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Reid Barker
The South Carolina Career Development Association (SCCDA) announced the state winners of their 2023 National Career Development Association Poetry & Art Contest, all of whom will now compete in the national competition.
Barnwell School District 45 would like to congratulate Reid Barker for being the state winner in the 9th through 12th grade division. Reid represented the Barnwell County Career Center (BCCC) in the contest and her entry was sponsored by BCCC Guidance Counselor Mercedes Walker.
Reid Barker, a senior at Barnwell High School, plans to attend the College of Charleston in the fall to pursue a degree in Biochemistry. She is scheduled to deliver the Valedictorian address to her fellow classmates on May 26, 2023 as the top academic performer in the class of 2023.
As a state winner, Reid received a certificate and a gift card, as well as having her poem shared statewide. Reid’s poem focused on her future ambition to be in the medical field. Her poem can be read below in its entirety.
The Cycle of Nursing
From the first time you put on a baggy pair of scrubs to “play pretend” on your stuffed animals
That’s when love grew.
A love for always asking questions
A love to take care of others
A love for helping others in need
That love transforms into ambition.
An ambition to take rigorous classes
An ambition that drives you to apply to competitive programs
An ambition that is the key component that gets you an acceptance letter
Then comes determination.
Determination that pushes you through grueling hours of studying
Determination that allows you to persevere through 6AM clinicals
Determination that will earn you a degree
Passion follows determination.
Passion which tells you to never give up on a patient
Passion is what motivates you to always do better
Passion is what you need to get through what seems like a never-ending shift
Along comes dedication.
Dedication is what allows you to leave all the hardships of your day at the front door
Dedication to a profession in which sickness and death will surround you
Dedication is what keeps you going
Nevertheless, problems will persist...
Complications will arise,
Obstacles will stand in the way of success,
And doubt will rear its ugly head.
It takes grace to overcome.
Grace to lift yourself up, when fearful
Grace to admit when you make mistakes
Grace which follows you as you walk the floors of a hospital and
To the time where you put back on those scrubs from earlier that suddenly fit and get ready to save a life.
Reid is the daughter of Rusty and Missy Barker. According to them, “Reid is so smart, so determined and very creative. Words cannot express how proud we are of her accomplishments on the high school level. Ultimately, Reid is the best child we could have ever hoped for.” Reid’s mother is also a long-time educator in Barnwell School District 45.
“Reid’s poem was so touching as it described so well the medical field, including the joys and challenges one will face when choosing that career path,” said BSD45 Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton. “Reid’s poem truly embodied the love and passion a medical professional must have, and we are so proud of her as she moves forward to begin her studies in the medical field.”
According to Barnwell High School Principal Franklin McCormack, “Reid embodies the true spirit of a Barnwell Warhorse. She is well rounded and humble but make no mistake about it – she’s also very determined to succeed on the highest level regardless of the academic or extracurricular activity she is pursuing.”
Barnwell School District 45 applauds Reid’s accomplishments and future plans.
