PICKENS COUNTY — The annual Evening of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Celebration was held May 21 at the Pickens County Career and Technology Center and featured a new award for the 2015 event: Scholar Technician of the Year.
Steven Hoke Durham, a Daniel high School student, took home the top honor at the event put on by the School District of Pickens County and Alliance Pickens. Durham claimed not only bragging rights as the inaugural recipient of the award, but a $2,000 scholarship to the school of his choice as well.
Finalists for the award included Sylvia Townsend of Pickens High School and the Pickens County Career and Technology Center and Nathan Brown of Daniel High School and the Career Center.
In addition to naming the Scholar Technician of the Year, STEM accomplishments from across the school district were recognized.
“We have superstars in math and science in our district,” said SDPC Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck. “In the same way we recognize great talent in athletics or music, we want our students to know that talent in STEM areas deserves to be celebrated just as much.”
“Hoke separated himself from the other nominees through his strong academic performance, high character and unswerving dedication to his technical craft,” stated Ray Farley, executive director of Alliance Pickens.
John Eby, spokesman for the School District of Pickens County, Durham is an active participant in the machine tool technology program at the Career and Technology Center and plans to major in machine tool technology at Tri-County Technical College this fall.