100 dozen students had quest for fun Saturday

Congratulations go out to the 1,200 students from 42 tri-county schools that participated in the 29^th annual Quest Academic Competition held Saturday at Trident Technical College in North Charleton.

Students competed and earned points in team competitions in math, science and social studies, and in individual competitions in composition, public speaking and visual arts, according to a press release. Schools whose students earned the most total points won overall awards at each level. Special competitions that did not contribute points toward the overall awards were held in automotive, computer aided design, computer programming, culinary, engineering design and construction, French, horticulture, Spanish, video/film and welding.

Overall awards went to 13 schools: Level 1 (grade 6): Moultrie Middle School, first place; Rollins Middle School of the Arts, second; Gregg Middle School, third. Level 2 (grades 7-8): Rollins Middle, first; Marrington Middle School of the Arts, second; Alston Middle School, third. Level 3 (grades 9-10): Fort Dorchester High School, first; Academic Magnet High School and Ashley Ridge High School, tied for second; Cane Bay High School, third. Level 4 (grades 11-12): Academic Magnet High School, first; Ashley Ridge, second; Berkeley Middle College High School, third.

Also in Good News this week:

Big check. SCE&G on Friday presented a $500,000 check for the new MUSC Children’s Hospital and Women’s Pavilion. The donation is one of the largest in the company’s history, according to a media release. The donation is part of a $50 million “bricks and mortar” campaign to build a new 650,000-square-foot facility for future generations. Groundbreaking is set for next year with doors opening in 2019 at the facility at the corner of Calhoun Street and Courtenay Drive.

“So many of our employees have children and grandchildren who have been treated at this magnificent hospital,” said George Bullwinkel, a retired SCANA senior vice president who serves on the hospital’s advisory board. “Every child who walks through the doors of MUSC Children’s Hospital gets the very best care possible. We have seen miracles happen. It is one of the best Children’s Hospitals in the country, and we’re so proud it’s right here in our own backyard.

Chamber offers robust forecast. Unemployment in the Charleston area is expected to decline to 4.6 percent by the end of next year and the region will have a projected net gain of 5,000 jobs, according to the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce economic forecast release last week.

“We are expecting 11,000 new jobs in our region over the next two years and more than 25,000 new jobs in the next five years, that’s seven times the job growth of the past five years,” stated Mary Graham, chief membership officer for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. “The occupations that are predicted to grow at the fastest rate are computer/software, science/engineering, sales/marketing and medical.”

Easter Egg Hunt set for April 4. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens will have more than 5,000 plastic eggs stuffed with candy and prizes at its 6^th annual Easter Egg Hunt. Children will be divided into four age groups for 30-minute hunts on the lawn of the attraction’s main house. Also at the event: Eggbert Hopps, Magnolia’s mascot. For prizes and schedules, visit the organization’s website. Free with garden admission.