Education

Lancaster High School senior Michael Duffell-Hoffman doesn’t let his blindness keep him from walking half a mile to school with his younger brother, who is also blind.

He doesn’t need to use a long white cane to navigate on routes he frequents. He can see colors and shapes.

Duffell-Hoffman’s latest diagnosis for his eye condition is ABCA4 retinopathy. He was also diagnosed with autism at about 10 years old.

Buford Elementary students lined the halls Thursday morning as 73 of Buford High’s soon-to-be graduates walked through in their silky maroon caps and gowns.

Nearly 720 wide-eyed elementary students applauded the seniors.

“It was wonderful to see them light up,” said Mandi Budd, a BES guidance counselor.

Lancaster City Council member Sara Eddins received an honorary doctor of public service degree from Limestone College at the school’s May 4 graduation ceremony.

Eddins, an alum and board of trustees member, said the honor was “very much a surprise.”

“This is probably the best honor I have ever had in my entire life,” Eddins said. “Especially because it comes from my school Limestone that I love with all my heart.

A not-so-long-lasting silence fell across the room April 7 as Discovery School students waited to see which animals were in the covered cages.

Students gasped at the legless lizard. They giggled when a cockatoo started swaying. And their eyes widened when a coati climbed up Conservation Educator Khoreen Vetter’s leg.