Pictured left to right, Carter Coleman, Coach Coleman, and Wayne Felder

Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of students in the Cope Area Career Center's Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) program.

As part of the ASE Program Accreditation process, 32 automotive centers participate in a competitive evaluation. From those 32 centers, the top 12 senior classes are selected to take a comprehensive written examination. The highest-scoring students from each participating school then advance to the hands-on competition held at Midlands Technical College.

We are proud to announce that Cope Area Career Center students earned both first and second place in the written portion of the examination.

• Wayne Felder achieved the top overall score.
• Carter Coleman earned the second-highest score.

In recognition of their exceptional performance, both students were awarded professional toolboxes and tools to support their continued growth and success in the automotive industry.

This achievement highlights the strength of the Orangeburg County School District’s Career and Technical Education programs and the quality of instruction at the Cope Area Career Center. It also shows that OCSD students are gaining the skills needed to succeed in real-world careers.

"These accomplishments reflect the power of preparation, strong instruction, and student determination," said Dr. Shawn D. Foster, Superintendent of Orangeburg County School District. "Carter and Wayne have demonstrated what excellence looks like in career and technical education. We are incredibly proud of their achievement and the way they represent Orangeburg County School District."

Dr. Johnny Murdaugh, director of Cope Area Career Center, added, "Our Automotive Service Excellence program continues to raise the bar. These students competed against some of the region's best automotive programs and rose to the top. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the leadership of Mr. Coleman, who consistently prepares students for real-world careers."

These accomplishments highlight the Orangeburg County School District's strong commitment to workforce development and career readiness. OCSD congratulates Carter Coleman and Wayne Felder on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to their continued success.