As of 2007 and written by Joye Davis
On September 8, 1964, Thomas Sumter Academy breathed its first breath as a teaching institution. The 112 students enrolled in grades one through ten began fulfilling the long-term hopes and dreams of a handful of founding fathers.
On January 16, 1959, a group of community parents banded together and purchased the land and existing main building from the state, forming the Hillcrest Center, Inc. The original shareholders in the Hillcrest Center, Inc., were W.M. LeNoir, H.C. Edens, Jr., V.P. Dennis, A.W. James, C.A. McLaughlin, E.M. Dubose, A.M. Burrows, J.M. Edens, Jr., and J.B. Gaddy. Each contributed $100.00 to the corporation to facilitate the purchase. The building was constructed in 1926 and housed Hillcrest School until 1958 when a new and modern facility was built just across from the old building at Highways 521 and 441. For six years, the building sat silent and living only in the dreams of a dedicated few.
In 1964, dreams became reality. By the time the school was ready to open its doors, several other community leaders had joined forces with the Hillcrest Center crowd, as additional investors and/or directors for the new institution, including R.V. Segars, Jr., J.E. Davis, W.J. Carter, M.S. McLaughlin, J.E. Sanders, Jr., J.R. Burrows, J.B. Pate, J.M. Brabham, E.C. Carter, Jr. and V. R. Dinkins. The school became real and continued to grow far, far beyond the greatest expectations of its founding fathers.
Thomas Sumter Academy began operations under the stern but loving hand of Mrs. Frances Mellette (“Fanny”) Dinkins. Mrs. Dinkins served as Headmistress from 1964 through 1966. She turned the helm over to W.W. Wannamaker, III in 1966. Mr. Wannamaker served as Headmaster until 1969, when the first senior class graduated from Thomas Sumter Academy. C.E. Owens III was hired in 1969 to replace Mr. Wannamaker, and continued in the position of Headmaster until 1996 when he resigned to focus full-time in the Episcopal ministry. Phillip W. Jackson, Jr., a 1984 graduate of Thomas Sumter Academy, took the reins from his former Headmaster and continued until 2004. Mr. William J. Hentges served as interim until Dr. Robert Mayfield joined the school family as Headmaster on June 1, 2006. Ms. Elena Gresham took the position as interim Head of School to complete the school year when Dr. Mayfield left. Long time Thomas Sumter General, Mrs. Debbie Nix accepted the position as Head of School in June of 2008. Her love of the school is evident in all she does.
