Hampton County Students Win Chamber Scholarships

Hampton County just gave four young people reasons to celebrate their bright futures.

The Hampton County Chamber of Commerce announced its annual scholarship winners and youth leadership delegates at its July 23 meeting at Lake Warren State Park. Recent high school graduates Taryn Hanna and Emilee Stanley each won Chamber Scholarships to help fund their college educations.

The Chamber also selected two students to represent Hampton County at prestigious statewide leadership programs. Madi Ferguson will attend Palmetto Girls State, while Andrew Haddock heads to Palmetto Boys State. These week-long programs teach high school students about government and civic responsibility through hands-on learning.

The Ripple Effect

When local businesses invest in student scholarships, they're building more than individual futures. They're strengthening the entire community by keeping talented young people connected to the region that raised them.

The Hampton County announcements came alongside other regional celebrations. Faye Gooding, former CEO of Le Creuset Americas, received South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, on July 30 in Hampton County. Under her leadership before retiring in 2019, Le Creuset's U.S. operation grew to include successful Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries.

Meanwhile, the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority proved that protecting the environment pays off. All eight of its wastewater treatment plants earned Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for excellent operation and permit compliance in 2025. Six facilities achieved Platinum status for maintaining perfect compliance for five consecutive years.

These wins matter because they show communities investing in what counts: young people, environmental stewardship, and recognizing excellence.