This year’s recipient of the $1,000 Johnston Development Corporation (JDC) Scholarship is Kelley Widell, a Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Senior.
The scholarship is given to a high school student who exemplifies outstanding community service.
Kelley has been very active in the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) group. In addition, she has been the acting State President, Vice President, and Chaplain in this organization. She has been a speaker at both the state and national conferences.
Kelley has also been a leader in the C.A.R. William Stroud Society and a member of Mecklenburg Militia Living History Reenactors.
Locally, Kelley wrote 250 thank you letters to Dominion Energy linemen for their hurricane relief efforts in 2024 and made spaghetti plates for the community during Hurricane Helene cleanup efforts, as well as presented doughnuts to honor Johnston’s First Responders in 2025.
She was active in helping with the Believe Prom 3 years and volunteered informing students about the STHS Health Science program at Merriweather and Douglas Elementary School in 2026.
Kelley has been a Page at Daughters of the American Revolution Regents Spring forum, laid wreaths for Wreaths Across America for 2 years, cleaned grounds of the Battle of Hanging Rock for C.A.R. days of service, and has been a speaker at many engagements.
The volunteering opportunities that Kelley has been involved in are molding her into the civic leader God wants us all to be. Congratulations to Kelley Widell and thank you for all you do for your community.
The award is presented each year in the run-up to the Johnston Peach Blossom Festival, sponsored by the JDC. This year’s Festival is May 3.
The popular Festival is also taking applications for individuals, organizations, or businesses interested in being a part of the event in these areas:
- Arts and Crafts: Donna Livingston, (803) 275-7002, P.O. Box 311, Johnston, SC 29832
- Parade: Jenny Herlong, (803) 480-2595, 607 Edisto Street, Johnston, SC, 29832
The Johnston Peach Blossom Festival Premier Sponsor is AT&T.
Other Corporate Sponsors are Edgefield County Healthcare, J.W. Yonce and Sons, Spanky’s Service Center/Ridge Auto Parts and Supply, Dominion Energy, Bridgestone, KJs Market, Darling Ingredients, Generac, Luck Companies, Bondex, SC Pet Food Solutions, Ole Edgefield Butcher Shop, Meta, SRP Federal Credit Union, National Wild Turkey Federation, Regions Bank, and First Citizens Bank.
The Johnston Peach Blossom Festival Premier Entertainment Sponsor is 3 Star Vineyard and Orchard.
Peach Blossom Festival Entertainment Sponsors are Pendarvis Chevrolet, Trantech Radiator Products, Herlong Ford, and Titan Farms.
Thousands of patrons descend on Johnston each year to enjoy the day set aside to honor the peach industry, which has been so important in the development of the area. Each year, the Town goes all out with the Festival to remind citizens about the peach industry and to open its arms to visitors.
