News Around the Lowcountry: Hampton County High School student wins art contest – Bluffton Today

Hampton Lumber recently recognized Ciara Bryant for winning the Hampton Lumber Wrap Contest. Ciara is a sophomore at Hampton County High School and has received many local awards. This recognition is especially meaningful because her artwork will be featured on wraps used at the new Hampton Lumber location in Allendale, S.C.
Hampton Lumber also presented Hampton County High School with a $15,000 check to support Career and Technology Education and art programs.
Bryant was also recognized by the Hampton County Board of Trustees and Dr. Glenda Sheffield at the May 19 board meeting for her artistic talent.
“We are incredibly proud of Ciara Bryant for her outstanding achievement and grateful to Hampton Lumber for their generous support of our students,” said Dr. Glenda Sheffield. “This contribution will have a meaningful impact on our CTE and art programs, providing valuable resources and opportunities that help our students explore their talents and prepare for future success. Partnerships like this truly strengthen our district and our community.”
The South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) recently awarded Board of Directors Scholarships to Caroline Ulmer of Andrew Jackson Academy in Ehrhardt and Skyler Badger of Hardeeville Junior & Senior High School.
“At SCAC, we believe education is an investment in the future of the counties we serve,” said SCAC President Mary Anderson, who is chairwoman of Chesterfield County Council. “We are honored to celebrate 13 outstanding students from across the state whose academic excellence and dedication to their communities set them apart. These young people represent the next generation of leaders, and we are proud to support their continued success.”
Ulmer, the daughter of Marsha and Scott Ulmer of Lodge, plans to study health science at Clemson University in the fall. She ranks at the top of her class, serves as editor of the yearbook and is a member of National Senior Beta Club. In addition to her high school honors-level classes, she has taken courses through the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie.
She served as a trainer for the varsity football team for four years and played varsity softball throughout her high school career. In the community, she has served as a volunteer firefighter for Colleton County Fire Rescue for two years and has worked as a camp counselor and coach at Victory Sports Outreach.
Badger, daughter of Britney Badger of Ridgeland, plans to study communications at the University of South Carolina in the fall. She is president of Hardeeville Junior and Senior High’s Senior Beta Club, a member of the marching band and an active participant in the 4-H Pinckney Leadership Program. She planned and oversaw the Renewing the Youth event in her hometown that included speakers and opportunities for her peers to connect.
She also volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of America and through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack program.
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, Colleton and Jasper counties were among the eligible counties.
 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. 
Projects in Chester, Winnsboro, Westminster, Pageland, and Walterboro were selected in the most recent Undiscovered SC award cycle
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) is pleased to announce the most recent award recipients of the Undiscovered SC tourism grant: Chester County, the Town of Winnsboro, the City of Westminster, the Town of Pageland, and the City of Walterboro. Applications are now open to county and municipal governments for the next round of grant funding.
The Undiscovered SC grant program assists communities with the development of publicly owned tourism products and attractions that bring visitors to “undiscovered” parts of the Palmetto State.The five recipients selected in the 2025 grant cycle will receive a total of $750,000 to complete local tourism projects.
These five recipients were selected based on the program’s four evaluation criteria: Project Need, Project Planning & Readiness, Scope of Work, and Strategic Impact.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and submit their pre-applications for the next award cycle.
2026 Undiscovered South Carolina grant information and eligibility criteria:
Find additional award criteria and eligibility information at scprt.com/tourism/grants/undiscovered-sc-grant. Learn more about SCPRT grant programs at scprt.com/grants.
HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — Lowcountry Legal Volunteers (LLV), in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the Hardeeville Foundation, will host a free Expungement & Legal Services Clinic from 1 to 5 p.m. June 9 at the Hardeeville Library, 30 Main St.
The clinic is designed to help individuals and families take steps toward a brighter future by connecting them with free legal assistance, expungement information and community resources. The clinic is free and open to the public.
The event theme, “Fresh Start = New Opportunities,” highlights the life-changing impact that resolving legal barriers can have on employment, education, housing and financial stability.
At this one-stop clinic, attendees may receive assistance with:
• Expungement of eligible criminal records. Expungement assistance is limited to offenses that occurred within the 14th Judicial Circuit – Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, Hampton and Allendale counties.
• Accessing public benefits
• Child support-related matters
• Referrals and information about additional free legal services available through LLV
Participants will also learn about opportunities that may become available after clearing eligible records, including:
• Better-paying job opportunities
• Access to education and workforce training programs
• Increased financial stability
• A fresh start for themselves and their families
“Many individuals face barriers because of past legal issues or lack of access to legal guidance,” said Anne Caywood, executive director of Lowcountry Legal Volunteers. “This clinic is about helping people move forward with dignity, support and new opportunities.”
Individuals attending the clinic should bring:
• Official disposition sheet (final court outcome)
• Photo ID (driver’s license or other government-issued ID)
• Social Security card or SSN verification
For more information, visit lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org or call 843-815-1570.
About Lowcountry Legal Volunteers
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers is a nonprofit organization providing free civil legal services to low-income individuals throughout Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. LLV works to increase access to justice through legal clinics, direct representation, community outreach and partnerships across the Lowcountry.
SUMTER, SC — Anthony Fermin, of Bluffton, was named to the CCTC Spring 2026 Dean’s List for Part-Time Students.
Fermin was among more than 200 students named to the Spring 2026 Dean’s List.
The Part-Time Dean’s List recognizes students who were enrolled in 6-11 credit hours and achieved at least a 3.5 grade-point average for the term.
Central Carolina Technical College is a comprehensive, public, two-year institution of higher education that is dedicated to fostering a positive environment of teaching and learning for faculty, staff and students. The college serves primarily the region of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties in South Carolina and confers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Central Carolina Technical College students have a wide array of programs and services from which to choose. Our online programming and cooperative agreements with other colleges and universities provide students with exceptional opportunities coupled with our more traditional learning opportunities. Learn more: cctech.edu
The Sea Pines Resort celebration includes a parade, live concert, and fireworks honoring America’s 250th
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The Sea Pines Resort goes all out this Fourth of July with a sunrise‑to‑fireworks celebration honoring America’s 250th anniversary, highlighted by a rare bald eagle flyover launching from the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse.
Guests and visitors can expect a picture‑perfect holiday featuring a high‑energy Harbour Town parade, lawn games and carnival fun, live music beneath the Liberty Oak, and fireworks shimmering above the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Calibogue Sound. Events are open to resort guests and the public.
The can’t‑miss moment comes at 8:15 p.m., when Lincoln—a nationally recognized bald eagle ambassador with the American Eagle Foundation and known for his appearances on Budweiser commercials and at Philadelphia Eagles football games—takes flight from the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse. Lincoln will soar over Harbour Town and glide toward the 18th green of Harbour Town Golf Links, delivering a truly unforgettable Fourth of July spectacle. Featured at patriotic events nationwide, Lincoln’s ceremonial flight adds a powerful, distinctly American highlight to the Lowcountry’s signature celebration.
Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Fourth of July Parade around Harbour Town, featuring festive displays, music, and nonstop star‑spangled style. Guests are encouraged to decorate bikes, wagons, strollers—and even dogs—in red, white, and blue. New this year, the parade is led by Woody the Clydesdale from Sea Pines’ Lawton Stables.
Following the parade, the Fourth of July Carnival will fill the Harbour Town lawn with classic games and kid‑approved activities, creating plenty of reasons to linger throughout the day.
As the sun sets, Harbour Town becomes the evening’s main stage. Live entertainment will include the beloved Gregg Russell Fourth of July Concert beneath the Liberty Oak Tree. A Sea Pines Resort tradition for generations, Russell takes the stage at 8 p.m.
The celebration concludes with fireworks igniting at 9 p.m., casting vibrant color across the Harbour Town Lighthouse and Calibogue Sound. Food, music, and a festive harbor atmosphere carry the excitement through the grand finale.
On Saturday afternoon, July 4, public parking will be open from 3 to 11 pm in designated lots along Greenwood Drive. Attendants will direct guests to complimentary shuttles that drop off and pick up at Harbour Town Yacht Club.
The red‑white‑and‑blue spirit continues throughout the week, with additional events including Donuts with Benjamin Franklin, Patriotic Sidewalk Chalk, and The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra Concert. A full schedule of Fourth of July week events and resort information is available at www.seapines.com.
Minto Communities USA has been recognized with two 2026 Eliant HomeBuyers’ Choice Awards. Minto Communities USA received a Top Honors Eliant Award for Overall Purchase & Ownership Experience in the Multi-Division Builders category, and a first place Eliant Award for Sales from Referrals in the Large-Volume Builders category,
The awards are presented annually to homebuilders judged by their own homebuyers to have provided the best customer experience. The recipients of the 31st Annual HomeBuyers’ Choice Awards were selected based on results from 210,000 surveys distributed to all of the recent homeowners of over 250 major homebuilders throughout the U.S. The process was administered by TrustBuilder® CX powered by Eliant.
“Customer satisfaction is a foundational pillar of Minto Communities,” notes Minto Communities USA Division President of Operations Steve Svopa. “Minto has received many Eliant HomeBuyers’ Choice Awards over the years, and we are honored to be recognized for excellence by our homebuyers. It starts with a highly engaged Minto team that strives to make the home buying process easy and enjoyable — from the first point of contact through the warranty period. Our customers today are our friends of tomorrow.”
Eliant has long been recognized as the nation’s leading provider of customer experience management services for U.S., Canadian, and Middle East building firms. Eliant’s customer experience monitoring, training and consulting services are considered to be the industry gold standard.
Minto Communities USA, headquartered in Florida since 1978, builds master-planned communities and homes in Florida and South Carolina. Minto communities is currently selling new homes in Westlake in Palm Beach County, Florida, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound near Panama City Beach, Florida, and in Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head in Hardeeville, South Carolina. Minto currently has plans underway for additional Minto and Latitude Margaritaville communities in Texas and a new community in Southwest Florida. For information on Minto Communities, visit www.MintoUSA.com.

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