On yesterday evening we held our First Annual End of Year Gala for staff and teachers. During the night, staff enjoyed delicious food and heartfelt fellowship. We were able to connect while sharing songs, dances, and laughs. The event was not only beautiful, but also a meaningful way to spend time with each other before closing out the school year.
Good morning Allendale County Community of Learners, please be reminded that today is an early release day and the schedule is as follows:
AFES: 12:30
AFMS/AFHS 1:16
Please arrange for early transportation for your child. It has been a great year and a pleasure to serve your family. I personally thank you for your support this school year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on August 4th. Take care of my scholars and I love you all!!
Have a safe and wonderful summer!!
Dr. Vallerie Cave
Superintendent
Thank you to everyone who participated or attended our 2025 Commencement Services. Despite the trials we faced, we all showed up to support our Seniors on their big day and that is something to rejoice! It is important that our scholars feel celebrated and loved while walking across the stage. We appreciate all of you who helped us make this a special day for the Class of 2025!
Thank you to our wonderful AFMHS Chorus and Choral Director, Hiram E.M. Davis, for entertaining us during our graduation ceremony. They sung a joyful rendition of Lovely Day during the ceremony to keep spirits high! Their performances helped us celebrate this momentous occasion.
The air was filled with excitement as our Senior Graduates marched towards their diplomas and futures. Followed by our administrative staff and beloved teachers, they felt the support of our entire district. This is a day that we all long for, and we could not be more proud of each our graduates. While we may miss your presence in our schools, we know that you have a mark to make in our society.
Congratulations again to our Valedictorian, Jaylen Outing, and Salutatorian, Ariana Priester, who spoke at the beginning of the program. Their speeches were impactful reminders of the journeys they endured to earn these honors. Everyone listened with pride and admiration, knowing that both these scholars juggled schoolwork with sports to reach this accomplishment. Our Superintendent, Dr. Vallerie Cave, is amazed by your strength, brilliance, and commitment. We cannot wait to see what great things you will achieve next!
Congratulations to the resilient Class of 2025! We have watched you prevail both personal and academic challenges to make it to this moment. You pushed through against all odds to reach this milestone and we could not be more proud! You earned your diploma and it is more than just a piece of paper — it is a gateway to your future. We are grateful you chose our district to start your career and remember no matter where you may go—"Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!"
Throughout the ceremony, the 5th graders gave several performances to showcase their talents. There was a beautiful cover of Diamonds led by one of our students. At the end of the ceremony, several students performed a sign language dance in honor of their achievement. We also had students recite a speech and conduct the ceremony. It is truly remarkable how intelligent and confident our scholars have become!
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony. Mr. Elmore, a youth pastor, was a speaker for the event and he did not disappoint! The entire room was moved by his inspiring speech! He encouraged our scholars to not let any circumstance hinder them, and reminded us all that we are in charge of our own destiny.
Our Steel Drum Band gave their final performance of the year at the Promotional Exercise. For our 5th grade drummers, it was their last performance and a heartfelt farewell. We are excited to see them bring their talents to our AFMHS Chorus and Band.
Superintendent Dr. Vallerie Cave and Principal Sheila Leath handed out certificates to our scholars. They take pride in knowing the students have built a strong foundation at our elementary school. 5th grade was full of memories and milestones, but now it's time for the next step in their educational journey. While the transition is bittersweet, it is a moment we anticipate every year.
An exciting day for our 5th graders! Today we held our 5th Grade Graduation at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School. Our 5th graders are officially moving on and stepping into a whole new world—middle school. They've grown into independent young minds, ready to take on new challenges at our middle school. We are looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow and thrive!
Dear Students and Families,
We have some important reminders and updates regarding the upcoming Graduation Ceremony. Please read all details carefully to ensure you are well-informed. Graduation will be held on tomorrow Friday, May 30th at 7:00 PM at the Tiger Stadium. Students will need to report to the AFES gymnasium for graduation line-up at 5:30 PM. Gates will open at 5:30 PM for guests and will close promptly at 6:50 PM. All guests will enter through the gate nearest to Hwy 278. No entry will be allowed after 6:50 PM. There will be NO exceptions!
This will allow for the graduates to transition to the graduation area for their commencement processional. If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to follow our Youtube (@AllendaleCountySchools) or our Facebook (Allendale County Schools). We will have the event professionally live-streamed on these channels. We look forward to celebrating this significant milestone with our graduating class and their families while maintaining a peaceful and safe environment for everyone. In case of inclement weather, the graduation ceremony will be moved to the Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School Gymnasium. Each student will receive a total of 8 tickets. 6 tickets for the gym and 2 for the overflow room. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to a celebrating our graduates!
Last but not least, Mrs. Marilyn Davis deserves a special shoutout for the beautiful decor she prepared for the event. The colorful, life-sized props really brought everything to life and set an upbeat mood for the ceremony. This level of decor takes lots of effort and preparation, so we appreciate you for taking out the time to make it happen. You are a true team player and we are grateful to have you!
We cannot celebrate the students, without acknowledging our Champions in the Classroom! The children have taken meaningful first steps in their academic journeys, but it is our teachers who walk along to support and guide them. We also want to thank the parents for constantly showing up and pouring into our schools. We are so grateful to the parents, educators, and staff who made this school year a success.
Some scholars were chosen for special awards due to their academic excellence and improvement. This achievement is the first of many, and we are so proud of how they have evolved this year. From morning songs to story time and counting to 100, our kindergarteners have come so far. We are so honored to help our little ones celebrate their big day!
During the ceremony, the students gave several endearing performances. It shows that our students have learned more than academics — they’ve also built the confidence to sing and speak. Our students have spent this year building foundational skills that will support a lifetime of success. We are so excited for their next steps and to welcome them back next year!
What a joyful day at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary, as we celebrated Kindergarten Graduation! There were big smiles, tiny caps, and proud families all across the gymnasium. Today was a beautiful reminder of how much growth and progress our children have made with early education. This day marks the end of one chapter and the exciting start of another. We cannot wait to see how our rising first graders will thrive next school year!
This week's edition of The People-Sentinel features the 2025 Graduation Section! This 28-page special section recognizes our very own graduating seniors, plus those from Barnwell! Make sure to grab a copy to preserve this special moment. This keepsake is a way to honor their hard work and mark an major milestone. Years from now, it will be a cherished reminder of how far they’ve come, so don't hesitate! Copies are in local grocery stores, convenience stores, and other local businesses for $1. An online version is also available at www.thepeoplesentinel.com/graduation-section. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and thank you for supporting local news!
Last but not least, let's congratulate Dhailauna Taylor-Maner and Logan Fullington for also being part of our Top Ten Percent. Dhailauna will be a student at the University of South Carolina Columbia, while Logan will be attending North Carolina Central University. These young women worked extremely hard to persevere through this journey. They have almost reached the moment they deserve, and we cannot wait to celebrate them!
