WEST COLUMBIA, SC -- A panel featuring alumni from the former Lakeview School, today the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, visited Brookland-Cayce High School this week 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, 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 High School’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. “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.”