simpson, South Carolina Governor’s School
parents each year.”
for Agriculture
“It’s rewarding to see so many students having the opportunity to meet with college Khamaya Brown, Lake Marion High School
representatives of their choice, knowing this night could have a significant impact
on their post high school education,” said Moore. Kristofer Frazier, Storm Thurmond High School
Laquez Glover, Orangeburg-Wilkerson High School
Moore acknowledged the contributions made by the members of the CSRA College
Night Committee. “They understand the impact this event has financially for a Lyanna Brown, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
significant percentage of our attending students. College Night can help reduce the Sarah Wunder, home school
number of planned college visits for students, potentially saving them thousands in Shamya Shipman, Allendale-Fairfax High School
travel costs,” she said.
Thorne Ragin, Grovetown High School

$20K donation helps fund Barnwell aquatics center

A million-dollar, multi-feature aquatics center for the Barnwell County Family YMCA is
now closer to reaching its fundraising goal, thanks to a recent $20,000 contribution
from SRNS.
The aquatics center will offer a wide range of features to include a six-lane lap pool for
recreational swimming and future competitive events, a water slide and other exciting
features. The center will also provide an estimated 30 summer jobs and leadership
development for local youth.
“We are so grateful to our friends at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions for their
heartfelt contribution to this important cause,” said Pamela Rush, Executive
Director at Axis I Center of Barnwell. “We believe the impact of this new facility will
be extensive, having a positive economic effect throughout the area in addition to
the recreational and much appreciated health-related benefits for local and nearby
residents to enjoy.”
Chantsie Pickelsimer, Barnwell County Family YMCA Director; Larry
Hutto, Barnwell County Recreation Board Chair; Natalia Johnson, SRNS Rush also explained that this state-of-the-art facility will save lives as well. Drowning is
Principal Scientist and Barnwell County Family YMCA Board Member; one of the leading causes of death in children throughout the United States.
Stuart MacVean