13th Class of Educational Foundation Ambassadors
November 12, 2018: The Lexington One Educational Foundation welcomed its 13th Class of Ambassadors to a program held at New Providence Elementary School (NPES) on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. “We are very pleased to welcome our new Foundation Ambassadors,” said Julie Anderson Washburn, executive director of the Educational Foundation. “They include business and community leaders in Lexington, many of whom are Lexington School District One parents. We hope they will share with others all of the outstanding educational initiatives that the Foundation supports in Lexington School District One.”
New Foundation Ambassadors are:
- David Chao – Director of Structural Engineering, Chao and Associates, Inc.
- Brent Caughman – Manager, Caughman- Harmon Funeral Home (Lexington Chapel)
- Vimarie Jabaja – NPES PTA Vice President
- Lisa Kempf – NPES PTA Vice President
- Rick Lang – Financial Planner, Steeplechase Financial
- Melissa Newkirk – NPES PTA Board Member and Sr. Research Analyst for Spectrum
- Chris Seeby – Pastor, Radius Church Lexington
- Vandan Shah – IT Analyst, Colonial Life/Unum
- Timothy Oswald – Newly-elected Lexington District One Board Member
- James Riddle – Executive Director, Lexington County First Steps
- Dell Simpson – Circles Coach, Circles of Lexington County
- Kara Taylor – NPES PTA member
That morning, Superintendent Dr. Greg Little gave a quick overview of the district’s strategic plan and discussed projected growth for the district and Lexington area. Foundation Vice Chair Rosemary Wilson also provided an overview of the Educational Foundation.
The final portion of the program focused on NPES, which is one of the first Computer Science Immersion Schools in South Carolina. Principal Robert Candillo provided an overview of the school curriculum—offered in partnership with Code to the Future, the nation’s leading computer science program for magnet and theme-based schools. NPES students have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of computer coding as part of this innovative curriculum.
Mr. Candillo then introduced 10 students, who described the learning activities that address block- and text-based coding, problem solving, team building and presentation skills. Following the presentations, two students conducted school tours for the new Ambassadors.
Our many thanks to NPES volunteers for being such wonderful hosts to the Foundation that morning!
If you, or someone you know, may be interested in becoming an Ambassador to the Lexington One Educational Foundation, please contact Julie Anderson Washburn, foundation executive director, at 803-821-1008 or jwashburn@lexington1.net.
