Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
During their March 14 meeting, the Rotary Club of Barnwell County honored four students for displaying service above self.
The club bestows “Service Above Self” awards each month to one student from each of the county’s three public high schools and Jefferson Davis Academy for exemplifying the club’s motto.
“We are so appreciative of all that you all do. It is so wonderful when we see our students across the county making a difference in the lives of others, not only locally but beyond that,” said Rotarian Dr. Crissie Stapleton.
Heven Dowling
Heven Dowling is a senior at Blackville-Hilda High School.
She’s involved in Beta Club, National Honor Society, student council, cheerleading, volleyball, and track.
After graduating from high school, she plans to join the U.S. military and go to college for barbering. She later hopes to further her career in the medical field.
Gylian Googe
Gylian Googe is a senior at Jefferson Davis Academy.
She’s a member of Beta Club, yearbook staff and student council. She plays volleyball, basketball, and softball, plus competes with the JDA Shotgun Raiders. She’s won several MVP awards for athletics and has also been student captain. She’s also been the water girl for football since ninth grade.
“I’m so proud we won state this year,” she said.
Gylian is also a mentor for the 4K class. She also won Miss JDA and Miss Junior and was homecoming queen this year.
She earned her nurse aid certificate from Denmark Technical College but decided nursing wasn’t the right career path for her. Instead, she plans to attend either Aiken Technical College or Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College to become a radiology technician.
Nakiya Mercado
Nakiya Mercado is a senior at Williston-Elko High School.
She is very active at WEHS in Beta Club, as student government president, National Technical Honor Society and many other extracurricular activities. She also plays basketball, tennis, track, cheer, and drumline.
The dual enrollment student is also taking classes through Denmark Technical College where she will earn an associate of science degree in May.
Through classes at the Barnwell County Career Center, she’s earned her CNA certification and is working on becoming a patient care technician.
“Academics are my top priority,” said Nakiya who has a 4.3 GPA.
However, she also enjoys serving her community through Secret Santa, food drives, and other projects.
She plans to attend Lander University to become a neonatal travel nurse.
Kah’miyah Williams
Kah’miyah Williams is a senior at Barnwell High School.
In addition to being president of the National Honor Society, she’s a member of Beta Club, National Society of High School Scholars, and National Technical Honor Society.
Kah’miyah takes health science classes at the Barnwell County Career Center which has allowed her to earn OSHA, CPR, and CNA certifications. She’s working to obtain PCTA certification.
The honor grad is number six in her class and has a 4.7 GPA. She plans to attend Clemson to study biological sciences.
