West Columbia, SC 01/24/2023 - A panel featuring alumni from the former Lakeview School, the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, visited Brookland-Cayce High School recently to share their school experiences as part of Black History Month.
Among those on the panel were Will Hutto, president of the Greater Lakeview Alumni Association; Bennie Sulton, chair of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center Board of Directors and a Lakeview alum (Class of 1964); Dr. Rudy Wise, Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center Board member who attended Lakeview and is an Airport High School alum; and Pete Prioleau, Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center Board member and Lakeview alum (Class of 1968). A group of roughly 15 Lakeview alumni also attended the February 8 event.
Dr. Brenton Coe, an assistant principal at Brookland-Cayce High School, said the idea for the panel came during a discussion with a colleague about the histories of the two schools.
In addition to sharing their own stories, panel members took the opportunity to encourage Brookland-Cayce's students to “take advantage of the opportunities you have today.” Lakeview’s own alumni include business executives, scientists, military officers, clergy members, lawyers, physicians and educators.
“The main takeaway was that B-C students have many opportunities now that some were not afforded before them,” Dr. Coe said after the event. “The Lakeview Alumni speakers accomplished a lot due to hard work and determination. They want our students to aspire for greatness and put forth their best effort in anything they set their minds to do.”
CAPTIONS: Lakeview panel members and fellow alums pose after the February 8 event.
