PRESIDENT's corner

A Legacy for Denmark Olar (Bamberg 2) School District

On June 15, 2021 SCORS visited with retiring school superintendent Dr. Thelma Sojourner. Dr. Sojourner is finishing up her 50 year career in the district and she leaves the community with what many would call a miracle.

The Denmark-Olar high school, built in 1994, was the last time the district had a new building. Despite the fact that he elementary school and middle school were in deplorable condition, no one thought the community would or could support more new buildings. Dr. Sojourner was determined to give the students and their community school buildings they could be proud of.

She educated the Board, the faculty and staff and the students about the importance of replacing the Pre-K through 8thgrade buildings and renovating the High School. Led , by Dr. Sojourner, the whole school community went about educating the rest of the Denmark community. They spoke to church groups, businesses, social clubs and anyone at the state level who would listen. The goal was to pass a local referendum that would fund the construction of a new school district campus. They talked to everyone and anyone who would listen and to a few people who really didn’t want to listen. The referendum passed by a 3 to 1 margin.

In September of 2020, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, the District opened the brand new Pre-K through grade 12 Campus. And it is glorious.

But wait, there is more!

The whole school community, lead by the 5 member Bamberg 2 School Board, was determined to make sure no one ever forgot who they needed to thank for the new campus. On Tuesday, June 7, they held a ceremony and reception in the new Middle School, dedicating The Dr. Thelma Sojourner Auditorium.

Every community deserves a hero and Dr. Sojourner will be Bamberg 2’s hero for generations to come.