A big surprise in Dillon
Students arrive to find new desks, tables, chairs
By Yvonne Wenger
Updated 09:50 a.m., May 5, 2009
DILLON — Eighth-grader Shakeem Sellers stopped by the band room at J.V. Martin Junior High School on his way to science class Monday morning to check out the surprise everyone was talking about.
Photo Gallery
Dillon school gets new furniture
Students arrived at J. V. Martin Junior High School to find brand new furniture and a freshly painted and newly decorated cafeteria. Illinois-based Sagus International Inc. and its partners decided to replace all the furniture, including providing new band chairs and cafeteria tables.
As a trumpet player in the band, Sellers spent many a backache-filled practice trying to maintain proper posture in the old band chairs. Like the rest of the furniture in this rundown school, they were a mismatch of hand-me-downs from decades ago.
Shakeem, 14, and his schoolmates arrived at the junior high to find all new furniture, including a room full of new band chairs, and a spruced-up cafeteria provided by an Chicago-based company. The company donated the furniture after hearing about the school's shoddy conditions when eighth-grader Ty'Sheoma Bethea wrote a letter to Congress pleading for help to fix her school.
After Shakeem made his way to science class, the first-period band students trickled in and took up their new seats. Music from the band room soon filled the hallway, blending with the chirps from starlings nesting on the ceiling tiles, where they made a home after an animal chewed through the eaves of the dilapidated building.
The school still needs a lot in terms of the facility, technology and resources to give the students here what others in the state already have. But the teachers and students see the new furniture as a beginning.
In the making
Most students did not realize what was happening Friday when their teachers asked them to take the desks and chairs outside to an open area at the center of the campus among a hodgepodge of buildings. The children were told the desks and chairs were going to be cleaned and repaired over the weekend.
Previous stories
Sanford urged to visit school, published 02/27/09
Dillon teen's words trouble some, published 04/12/09
Some of the furniture was 50 or 60 years old.
The oldest part of the school was built in 1896. That building is attached by an awning to the rest of the school, which includes a gym originally built as a boxing arena in 1926 and a wing constructed in 1954. The newest portion was built in 1983 after a fire destroyed the middle section of the school. Even the mobile classrooms are old, older than many of the student's parents, and re-sided with beige vinyl panels to cover up the age.
Janesia Haynes and Sanasia McNeil, both 13-year-old eighth-graders, said they didn't know what was up when they left for the weekend.
Janesia said she was shocked to see the redecorated cafeteria and thankful that someone cared enough to give the students the surprise.
"It really hits the heart," she said. "We are really thankful."
Sanasia said the attention on the Dillon school is paying off.
"Change will come to this schoolhouse," she said.
Darryl Rosser, president of Sagus International Inc., was inspired to help after Ty'Sheoma brought national attention to the deteriorated junior high.
Ty'Sheoma wrote a letter to Congress to ask for help rebuilding the school. She borrowed money from her principal for the stamp to mail the letter. After President Barack Obama got wind of her plea, he invited her to his first address before Congress in February to help build support for the $787 billion stimulus package designed to spur the economy and improve America's schools.
Obama visited the Dillon school, part of which is condemned, twice while he was running for the Democratic Party's nomination, and he promised he would remember the children.During the president's congressional address, the television cameras panned over to Ty'Sheoma as Obama told the nation about her story and her school. She smiled and leaned into a hug with first lady Michelle Obama.
Rosser said anyone with a "heart at all" and the means to improve conditions at the school would have felt compelled to do the same as Sagus.
"We hope that our donation will be the first step in giving Ty'Sheoma and her classmates the learning environment they deserve," Rosser said.
In all, the school furniture company and its partners donated 1,100-plus desks and chairs worth more than $250,000.
Getting things ready
Sagus, its South Carolina partner Nu-Idea School Supply Co. of Sumter and Indiana-based contractor Facility Concepts Inc. provided a 25-man crew that worked through the weekend to get the school ready.
Three 18-wheelers accompanied by a fourth truck arrived Saturday with all the new furniture. The old furniture later was loaded onto the trucks and shipped to Texas to Sagus' manufacturing division where it will be recycled.
Contractors painted the cafeteria in the school colors, black and yellow, mounted a new depiction of the wildcat mascot and posted quotes on the wall, including one from Obama: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
The renovation team, along with teachers and administrators, went to lengths to keep everything a secret from the students, even taping black paper over the windows. Rosser and Mike Kula, vice president of Sagus' manufacturing division Artco-Bell Corp., spent hours Sunday adjusting the table and chair legs and wiping down the furniture to make sure everything was perfect when the students arrived.
Gaye Graham, who teaches eighth-grade social studies, spent at least 15 hours at the school over the weekend to help get everything in order. She said the children will take pride in the new furniture.
"I am overwhelmed by the generosity of people who don't even know us," Graham said. That kindness and generosity of strangers is one thing Graham said she wants her students to take away from this experience.
The surprise revealed
The 550 J.V. Martin students gathered in the school's stifling gymnasium for a late morning ceremony to recognize the donation.
Shakeem played his trumpet with the band as it performed "Amazing Grace."
Sitting next to the dignitaries, including state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex and 5th District Rep. John Spratt, was Ty'Sheoma.
Ty'Sheoma said she had no idea a surprise was in store for her and her classmates. She knew something was up when one of the teachers called her mother Monday morning to make sure the eighth grader was looking her best so she'd be ready for all the photographers and TV cameras.
Standing before the school assembly, Ty'Sheoma thanked Rosser and his company for the donation. She said the new furniture and the renovated cafeteria will help the students feel better about their school.
Today, she said, was a good day at J.V. Martin, and she reminded her classmates that it is only the beginning of good things to come if they work together.
"We are not quitters and we are not through."
Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story contained an error with regard to federal stimulus money that Gov. Mark Sanford has rejected. The Post and Courier regrets the error.
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jj2day (anonymous) says...
i am so glad 4 these kids.as adults we should know that school is the most positive place in some childrens lives!pride in one's school makes learning a little easier and hopfully will want them 2 excel their education .maybe there will be others who can and will help this school to improve .if our governor won't do it ,it seems others will have 2!!i hope these kids get a good education no matter what condition this school is in and bless the teachers who try 2 instill wisdom and hope in them.teachers dont get the respect they deserve 4 all they do 2 help our kids .god bless them all and pray they can understand that there is hope 4 their school ,yet.keep up the good work and be proud of everything you do!
May 5, 2009 at 6:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
republicansuck (anonymous) says...
Good thing we still have people like Rosser managing a great American Company, using union labor. Maybe republicans in Columbia can find it useful to be more proactive in the last month and pass meaningful legislation to help are children's education.
May 5, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mqc (anonymous) says...
It's a sad set of circumstances...a company from another state helps, while SC can't take care of their own.
May 5, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IValueU (anonymous) says...
Whether it is a "New" desk, a "New" book or a shinny "New" school. I will be willing to bet the academic standing for J.V. Martin Junior High School will not rise above the current standing of near or at the bottom for Dillon County schools and in the ranking for all SC Public schools. When will the "do-gooders" learn that throwing money at an issue or implementing all of theorized "Newness" at an issue will not improve low achievement or moral? Grammar and literacy can be mastered whether these lessons are taught from the seat of an old wooden chair or within the confines of an old run down school.
May 5, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
Rolllll credits:
Sagus International, Inc.
This donation would not have been possible without the generous support and donations of Sagus's partners:
- Nu-Idea School Supply Company, the exclusive dealer for Sagus in South Carolina, donated the installation labor with a crew of 25 workers.
- Landstar System, Inc., of Jacksonville, FL, provided an in-kind donation of its transportation logistics services.
- Trinity Express Inc., of Lewisville, TX, provided an in-kind donation of its transportation logistics services.
- Facility Concepts, Inc., of Indianapolis, IN, provided in-kind painting, design and logo-development services for the cafeteria makeover.
A special thank you to Governor Pineapple and all the apathy towards public education.
May 5, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PHiers (anonymous) says...
Classrooms without A/C, only a fan and open windows to cool the classrooms in the spring and summer.
Classrooms with wobbly desks, desk tops that wouldn't stay on straight.
Ceilings that leaked everytime it rained.
Water damaged ceiling tiles and carpeting.
Carpet puddled up and stained due to water leaks.
Floor tiles popping up due to water damage.
Paint peeling on the walls.
A/C's that never worked right, replacement parts usually unavailable or hard to come by.
No auditorium for school events.
No football stadium.
Gymnasium without A/C or any other efficient means of cooling in the spring and summer.
Trailers parked around the school.
Is this the description of the schools in Dillon?
No! This is the description of Stiles Point Elementary, (then) Harbor View Middle School, and (then) Fort Johnson High School when I attended between the years 1969 - 1977. Many of the deficiencies of the school in Dillon could also be found in my own schools even though the buildings were newer. Part of the problem is just lack of proper maintenance funding for all of the schools and poor engineering design and construction of what was a 4 year old Fort Johnson High School.
However, even though the school buildings had all of those physical problems it didn't stop the students from achieving. Over the decades these schools, (students, parents, and staff) have consistently done well regardless of the condition of the building.
May 5, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
I wonder where uvalue went to school and in what year. Sorry but study after study after study proves that environment plays a major role in academic performance. as does self esteem. When one feels HOPE you seem to push forward. If people like mark Sanford and Uvalue would prefer spending money later on ignorance than spending it now on education go ahead...I think well see in 10 years how Mr. Sanfords's plan works out when business refuse to locate to SC because of its lack of educated work force.
May 5, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me1059 (anonymous) says...
OH MY GOSH! Do you really begrudge these children, this school, the fact that someone reached out to help make their school a little nicer? I should have known the same old naysayers would make something negative out of a very generous act. I don't think anyone Believes we will suddenly create "Einsteins" by improving conditions. And I too went to school in older bldgs that could have stood some repair and better maintenance. But the bottom line is this school was, and is, about to fall in around their ears. Kudos to a child for taking the initiative to point out the problem - get the attention that apparently others could not. So what if Stiles/Harborview/Ft. Johnson were bad back then? Did your parents, the teachers, the student body just say "Oh well," or did you do something about it. This child did the only thing in her ability to "do something about it"...a step many of her classmates will now benefit from because a generous company answered the call. For goodness sake, let these children enjoy a little better environment while they DO try to learn and achieve - which obviously some of them are doing - ex. Ty'Sheoma. A better environment won't create academic excellence, but it certainly can't hurt.
May 5, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
me1059~
Can't you see this is the problem? Those kids are always looking for a handout to better their school when they have the power to do so themselves. No Einsteins will be produced there, but geez they ought to master the 3 r's. Self reliance and P R I D E, now theres a winning ticket. Give a man a fish and ................you know the rest of the saying.
May 5, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me1059 (anonymous) says...
Don't all of us, who pay taxes to support the public school system, expect at least adequate facilities to house our children while they are at school attempting to learn...did you read/see the condition of this school...and I'm sure there are others in terrible shape as well. It's not the fault of the kids - what did you expect them to do, break out the tool kits and repair a dilapidated bldg and furnishings? I would say it took quite a bit of self reliance and pride - not to mention some "r's" - to put together a request for help that resulted in getting attention and getting a few nice upgrades for her school. What exactly would you have had these children do differently? We aren't talking about just a little clean up or paint - the furnishing and the building need to be completely renovated at the least and torn down and replaced at best! From what I can see, they simply asked for the basics to be provided...and they should be.
My sister lives in a fairly affluent area of our state, albeit one that has a high population of retirees and wealthy second home owners. Over the years they have consistently voted down every millage or funding mechanism that would provide the funding to keep their schools in good repair, not to mention building needed additional schools. PTAs find themselves constantly raising money, not to provide "extras" for the schools, but to take care of the basics which are currently not being funded adequately.
So maybe you should just trot up there and teach their children how to fish...I'm sure they would appreciate your help and concern.
May 5, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
ME1059~
I recently visited my elementary school (85 yrs. old) and my high school (57 yrs. old) and I was impressed they showed very little wear and tear compared to SC schools. Yes, we should provide a nice physical plant for the students, but when they tear the sinks out, destroy the classrooms, and vandalize the property they get what they deserve! Been to Burkes campus lately? Black students don't seem to appreciate the tax dollars poured into their facilities so they can learn in modern, updated classrooms.
May 5, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me1059 (anonymous) says...
If the damage is due to vandalism, that is a different issue and I dare say that white students can be just as destructive as black students - your remark was inappropriat. Since the article clearly outlined the age and issues at this school, which didn't sound like vandalism, just simply a worn out building! If you don't have first hand knowledge of such at this school, then I would not be so quick to judge.
My point was,and is, that in this case,a company chose to do something nice for a group of kids. Sure they got some great publicity out of it, but so what - charitable donations often do. Nobody "threw money" at a problem, no tax dollars were spent - it was a Donation! Someone did something nice, for kids they didn't know, and I think it says quite a bit for people who have to make a negative out of a positive. It's no skin off anyone's nose, so again, why begrudge this school being the recipient of a nice gesture? Ever heard of paying it forward? You never know what other positives may come from these kids in the future because somebody made an effort on their behalf.
May 5, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Pitiful! South Carolina is now reduced to seeking charity from out of state to keep its schools functioning.
You can thank Sanford and the republican party for that.
Disgusting!
May 5, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
Sanford has not been running the state long enough for the schools to have reached this point under him---this has been coming for years----currently about $5 billion per year is spent on the schools for 700,000 students---that is 20% of the states tax revenue----I believe the appropriate blame would lie with each representative and senator--------Perhaps if the state carried no debt we would have all that wasted interest for the schools---Just a thot
May 5, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lga2chs (anonymous) says...
Are the misspellings and incorrect usage of grammar common practice on the P&C posts? I would think that with the reputation SC has for ignorance, there would be a better attempt of "excellence" when one posts their opinions for the entire world to see.
May 5, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by Numba10 on May 5, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
Sanford has not been running the state long enough for the schools to have reached this point under him---this has been coming for years----currently about $5 billion per year is spent on the schools for 700,000 students---that is 20% of the states tax revenue----I believe the appropriate blame would lie with each representative and senator--------Perhaps if the state carried no debt we would have all that wasted interest for the schools
************************************************
Oh, now you've went and done it. How DARE you inject common sense into this???
May 5, 2009 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Just about every state has debt. How about looking at the fact that we pay more per prisoner than we do per student. Think that might have something to do with it?
May 5, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Haven't you heard the movon.org mantra numba? Every bad thing that did/does/will exist is directly caused by Rush Limbaugh, George Bush or Mark Sanford. Heck, the three of them caused the great depression and both world wars, not to mention gum disease. George Bush alone managed not only to fool the entire congress but the entire world. Not bad for the dumbest idiot ever to steal a presidency.
May 5, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vuduchld (anonymous) says...
I find some of these comments here laughable. Now, it's all about a "handout" to the school. All that was asked for was help to repair a school worn out long ago. Your Governor decided that selling his $3.5MM US home was more important - end of story! These kids will appreciate the fact that they have a school they can call their own and not be ashamed of that. To the idiotic naysayers out there: You folks do not and will never have a clue! You are too bent on always trying to find fault in others instead of looking at yourselves in the mirror and admitting that it is YOU who fail and come up short.
It is what it is, no sugar coating anything. Your so-called "states rights - federalism" leader threw these students under a bus, so someone who cared about them more came in and did the right thing!!
May 5, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by majorjohnson on May 5, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Haven't you heard the movon.org mantra numba? Every bad thing that did/does/will exist is directly caused by Rush Limbaugh, George Bush or Mark Sanford. Heck, the three of them caused the great depression and both world wars, not to mention gum disease. George Bush alone managed not only to fool the entire congress but the entire world. Not bad for the dumbest idiot ever to steal a presidency.
******************************************************
Don't forget the sinking of the Titanic. George Bush must be to blame for that as well.
Oh, and extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Gotta blame him for that too.
May 5, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
regulardude (anonymous) says...
ysillyme - "Yes, we should provide a nice physical plant for the students, but when they tear the sinks out, destroy the classrooms, and vandalize the property they get what they deserve! Been to Burkes campus lately? Black students don't seem to appreciate the tax dollars poured into their facilities so they can learn in modern, updated classrooms."
Typical response. Locate one black school out of thousands, chose around 5 to 8 bad seeds out of millions of well behaved students, and then say that they represent an ENTIRE race of people. Here's an example for you ysillyme. 2-3 white teenage students purchase semi-automatic weapons and then open fire on their fellow classmates. An idiot would then say, all white teenagers are serial killers. Someone with half a brain would realize that any act commited by a single or small group of people should be viewed on a case by case basis, it should not be used to condemn an entire race. You idiot.
May 5, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by vuduchld on May 5, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Your Governor decided that selling his $3.5MM US home was more important - end of story!"
*************************************************
I fail to see how someone selling their home has anything to do with any of this.
May 5, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
regulardude (anonymous) says...
Ivalue and friends - I believe someone already said this, but it should be repeated. A childs learning enviornment is crucial to their education. There are basic needs that should be provided to a student while inside a classroom or learning enviornment. There have been studies dating back centuries that prove this. So yes, throwing money at replacing 50 year old desk and chairs is a part of the solution, not problem. Of course a new desk will not spike your intelligence. It will however improve your comfort level while studying and participating in classroom activities.
Im starting to believe that you guys only make those comments to get a rise out of other posters. Its no way that you really believe some of the things that you say. Its no way.
May 5, 2009 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BreezinIAm (anonymous) says...
Numba10, where did you get your figures?
"... currently about $5 billion per year is spent on the schools for 700,000 students ..."
Wrong.
According to the SC Budget & Control Board, approx $3.3 billion, FY 2008-2009, has been appropriated for BOTH K-12 and higher education. That's considerably more than 700,000 students. The SC Lottery kicks in another $261 million for the above for a total of approx $3.6 billion.
May 5, 2009 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
I hope that this embarasses the hell out of the governor and the rest of the republicans in this state, not to mention the idiots who have posted here. It took an out of state entity to furnish these children with the things that they need to be better educated while Sanford sits there looking foolish talking about vouchers to help resegregate our schools and refusing to take government money that we will have to pay back regardless of whether this state gets any or not.
May 5, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by CHRISJIII on May 5, 2009 at 4:26 p.m.
I hope that this embarasses the hell out of the governor and the rest of the republicans in this state, not to mention the idiots who have posted here.
****************************************
Well then, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed...
May 5, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
regulardude (anonymous) says...
Haroldreems - You get labeled as a racist or suspected as one when you make a silly comment like "Nobama worshipping blacks". Tell me this, in the how ever so many years you've been waisting away here on earth, have you ever said, "Bush supporting whites", "Sanford supporting whites", McCain supporting whites", "Clinton supporting blacks", "Carter supporting blacks"...etc. I'm going to take a wild guess and say no you haven't. Yes "President" Obama recieved the majority of the black vote, but so has the many democrats, and if you take it back even further, republicans, long before he was a twinkle in his father's eyes. So save the black worship talk and then maybe you will not get labeled as a racist Mr. Dreems sir.
May 5, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
regulardude (anonymous) says...
In case you were wondering Harold "Big Pipe" Dreems. The article is about a company donating furniture to a school in Dillon SC. Its not about our president, or "Nobama" as you call him.
By the way, I call him Mr. President, just as I did with George Bush and Bill Clinton. (As any true American that values our constitution and governing laws would)
May 5, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stillhere (anonymous) says...
If the "Halls of Shame" movie did not shame anyone in SC government into action, this donation won't.
May 6, 2009 at 12:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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