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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marion County School of Music receives for second year in a row Best of Marion County 2010 Award

U.S. Commerce Association's Award for best in the Arts and Education.

NEW YORK, NY, April 22, 2010 -- Marion County School Of Music has been selected for the 2010 Best of Marion County Award in the Arts and Education category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional success in their local community. Marion County School of Music-Marion County Private School is a local company that enhances the positive image of small business through service to their clients and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in several categories. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

A visit with Governor Mark Sanford

On February 10, 2009, Governor Sanford invited us to the monthly "Open Door After Four" visit. We presented to him our ideas on furthering education in South Carolina.

The presentation explained how the voucher system would change and benefit the public and private school systems in South Carolina. Mrs. Rose C. Massey first explained that she was aware that students in the public schools, who presently maintain a good GPA, often complain that they are unable to advance quicker. They feel this is due to those students who are not able to perform on the same level and are holding them back.

The students who need additional tutoring and guidance could benefit from a smaller, private school setting but the parents are often unable to pay the tuitions. The State of South Carolina presently pays almost $11,000 per student, per year for public education. Annually, private school tuitions range from $3,000 to $5,000. If the State voted in the voucher system, the students who wish to receive their education at a private school could choose to do so with the voucher. The remainder of the funds could go back into the education budgets, as the State deemed necessary, and everyone would win. How? Students in the public school system with good GPAs would now be able to advance at an accelerated pace. This means SAT scores, PACT tests and all other performance test scores would be raised.

Meanwhile, the private school would offer a comprehensive curriculum, tutoring, and after school programs to assist the working parents in childcare expenses. Private schools could teach, for instance, all of the arts, concentrate on sports or technology, thus giving parents the chance to choose the school which might best serve their child's interest. A Summer Camp should be added, at no cost to the State's voucher system, allowing parents the chance not to worry about childcare. The private school students would now receive the individual care and attention they need to raise grades. Parents would be able to save on childcare expenses, making it possible to spend their income in other venues raising our economic meter.

The State benefits because now, for the first time in a long time, South Carolina could be in a leading position in education, rather than very low on the educational totem pole. No one loses and everyone gains. Governor Sanford listened most attentively to Mrs. Massey's presentation. He then asked the two companions, Mrs. Christina Henderson, the mother of one of the Marion County Private School students, and Mr. Edward McRae, a Senior at the school, what their thoughts were in regards to this issue. Mrs. Christina explained that her daughter showed great improvements since she enrolled her child at MCPS, while Mr. Edward McRae explained his past scholastic history: "I failed, ended up at Alternative School, and then enrolled in the private school. My failures were turned into assets. But my parents could afford tuition. I believe that any child should have the chance to go to any school they wish, regardless of their parents' ability to pay tuition." We all agreed. Governor Sanford assured us that he would look over all the materials presented and added: "I have my work cut out for me, don't I?"

The visit to his office was time truly well spent.

Marion County Private School is going “GREEN”

On February 27, 2009 Marion County Private School began a course for Junior and Senior High School students in Solar Energy and Windmill powered energy. The instructor, Mr. Morgan Wylie will work with the students to study how electricity is produced, stored and made ready for consumption. Students will learn how to build solar panels and windmills and record their performance. The goal is to build enough panels and windmills to make the school energy efficient and self reliant.

Marion County Private School is the first private school in the state to attempt this project, and offers the students a chance at receiving special recognitions for participation in this course. Students will have additional letters of accomplishment and completion in their final transcripts upon graduating from the school. “This is such and exciting program, and our students are all very enthused about this course”, says Mrs. Rose the director of the school. “We hope to receive some Grant monies for this project from both State and Federal sources”. Students are recording the progress made in their building projects and have responsibilities to meet on a daily basis. Once this project takes off and is running well, the school intends to add other “Green Programs’ to the course, such as gas powered engines running on other fluids mixed with the gasoline, growing gardens with solar energy and more. A Science Club meets every Thursday afternoon, after school to allow students to create science projects far beyond the average expectations.

For more information or questions about our programs please call 843-423-8166 For more information or questions about our programs please call 843-423-8166

Marion County School of Music
Welcomes New Dance Program

Marion County School of Music is proud to announce the opening of its Department of Dance. Students at the school can now participate in Ballet classes as part of the Arts After Hours program, which is the after-school program the Marion County School of Music offers to the community. As well, students of all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults, may participate in evening dance classes in Ballet, Jazz, or Modern, taught by Susan Lugo Lockhart.

Susan received her Bachelor's degree in Dance from Jacksonville University in Florida in 2002. She was an active performer while she studied at JU, involved in numerous guest artist residencies, formal and informal concerts, dance festival adjudications, choreographic showcases, and production tours at local elementary schools. She was the recipient of the Excellence in Dance Performance award and graduated with honors. Susan also holds a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida.

While in Jacksonville, she taught Ballet, Jazz, and Modern at the Ballet Arts Centre. During her 7 years of teaching there, she rebuilt the modern dance program, worked closely with the in-studio performance company, and held many important production roles, such as choreographer and music editor. She continues to return to the school as a guest artist to teach master classes and set new choreography for company productions.

Susan recently moved from Jacksonville to Florence, and is excited to share her love for dance with the students of the Pee Dee region. She brings to the region a commitment to professional dance education that develops artistry and technique, but also allows the growth of love and respect for the art of dance. To find out more about participating in this exciting new program, please contact the Marion County School of Music at (843) 423-8166.