Schools across Aiken County came together to honor military families and children of active service member during Month of the Military Child in April. From Purple Parties to Walk-a-Thon’s and even a color run, school communities raised awareness and materials for these families.
“I think honoring the military kids is very important because they live a very transient lifestyle, coming from one,” Gloverville Elementary Principal Nathan Lobaugh said. “I was a military child growing up and we moved every 2 ½ to 3 years and honoring them and giving them the ability to have something fun like later in this month we will have a breakfast to honor them and allow them to come out and celebrate the fact that they serve us and serve our country and its an honor."
“Military students on average move schools six or seven times in their lifetime due to their parents being in the military so its important that we support them because they have so much change and need stability,” Christina Romines, registrar at Wagener-Salley High School added. “I hope this impact shows the support that we have for our armed forces and their families and we thank them for their service and dedication and not just the service members but to the students and the whole family.”
In 2019, Aiken County Public Schools was rated the first Purple Star School District by the South Carolina State Department of Education and part of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission.
Some of the criteria for a Purple Star District included designated liaisons for military families, an up-to-date website specialized for military families, transfer credits from previous schools and providing specialized training for school counselors, staff and administrators.
“It's one thing for the parents to go off and fight for our country with some other things for our kids to stay home and have to endure that. They deserve the empathy that comes along with that. And those kids are super, super strong to be able to endure stuff like that,” Music teacher Kadeem Calhoun at Millbrook Elementary said. “It enriches us as a people too, because we are near this community. We have a base right down the street. It's really cool to have that and be represented in such a cool way that these kids can be able to do this and continue to do something like this.”
Some schools like Mossy Creek Elementary also included a donated hygiene drive for homeless veterans or the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta. Gloverville Elementary also recognizes the challenges that military families face with banners for those students.
“I think it’s important because they do a service to our country and they often can’t make it to these events, but they see these pictures and different things and I think it puts a smile on their face and allows them to see it from afar or where they might be,” Lobaugh shared.
Through these celebrations and service projects, Aiken County Schools continues to prove that its "Purple Star" status is more than just a title. By fostering an environment of empathy and stability, the District ensures that while military life may be defined by constant change, these students will always have a place where they are seen, supported, and celebrated.
