A group of local students was involved as Gov. Henry McMaster was sworn in for a second and final full term in office Jan. 11 at the Statehouse in Columbia.

The Irmo High School Concert Choir performed during the inauguration ceremony.

Under the direction of choral director Frank Turner, the students sang “Stars I Shall Find” as part of the program.

Lexington School District 1 announces recurring gifts

The Lexington County School District 1 Educational Foundation announced continuing contributions from a pair of corporations operating in Lexington County:

• “Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation and CEO Lou Kennedy generously committed a major cash and in-kind gift to the Lexington District One Educational Foundation this year and, in doing so, supported a variety of needs in Lexington District One.
  “First, Nephron donated $3,600 to provide grants to students who are enrolled in the Pharmacology for Medical Careers class at the Lexington Technology Center. This is the sixth year of these Pharmacology Grants, which have been  instrumental to students who wish to take the class, but who otherwise could not afford the $300 course fee. As a result of Nephron Pharmaceuticals’ kindness, all seniors who are interested are able to explore the field of Pharmacology and learn career skills that could lead to future jobs in the pharmaceutical or medical fields.
  “Second, Nephron Pharmaceuticals is kindly sponsoring two Educational Foundation special events during 2023 with a gift of $6,000. Nephron’s generous donation towards these events will ultimately be a huge help to Lexington District One students, teachers and families, since all foundation events enable the organization to support the district needs via the grants offered each year.”
  The special events are the Celebration of Excellence in Education on March 6 and the 2nd Annual Fore the Foundation Grand Golf Tournament on Oct. 19. 

• “The Lexington District One Educational Foundation recently awarded 13 Michelin Golden Apple Teacher Grant Awards to deserving instructors in Lexington County School District One. Spring Grant awards totaled $3,173 and will positively impact 1,378 students in 10 schools in the district."
  The teachers are Anne Petersen (Beechwood Middle), Angie Flitter (Centerville Elementary), Patricia Deaver and Jennifer Dingeldein (Forts Pond Elementary), Julie Gies and Ashley Yelman (Lake Murray Elementary), Katie Alexander (Oak Grove Elementary), Kathryn Blackmon (Pleasant Hill Elementary), Katrina Thompson (Pelion High), Jennifer Gibbons and Jeremy Searson (River Bluff High), Neely Swygert (Rocky Creek Elementary), and the second grade team of Haylee Boltjes, Jennifer Byrum, Tracy Lee, Daniel Tibbs and Cindy Hornsby at Saxe Gothe Elementary.

Lexington schools named ‘Champions of the Environment

Four Lexington County schools were recently named by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control as Champions of the Environment.

“‘Champions of the Environment’ awards are issued each school year to foster environmental education and action in South Carolina’s classrooms, from kindergarten through 12th grade,” according to a release. “Teachers apply for grant funding by outlining their educational project that focuses on pollution or waste reduction, water or energy efficiency, or preservation of natural areas. The grant program is sponsored by DHEC, Dominion Energy, and Sylvamo, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina.”

The 20 winners selected for 2022-23 is the largest number in the program’s history. The projects the funding will go toward include “gardens, habitat restoration projects, litter prevention, citizen science, waste management, and alternate energy sources,” the release states.

The Lexington County winners were Beechwood Middle ($2,500), Glenforest School ($2,500), Leaphart Elementary STEAM Magnet ($1,000), and Swansea High Freshman Academy ($1,000).

Relocated Lexington fast food restaurant is open for business

Nearly a year after its short move was announced, Lexington’s “downtown” Sonic Drive-In is open in its new location along Columbia Avenue.

The outpost of the fast-food burger chain, which had operated at 312 Columbia Ave. for nearly three decades, opened for business at 461 Columbia Ave. Jan. 11, completing a move that was revealed in February 2022.

“A mixture of old and new faces have been training and are waiting to take your order!” the restaurant posted to Facebook. “Come by and meet the crew and tell us what you think.”

Sonic takes the place of a Bojangles that closed in 2017.

It’s the second drive-through burger spot to open near downtown Lexington in recent weeks, as the fast-casual chain Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, which had been under construction at the corner of Swartz Road and E Main Street, opened Dec. 14.

Per its Facebook, the new Sonic is opening with limited time items including steak and bacon grilled cheese, sweet minis and pickle fries.