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Aiken Scholars Academy Celebrates Newly Constructed Building with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Aiken, SC (10/20/2021) — The Aiken Scholars Academy (ASA) celebrated the completion of its newly constructed building on the University of South Carolina (USCA) campus with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

Dr. Daniel Heimmermann, chancellor, USCA, presided over the ceremony, and Ms. Martha Messick, principal, ASA, gave the welcoming message and cut the ceremonial ribbon. Mr. King Laurence, Aiken County Superintendent, shared remarks and introduced guests. ASA seniors Kayla Goldschmidt, Lauren Jackson, Andrew Singer, McKayla Walcott, and Mallory Zinger also took the podium to address the crowd gathered outside the new building.

In her speech, Zinger spoke of the school's scholarly attributes. "The first letter in scholar is s, which stands for service," she said. "Despite COVID, I was able to accumulate 98.5 hours of community service. Service plays a huge part in my life because I can use my skills, hobbies, and interests to benefit others. ASA has given me the confidence, teamwork, and kindness skills to be able to accomplish this."

Jackson spoke about the direction that ASA has given her in life. "Because of ASA, I discovered a part of myself that opened the door for so much growth and opportunity. I've been motivated to set and reach goals for myself. I believe in myself, and even if I don't have everything figured out just yet, I know where I'm headed, and I feel confident about my future."

ASA is the result of a partnership between USCA and Aiken County Public School District to create an academic school of excellence. The curriculum focuses not only on the academic core but emerges students in research studies, culture building, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and community service.

ASA opened for the 2018-2019 school year with its first cohort of 50 students. Classes were initially conducted in the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center on the USCA campus, but with the annual addition of a new cohort of students, the school quickly outgrew that space, creating the need for the new building.