Lee, Sumter students receive SCAC Board of Directors Scholarships

The South Carolina Association of Counties awarded Board of Directors Scholarships to Carmen Bates of Lee Central High School and Camryn Wilmes of Wilson Hall.

Bates, the daughter of Joyce Lowery of Lynchburg, plans to study agribusiness at South Carolina State University. She was a member of 4-H and served as president of Future Farmers of America. She earned academic honors in biology, English and U.S. history as well as public speaking, soil judging and floriculture. She also showed at the Eastern Carolina Agriculture Fair Poultry Show.

Bates was a member of the Lee Central High School softball team and served as captain of the school's marching band. As a farm manager at the school, she oversaw care for livestock and managed greenhouse operations. A community volunteer and member of Bishopville Garden Club, Bates helped build gardens for local causes, including a local homeless shelter, while also working at Burger King.

Wilmes, the daughter of Ryan and Lisa Wilmes of Sumter, will pursue a degree in exercise science at University of South Carolina. Her academic achievements include the SCISA Scholar Athlete award, induction into Beta Club and earning the Lamp of Knowledge in pre-calculus, graphic design and 2D art. A standout student-athlete, she captained the Wilson Hall track team and co-captained volleyball and bowling.

As vice president of Key Club and on her own, Wilmes participated in numerous community service events including wrapping gifts during the holidays, working registration at the Walk for Life hosted by Prisma Health and serving at the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast. She also volunteered as a photographer for Wilson Hall sporting events, lower school activities and the annual musical. In addition to academic and extracurricular activities, she interned with University of Maryland physical and athletic trainers and currently works as a sales associate at The Proper Mark.

The SCAC Scholarship Program includes the Presidential Scholarship to a student in the home county of the association's president and 12 Board of Directors one-time scholarships for $5,000 each to graduating high school seniors who are residents of counties chosen in a rotation. This year, Lee and Sumter counties were eligible.

"The SCAC Scholarship program is an important way our organization demonstrates its commitment to education and gives back to the counties we serve," said SCAC President Bill Robinson, Allendale County Council chairman. "We are especially excited to have expanded the program recently to reach more students and offer the opportunity to all 46 counties in the next four years."

SCAC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening county government across South Carolina through advocacy, education and collaboration. Learn more at www.sccounties.org.