Celebrating the Class of 2026 Valedictorians

Lucius Kennerly Turberville
Allegro Charter School of Music

College Plans:

Attending Furman University with an undecided major

Career Plans:

Undecided

Interests & Hobbies:

Hanging out with my friends, biking, and trying new things to learn more about myself

School Involvement:

Tri-M Honor Society (treasurer, vice president, and president), Yearbook Committee (Photographer), Stage Crew, Prom Committee, Battle of the Bands, and Dungeons & Dragons

Family Members:

I have my mom who was always when I needed help, my dad who gave me strong advice that I was able to use, my sister who I could rely on when it came to personal problems, my friend group from my school who were able to make me laugh and smile every day, and my teachers at Allegro who supported me in every way even when I felt so overwhelmed.

Message to Fellow Classmates:

To my classmates whom I’ve been given the honor to know, I’m certain that all of you have the ability and skill to achieve great things, and I hope we can meet again.

McKenna Ann Marie Erwin
Burke High School

College Plans:

To attend the University of South Carolina and major in criminal justice

Career Plans:

To continue to pursue a career in the United States Army

Interests & Hobbies:

Volleyball, soccer, basketball, arts and crafts, cooking, and designing clothes 

School Involvement:

Student Government Association, Varsity Volleyball Captain, member of the varsity basketball team and the varsity soccer team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, and Command Sergeant Major of the Bulldog Battalion

Family Members:

Mother Kayla Erwin; brother Maddix Tucker 

Message to Fellow Classmates:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. ~Marianne Williamson

Temiloluwa Temitope Mosopefoluwa Olalere
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science

College Plans:
To study Business at the University of South Carolina Honors College

Career Plans:
Undecided

Interests & Hobbies:
Reading, going to the beach, scrapbooking, and shopping

School Involvement:
President of the Rotary Interact Club, President (and previous Vice President) of Scholar Council, Vice President of the National Honor Society, Vice President of Communications of the Future Business Leaders of America, Vice President of Scrabble Club, and President of the Riptide Radicals Math Team. I was an editor of this year's yearbook, a teacher cadet, and a member of the Varsity basketball and volleyball team. 

Family Members:
Anthony Olalere, father; Bukki Olalere, mother; Tomi Olalere, Semi Olalere, sisters; Lase Olalere, brother

Message to Fellow Classmates:
Don't be afraid to do hard things, especially if they scare you.

Unique story:
I earned my associate's degree before graduating from high school. I placed first in all three of my events at the Future Business Leaders of America Regional Leadership Conference and placed first at the State Leadership Conference, which qualifies me to compete at the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio this summer. All three of my siblings attended and graduated from Charleston Charter School for Math and Science. I received full rides to multiple colleges and over $1.1 million in scholarships.
 

Madeline Elise Leluc
Charleston County School of the Arts

College Plans:

To attend Cornell University and major in Near Eastern Studies

Career Plans:

To become an independent photojournalist

Interests & Hobbies:

Photography, running, and rock climbing

School Involvement:

National Honor Society and a model for the yearly school fashion show

Family Members:

Father, Michael Leluc; mother, Isabelle Leluc; brothers, Liam Leluc, and  Matt Leluc

Message to Fellow Classmates:

Wishing everybody the best of luck in all their future endeavors! 

Unique story:

I am a first-generation college student!

Shamiel Gabriel Clarke
Greg Mathis Charter High School

College Plans:
To attend Clemson University. My plan is to major in Architecture

Career Plans:
To become an Architect

Interests & Hobbies:
Cooking, interior designing. 

School Involvement:
Member of the Student Council, student representative on Greg Mathis Charter High School Title 1 Planning Committee

Family Members:
Jermaine Clarke, father; Charlotte Clarke, mother; Malicia, Sanyiah, Sasanique, Sateria, J'Ream, sisters; Jermaine Jr. and Jaedon, brothers 

Message to Fellow Classmates:
"Don't let fear stop you from chasing what God has placed on your heart."
 

Callie Ann Ingram
James Island Charter High School

College Plans:

Clemson University Honors College, Animal and Veterinary Science

Career Plans:

To become a doctor of veterinary medicine and open my own practice

Interests & Hobbies:

Play soccer, run track, caring for animals, watching sports, volunteering, tanning at the beach

School Involvement:

National Honor Society member, Book Club President, Animal Club member, volunteer student tutor, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track 

Family Members:

Keith Ingram, father; Melissa Ingram, mother; Rylind Ingram, sister; Chase Ingram, brother 

Message to Fellow Classmates:

"It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela 

Unique story:

I was a Dual-Sport Varsity Athlete in Track and Soccer during the same season, participating in two State Championships while earning both the Trojan Award and the Comeback Athlete of the Year Award.

Karina Shah  
Lucy Garrett Beckham High School

College Plans:
To attend Stanford University, majoring in Engineering Physics

Career Plans:
To create new inventions and apply physics-based solutions to challenges in areas like energy, electronics, automation, and sustainable innovation

Interests & Hobbies:
Art, baking, biking, nail art, listening to music

School Involvement:
Mock Trial (co-president), Spanish Honor Society (president), Science Olympiad, National and Beta Honor Society

Family Members:
Amit Shah, father; Sangita Shah, mother ; Melina Shah, sister; Dillon Shah, brother

Message to Fellow Classmates:
Congratulations! Dream big, stay curious, and don't be afraid to embrace new challenges!

Unique story:
I have lived in six different cities, including Barcelona and I have traveled to 48 countries!
 

Samantha Teresa Lizcano
Military Magnet Academy

College Plans:
To study Nursing at the University of South Carolina-Columbia

Career Plans:
To become a Nurse and go back to school to become a Nurse Anesthetist

Interests & Hobbies:
Volleyball and modeling

School Involvement:
Varsity Volleyball Captain, Regimental Staff MS1 - Public Speaking, Drill Team

Family Members:
Victor Lizcano, father; Teresa Lizcano, mother; Eli Lizcano, brother

Message to Fellow Classmates:
Never ruin your beautiful soul over anyone's ugly heart.

Unique stories:
I am left-handed, really flexible, and will try to eat anything. I love trying new foods.
 

Tahiem Nah'mon Watkins
North Charleston High School

College Plans
To attend Clemson University and major in Psychology

Career Plans:*
To become a clinical psychologist

Interests & Hobbies
Photography, listening to music, community service, exercising, and playing video games

School Involvement
Student Council Treasurer, Senior Board Secretary, National Technical Honor Society President, Students In Action, BETA Club, SC CHEER YES, National Society of High School Scholars, CCSD Star Student, NCHS Student Ambassador, Cooper River CAS Student Ambassador, Game Club

Family Members
Rasheid Watkins, father; Tiffany Haynes, mother; Dorothea Haynes, grandmother; Talayia Haynes and Rasheeda Austin, sisters; Rasheid and Paris Austin, brothers; Janie Fowler, cousin

Message to Fellow Classmates:
Success is earned through determination and belief in yourself. Never settle for less than your best.
 

Christena Richardson-Riddy
St. John’s High School

College Plans:
To attend Howard University and major in Political Science with a minor in economics (Pre - law track)

Career Plans:
To be an Estate Planning Lawyer

Interests & Hobbies:
Reading

School Involvement:
National Honor Society, Student Government Association, Key Club, and Yearbook

Family Members:
Antwan Richardson, father; Rebecca Riddy-Richardson, mother; Shamond Riddy, brother; Andrea Layla Richardson, sister; Sam Riddy, uncle 

Message to Fellow Classmates:
As we move into this next chapter, I hope we never stop pushing ourselves to be better and never let fear stop us from chasing what we truly want. No matter the path we take, I wish everyone success, happiness, and the courage to keep going. Congratulations to the class of 2026!
 

Maxwell Jacob Winters
Wando High School

College Plans:

To attend Harvard University and major in Mechanical Engineering

Career Plans:

To pursue a career in Engineering

Interests & Hobbies:

Running, engineering and mathematics, playing the piano and cello, hiking, and pickleball

School Involvement:

Captain of the Wando High School Track and Cross Country Team, ECCAS Coding Team President, 3-year Honors Orchestra member, NHS, NTHS, Beta Club, and AP Academy member

Family Members:

Daniel Winters, father; Kelly Winters, mother

Message to Fellow Classmates:

"Everyone has the capability to do something meaningful, but the challenge is to never give up until you find it."

Kevin Dc Zeng
West Ashley High School

College Plans

Clemson University Honors College - Studying Plant and Environmental Science

Career Plans

To become a plant conservation scientist, plant biotechnologist, or plant pathologist

Interests & Hobbies

Gardening, hanging out with friends, listening to music, photography, experiencing new things, and appreciating the little things in life

School Involvement

Scholars Academy, Junior Marshall, National Honor Society, Biology and Chemistry Peer Tutor

Family Members

Ji Hua Fang, father; Ying Zeng, mother; Tian Fang, sister

Message to Fellow Classmates

Look at things from as many perspectives as possible, and live the life you chose; remember to love yourself, others, and nature, and never hesitate to ask questions. Congratulations to the class of 2026! I am proud of all you have accomplished and, more importantly, I hope you are proud of yourself! May your future be full of wealth, prosperity, and health.