JOHNSONVILLE—Two recent graduates of Johnsonville High School will be attending institutes of higher learning thanks to scholarships received through their success as members of the girls' track team.
Erica Morris and London Barnhill will be attending Voorhees College and Francis Marion University, respectively, this fall.
Morris, who will attend Voorhees College located in Denmark, SC, was the 400-meter state champion from seventh grade through her senior year. She was also the 200-meter champion her junior and senior years.
Morris set a new state record for the 400-meter dash in the seventh grade and the 200 and 400 meter dashes her senior year. She said she is undecided about her major, but will probably focus on criminal justice.
Morris is the daughter of Tabitha Morris and Clinton Brown. Her grandmother, Mary Morris, was also a tremendous support for Erica.
“We can’t leave my mother out, she was so supportive,” Tabitha said.
Barnhill will attend Francis Marion University this fall, where she will pursue a career in nursing. She plans to continue her education and become a nurse anesthetist. She played on the basketball team for six years in middle and high school.
Barnhill, who graduated with academic honors, has been a member of the track team for the past four years and said she plans to participate in track and cross-country at FMU. She was pole-vault state champion in 2008—09. Barnhill attributes her success in track to the motivation she received from her coaches and the support of her parents.
She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hanna and Joey Barnhill, all of Hemingway.
Both girls won third place in the 4 x 8 relay in their junior year.
Morris said her coaches were responsible for her successful career in high school track.
Her mother said she is having difficulty at the thought of her daughter leaving home and moving to Denmark. “I might just follow her there,” she said. “Find a job so I can be near her.”
Erica is the first of her children to move away to go to school.
With their outstanding support, the Johnsonville girls’ track team won its twelfth consecutive state championship this spring.
High School Principal Stevie Phillips, who has also successfully coached track for many years, said he was proud of the former teammates and wishes them well in their future at their chosen schools, made possible in part by their scholarships.
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