Viking Update Feb. 13th


Colin Tang Nominated for 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Award💚💛

Congratulations to Spring Valley senior Colin Tang, who has been nominated by Richland School District Two to be considered for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Award.

Colin will now advance to the state-level nomination round, where the South Carolina Department of Education will select the student(s) to represent our state at the national level.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is invitation-only, and students are selected based on:

  • Outstanding academic achievement
  • Academic and artistic scholarship in visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing
  • Exceptional accomplishment in career and technical education (CTE) fields

Established in 1964 by executive order of the President, the program honors some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors each year.

Colin, you represent the very best of Spring Valley. Congratulations on earning this prestigious recognition and for continuing to represent The Valley with excellence. 💚💛


Spring Valley Alumnus Terrance Hayes Pays Tribute to Former English Teacher 📖💚💛

Spring Valley proudly celebrates alumnus Terrance Hayes, who recently honored one of his former Spring Valley English teachers in a moving tribute.

For those who may not know, Hayes is a National Book Award–winning poet, MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient, professor of English at New York University, and accomplished visual artist. He graduated from Spring Valley in 1990 and has since become one of the most influential voices in contemporary poetry.

In his tribute, Hayes reflects on the profound impact of his former English teacher, Hope Spillane, who helped shape his literary journey while he was a student at The Valley. His words beautifully capture the lasting influence that dedicated teachers have on their students’ lives.

You can read Terrance Hayes’ tribute to Mrs. Spillane at the link below:
https://www.academyforteachers.org/great-writers-on-great-teachers/terrancehayes

We are incredibly proud to see the legacy of Spring Valley educators reflected in the success of our alumni. 💚💛


Upcoming Spring Testing Dates


Good Luck to Our Spring Valley FBLA Students! 💼💚💛

Good luck to our Spring Valley FBLA students who will be attending the 2026 South Carolina State Leadership Conference on March 22–25!

These Vikings will represent The Valley as they compete in their respective events:

Dhruv Bavishi – Public Administration and Management

Hayden Mercado – Sports and Entertainment Management

Kobe McNeil – Securities and Investment

Dhruv Tangri – Career Portfolio

Ethan Bell – Journalism

Khalil Richardson – Job Interview

Chelsea Cannon – Business Communication

We are proud of your hard work, preparation, and commitment to excellence. Best of luck as you compete and showcase your leadership skills at the state level! 💚💛


Celebrate Your Senior with a 2026 Yearbook Tribute 🎓💚💛

Honor your graduating senior with a Senior Ad in the 2026 Spring Valley Yearbook!

A senior tribute is a special way to celebrate your student’s accomplishments, milestones, and memories as they prepare to close this chapter and begin the next.

📌 Purchase your Senior Ad directly at:
yearbookforever.com

Please note:

  • Spots are limited
  • Ads are sold on a first come, first served basis

Don’t miss the opportunity to create a lasting keepsake for your senior. Celebrate them in a way they’ll treasure for years to come! 💚💛


Join the Spring Valley Education Foundation for Mahjong Night! 🀄💚💛

If you—or someone you know—is interested in learning to play Mahjong or just wants to enjoy a fun night of play, join the Spring Valley Education Foundation on February 25th!

Seating is limited, and we expect this event to sell out quickly.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, there’s something for everyone:

🀄 Beginner Mahjong Class
Learn the game with Melissa Gilbreath of @themahjongaviary in a relaxed, fun setting—perfect for first-time players.

🀄 Open Play Room
Already know how to play? Gather with friends and neighbors for Open Play and show off your skills!

Enjoy a fun-filled evening with great company, good vibes, and fun prizes—all while supporting a great cause. All proceeds benefit the students and staff of Spring Valley High School.

🎟 Get your tickets here:
tinyurl.com/SVEFMahj

Come out, learn something new, and support The Valley! 💚💛



Upcoming Fuel Your Future Sessions

Lunch & Learn Sessions Are Back!

Spring Valley Vikings, get ready to fuel your future with exciting career opportunities! 

Upcoming Lunch & Learn Sessions:

  • Friday, January 9:
  • Husqvarna – Learn about careers in distribution, supply chain, and warehouse management.
  • USC School of Medicine Genetics Counseling Department – Discover opportunities in genetics counseling and related fields.

Wednesday, February 19:

  • Central Carolina Beauty College – Future cosmetology students, explore the opportunities and programs available in beauty and cosmetology.

Don’t miss these chances to gain insight, ask questions, and explore careers while enjoying lunch!

Mark your calendars and come ready to learn!


Lunch & Learn: Careers in Acting and Modeling 🎭✨💚💛

Spring Valley recently hosted an inspiring Career Lunch & Learn focused on careers in acting and modeling, featuring Class of 2006 alumna Ashley Drayton.

Ashley is thriving as an actress, model, and philanthropist. She serves as the Founder and President of House of Artists Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization that provides unparalleled programs supporting autistic artists. She is also the CEO of House of Artists, a creative live/work space offering professional resources for performing artists.

During the session, Ashley shared insight into the entertainment industry, the importance of perseverance, and the power of building opportunities for others. She provided our students with a new and exciting career pathway to explore while encouraging them to pursue their passions with confidence.

We are grateful to Ashley for returning to The Valley to pour into the next generation of Vikings. 💚💛


SC Business Week Program – Summer 2026 💼📊💚💛

Spring Valley students are invited to apply for the SC Business Week Program, hosted by the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business (Columbia campus). This dynamic summer experience gives students hands-on exposure to the world of business, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

📍 Location: USC Columbia – Darla Moore School of Business

📅 Dates: July 19–24, 2026

👩‍🎓 Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors

📊 GPA Requirement: 3.0 or higher (other GPAs considered with a recommendation letter)

💰 Scholarships Available (Totaling $15,000)

  • S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Business Week Scholarship – $5,000
  • Ron McNair Leadership Scholarship – $5,000
  • Two SCMC Leadership Scholarships – $2,500 each

Note: Recipients of the first two scholarships must attend an in-state college or university. Scholarship applications are sent after program acceptance.

Thanks to generous business sponsorships, the only cost to students is a $75 application fee.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

📌 Admission: First-come, first-served (space is limited)

This is an incredible opportunity for students interested in business, leadership, and future career success. Apply early to secure your spot! 💚💛




Presidential 1776 Award: National Civics Scholarship Competition 📚

Spring Valley students are invited to participate in the Presidential 1776 Award, a nationwide competition that recognizes exceptional student knowledge of American civics and the principles that shaped the United States. This program serves as a national scholarship contest, evaluating students’ understanding of the founding and the civic framework of our nation.

The competition includes three rounds of multiple-choice and verbal examinations developed independently by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. Three national winners will receive scholarships totaling $250,000, with the National Finals held in Washington, D.C. in June 2026.

Competition Rounds

Round One: The Impossible Civics Test (February 22–28, 2026)

Students will complete an online, timed, electronically proctored multiple-choice exam.

  • 90 minutes total
  • Up to 4,000 randomized questions on civics and founding history
  • Divided into three 30-minute sections of increasing difficulty
  • Scored using a weighted system based on correctness and question difficulty

This is the qualifying round, and four finalists from each state will be selected.

Round Two: Regional Semifinals (May 2026)

State finalists advance to one of five regional semifinals, consisting of short-answer verbal competitions held simultaneously across the country.

  • The top four students from each region move on to the national final.

Round Three: National Final (Late June 2026 — Washington, D.C.)

Students will answer short-answer verbal questions and earn a point for each correct response.

  • The top three winners receive scholarships of up to $150,000.

📌 Click the link below to view the Presidential 1776 Award Rules, Regulations, and Overview:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YM3HxWCD6kfM85lgklYStWjeP-BB5GeC/view?usp=sh

DECA

Attention Soccer Alumni

Cheerleading

TRACK

SOCCER SCHEDULES

Workouts begin on January 12th at 6 PM at Stern Field — open to boys in grades 7-12.

  • Must be approved on Big Teams
  • Athletes should bring cleats & water

*Any changes to the daily schedule will be shared on the Team App & socials*

Lacrosse Schedule

Boys Basketball Schedule

Ladies JV & Varsity Basketball Schedule

Introducing the Lightspeed Parent Portal 📱👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

We’re excited to share a new tool designed to keep you connected to your child’s digital learning — the Lightspeed Parent Portal!

With so many new technologies and online learning resources, your involvement in your child’s education is more important than ever. Through our partnership with Lightspeed Systems®, you can now gain visibility and control over your child’s internet usage on school-issued devices at home and after school hours.

With the Lightspeed Parent Portal, you’ll have access to:

  • 📊 Weekly Student Online Activity Reports – Delivered straight to your email, these reports summarize your child’s browsing activity for the week.
  • 🔍 Full Web-Based Portal – Gain in-depth visibility into your child’s online activity in real time. See when and what sites are accessed, pause screens, or manage app usage as needed.

📎 CLICK THE LINK BELOW to access the Parent Guide and get started with Lightspeed Parent Portal today:
👉 Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide

Stay informed, stay connected, and partner with us in supporting your child’s learning journey!

Bell Schedule

ID Sales

Ways to Serve Detention

STUDENT PRIVILEGE

  1. Only Seniors may leave for Lunch
  2. Seniors must have a Senior ID (navy blue with number 12) to leave campus. No ID, No Senior Privilege that day
  3. Seniors returning late from lunch may have Senior Privileges revoked
  4. The gym parking lot is not for student parking during the school day.  Cars will be ticketed 
  5. No lunch deliveries for any students

ATTENDANCE

TUTORING

We will offer both on-campus and virtual tutoring options. Offering both platforms allows us to provide more options for students to get academic assistance after school. Please visit the SVHS Tutoring website for a complete schedule of tutoring opportunities. 

A special thank you goes out to the Spring Valley Education Foundation for funding this important initiative.

STAY CONNECTED 

PARKING

*TO PARK ON CAMPUS READ BELOW

To purchase a current SV parking tag, students must complete the parking agreement form, take Alive @25, purchase a $35 parking tag, and pay all school fees. 

SVHS 2025-2026 PARKING AGREEMENT FORM

NO DELIVERS

Bus Transportation


Richland School District Two Transportation Website 
Spring Valley HS Transportation Contact Information

Spring Valley Bus Routes 
Track the School Bus In Real-Time: 360 Ride App