Clarendon Hall's Collier signs with Erskine College Quiz Bowl Team

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SUMMERTON - Clarendon Hall Senior Gabriel Collier, son of Rusty and Courtney Collier of Holly Hill, accepted a scholarship and signed to play on the Quiz Bowl Team at Erskine College on Feb. 17. Collier has been a member of the Clarendon Hall Quiz Bowl Team for five years, participating in the annual South Carolina Independent School Association Quiz Bowl meeting among member schools. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and president of the Saints Student Government Association.

Clarendon Hall Head of School Kelley Wannamaker praised Collier's accomplishments, "The Clarendon Hall family is very proud to recognize Gabriel's academic achievements through this event which validates his hard work and the dedication of his past and present teachers. Being a part of his signing day is truly an honor. The Saints family looks forward to Gabriel's many future successes at Erskine College."

Dean of Enrollment Management Dr. Tim Rees presented Collier with the scholarship at the signing, stating, "Erskine College has launched a Quiz Bowl team that will begin competing in tournaments this fall. We are engaging students in the same way athletes are pursued since academics should be valued just as highly as athletic ability. I have enjoyed getting to know more about Gabriel over these past several months and am elated that he has decided to join our team this fall. I am especially excited he is the first one to sign with our team, certainly an historic day!"

"As educators in the independent sector, we truly believe in the importance of shaping the whole child. Celebrating academic successes as well as athletic achievements ensures student recognition across our entire state," said Robbie Braciszewski, SCISA student services director. He continued, "The South Carolina Independent School Association is so proud of Gabriel for this incredible achievement and honor. We are looking forward to this new relationship with Erskine College for many years to come."

Collier is very grateful for the opportunity and shared these thoughts: "It is such an honor to be offered a scholarship to be on a collegiate quiz bowl team, and I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the knowledge and ability to be able to compete in a quiz bowl tournament and for this great opportunity. I want to thank Clarendon Hall for assisting me in my learning journey. I have attended Clarendon Hall for 14 years of my life, and what I have learned over these years has enabled me to compete on a quiz bowl team. Clarendon Hall is my family, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. I would like to thank SCISA for its part in my life. The SCISA Quiz Bowl was something I always looked forward to every year. It allowed me to test my knowledge, and it also grew my love for the quiz bowl. I am very thankful SCISA gave me the chance to take part in the quiz bowl for the past five years. I want to thank Erskine College for offering me this great opportunity. Erskine will be my home for the next four years, and I feel they are my family already. My signing day means a great deal to me. I am the first person in Clarendon Hall, SCISA and Erskine College to ever be offered this, and that is quite humbling. In eighth grade, when I first joined the quiz bowl team, I would have never guessed this would happen. When COVID-19 ruined this past year, I had little hope I would compete in the quiz bowl one last time. However, by the will of God, I did, and I was introduced to Erskine College and this great chance of a lifetime. Words cannot fully explain how I feel, but know this, I am elated, and I look forward to God's plan from here."

Clarendon Hall, an independent co-educational school for preschool three years old through 12th grade, has provided elementary and secondary education in a non-denominational Christian environment since 1965. In addition to being a founding member of SCISA, Clarendon Hall is accredited by AdvancEd/SACS. The school is located at 1140 S. Dukes St., Summerton. For more information, contact the school office at (803) 485-3550 or visit the website at www.clarendonhall.org.