Environmental Educator of the Year: Cathy Taylor

Throughout her distinguished career, Cathy Taylor dedicated herself to helping South Carolinians discover the wonder of the natural world. As Interpretive Ranger at Paris Mountain State Park, she developed and led hands-on environmental education programs for generations of students, with a special focus on second and fifth graders, teaching them about habitats, wildlife, and the importance of protecting South Carolina's natural spaces. Beyond leading programs, Cathy created interpretive exhibits, conducted historical research, and developed educational materials that enriched the park experience for countless visitors. Following her retirement, EEASC is proud to recognize Cathy with the Environmental Educator of the Year Award for her decades of service, passion for environmental interpretation, and lasting impact on environmental education across South Carolina.

Green Business of the Year: Junk King

Junk King of Spartanburg was recognized for its commitment to sustainability through recycling, reuse, and waste diversion. Since opening in 2025, the company has recycled more than 150 tons of scrap metal while donating and repurposing reusable materials that might otherwise enter local landfills. Through its work, Junk King also promotes responsible waste management and environmental stewardship throughout the community.

Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Spartanburg Area Conservancy

The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) was recognized for its outstanding commitment to land conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. Through protected natural areas, trails, volunteer stewardship opportunities, school partnerships, and public programs, SPACE connects people of all ages with the outdoors while fostering environmental literacy and a lifelong commitment to conservation across the Spartanburg community.

Outstanding Youth Award: Melaina Dickinson

Melaina Dickinson recently graduated from Riverside High School in Greer, where she distinguished herself as a student leader, environmental advocate, and volunteer. Nominated by teacher Mary Beth Adams, Dickinson was recognized for her dedication to South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream as a volunteer water quality monitor and for her leadership in her school's Good for Green Club, where she helped educate fellow students about environmental stewardship and sustainability. This fall, she will attend the University of Colorado Boulder to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Edward Donovan

Dr. Edward P. Donovan received EEASC's Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 55 years of excellence in science, STEM, and environmental education. A retired adjunct science education professor at USC Upstate and NASA Educator, Donovan has presented more than 400 workshops and professional development programs for educators, inspiring generations of teachers and students across South Carolina and beyond.

Writer of the Year: Glenis Redmond

Award-winning poet, educator, and South Carolina Poet Laureate Emerita Glenis Redmond received EEASC's Writer of the Year Award for using storytelling and poetry to deepen public appreciation for South Carolina's landscapes, history, and natural beauty. Her celebrated work—including two poetry collections inspired by visits to every South Carolina state park—demonstrates the powerful role storytelling plays in environmental education. Earlier this year, Redmond received South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto.

Elected Official of the Year: Mayor Jerome Rice

Mayor Jerome Rice was honored for his leadership in advancing environmental stewardship through community partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and public engagement. From supporting Arbor Day, Earth Day, and Plastic Free July to championing the Sparkle A City Street program, Rice has helped make environmental responsibility a shared community priority while fostering collaboration among local government, nonprofits, educators, and residents.

Outstanding Youth Award: Andrew Brannon and Heath Wenger

Selected as senior engineering interns at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies (CATE Center), Heath Wenger and Andrew Brannon secured grant funding to design and build four greenhouse kits equipped with solar-powered ventilation fans and gravity-fed rain barrels. Partnering with Leaphart Elementary School, a Lexington County Green Step School, they planned and led environmental and engineering lessons for four fourth-grade classes. Under their guidance, students assembled the greenhouse systems while learning how sustainable technologies benefit the environment and strengthen engineering and problem-solving skills. 

Outstanding Youth Award: Jack Wrigley

Jack Wrigley, a Cub Scout and student at Heathwood Hall in Columbia, helped make South Carolina history this spring by successfully advocating for the Prothonotary Warbler to become the state's official migratory bird. Known as the "swamp canary" for its brilliant yellow plumage, the species migrates thousands of miles each year between South America and South Carolina's wetlands. Jack's passion for birds and conservation demonstrates how young people can make a meaningful impact on protecting the state's natural heritage.

GSS Protect School of the Year: Aiken Elementary School 

Led by Dr. Angela Clifford and a dedicated team of educators, Aiken Elementary was recognized for hands-on environmental learning that includes rain barrel gardens, student-created environmentally friendly cleaners, and campus litter prevention projects. This marks the school's fourth Green Step Schools superlative award, placing it among an elite group of schools recognized for sustained excellence in environmental education.

GSS Restore School of the Year: St. Matthews
K-8 School

Students at St. Matthews K-8 School were honored for habitat restoration, composting, pollinator conservation, and edible gardening projects that teach environmental stewardship alongside valuable life skills. Mary Dixon of the Calhoun Soil and Water Conservation District serves as the school's Green Step Schools mentor.

GSS Conserve School of the Year: Pleasant Hill Elementary School

Pleasant Hill Elementary earned top honors for its long-standing commitment to waste reduction and recycling. Students recycle everything from cafeteria trays and batteries to plastic bags while transforming recycled materials into "plarn" sleeping mats for individuals experiencing homelessness. Led by teacher Maura Farley, the school's efforts have also resulted in 11 recycled plastic benches through the NexTrex Challenge, teaching students that conservation begins with everyday actions.

GSS Mentor of the Year: Kassidy Roof

Kassidy Roof was honored for her leadership supporting Green Step Schools throughout Lexington County. A former agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor, Roof now serves as county coordinator for 15 schools, recruiting and mentoring educators, supporting school projects, and organizing an annual Green Step Schools Recognition Ceremony before Lexington County Council.

GSS School of the Year: Brockman Elementary School

Brockman Elementary received the program's highest school honor for consistently implementing innovative environmental education projects, including Adopt-A-Stream monitoring, storm drain painting, hydroponics, weather monitoring, and student-led stewardship initiatives that engage the entire school community. Dr. Sarah Burnham regularly pilots new Green Step Schools projects with her Upper Elementary Montessori students.