Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The work of former Anderson School District Five Educator Carrol Frederick "Frog" Reams will live on in Anderson County.
The C. F. Reames Education Center, which formerly housed the district's career center (the previous site of McDuffie High School with replaced Boys High School at that location), hopes to provide a setting where students and the community can share historical information and remember a school leader who impacted generations.
According to school officials, a new sign should be in place before school begins next week.
The mission of the center is to offer programming for students to learn in non-traditional settings, and will house the Anderson School District Five Charter School, the Bridge Academy and the Personalized Learning Center.
A group of Boys’ High alumni who meet regularly for lunch under the tag line, “Frog’s Boys,” conitnue to remember Reames as an educator who took a strong lead in providing discipline and instilled character into the young men he supervised as principal. These men have kept Reames legacy alive and have become leaders in the Anderson community giving him credit for making “men from boys.”
Mrs. Caroline Tolbert, Reames daughter, has been an unwavering friend and supporter of Anderson School District Five, according to School District Five Superintendent Tom Wilson, who approached her about the project which she "embraced the idea with her usual grace and emotion."
Reames, who died in 1995, was honored by the S.C. Legislature for his lifetime of achievement in education.
Born in Bishopville, Reames attended Furman University and the University of Georgia, and earned his AB degree from Wofford College and his MA degree from the University of South Carolina. He was also conferred a Doctor of Humanities from Wofford College in 1990.
Reames served as director of health and physical education for the Anderson city schools, as well as a teacher, coach and principal at Boys High School from 1927-1962, and was principal of Lakeside Junior High School from 1962 until his retirement in 1969.
A member of South Carolina State Development Board, Reames recognitions include: the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow; recipient of the Kiwanis Club of Anderson' Citizen of the Year Award; recipient of the Optimist Club of Anderson's Friend of the Boy Appreciation Award; was presented Teacher of the Year Award by the City of Anderson; Life Member Commissioner of the Lee County Soil and Water Conservation Commission and also Anderson Conservation District; former chairman of Administrative board and teacher of the Dick Ligon Bible Class of the St. John's United Methodist Church; past president of the Kiwanis International of Anderson; founder of the C. F. "Frog" Reames Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament.
Reames was also awarded the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto.