In addition to state lottery-funded scholarships, Hampton County High School’s Class of 2025 received more than $25,000 in college scholarship funding from local and regional sources.
During the high school’s May 27 awards day, students received approximately $25K in scholarships from 27 organizations that included local businesses, various associations, sororities, and memorial funds.
“Congratulations to Hampton County High School’s Class of 2025!” said Al Wiggins, an active local volunteer who awarded one of those scholarships. “Thank you, parents, teachers, JROTC, HCHS Principal Cassandra Williams and her guidance staff for their support.”
One of those local scholarships was presented by members of a former class that was celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
Wiggins attended the recent awards day to represent the Hampton County High School Class of 1974 (formerly Wade Hampton High School) as it awarded its second annual scholarship. This year’s scholarship award was in the amount of $1,974 to Mandrell Sanders, a HCHS senior from Gifford, S.C.
“Mandrell Sanders was selected from nine other worthy applicants,” said Wiggins. “What stood out about Mandrell was his demonstrated ability to balance academics, sports, work, and GPA, along with his stated goal to positively impact the lives of others.”
The High School Class of 1974 Scholarship Fund is an official Charitable Organization registered with the S.C. Secretary of State and the IRS, stated Wiggins, adding that anyone who wishes to contribute to next year’s scholarship contact him at 585 615-7588 or email whhsvarnvillesc1974scholarship@gmail.com.
Another major scholarship award came from the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC), as it awarded a $5,000 Board of Directors Scholarship to HCHS senior Ashley Phillips.
Phillips, the daughter of Rachael and Brent Phillips of Hampton, plans to study elementary education at Clemson University.
“The SCAC Scholarship program is an important way our organization demonstrates its commitment to education and gives back to the counties we serve,” said SCAC President Bill Robinson, who is also the Allendale County Council chairman. “We are especially excited to have expanded the program recently to reach more students and offer the opportunity to all 46 counties in the next four years.”
In addition to her academic excellence, Phillips is active in sports and extracurricular activities. She was the co-captain of the varsity tennis team, where she was named to the All-Region team, received the Coach’s Award, and was twice named a Scholar Athlete for tennis.
She was a Teacher Cadet, the assistant editor for the yearbook club, a delegate for both Camp Wildwood and Palmetto Girls State, and was named Miss Hampton 2024 for the Town of Hampton.
Phillips is active in community service, volunteering with SERVE through Sand Hill Baptist Church to pick up litter and clean and repaint school hallways. In addition to her academic and extracurricular activities, Phillips has worked for two years at Palmetto State Bank as a teller/runner.
The SCAC Scholarship Program includes the Presidential Scholarship to a student in the home county of the Association’s president, and 12 Board of Directors one-time scholarships for $5,000 each to graduating high school seniors who are residents of counties chosen in a rotation. This year, Hampton County was eligible.
SCAC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening county government across South Carolina through advocacy, education and collaboration. Learn more at www.sccounties.org.
Below is a list of the scholarship-presenting organizations that participated during the HCHS Awards Day. Please note that some organizations may have contributed but for various reasons are not listed:
Al Wiggins of the High School Class of 1974, and the S.C. Association of Counties, contributed to this report.
