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SCGSAH Spark Program Receives 2024 WhatWorksSC Award

Students cheering with handmade flags

Spark! Inspiring Tomorrow’s Readers Through Drama has been named the winner of the 2024 Dick and Tunky Riley WhatWorksSC Award, awarded annually by The Riley Institute at Furman University. The award, named after former U.S. Secretary of Education and two-term S.C. Governor Richard Riley and his late wife Tunky, recognizes exceptional programs making a positive impact on South Carolina public education. 

Spark will be honored alongside another Greenville-based program, the Student DREAMERs Alliance (SDA) of the Hispanic Alliance SC, as well as Camp iRock of Pickens County at the 14th annual WhatWorksSC Award Celebration in Columbia, S.C. 

Spark is an outreach program of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) that seeks to use evidence-driven drama strategies to effectively support reading and literacy efforts in elementary schools statewide. Spark is a proud partner of Arts Grow SC and the SC Arts Commission. 

“South Carolina is fortunate to have strong, creative, community-based programs that implement unique approaches to student engagement,” said Dr. Cedric Adderley, SCGSAH president. “We are so pleased to be recognized alongside two other exceptional programs enriching our educational landscape.” 

Through its partnerships with Arts Grow SC and the SC Arts Commission, Spark has served youth across the state with remarkable results. In a controlled study conducted by the University of South Carolina, student participants demonstrated a 20-50 percent range of increased growth in reading test scores compared to non-Spark participants.   

“Spark is designed to make reading an active experience for students by utilizing drama strategies that bring stories to life,” said Carol Baker, director of outreach and community engagement at SCGSAH. “When we hear from teachers that students are asking for more reading time, are curious about writing, and are collaborating with their peers in new ways, we truly see the connection between joyful learning and academic achievement. It is such an honor to have this work recognized as part of this statewide celebration.” 

The award celebration will be held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on October 15 from 12 to 2 p.m. The luncheon event is open to the public, and tickets and table sponsorships can be purchased here. A panel discussion with Spark program partners will headline the event.