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November 19, 2025: Bob Willey

Dr. Robert J. Willey was our guest today. Bob and his wife Carol have been retired in Georgetown for 11 years. They moved here from Massachusetts where he worked as professor and dean at Springfield College. After teaching philosophy and history for 42 years, he decided he wanted to do something different. He decided to help out the citizens of Georgetown in a special way by becoming a friend of our library here.  The Georgetown Friends of the Library funds the free programs at the public library such as children’s reading group programs, adult arts and crafts, and many more free activities for the patrons. Bob was determined to get the Friends’ group going and he has succeeded!

Bob is very interested in Black history and in particular the story of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who worked to help other slaves find their freedom on the “Underground Railroad.” Bob and the FOGL were responsible for finding funds to bring Wesley Wofford’s Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom sculpture Georgetown two years ago. The statue was on display at Lafayette Park where we as a school were able to walk down and visit it.

Bob explained that Harriet Tubman saved her own family from being separated. Her grandnephew James Bowley ended up becoming a great free black man. “He was appointed to run Georgetown’s freedmen’s bureau,” Bob told us, “and he served in the Union Navy.”

Bob told us that the FOGL is working on an exciting new project. They commissioned a small statue from Wesley Wofford to be called Whispers of My Ancestor. It will show Harriet Tubman encouraging the young James Bowley to aspire to great things. The statue will be near the children’s section where anyone can go over and touch it and be inspired. The FOGL has already raised the $40,000 necessary to make the statue a reality.

Best of luck to the Friends of the Library and their awesome leader Bob Willey!

By Larson

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November 12, 2025: Kristi Kinslow

On November 12th, our school had the opportunity to hear from Kristi Kinslow, the Director of Pre-Professional Studies and Recruiting Manager from the University of South Carolina (USC) College of Pharmacy. She spoke with us about the process of becoming a pharmacist through the USC Pharm.D. Program. This program, which has been around for over 150 years, is the oldest and most established pharmacy college in South Carolina. Admissions are highly selective and competitive with only about 100 acceptees per year.

To become a pharmacist through USC, students must complete at least a total of 6 years of education. The first two consist of pre-requisite courses, which may be taken at another institution. After that, students enter the four-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. This program is a professional doctoral degree, and is one of the fastest paths to earning a doctoral degree. Kristi explained that there are over 30 different fields within pharmacy, and a single Pharm.D. degree qualifies graduates to work in any of them. “This degree allows you to constantly change your field,” Kristi said, “the sky is your limit.” 

She also emphasized that a career in pharmacy offers flexibility, versatility, and a competitive salary. Additionally, the USC College of Pharmacy provides students with a strong network of engaged alumni, who can open doors to numerous professional opportunities. Kristi also noted that the role of pharmacists especially became visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they served on the front lines of healthcare. In reality, she reflected, “people didn’t even acknowledge how much pharmacists did until COVID.” We now better recognize the vital role of pharmacists in medicine. 

By Eleanor

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October 29, 2025: Luke Gates

Our guest today was Luke Gates. Luke is an architect who practices in Paris, France. He
graduated from the University of Virginia in 2014 with a BS in Architecture. Luke
wanted to try working in France so he applied to a French firm and ended up moving to
Paris for his first job. He now resides permanently in France.

“Everyone has preconceived notions about what architecture should be like,” Luke said. “School is where all those ideas get challenged.” He had us look around the Auditorium to focus on its features and on what makes it a beautiful and useful space.

Luke told us that architects spend the majority of their time behind the computer but sometimes they draw or build models. Architects communicate their vision in three ways: blueprints, sections, and elevations. Luke really enjoys his job because his firm does a lot of historic preservation and restoration.

“It’s an exciting time to be an architect,” Luke said. He has been using a new technology called PointCloud which is very powerful and cool. PointCloud is a laser meter that can measure and recreate 3D objects and spaces in a computer file.

Exterior view of the Tartarets Heat Plant showing the massive windows and smokestack.

Finally, Luke shared some of his current projects. His firm is renovating the Mame Pavilions by a famous French architect, Jean Prouvé (Prouvé is known for using moveable metal panels). Luke is also working on a turning a downtown parking garage into a commercial space while preserving the existing structure, such as the sloping floors. His firm recently won a nationwide competition to renovate the Tartarêts Heat Plant. The beautiful industrial structure was abandoned for many years but now will become a library and community center. Its main feature, a huge smokestack, will be redeployed as a solar chimney to keep the building cool without air conditioning.

A model built by Luke’s firm showing the proposed renovations.
The old heat plant seen from inside.

We thank Luke for his visit and look forward to hearing about how all his projects turn out.

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October 22, 2025: Marsh Deane

On the 22nd of October, we welcomed Marsh Deane to Open Forum. Marsh is accomplished photographer who owns his own business, MLNL Media. MLNL Media does all kinds of photography from real estate to nature to weddings. Marsh is also a teacher at TGS. He started out by teaching photography, then branched out to also teach Earth Science and Robotics. Marsh brings lots of knowledge and experience to the school through his job and personal knowledge of the local land and environment. 

Marsh believes in the power of immersing yourself in nature and the necessity of preserving nature for future generations. He spoke to us about a wonderful experience he had in the Congaree National Park photographing the synchronous fireflies that appear there every spring. He went on the Congaree, traveling miles upriver on his kayak to reach the most secluded parts of the swamp. When he arrived, he went deep into the forest to find the fireflies, a twinkling array of beautiful lights in the night.

For Marsh, this experience put a deep focus on how we tend to skip over the little things we see every day, whether it be the trees, the wildlife, the river, or anything else. He reminded us that some other places, like big cities, can’t even see the stars in the night sky due to light pollution. Marsh’s journey into the Congaree Swamp gives us an example of exactly what he hopes people will have the courage to do—he went deep into the wild to capture nature in its purest form. Through this journey, he told us that he conquered his fears and truly “witnessed the Holy Spirit deep in the Carolina night.” 

We thank Mr. Marsh for sharing his inspiring account of his journey in the Congaree National Park and his experience with the beautiful wildlife deep in the pristine forest.

By Nolan

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October 29, 2025: Steve Williams

Mr. Steve Williams came to talk to us today. Mr. Williams is a local author, historian, and former educator who has won awards for his newspaper columns. He graduated from Winyah High School and went on to work as a teacher and educational adminstrator for thirty years in Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York. When his parents died, he retired and decided to move back to Georgetown. He then embarked on a new career as a writer.

Mr. Williams has written fourteen books about black history and today he talked to us about his new children’s book From Slavery to Shipwright. The book details the history of James Mashow, a slave of mixed heritage whose white father sent him up North to become a carpentry apprentice. James found his calling in ship-building and went on to construct 100 ships before the Civil War. He was a very well-known shipwright in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he was in charge of building many whaling vessels for that booming industry.

Mr. Williams told us that James Mashow’s example should encourage us to do great things. “He was born ordinary,” he said, “and became extraordinary.” Mashow’s inspirational story is now better known, thanks to Mr. Williams’ research. Mr. Williams told us that every day was a chance to learn and better ourselves. “To quote Dr. King,” he concluded, “the way to education is always under construction.”

By Reece

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October 3, 2025: Lani Jumper

“I am so happy to be here and doing what I love,” said Lani Jumper, our Open Forum speaker for today.  Lani Jumper is a part of the nonprofit Wake Up Carolina, and works as a peer support specialist for this program. She dedicates her time to help the individuals and families overcome drug and alcohol abuse. She is also Kipper’s aunt!

Wake Up Carolina is a harm reduction outreach coordinator with multiple programs for mom, dads, teens or for anyone who has had a drug addiction or knows a family that hads a drug addiction. It also offers safe space for teens at schools.

Lani told us that WakeUp Carolina was founded in 2020 by a woman named Nanci Shipman who tragically lost her son to opioid addiction. Since then, the organization has helped thousands of people deal with all aspects of substance abuse. WUC has a non twelve-step program called Creighton’s House which provides a safe space for young adults who are in recovery. It sponsors meetings for those dealing with substance abuse along with support groups for their parents, siblings and friends who suffer the effects of addiction as well. Finally, WUC educates churches, schools, businesses, etc. on what’s out there and what to be aware of.

Lani told us the story of five Lucy Middleton School students who wanted to do well on a test. One of them procured black market Adderall from his brother at college. It turns out that the Adderall was fake, and laced with fentynal. The five boys overdosed in the bathroom of their school. Luckily, they all survived but this story is a real wake-up call about how ordinary kids with good intentions can place themselves in danger.

Lani told us about several problematic drugs easily available in Georgetown County at the moment. One is Benadryl, a commonly-used allergy medication. Another is kratom, a substance in small containers that are sold at the convenience store or vape shop without much regulation. The same goes for tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin.” Finally, Lani mentioned alcohol, whose sale is regulated. However, advertisements that glamorize it are everywhere and for many kids it’s the first drug they try.

Lani’s talk was packed with information and our students asked a lot of questions. One takeaway we learned about was the Good Samaritan Law: You can call the police or 911 if your friend has overdosed and not be prosecuted, even if you were doing illegal drugs or alcohol with them. Also, you can administer Narcan to someone who has overdosed and not fear any legal repercussions.

Thank you Lani, for a great and extremely informative talk!

By Hannah and staff

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September 24, 2025: Liz Duesing

On September 24, 2025, Ms. Liz Duesing came to speak to us on behalf of the Bunnelle Foundation, where she works as Program and Communication Specialist. Ms. Duesing is originally from upstate New York. She graduated from Stoneybrook University and started a successful career in broadcast journalism. She eventually left that field to become a “nonprofit champion” at the Bunnelle Foundation.

Ms. Duesing told us that the Bunnelle Foundation supports nonprofits in Georgetown County. It was founded by Mrs. Frances P. Bunnelle, a Pawleys woman who wanted her money to do good after her death. The Bunnelle Foundation is headquartered in Pawleys Island, and has been around for the last 25 years. Over the years, the foundation has given 40 million dollars away just in Georgetown County. “We gave two million last year,” Ms. Duesing told us.

Although Mrs. Bunnelle was a discreet person who lived a quiet life, her foundation is famous and as Ms. Duesing said, they “have a big voice in the room.” It was very nice to hear that many of the non-profits in Georgetown are supported by the Bunnelle Foundation, including our school! Thank you, Ms. Liz Duesing for coming to educate us on yet another wonderful organization of Georgetown.  

By Kipper

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August 27, 2025: Sean Cygan, SCAD

Sean Cygan, the South Carolina Representative for Savannah College of Art and Design, visited our school on August 27. He met with seniors then spoke at Open Forum. Sean is a proud SCAD alumnus who graduated two years ago with a degree in animation. Sean shared his experiences as a SCAD student and talked about its many advantages for people who are interested in a successful career in the arts. “Learn now what you need for the future,” he advised, reflecting on how his passion for animation and storytelling shaped his college experience and career path.

Sean told us that SCAD offers a global learning experience with four different locations, including a campus in Savannah and in Atlanta; in Lacoste, a medieval village in France; and an online program. Among them, the Atlanta campus stands out as the most popular, and is referred to as the “Hollywood of the South.” It is also home to the university’s annual AnimationFest. Since its founding in 1978, SCAD has cemented its reputation as one of the leading art and design institutions in the world.   

“Resources we offer are to help you build connections,” Sean explained, emphasizing how networking and collaboration are major parts of the SCAD experience. He also noted that currently Georgia ranks number one in film production in the United States, providing students with unique opportunities to form professional connections and to gain real-world experiences. 

We thank Sean Cygan for taking the time to remind us that college is not just about finding your passion, but making connections that could affect your future career path.

By Eleanor

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TGS 8th Graders are PGW Tours Docents

On April 4th, the 8th graders had the unique opportunity to be docents for the Prince George Annual Plantation Tours. These tours have been happening every spring for the last seventy-five years. Proceeds go to benefit the ECW outreach fund and to preserve the historic Prince George, Winyah church property.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner accompanied Willow, Sydney, Jasiah, and Branton on their all-day adventure. First, they got to tour Chicora Wood Plantation, Exchange Plantation, and Prince Frederick Church out along the Pee Dee River north of Georgetown. Their admission was free because they were docents!
After a lot of walking and touring, the little group drove over to Mansfield Plantation, where they got an “inside scoop” on its history to share with all the tourists. Willow and Sydney were stationed at the Friendfield Church. “Our biggest crowd was thirteen people,” Willow said. “And they all clapped for us!” Jasiah and Branton were stationed in the former slave village of Mansfield. They talked to the tourists about a particular cabin which remained occupied long after the Civil War. “Someone lived in that cabin until 1952 with no heating or plumbing,” Branton said. “She refused to even get glass windows.”
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner got tons of compliments about our young docents and what a great job they did. It was a long but very rewarding day of learning about Georgetown County history.
By Eleanor

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April 23, 2025: Marsh Deane

Our Open Forum speaker today was Mr. Marsh Deane. Mr. Marsh is a local videographer and photographer who has his own company MLNL Media. He also teaches Photography at TGS. He studied Landscape Architecture at Clemson University, then at Coastal Carolina, where he finished his undergraduate degree. Mr. Marsh recently visited Japan with two high school friends. He shared an amazing video he made of the trip with us.

Mr. Marsh saw cities, temples, mountains, and cool statues with his friends but seemed to be the most impressed with Japanese food. “You can go into any convenience store,” he said, ” and get fabulous fresh food for not much money.” Japan looks like a wonderful place to visit! Thank you for sharing yet another of your tremendous adventures with us, Mr. Marsh!

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