On April 1, 2006, a number of Hammond sixth graders took part in a competition at the State museum. This event allows students to show off their creativity and knowledge about the natural world. The Environmental Awareness Competition takes place in Columbia each spring and is sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. There are five divisions in which students can participate. The categories can choose to show are poster, photography, and essay, quiz bowl and spokesperson.
This year over 400 middle school students, statewide, entered the contest. Of those 400, 15 were from Hammond. They were Gervais Baker, Emily Bakhaus, BJ Bennett, Catherine Borden, Forrest Chow, Sarah Derrick, Carol Ehreth, Max Hamilton, Garrett Harris, Savannah Harwood, Ben Horst, Devon Kilgore, Claire Lopatka John Magradey, Jackie Rice, and John Suber.
Savannah Harwood, Gervais Baker, Carol Ehreth, and Sarah Derrick were finalists for the spokesperson division. John Magradey placed in the quiz bowl division. Each of these finalists was awarded $100 saving bond.
