Carrie Bolin Named Lake Wylie Citizen of the Year
LAKE WYLIE, SC - Carrie Bolin has been named Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for 2024. Throughout her career, Bolin has demonstrated a deep commitment to students, the community, and the future of Lake Wylie.
A Clemson University graduate with a degree in Agriculture Education, Bolin’s career began in 2003 as an agriculture teacher at Fort Mill High School. She joined Clover High School in 2006, where her reputation as an educator quickly grew. In pursuit of further leadership, Bolin earned a Master’s in Administration and Supervision and served as Administrative Assistant at the 9th Grade Academy until 2016.
Her career took another step forward when she became the Director of the Floyd D. Johnson Center in York in 2016, where she honed her leadership and organizational skills. In 2018, Bolin returned to the Lake Wylie area as the Director of the Clover Applied Technology Center (ATC). Under her leadership, the ATC has expanded its offerings to include 22 distinct programs and has become a vital resource for students seeking career-readiness in industries like healthcare, skilled trades, and energy.
The ATC has seen over 2,000 industry certifications earned in the past year alone, reflecting Bolin’s commitment to providing practical, high-paying career pathways for students right out of high school. Her work has also helped bridge the gap between local businesses and a skilled workforce, benefiting both students and employers.
Bolin’s focus on hands-on learning and workforce development has earned praise from both her colleagues and the community. Dr. Sheila Quinn, the superintendent of Clover School District and one of the award presenters, said in her speech, “Carrie gets workforce development, and she always keeps student opportunities for leadership and growth as her primary mission.”
The Citizen of the Year award, presented by the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, highlights Bolin’s dedication leading and to shaping the next generation of leaders and workers.
Jeff Ledford, the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Board chair and the other award presenter, explained Bolin's impact on education and the workforce in Clover in his speech. He stated, “We have Clover High School, rated as one of the top high schools in the state, and in that high school, we have a couple of buildings dedicated to teaching that generation real working skills. This isn’t the “shop classes” that you and I had in our high schools. No longer do they just learn how to change their own oil in their car. We have oil change places to take care of that.
The Applied Technology Center is a collection of “shop classes” on steroids. Think of Popeye after he ate his spinach. ATC offers 18 different career paths for students to learn. Some of these paths are designed to provide students with certifications, so they can graduate from school and immediately have a spot in an internship or job.
Jobs like being a lineman for Duke Energy, being a registered nurse in the healthcare field, a Veterinarian, a Firefighter, or a Diesel Mechanic. How about being a chef and working at River Hills in their kitchen under a 40 year experienced Executive Chef? These are all high earning careers. If you didn’t know that our high school does all of this, you aren’t alone.
That is why the ATC program at Clover High School is known as one of the best kept secrets in York County. So, who leads this incredible program? Carrie Bolin.” As Bolin continues her work in education and community development, her legacy of excellence and commitment to Lake Wylie’s future is set to inspire the next generation for years to come.
