ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Orangeburg County School District celebrated and honored the academic achievement of students in the ‘Top Ten Percent’ of the 2023 graduating class. More than 70 OCSD students were honored during the inaugural event – consisting of an evening that included live music, dinner, a message of inspiration and hope, and the opportunity to celebrate with families and OCSD leaders.

The senior scholar banquet was created to recognize the numerous academic achievements the “Top Ten Percent” of OCSD 2023 graduating scholars realized. The students are academically gifted and have excelled in the classroom and their communities. All scholars honored will attend an institution of higher education, and the total number of scholarship dollars that the students have received is nearly 8 million dollars.

Words of encouragement were shared by Orangeburg Department of Public Safety police chief Charles P. Austin Sr. He unequivocally challenged the students to choose their decisions and friends wisely. But he also encouraged them to dream big dreams, dare to be great, and do all that they could to make the world just a little bit better.

Every OCSD senior scholar received a certificate of achievement and a medallion, which they will also wear during graduation.

Click HERE to view photos of the event.