2025 Awards Banquet
The seventh annual Charter Institute at Erskine Awards Banquet was hosted on Thursday, May 15, at the Pastides Alumni Center. More than 500 individuals came together to celebrate academic excellence across our great state. Students, parents, volunteers, teachers, and school leadership were present, along with leadership from Erskine College.
2025-2026 Nathan Yon institute Teachers of the year
For the first time in its history, the Institute has named two recipients of the 2025–2026 Nathan Yon Institute Teacher of the Year Award. This new initiative was established to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of both a traditional brick-and-mortar educator and a virtual educator.
Ashley Cooper
Libertas Academy - Boiling Springs
Aimee Connell
South Carolina Virtual Charter School
2024-2025 institute student of the year Winners
2025 elementary school Student of the year
Lilly Oliver
South Carolina Connections Academy
2025 Middle school Student of the year
William Gunter
Thornwell Charter School
2025 High school Student of the year
Jack Stapleton
South Carolina Virtual Charter School
2024-2025 Lynn higgins volunteer of the year
2024-2025 lynn higgins volunteer of the year
Chelsea Blakeley
Greenwood Charter Academy
2025 state advocates of the year
2025 state advocates of the year
Gary Prince and Adam Hall
2025 Board Member of the year
2025 Board member of the year
Micah Rea
American Leadership Academy – Lexington
2025 champions
Federal programs champion
John Robinson
Virtus Academy
finance champion
Andrea Amburn
Odyssey Online Learning
Student Services Champion
Yonna Acuff
Cherokee Charter Academy
communications champion
Serra Williams
Mevers School of Excellence
powerschool champion
Noelle Gregoire
Libertas Academy – Boiling Springs
Testing champion
Laura Galloway
The Heron Institute
Accountability Champion
Brenda Hunt & Brian Morse
Royal Live Oaks Academy
Assistant principal champion
Rocky Cooper
Odyssey Online Learning
rookie of the year
Chantell Berry
Midlands STEM Charter School
