Lexington Two’s graduating class included just over 500 members. 

At Lexington Two’s May school board meeting, several outstanding seniors from the Class of 2024 were recognized,  whose next chapters include college, career and military. 

AIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL

Landon Allison

Landon is involved with Airport’s chorus and theatre programs, having recently portrayed the lead roles of Dimitri in Anastasia, and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet.  He has also been admitted to every honor choir he has auditioned for this year, including All State Chorus, ACDA State and Regional Honor Choirs, as well as serving as the president of Airport’s Honors Chorus.  He recently conducted a piece at Airport’s spring chorus concert. He received the Director’s Award for distinguished service to the Airport High School Choral Program for the past four years. Landon is an Honor Graduate and has received the Career Ready Endorsement and STEM Endorsement. 

This fall, Landon will attend the University of South Carolina and has received a School of Music Voice Scholarship.

Sydney Edmond

Sydney is Senior Class vice president, a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and a member of Beta Club. She was a student in Lexington Two’s Early College program and received both an associate in arts and associate in science. She obtained her General College Studies Certificate. Outside of high school, Sydney volunteers at Mission Lexington, Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina, and is a teacher assistant for Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church’s Camp Daniel summer academic program. Sydney is a Distinguished Honor Graduate and has received a College Ready Endorsement, Career Ready Endorsement, and STEM Endorsement. Sydney was named a Founder’s Scholar, receiving a merit scholarship of $56,000, as well as numerous other scholarships. 

This fall, Sydney will attend Temple University, where she plans to study criminal justice and political science.

Ruby Gonzalez Armenta

Ruby is an early graduate, having completed all of her high school requirements for graduation in three years.  She is a Distinguished Honor Graduate. She speaks three languages:  Spanish, English, and German. Ruby has served as a Guidance teacher assistant this year. Ruby is a first generation family member to graduate high school and pursue higher education. 

Ruby will join the Marines and would like to enter the logistics program.

Taylor Gooding

Taylor has been a member of Airport’s cheerleading team since the 7th grade, participating in both competitive and sideline cheer. She was voted Region Cheerleader of the Year. She was a member of Airport’s bowling team, the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, HOSA, and Beta Club. She was Rotary Student of the Month, and she won Miss Senior and Miss Congeniality at the Miss Aquila Pageant this year. Taylor attended Girls State during the summer of 2023, and will be returning this summer as a Junior Counselor. Taylor received a General College Studies Certificate from Midlands Technical College while at Airport. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant, which she achieved through the Lexington Two Innovation Center’s Health Science program. Taylor is a  Distinguished Honor Graduate and has received a College Ready Endorsement, Career Ready Endorsement and STEM Endorsement.   She has received numerous academic and athletic scholarships from Presbyterian College. 

This fall, she will attend Presbyterian College and major in biology while competing on the college’s acro-tumbling team.

Mackenzie Laskowski 

Mackenzie has been a member of the Army JROTC program during all four years of high school, and has risen to the rank of Cadet-Lieutenant Colonel. During her senior year, Mackenzie was selected as Battalion Commander and was entrusted with the guidance and leadership of all other cadets. Mackenzie is also the commander of Airport’s award-winning Golden Talon drill team. Mackenzie is also a martial arts student who has earned a black belt. Mackenzie recently graduated from Midlands Technical College through the dual enrollment program with an associate diploma in science and an associate diploma in Art. She is a Palmetto Fellows recipient and Distinguished Honor Graduate who holds the Honor Endorsement, College & Career Endorsement, STEM Endorsement, and Military Endorsement. She recently earned a $60,000 University of South Carolina ROTC scholarship.

This fall, Mackenzie will attend The Citadel on an ROTC scholarship, with a major in chemistry and minor in forensic science  She plans to become an officer in the Army. 

Breanna White

She served as Airport’s student body president. She has been involved in the B-27 Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Teacher Cadet Honor Society, Student Government, and Unified Partners. She is a four-year letterman on Airport’s varsity soccer team. Outside of school, Bre is a student leader at her church and played on the travel soccer team for the past 10 years. She was recently named the Rotary Student of the Quarter. Bre received the SC Teaching Fellows Scholarship and other scholarships, as well as a Career Ready Endorsement. 

This fall, Bre will attend the University of South Carolina, majoring in early childhood education, and plans to pursue a master’s in special education.

Graham Whittle

Graham has been involved in Student Government and is a four-year letterman on Airport’s varsity baseball team. He is an Honor Graduate and has earned the LIFE Scholarship as well as numerous other scholarships.  He has an Honors Endorsement and a College Ready Endorsement.

This fall, Graham will attend Coker University on a baseball scholarship. He plans to major in business.  

L2IC

Three other Airport students were recognized for achievements at the Lexington Two Innovation Center. They are:

Za’Moiya Cave-Sims: Za’Moiya was recognized by the Columbia Urban League with a Young and Gifted Award for CATE achievements. Za’Moiya is a Health Science completer. She will enlist in the National Guard and then college, where plans to start studies in pediatric nursing then continue in pharmacy tech.

Elias Guest McCray: Elias was recognized by the Columbia Urban League with a Young and Gifted Award for CATE achievements. He is a barbering completer and received his barber license while at Airport. He is involved in many extracurriculars both inside and outside Airport, including cutting hair for the unhoused. This fall, Elias will attend Francis Marion University on a basketball scholarship. He plans to major in business and may combine with his barbering to have his own business.

Justin Linden: Justin is an electricity completer who plans to go to work with his family company, Central Controls. This fall, he will attend  Midlands Technical College to become an industrial electrician. Justin played football at Airport.

BROOKLAND-CAYCE HIGH SCHOOL

Hope Riley

Hope ranks among the top 10 percent of the graduating class. She is a dedicated participant in Brookland-Cayce’s International Thespian Society chapter, a member of JROTC’s award-winning Bearcat Battalion, a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. She is also a member of  HOSA-Future Health Professionals and is a 3-unit completer in the Health Science pathway. Hope is a state award winner in various competitions including acting, foreign language, health care, and military leadership, notably at Fort Jackson.

This fall, Hope will attend the University of Pennsylvania to major in nursing and minor in neuroscience.

John Mower

John ranks fourth in this year’s senior class and is graduating with the highest honors from Brookland-Cayce. He is vice president of the National Honor Society. He is a graduate of the Quest program, as well as an AP Scholar and earned the AP Capstone Diploma. He was the captain of the Bearcats football team who was selected All Region. John was also the Bearcats soccer team captain and selected to the All State team. He helped the soccer team win its state championship in 2021. He was selected as a Rotary Student of the Month.

This fall, John will attend Clemson University and major in mechanical engineering.

Sydney Artlip

Sydney is Brookland-Cayce’s student body president. She is an AP Scholar and earned the AP Capstone Diploma. She is secretary of the National Honor Society and vice president of the Latin Club. She was the captain of the Bearcats varsity soccer team and was a member of our school’s varsity cross-country team. She was selected to All Region for soccer and cross-country for the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 seasons. She was also selected as a Rotary Student of the Quarter.

This fall, Sydney will attend Clemson University Honors College and study architecture.

Joshua Koon

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Koon is the Cadet Battalion Commander. He was task organizer as the Battalion S4 during the Unit Insignia ceremony, and his intense planning and coordination ensured the superior success of the program. He also planned and supervised the parking, canteen, and Color Guard for football games as well as other involvements. He served as set construction manager for the Brookland-Cayce theatre department. Joshua completed his Eagle Scout project and passed his board of review to obtain the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Joshua is a member of the Brookland-Cayce cross-country team and ran a personal best record time of 19:58 in a 5K. Most recently he started his sixth wrestling season and was named team captain for the second time. Throughout this year he has maintained A-B honor roll and is in all AP and Honors classes. He was also the Team Captain and received the George Johnson Award for leadership excellence. Joshua received an $82,000 JROTC scholarship.

This fall, Joshua will attend Clemson University on an Army scholarship, majoring in natural resource management.

Freddie Asberry

Freddie earned his associate in arts diploma from Midlands Technical College while at Brookland-Cayce. He participated in the Young Pharaoh’s program sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.  He volunteered over 20 hours of community service with various organizations throughout the city of Columbia. He is a founding member of the BCHS BSU and a Mydris Walker Scholar. He also is a shift manager at a local Jiffy Lube.

This fall, Freddie will attend Winthrop University Honors College, majoring in finance with a minor in computer science.

Nakerianna Mays

Nakerianna is the salutatorian of Brookland-Cayce High School’s Class of 2024. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned the AP Capstone Diploma. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Sustainability Club and is a founding member of the BCHS BSU. She has served as a volunteer for a 5K run/walk sponsored by The Woman’s Club of Cayce and as a volunteer with a run/walk for domestic abuse awareness. She is also a two-time Mydris Walker Scholar.

This fall, Nakerianna will attend the University of South Carolina Honors College, majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Brookland-Cayce High School Class of 2024 members, from left, Sydney Artlip, John Mower, Joshua Koon, Freddie Asberry, Nakerianna Mays, Hope Riley.

Airport High School Class of 2024 members, from left, Justin Linden, Mackenzie Laskowski, Elias Guest-McCray, Ruby Gonzalez Armenta, Za’Moiya Cave-Sims, Sydney Edmond, Bre White, Parker Whittle, Taylor Gooding.