State Superintendent of Education Dr. Mick Zais will provide remarks at commencement ceremonies for the class of 2013 of Strom Thurmond High School which is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2013 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The appearance of Dr. Zais will mark the first time in school history that a state superintendent has participated in graduation exercises.

State Representative Bill Clyburn and retired educator Sammy Williams are also scheduled to speak at the graduation. Representative Clyburn represents a portion of Edgefield, Saluda and Aiken Counties and has been a longtime supporter of the school district. Sammy Williams was formerly employed by the school district from 1980 to 2007.  During his tenure with the district, Mr. Williams developed a reputation of fairness and was respected by the students and his fellow administrators as well.

The decision of Dr. Zais to participate in graduation is an indication of the respect and admiration he has for the school and confirms the prestige and outstanding reputation it has earned in its fifty-two (52) year history. Dr. Zais recently visited four schools within the Edgefield County School District. One of these was Strom Thurmond High School.

The principal of Strom Thurmond High School, Jill Jett, commented “We are excited that out of all of the school districts in the state, Dr. Zais chose us to provide a keynote speech to the graduates. The seniors are excited to have a person of this magnitude to address them.”

Principal Jett further commented “We always try to make our graduation ceremonies a special event for our students. It is our intention that these three prominent leaders will provide both motivation and inspiration for each member of the graduation class as they leave us to enter the real world”.