The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education recently recognized Belton-Honea Path High School as a 2023-2024 School of Excellence for their College Application Month campaign.
Dr. Gerrick Hampton presented school leaders with a plaque during College Application Day on October 17th.
"We had no idea that our names were even out there because it's always been just about the kids and trying to make it special for them," said Eric Vallecillo, School Counselor. "But to be recognized as one of the only schools in South Carolina to receive this accolade, it means a lot to us because this whole department works really, really hard to make this day special and pull it off and organize it so it's a tremendous honor."
Each year, the guidance department picks a theme for College Application Day. This year, the theme was College Draft Day and they transformed the library into a game day atmosphere.
“It's really about a celebration for the seniors," said Vallecillo. "No matter where they are going, if they have a place in mind, they’ve applied or they need help applying. We try to get as many of them to come down here and make it kind of a big party.”
According to ACT, the American College Application Campaign is a national effort to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential.
Belton-Honea Path High School was the only school in South Carolina to receive this honor and one of 27 schools nationwide.