Five student essay contest writers honored
South Carolina Department of Education partners with Dominion Energy to recognize student achievement
WEST COLUMBIA - Five South Carolina high school students, including Laila Slater of Sumter High (Pee Dee), were honored Tuesday at the South Carolina Department of Education for their winning essays on the impact of African American leaders from South Carolina on their educational journeys. The students were also recognized before the State Board of Education. The Strong Men and Women in South Carolina History writing contest was sponsored by Dominion Energy.
Winners besides Slater are: Da'Mariona Harley - Odyssey Online Learning (CSRA); Kashauna Abraham - Lake Marion High (Lowcountry); Pranavi Mancham - River Bluff High (Midlands); and Wilson Quarles - Greenville Technical Charter High School (Upstate).
This year's prompt drew from the 2026 South Carolina African American History Calendar, highlighting Revolutionary War patriots and other influential South Carolinians. Students incorporated the six purposes of the U.S. Constitution's Preamble into their essays.
Each student will receive a MacBook Air, and their schools or homeschool associations will receive $1,000.
Winning essays will be featured on SCDE and Dominion Energy websites.