Governor McMaster Proclaims October 22 South Carolina's 'Lights On Afterschool Day': 4 Children Wait for Every 1 Enrolled; Alliance Calls for Expanded Afterschool Access
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a proclamation Thursday designating October 22, 2026, as 'Lights On Afterschool Day' in the state, honoring the critical role of afterschool programs in supporting students, working families and communities. The observance coincides with the national Lights On Afterschool celebration, organized nationwide by the Afterschool Alliance to call for expanded access to quality afterschool programs.
The proclamation notes that afterschool programs significantly improve academic achievement, provide hands-on learning experiences and build young people's workplace and life skills, but supply falls far short: statewide, for every 1 child enrolled in an afterschool program, 4 children are waiting for a spot. Zelda Waymer, president and CEO of the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance (SCAA), said afterschool programs are 'not just a safe place to go after school, but an opportunity for students to discover their potential, build relationships and prepare for the future.'
Earlier this month, SCAA held its annual STEM Extravaganza at Segra Park in Columbia, with students from 14 counties, 56 interactive STEM booths and more than 150 volunteers; a post-event survey found more than 98% of student and adult respondents would like to participate again next year. Waymer said such opportunities should not be limited to a single event or community, and the alliance will continue pushing to expand afterschool and summer learning programs statewide.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 哥伦比亚市天际线（南卡罗来纳州） / Columbia, South Carolina skyline — Thomas Kirchel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
