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Wedding & Event Venue Near Barnwell, SC.

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Your Magic Moment Awaits

Your wedding day. Without a doubt, it's one of the most significant events you will ever experience - when you and the love of your life officially seal the deal and get married. On this day, your friends and family will gather to celebrate the next step in your life. Photographers will be running around snapping photos, catering plates delicious food for guests to enjoy, and the DJ sets the mood for a night of fun and libation. You've worked extra hard to make everything look perfect and run smoothly. You have examined every moving part down to the tiniest detail. At the center of all your effort is your wedding venue in Barnwell, SC.

Your event space can mean the difference between an unforgettable event and an average occasion. Capturing your uniqueness as a couple is paramount to a memorable wedding. But, without the right venue location and staff, your unforgettable event can turn into a painfully average occasion. Fortunately, at Abney Hall, you won't ever have to worry about dingy reception spaces and crummy chow halls.

Constructed in Barnwell, SC, in 1962, Abney Hall is 15,000 square feet and sits on 500 acres of land, making it a large wedding venue unlike any other. Abney Hall was originally the home of Mrs. Josephine Abney, a Barnwell native who was a lifelong philanthropist. Mrs. Abney devoted much of her time and effort towards supporting charities, educational institutions, hospitals, and other noble efforts. Today, Abney Hall stands tall as a symbol of love, both in our community and for the couples who choose to get married here.

Abney Hall is an exclusive event experience unlike any other, surrounded by verdant forests and sparkling ponds. Our venue is a natural fit for several occasions, including:

Special Event Space Barnwell, SC

Weddings

 Event Venue Barnwell, SC

Bridal Showers

 Event Space Barnwell, SC

Bridal Portraits

 Rehearsal Dinner Venue Barnwell, SC

Rehearsal Dinners

 Bridal Shower Venue Barnwell, SC

Corporate Events

 Business Event Space Barnwell, SC

Much More!

 Wedding Space Barnwell, SC

The Top Wedding Venue in Barnwell, SC

The beginning of your life starts at Abney Hall. With our team by your side, we can create the fairy tale wedding you have dreamed about since childhood. Whether you have 100 guests or 1,000, our waterfront ceremony locations and French-inspired courtyard are perfect for your big day. Celebrate in luxurious style surrounded by shady magnolia trees, a private forest, large ponds, and the beauty of Mother Nature. While our venue location and aesthetic have been praised far and wide, so too have the practical aspects of Abney Hall. Looking for a relaxing, comfortable spot for your bridal party to get ready in? We offer an entire floor in the Abney Hall residence to get the bridal party ready. Want to make your groomsman feel extra-special too? We've got a private, plush house just feet from a sparkling pond that is a proper hangout spot for the guys in your group.

To make life easier on you, we also offer Abney Hall as your go-to spot for rehearsal dinners. Why book an expensive restaurant or travel to another location when unmatched beauty and convenience are right at your fingertips? Abney Hall is just the place for that very important dinner the night before your big day. We are also happy to host your bridal shower at Abney Hall. Our venue makes for one of Barnwell's most unique bridal shower settings, where your family and friends can gather to give gifts and be merry before you walk down the aisle.

With such a large, magnificent house and a vast property, Abney Hall also makes for an unforgettable location for your bridal portraits and other wedding-related photography needs. Don't take our word for it - book a tour and see for yourself why so many new brides and grooms choose Abney Hall as their wedding venue in Barnwell.

 Wedding Venue Barnwell, SC

What Sets Abney Hall Apart from Other Wedding Venues in Barnwell?

You've already found the person you want to spend the rest of your life beside. The next step? Finding the perfect wedding venue for your ceremony, reception, and celebration of your lifelong commitment to one another. Remember, the backdrop for photos, dancing, eating, and all other activities will be at your wedding venue. That's why we work so hard to set Abney Hall apart from our competitors - so you and your guests can focus on love and living your new life while we work with your vendors and photographers to make your magic night a reality.

Here are just a few reasons why guests choose Abney Hall as their wedding venue in Barnwell, SC, along with some helpful tips from our experienced wedding venue staff:

Venue Size

Choosing the appropriate-sied venue for your desired guest count is a critical decision. A venue's capacity affects the number of people you need to consider having at your ceremony and reception. As you're first starting out, we recommend having a guest count in mind as you're searching for the right venue. Try to stick with that number. You may fall in love with a particular venue, but if its max capacity can't accommodate your guest count, it may be time to cross them off your list.

 Corporate Conference Hall Barnwell, SC
Abney Hall Pro Tip

Abney Hall Pro Tip:

Keep in mind that this is your big day. You shouldn't feel obligated to invite the college roommate you shared a dorm with for one semester. At the end of the day, your wedding venue should be one that can accommodate those closest to you. Abney Hall is equipped for both small and large weddings, consisting of 500 acres of forest, ponds, and lush natural beauty. Whether you want an intimate wedding with only your best friends or a grand ceremony with hundreds of people, we have the right amount of room to make you comfortable.

Location and Nearby Lodging

On your big day, you're likely to have friends and family traveling in from other parts of the state or country. These folks will need a place to stay during and even after your wedding. Accessibility and ease are important factors when it comes to choosing your wedding venue for both you and your guests.

Located in Barnwell, SC, Abney Hall is situated in a memorable, natural setting, giving your wedding a private vibe in the midst of Mother Nature. While we pride ourselves on having a secluded wedding event space, our venue is within an easy driving distance of hotels and vacation rentals.

Abney Hall Pro Tip

Abney Hall Pro Tip:

When you contact us for a tour, make sure to speak with our experienced venue manager about nearby hotels and shuttle service options. We understand that your guest's comfort and convenience are important, and we're happy to work with you to figure out the best way to get your guests to Abney Hall.

Venue Staff

At Abney Hall, our staff has earned its reputation as one of the industry's most friendly, accessible teams. We will provide you with a purpose-minded point of contact that can help answer questions relating to timelines, preferred vendors, and every aspect of your wedding. When you tour our wedding venue in Barnwell, SC, for the first time, we want you to feel like you have all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision.

We would be happy to go over:
  • Venue Pricing
  • Ceremony Specifics
  • Reception Specifics
  • Catering Possibilities
  • Decorating Possibilities
  • Entertainment Options
  • Photography and Photo Opportunities
  • Venue Amenities
  • Bridal Party Needs
  • Groomsman Needs

At Abney Hall, our goal is to be your first resource when it comes to setting up and coordinating the details of your wedding day.

Decor

When it comes to your wedding's decor, you probably already have a few ideas in mind. We love it when our brides and grooms have a vision in mind because one of our greatest joys is turning that vision into a reality. At Abney Hall, our team is available to help you and your decorator fit, accent, and accommodate your fairy-tale wedding - whatever that may be.

Are you looking to dress up your wedding with decorations galore? Just want to add a few accents that tie into your preferred color palette? Abney Hall is versatile and ready to help however we are able.

 Reception Hall Barnwell, SC
Abney-Hall-Pro-Tip

Abney Hall Pro Tip:

If you're thinking about bringing in your own greenery, lighting, floral pieces, and more, we recommend discussing your vision with us on your initial tour of our event space. That way, we can get a head start on making your big day exactly how you envision it.

Photo Opportunities

10 years from now, when you and your spouse are celebrating your anniversary, you will pull out photographs from your wedding and will reminisce about the unforgettable time you spent at Abney Hall. Your wedding photos will be with you forever, and as such, we work closely with you and your photographer to suggest extra-special photo op spots that you can only find on Abney Hall grounds.

From the grand staircase and French-inspired courtyard to our manicured gardens and lovely pond, there is no shortage of photo-op locations for your photographer to choose from. As one of the most popular wedding venues in Barnwell, SC, we have worked with dozens of photographers over the years.

Our experience has allowed us to cultivate a list of preferred photographers - all of whom have the talent to take your pictures to the next level in a setting they're familiar with. We encourage you to check out our gallery to get a sense of the scope of our wedding venue and gain inspiration from other happy couples.

Abney-Hall-Pro-Tip

Abney Hall Pro Tip

The gallery on our website is extensive but be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages as well. We keep our social pages updated with recent wedding photographs, giving you an incredible resource that you can use for your own photography purposes.

Special Event Space Barnwell, SC

The Premier Corporate Event Venue in Barnwell, SC

Abney Hall is known across the United States for our stunning weddings, but we also play host to some of the largest corporate events in South Carolina. Why choose a bland, lifeless meeting space when you can enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature coupled with a professional atmosphere? If you have an important team-building event or corporate conference that you have to coordinate, look no further than Abney Hall.

The epitome of class and style, our corporate event space is large, lavish, and chock-full of onsite amenities for you and your co-workers to enjoy. If your team needs a morale boost, don't bring them to the local Olive Garden for a cheap lunch. Treat them to a refreshing experience in our main dining room, where we can work with you to incorporate your catering options with the goals of your event.

When the hard work is done, and your team needs a breather, what better way to relax than with a quick dip in our pool? To burn off a little steam, head over to our brand-new tennis court - the perfect place to get some exercise in an ultra-private setting while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Don't forget to bring your fishing poles for a couple of hours of fishing. There's even an opportunity to go hunting if you wish.

 Event Venue Barnwell, SC

Elegance at Its Finest - Only
a Phone Call Away

If you're ready to learn more about Abney Hall as your wedding venue, don't hesitate to reach out. We would love to hear more about your plans, your vision, and your needs. We know that planning a wedding isn't easy. It takes time, attention to detail, and a whole lot of patience. Our goal is to help provide you with all the info you need to learn more about our venue. Once you decide on a date, we'll work closely with you and your vendors to craft a wedding experience that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Our available dates for your big day are going quick, especially during peak seasons like spring and fall. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation
 Event Space Barnwell, SC

Latest News in Barnwell, SC

SC woman was one number shy of massive Powerball jackpot, but still gets six-digit prize

A Midlands woman narrowly missed out on winning a $750 million grand prize in a recent Powerball drawing, but her ticket was good enough for her to walk away with a six-figure jackpot, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said.Because the woman was one number shy of exactly matching the July 12 Powerball drawing, she had to settle for a $150,000 con...

A Midlands woman narrowly missed out on winning a $750 million grand prize in a recent Powerball drawing, but her ticket was good enough for her to walk away with a six-figure jackpot, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said.

Because the woman was one number shy of exactly matching the July 12 Powerball drawing, she had to settle for a $150,000 consolation prize, lottery officials said in a news release.

The woman made it clear her feelings weren’t hurt.

“I’m elated,” she said in the release.

She bought her winning ticket at the OM Jay 2002 LLC gas station/convenience store at 10193 US Hwy. 78 in the Elko section of Barnwell County.

The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.

The woman said her newfound windfall won’t be used on any flashy impulse buys, but instead will be put aside for retirement, according to the release.

Her ticket matched four of the five white numbers and the red Powerball number. Because the woman paid an additional dollar for the Power Play option when she purchased the ticket, her prize was tripled from $50,000 to $150,000 when that number was a 3, according to the release.

The winning numbers from the July 12 drawing were 23, 35, 45, 66, 67 and Powerball: 20.

The convenience store received a commission of $1,500 for selling the claimed winning ticket, lottery officials said.

The next Powerball drawing will be held on Monday night, when a $145 million grand prize will be on the line.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1-in-293 million.

Barnwell shakes off early mistakes, turns tables on Aiken in win

Barnwell couldn’t stay out of its own way early Friday night, leading to a first-quarter deficit at Aiken High in a matchup of two football teams loaded with youth.The Warhorses corrected themselves from there, stepping aside to allow themselves the opportunity to be successful. Aiken, on the other hand, continued to fight against a current it created until the very end.Barnwell scored 26 consecutive points in a 26-12 win that is the Warhorses’ second in a row and third of the season, a no-pictures-on-the-scorecard ...

Barnwell couldn’t stay out of its own way early Friday night, leading to a first-quarter deficit at Aiken High in a matchup of two football teams loaded with youth.

The Warhorses corrected themselves from there, stepping aside to allow themselves the opportunity to be successful. Aiken, on the other hand, continued to fight against a current it created until the very end.

Barnwell scored 26 consecutive points in a 26-12 win that is the Warhorses’ second in a row and third of the season, a no-pictures-on-the-scorecard kind of victory for Brian Smith, who in his first year at Barnwell is also the golf coach. Aiken is still searching for its first win under Dwayne Garrick.

“I felt good about us all night. I thought our kids were executing and playing well, but it was a couple mistakes here and there,” Smith said. “We came out in the second half and did some of the things that we do, and we didn’t beat Barnwell tonight. That’s the big thing is you can’t beat Barnwell. I’ve said it every week, we can’t beat ourselves. We’re still young, and we’re still learning. But our kids are fighting hard, and I love their effort. I love being around them, and I love coaching them every day.”

Barnwell (3-2) was quickly facing a 12-0 deficit after a rough start that included a three-and-out on the offense’s first possession, followed by a quick kickoff recovered by Aiken (0-5) after scoring 4:41 into the game.

Luke Jones put the Hornets on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run, and then Jahnari Mole ran in from 12 yards out as Aiken took advantage of the short field for a 12-0 lead with 4:15 left in the first quarter.

But that was all of the scoring for Aiken, as the Hornets’ remaining drives ended with either punts or turnovers.

“Got to keep grinding. Got to keep working, you know what I’m saying?,” Garrick said. “Got to keep trying to get a little better each week. We’re struggling up front, trying to run the ball and protect. If you’ve got one phase of the game, you can kind of sneak the other one in there a little bit. When you can’t do either one, and there’s where it all starts, and that’s where we’ve got to get better.

“We’ve got to get better in the weight room. We’re young, so it’s a combination of a lot of things. They’re pretty good kids, and they work pretty hard. We need time, you know what I mean? Time to try to get the process going and try to get a little better. Main thing is we’ve got to get stronger.”

Barnwell quarterback Cameron Austin started the game 0-for-6 passing - “with like eight drops,” Smith quipped - but heated up after a late hit on the Barnwell sideline following a 10-yard run. Austin completed four of his next five passes on the drive, the last one a 21-yard touchdown to Logan Sturkie with 8:04 left in the quarter to pull the Warhorses within 12-10.

Austin finished the game 9-for-18 for 100 yards, and he also ran it 14 times for 42 yards plus two successful two-point conversions. Sturkie was his top target, catching seven passes for 83 yards and the score. Jaquan and Jordan Peeples each rushed for 47 yards and a second-half touchdown as the Warhorses put the game away.

“We’re going to play every week as well as Cameron plays,” Smith said. “We call a bunch of pass plays, and with what we do there’s going to do some drops. It’s just like when you run the option back in the old days, the ball’s on the ground some. Well, we don’t want them, but you’re going to see them on Saturday and you’re going to see them on Sunday. Our kids know they’re going to work hard this week to get rid of that. We pride ourselves on that. It’s just our mistakes, and we’ve got to get better at it.”

Jones went 13-for-28 for 138 yards and two interceptions, one by Sturkie and one by Kahzeer Wesley, and several of his pass attempts went to receivers who weren’t looking for the ball. Mole was the Hornets’ leading rusher with 45 yards on 11 carries, but as a team Aiken rushed for just 85 yards on 30 attempts. Cam’ron Frazier was Aiken’s leading receiver with 58 yards on four catches.

“We got behind the chains a couple times. Whether it was getting hit in the end zone, or I think we had a bad snap or two,” Garrick said. “We’re not good enough to get 15 yards. It’s all we can do to get 10 yards. We definitely aren’t good enough to get 15 or 18, so we can’t play behind the chains. Outside of that, it is what it is. Just keep grinding. It’s a process, as much as I keep having to say that word. I get tired of saying that word, to tell you the truth.”

Friday night’s win was a third consecutive solid performance by the Barnwell defense, which wasn’t done any favors by the offense and special teams early.

“Our defense has fought hard. (Aiken) scored and they got the short field. Our defense is getting better and better,” Smith said. “There’s nobody starting on defense that started in the same spot last year. There’s a couple starters over there playing somewhere else. All them cats are new, and that’s what makes it great to come to work every day. Our kids are doing what they’re supposed to do. They’re working their tails off. Our coaches are working hard, too. I’m happy for our team. That’s a good win for us. We always need wins. We ain’t going to turn one away.”

Up next for Barnwell is a home game next Friday against arch-rival Silver Bluff to finish off the non-region part of the schedule. Aiken is off next week, then begins Region 4-AAAA play Sept. 29 at home against Airport.

B 3 7 8 8 - 26
A 12 0 0 0 - 12
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
A - Luke Jones 1 run (conversion failed) 7:19
A - Jahnari Mole 12 run (conversion failed) 4:15
B - Lane Evans 31 kick 0:19
Second Quarter
B - Cameron Austin 21 pass to Logan Sturkie (Evans kick) 8:04
Third Quarter
B - Jordan Peeples 3 run (Austin run) 0:25
Fourth Quarter
B - Jaquan Peeples 2 run (Austin run) 7:53
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
B - Jaquan Peeples 3-47-1, Jordan Peeples 10-47-1, Cameron Austin 14-42. Totals 27-136-2.
A - Jahnari Mole 11-45-1, Terrell Lockett 10-37, Trevion Washington 3-9, JaMarcus Jenkins 1-2, Sadarius Anderson 1-(-2), Luke Jones 4-(-6)-1. Totals 30-85-2.
Passing
B - Cameron Austin 9-18-100-1-0.
A - Luke Jones 13-28-138-0-2.
Receiving
B - Logan Sturkie 7-83, Kahzeer Wesley 1-11, Jayden Pinkney 1-6. Totals 9-100.
A - Cam’ron Frazier 4-58, Allen Cummings 2-37, Jameat Williams 6-34, Sadarius Anderson 1-9. Totals 13-138.

South Carolina teacher yelled, physically assaulted student for not saying Pledge of Allegiance: Lawsuit

A South Carolina honor roll student says that she was assaulted by a teacher and pushed up against a wall because she didn’t recite the Pledge of Allegiance.Marissa Barnwell, 15, says that River Bluff High School teacher Nicole Livingston assaulted her in late November in an apparent attempt to stop the student from walking in the hallway as the Pledge of Allegiance was recited over the school loudspeakers.Although Barnwell was walking “silently in a non-disruptive manner to her class” during the Pledge of All...

A South Carolina honor roll student says that she was assaulted by a teacher and pushed up against a wall because she didn’t recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Marissa Barnwell, 15, says that River Bluff High School teacher Nicole Livingston assaulted her in late November in an apparent attempt to stop the student from walking in the hallway as the Pledge of Allegiance was recited over the school loudspeakers.

Although Barnwell was walking “silently in a non-disruptive manner to her class” during the Pledge of Allegiance, teacher Nicole Livingston allegedly accosted her by “yelling and demanding that M.B. stop walking and physically assaulting her by pushing M.B., on the wall and forcefully touching M.B., in an unwanted way without her consent so that she would stop walking in recognition of the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence that was announced at the conclusion of the Pledge,” according to a lawsuit filed in February.

Barnwell has publicly acknowledged that she is the student in the lawsuit, although the complaint refers to her by her initials only, as she is a minor.

According to the complaint, Livingston then took Barnwell to school principal Jacob Smith’s office.

“M.B. was extremely upset and emotionally disturbed about being taken to the principal’s office as she believed she was being punished for having done something wrong,” the complaint says.

Smith allegedly told Barnwell that he would review surveillance footage from the incident and sent her back to class. According to the lawsuit, the principal “never informed M.B., that she was exempt from participating in the Pledge of Allegiance and should not be penalized for failing to participate.”

The complaint notes that River Bluff High School policy mandates that “all students say the Pledge of Allegiance at a time approximately around 8:40 a.m.,” in accordance with state law — but that state law also says that anyone who doesn’t want to participate is “exempt from participation and may not be penalized for failing to participate.”

The lawsuit also notes that Supreme Court rulings have “made it clear” that the First Amendment “forbids compelling saluting or pledging allegiance to the flag,” although not all teachers appear to understand this. South Carolina law allows a person who doesn’t want to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance to leave the classroom, remain in their seat, or “express his nonparticipation in any form which does not materially infringe upon the rights of other persons or disrupt school activities.”

Barnwell’s parents, Fynale and Shavell Barnwell, have sued Livingston, Smith, the Lexington School District One, and the district superintendent on their daughter’s behalf. They allege negligence, reckless infliction of emotional distress, violations of Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection guarantees, and First Amendment Free Speech violations.

At a press conference on Thursday, Barnwell said that prior to the alleged altercation, she had never met Livingston.

“I had never seen this lady a day in my life, so when she approached me so angry and upset, I had not known how to react to her,” Barnwell said. “She approached me, she grabbed me, she pushed me up against the wall. I was just not prepared for that.”

Barnwell said that Smith, the principal, appeared to take the teacher’s side.

“He’s just like, ‘Shouldn’t you be proud of your country?'” Barnwell recalled.

The student said that it’s “emotionally damaging and mentally damaging” to have to see Livingston in the hallways at school and that she believes that “people at my school do not make me feel like I belong, make me feel like I’m safe.”

Barnwell said that she hasn’t recited the Pledge of Allegiance in years.

“I haven’t said any of those things since the third grade, once I realized that in those pledges you say ‘liberty and justice for all,'” Barnwell said at the press conference. “Is America really liberty and justice for all? After that I just realized I’m just not going to say this Pledge of Allegiance anymore.”

Barnwell noted that Livingston is a “special needs instructor” at the school, which is confirmed on the school’s website.

“The fact that she had the will to do this to me, I cannot imagine what she is doing to the special needs students who can’t even speak up for themselves,” Barnwell said.

Barnwell’s parents are seeking an undetermined amount of compensatory and punitive damages.

The South Carolina Department of Education filed a motion Friday to be dismissed from the case, arguing that the complaint didn’t sufficiently explain why the department is involved.

“[T]he Complaint does not affirmatively allege that any of the three named individual Defendants were employed by this Defendant, nor acting on behalf of the Department,” the motion to dismiss says (citations omitted). “Nor does the Complaint name any individuals who were actually acting as employees or agents of the Department for which the Department [is liable], nor any factual basis explaining why the Department is even a named Defendant in this suit.”

“[N]or are there any fact-based allegations made against the Defendant Department individually,” the complaint adds.

Barnwell’s lawyer told Law&Crime that he expects to prevail in court.

“I’m not surprised that the S.C. Dept. of Education is seeking to avoid accountability,” attorney Tyler Bailey said in an email. “All of the powers that be have attempted to ignore Marissa’s constitutional rights since the day her rights were violated. We will address their motion to dismiss in a filing later this month and we’re confident that the court will rule on the side of justice in Marissa’s favor.”

A representative for the Lexington School District One told Law&Crime that the attorney representing the district is working on a response to the lawsuit at this time. Citing the “ongoing legal matter,” the school declined to comment further. It is unclear if Livingston and Smith have retained attorneys.

You can read the lawsuit here.

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Have a tip we should know? tips@lawandcrime.com

Barnwell sending 4 signees to next level

BARNWELL — A pledge made as freshmen came true Wednesday morning for four seniors from Barnwell High School’s powerhouse football program.Team captains Jaden James, Maurice Odom, Clay Pender and Tyler Smith dreamed of the moment when they would sign to play college football - and they dreamed of doing it together. They did that Wednesday in the school gymnasium.The linebacker duo of James and Odom will remain together at Limestone, Pender will reunite with older brother Craig at Erskine, and Smith will continue a fa...

BARNWELL — A pledge made as freshmen came true Wednesday morning for four seniors from Barnwell High School’s powerhouse football program.

Team captains Jaden James, Maurice Odom, Clay Pender and Tyler Smith dreamed of the moment when they would sign to play college football - and they dreamed of doing it together. They did that Wednesday in the school gymnasium.

The linebacker duo of James and Odom will remain together at Limestone, Pender will reunite with older brother Craig at Erskine, and Smith will continue a family tradition by heading to South Carolina State.

For James, Limestone offered an opportunity to grow not just as a player but also as an individual, plus the chance to build bonds like the ones he’s forged in high school.

James has done a bit of everything for the Warhorses, bringing his high-intensity playing style to the outside linebacker, tight end and H-back positions while also contributing on special teams. An All-State selection and the Region 6-AA H-back of the Year, James accounted for 100 tackles (eight for loss), 51 assists and five sacks as a senior.

He intends to study sports management at Limestone, where he and Odom will be able to lean on each other academically and athletically as they continue on as teammates.

“I mean, that’s my boy for sure,” James said. “It’s going to be us conquering another level.”

Odom echoed those sentiments, asserting that together they’re going to make something happen at Limestone. He said that signing felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders as years of hard work turned into a chance to play at the next level.

“As a kid, I dreamed of this,” he said. “As kids we all dreamed of this, playing football in the backyard. Going to the next level, going to college, going to the NFL.”

A National Honor Society and Beta Club member, Odom will study nursing in college. He said Limestone simply felt like home, and the Saints’ desire to win mirrored his own.

Like James, Odom has stood out as a high-energy talent for the Warhorses at inside linebacker, tight end, H-back and on special teams. The Region 6-AA Linebacker of the Year and an All-State selection, Odom is also a finalist for Aiken Standard Defensive Player of the Year after accounting for 124 tackles (eight for loss), five forced fumbles, three sacks and three blocked field goals.

Pender truly did do it all for Barnwell, earning All-State honors at multiple positions throughout his high school career. He starred at wide receiver and defensive back, handled kicking duties and was the backup quarterback when the Warhorses went into the Wishbone, and he proved to be a threat to score any time the ball was in his hands.

He’ll play wide receiver at Erskine, though he said he told the Flying Fleet coaching staff that he’s willing to line up wherever to make plays. He felt like he had more of an influence on his brother transferring back to Erskine than Craig did on him to sign there, and they’ll have the opportunity to be teammates again rather than adversaries.

“Maybe if I was playing DB so I could pick him off or something,” he said with a laugh. “If I was playing wide receiver somewhere else, I would just have to watch him throw touchdowns. That would’ve been a little disappointing.”

Pender, like Odom a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club, is leaning toward studying sports management.

The Region 6-AA Wide Receiver of the Year, he averaged 19 yards per catch and had 736 yards and 12 touchdowns on 37 total touches. At defensive back, he had 10 career interceptions, and as a sophomore he was the Region Specialist of the Year.

Smith has done nothing but set the bar for himself higher over the course of the last two seasons, and each time the Warhorses’ star running back cleared that bar with room to spare - he is the reigning Class AA state champion in the high jump, after all.

One of seven seniors chosen as a finalist for the state’s coveted Mr. Football award, Smith is joining the tradition-rich program at South Carolina State while also continuing a proud family tradition of attending the school. He intends to study athletic training.

The numbers speak for themselves. As a senior he rushed for 2,903 yards and 46 touchdowns, bringing his two-year totals to 5,054 and 74 scores. He’s ranked among the nation’s top backs in terms of yardage and touchdowns, and with those numbers has come a lot of recognition.

In addition to being named a Mr. Football finalist, he’s been a multi-time All-Region performer in basketball, football and track - twice an All-State pick in the latter two. He was named a North-South all-star, the Region 6-AA Player of the Year, the Class AA Lower State Offensive Player of the Year and is again a finalist for Aiken Standard Offensive Player of the Year.

“Crazy. Crazy, just shocking,” he said. “A guy like me from a small-town school like this right here, I never thought I’d be in that situation. That’s all I can say.”

This group helped lead Barnwell to an undefeated regular season as seniors, and the year before they reached the state semifinals.

“I’m happy for them. Happy for the families. Not happy for me, because they’re gone,” said Barnwell head coach Dwayne Garrick. “They’ve been the core and the nucleus of this program for the last three years, especially. Great football players. Did what they had to academically to give themselves a chance to be successful. Kind of sad to see them go, but at the same time happy for them. Happy for them for the next four or five years in their lives, and the doors that this is going to open for them to be successful.

Track Covid-19 in Barnwell County, S.C.

Daily Covid-19 admissions in the Barnwell County areaAbout the dataData is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalization data is a daily average of Covid-19 patients in hospital service areas that intersect with Barnwell County, an area which may be larger than Barnwell County itself.The number of daily hospital admissions shows how many patients tested positive for Covid in hospitals and is one of the most reliably reported indicators of Covid’s impact on a comm...

Daily Covid-19 admissions in the Barnwell County area

About the data

Data is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalization data is a daily average of Covid-19 patients in hospital service areas that intersect with Barnwell County, an area which may be larger than Barnwell County itself.

The number of daily hospital admissions shows how many patients tested positive for Covid in hospitals and is one of the most reliably reported indicators of Covid’s impact on a community.

Total population

Ages 65 and up

Total population

Ages 65 and up

An updated vaccine is recommended for adults and most children. Statewide, 7% of vaccinations did not specify a home county.

Nearby hospitals

Share of I.C.U. beds occupied

About this data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes: The hospitals map shows the average I.C.U. occupancy at nearby hospitals in the most recent week with data reported. The data is self-reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by individual hospitals. It excludes counts from hospitals operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Numbers for hospitalized patients are based on inpatient beds and include I.C.U. beds. Hospitalized Covid-19 patients include both confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients. The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on cases in May 2023.

How trends have changed in Barnwell County

About this data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes: Weekly county death data prior to Jan. 2021 was not reported by the C.D.C. and is sourced from reporting by The New York Times. Hospitalization data is a weekly average of Covid-19 patients in hospital service areas that intersect with Barnwell County. Hospitalization numbers early in the pandemic are undercounts due to incomplete reporting by hospitals to the federal government.

Historical trends in Barnwell County

The data in these charts has been archived and they are no longer being updated.

About this data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data in these charts has been archived and they are no longer being updated. Weekly county case data prior to Jan. 2021 was not reported by the C.D.C. and is sourced from reporting by The New York Times. The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on cases in May 2023. Test positivity data is based only on test results reported to the federal government and is a seven-day average.

By Jon Huang, Samuel Jacoby, Jasmine C. Lee, John-Michael Murphy, Charlie Smart and Albert Sun. Additional reporting by Sarah Cahalan, Lisa Waananen Jones, Amy Schoenfeld Walker and Josh Williams. See a full list of contributors to The Times’s Covid-19 data reporting here.

About the data

Data on this page is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Population and demographic data is from the U.S. Census Bureau. Hospitalization data is reported by individual hospitals to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and it includes confirmed and suspected adult and pediatric patients. The C.D.C. does not provide complete vaccinations data for some counties and caps its vaccination rate figures at 95 percent.

The C.D.C. may make historical updates as more data is reported.

The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on Covid cases in May 2023.

Disclaimer:

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