NEWS

NEWBERRY — The City of Newberry honored fifteen Newberry College seniors Tuesday as part of an annual tradition celebrating the impact of college students on the local community. Newberry Mayor Foster Senn presented each student with a 2026 Community Service Award during a special City Council meeting at the Center for Teacher Education. The student honorees were as follows: 

Ella Allardice, of Harare, Zimbabwe, is a psychology major and a member of the championship field hockey team. She has volunteered at Newberry Middle School and at a school in Pennsylvania during the national playoffs. She also helped with a sports day camp for children in Newberry, visited residents at Springfield Place retirement home, and volunteered with the Wolves food pantry. 

Ginny Bass, of Prosperity, S.C., is a nursing major and president of the Student Government Association. She has worked with the City of Newberry on multiple initiatives, including planting trees on campus for Arbor Day, speaking at Main Street Lights before 3,000 attendees, and supporting collaborative efforts between the City and the College. She has also volunteered with the Girl Scouts, Prevent Child Abuse America, and health disparity initiatives in Newberry County. 

Alexus Brooks, of Spartanburg, S.C., is a biology major and a creative leader and role model for the Scarlet Spirit marching band. She has volunteered at the Newberry County Animal Shelter and hosted a drive for the shelter as president of the Future Medical Professionals Association. She served as a science fair judge and conducted a science demonstration at Newberry Academy. 

Paxtyn Brown, of Charleston, S.C., is a criminal justice major and an active leader on campus and in the community. He has assisted with the Juneteenth Festival and Hispanic Heritage Festival and is the founder of the campus PRISM Club. He is also a key member of the Campus Activities Board and president of the Alpha Leaders. 

Jahleel Butler, of Saluda, S.C., is a music education major and a member of the Scarlet Spirit marching band. A talented percussionist, he has instructed youth in county schools and at clinics and competitions. He has performed at various community venues and events, including the Newberry Opera House, Wiles Chapel, and the Veterans Day Parade. 

Aniella Casper, of Newtown, N.J., is a health science major and an active community volunteer. She has been involved with local causes such as Lifebridge, Veterans Day Appreciation, Civic Duty Day, and voter polling locations. She also attended the NCAA Leadership Forum and has served as an on-campus leader with Morgan’s Message and other Newberry College initiatives. 

Tatyanna Chapman, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is a psychology major and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She has been involved in several campus and community initiatives, serving as a volunteer with the Newberry Housing Authority, assisting with chapel services and the Newberry College food pantry, and working with the March of Dimes. She also attended a Lutheran ELCA gathering in New Orleans and helped clean up homeless encampments. 

Christian Draper, of Bamberg, S.C., is a digital marketing major and president of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He has volunteered with Hurricane Helene relief efforts and supported youth through football camps, school events, and special needs fishing outings. He has also donated his time to food banks, diaper giveaways, and Keep America Beautiful cleanups. 

Gracie Graham, of Kingstree, S.C., is a business administration major and president of Kappa Delta sorority. She is a member of the Newberry College cheerleading team and a student ambassador for the Office of Admission. She has been involved in several campus and community initiatives, including Hurricane Helene relief efforts, voter registration drives, Prevent Child Abuse America, and the Girl Scouts in Newberry. 

Chance Jackson, of Georgetown, S.C., is a social studies education major and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As a member of the Newberry College Men’s Wrestling team, he has been involved in wrestling clinics and field days for children and youth, and has volunteered with the Living Hope food pantry, as well as other campus service projects.  

Micah McNamee, of Aiken, S.C., is a music education major and an accomplished trumpet player and pianist. A member of the Scarlet Spirit, he has volunteered his time and talents accompanying the Newberry Middle School choir, playing piano at area churches, teaching music to homeschooled students, and tutoring students in the Newberry College Department of Music. 

D’Ante Parker, of Port Royal, S.C., is a criminal justice major. As president of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, he has participated in numerous campus and community engagement efforts, including volunteering at Newberry Elementary School and supporting youth initiatives, the March of Dimes, and the Guide Right program. He has marched in the Newberry MLK Day March and participated in highway and campus cleanups. 

Marley Rourk, of Summerville, S.C., is a political science major and an active leader on campus and in the community. She is president of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and has volunteered with the March of Dimes, Hurricane Helene relief efforts, and voter registration initiatives. She has also tutored at Newberry Middle School, volunteered with Keep Newberry County Beautiful for roadside cleanups, and helped with toiletry and backpack drives. 

Tristin Sundell, of Ladson, S.C., is a music performance major and a drum major for the Scarlet Spirit Marching Band. He has been a student leader in the Newberry College Department of Music and participated in many community performances through the Newberry College Madrigals, the College Street Jazz Connection, and the Newberry Community Players. 

Erin Wilson, of Blythewood, S.C., is a nursing major and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has led FCA outreach efforts at White Oak Manor nursing home, supported Operation Christmas Child shoebox drives, and participated in other initiatives on and off campus. She has also coached youth athletic teams, promoted voter registration, and volunteered at a dance for individuals with special needs.

During the meeting, the City also recognized two Newberry College senior political science majors for their service as student interns –Margarita Roshka from Platja d'Aro, Spain, and Trevor Styron from Whitmire, S.C. 

Newberry College is proud to celebrate these outstanding seniors, whose service, leadership, and commitment continue to strengthen the bond between the College and the City of Newberry. Their dedication reflects the very best of Newberry’s mission, preparing students to lead with purpose while making a meaningful, lasting impact on the community they call home.