Junior Leadership Kershaw County recently held a virtual graduation ceremony featuring juniors and seniors from all three Kershaw County School District high schools and Camden Military Academy.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mary Boucher of Camden High School (CHS) received the Robert J. Sheheen Outstanding Junior Leadership Students Award. JLKC students vote on this award so it is indeed a high honor for the selected student.

Mary was also CHS’ junior leadership speaker for the evening, another distinction of the program.

“Congratuations to Mary Boucher, Camden High School junior and executive editor of the Gold and Black yearbook,” said yearbook advisor Samantha Argondizzo, noting that Mary will also represent the state of South Carolina at the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in June.

CHS officials said the Freedom Forum Institute program was established in 1999 to honor Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today, the Newseum and the Freedom Forum. The conference is designed to inspire and encourage students to pursue journalism.

This year’s conference will be held online rather than in Washington, D.C., due to COVID-19. Conference participants who complete a project during their senior year will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

“Congratulations, Mary,” exclaimed Argondizzo.