By 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the first day of the new school year in Edgefield County, school superintendent Dr. Mary Rice Crenshaw was already in paradise.

On this day at least, “paradise” had been replaced by W.E. Parker Elementary School, which welcomed students back to class with a “welcome to paradise” sign and a tropical island theme complete with tiki huts and flowery leis.

But it was just the first of many stops as Dr. Crenshaw made her way around the district.

“I started out at W.E. Parker and then went to Strom Thurmond and JET Middle before making my way around to all the schools,” she said.

Dr. Crenshaw said everything seemed to be running smoothly on day one.

“Students were in class and lessons were being taught,” she said. “It was a great first day.”

One particular item she focused on was the sparkling conditions she found at each school in the district, with gleaming floors and fresh coats of paint around every corner.

“Everyone has done just a wonderful job getting things ready for (students),” Dr. Crenshaw said. “Everything was beautiful. I also received the grand tour of Fox Creek with Dr. (Tim) Murph and we are very proud of them. It’s a beautiful facility.”

There was plenty of excitement to go around the district.

At Strom Thurmond High School, principal Matthew Schilit said he had walked the entire school several times in the opening moments of the school day just to make sure things were in order and that classes were proceeding without interruption.

Schilit was pleased with what he found.

“We had an excellent day here and just a smooth opening day of the school year,” he said. “We had no major glitches and it was just an excellent day. I get pumped up about (the first day) and I can’t sit still anyway so I just went walking around the school. I swept the school three times in the first 30 minutes. I couldn’t wait to get started this morning.”

Strom Thurmond’s principal is an early-riser who makes sure that he at his gym in Lexington working out at 5 a.m. each morning, so the extra energy he found for his extended walk-about even after lifting weights is most impressive.

By the third trip around the school, Schilit said he had to rein himself in a bit.

“After a while I told myself that we had 179 more days to go so I had better slow down,” he joked. “But I was ready to go. I have excellent teachers and administration and students here so I get pretty pumped.”

Meanwhile, the first day at the new Fox Creek High School was smooth sailing,
according to Principal Tim Murph.

"The only issue I've had is some of the locks needed to be changed,"
said Principal Tim Murph about getting ready for the first day of school.

The school moved from an old casino on Martintown Road to a 64-acre lot
on Shortcut Road off U.S. Highway 25.

Parents and volunteers moved the school during the summer so costs would
be kept low. Only two U-hauls were rented to move large items.

The new building, or phase one of the project, includes classrooms and
administrative offices. The second phase of the $5.9 million endeavor,
which includes a gymnasium/auditorium and football field, will be
completed over the next two years.

The finished plan calls for softball, baseball and soccer fields and outdoor tennis and basketball courts.

"It's a whole lot better because we have more than one hallway and more
bathrooms," said Tori Pack, 15.

"I kind of miss the old school though," said friend Jessica Kneece, 18.

The girls were excited to find each other during first lunch and grabbed
a spot inside the new cafeteria.

Kenneth Brown, the new band instructor, said he expected Wednesday to be a tad crazy because staff wasn't sure how students would handle being in the new building. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised with well-behaved students.

"It's been a good day," he said. "I haven't had any of the issues I thought I would have."

CUTLINE: Students at Strom Thurmond High School hurry to class on Wednesday, the first day of the new school year.