Chapin, SC (Paul Kirby) – The Chapin High School Eagle Club and the Town of Chapin have teamed up to honor their senior student athletes that were to have participated in spring sports in a very special way. Their pictures in their uniforms and names have been printed on beautiful banners that are now being hung on poles around town. When the project is completed, they will cover both a large portion of Columbia Avenue and Chapin Road.
The leaders of the Eagle Club, the school’s athletic booster club, felt that seniors who participated in spring athletic sports were being shorted in a way by the unavoidable COVID-19 pandemic. Because Governor McMaster had closed all schools in March of this year due to the pandemic, those seniors’ seasons were cut short. Next year, many of these student athletes will be going off to colleges, universities, or beginning careers without having the opportunity to complete their chosen sports' senior season! They wouldn’t be able to vie for regional or state titles and enjoy the camaraderie, excitement, and bonds that comes with that final high school competition.
To let these young men and ladies know they are appreciated and extra special to the school and town, the Eagle Club had the banners made for all those spring sports' seniors. The Town of Chapin came alongside the Eagle Club facilitating the installation of the wonderful fabric banners around the town. Thanks to Chapin’s Director of Public Affairs Nicholle Ogrodnick Burroughs, Chris Tisdale, and all the members and donors of the Eagle Club, the professionally printed banners were ordered, made, and began being installed around town this week. There was a slight hiccup with a shortage by the seller who left out some of the metal bands needed to affix the banner’s mounts to the poles, but Mayor Pro-tem Al Koon said Thursday that is being corrected and all the banners will be up soon.
Laura Huggins, the Town of Chapin’s attorney of record who has a small office on Columbia Avenue said via her social media Thursday, "Chapin is the best little town ever. Can you guys see what has been done. I drove up to work today and saw where banners honoring seniors who have missed their spring sport season are hanging down Columbia Avenue. I got a little choked up—not going to lie!"
