Newberry's Margaret Brackett Honored with Presidential Medallion

            Piedmont Technical College president, Dr. Lex D. Walters, honored Newberrian Margaret Harris Brackett, with the institution’s most prestigious award, the Presidential Medallion, at the college’s commencement exercises May 4.

            “Margaret H.  Brackett, a straight-A student of the college, a broadcaster, a journalist and winner of South Carolina’s highest civilian award, is above all a servant to the public, a volunteer of the highest order and an inveterate cheerleader for Piedmont. “On the Move with Margaret”, her weekly radio broadcast at WKDK in Newberry, is more than a fixture in her community; it’s an unusually telling description of her life.

            Just two years ago, she was awarded “The Order of the Palmetto,” the state’s highest civilian award, for an extraordinary lifetime of achievement and service to the state and nation. She also received the Lt. Governor’s Palmetto Patriot award, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs’ 2005 Consumer Spirit award and 2005 SPIRIT award for her work as a Sexual Trauma Services’ victim advocate. Margaret proudly serves on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, the Governor’s Youth Council, and as Silver Haired Legislator for Central Midlands Caucus.

            Ms. Brackett also volunteers with the Newberry Opera House, has served on the Piedmont Technical College Board of Visitors, Board of Directors for Communities and Schools, leadership with MADD Newberry County, MADD South Carolina, and many other organizations. Recognition of her leadership in these and many other organizations is nearly legendary.

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Eddie & Anne Sellars are awarded the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network's Distinguished Survivor Award                                                                            
Congratulations  to Eddie & Anne Sellars,
from the MADD Spartanburg County Chapter, who
received the Distinguished Survivor Award from the
South Carolina Victim Assistance Network.  They
were awarded this honor on Wednesday, May 4, at
the 2005 Victims Rights Week held in Columbia,
SC.  Eddie & Anne are most worthy of this
award. They are seen in this photo holding a
picture of their son, Eric.
The Herald-Journal May 3, 2005

Grieving parents turned energy to activism,ROBERT W. DALTON, Staff Writer
When Anne and Eddie Sellars' son was killed by a drunken driver four years ago, they didn't get even -- they got MADD.  Anne Sellars said that professional victim advocates helped them negotiate the court system. But the family struggled to find someone who had lived through the same gut-wrenching experience.  That's when they decided that Spartanburg could use its own chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  Eddie and Anne Sellars will be honored Wednesday for their efforts in preventing drunken driving and in helping those who have lost loved ones because of it. "We had to do something with our energy, pain and grief," Anne Sellars said. "We thought that would be a good thing to do. I wish we didn't have to have one, though."For their efforts, the Sellars will receive the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network's Distinguished Survivor Award Wednesday morning in Columbia. The awards presentation is part of the state's Victim Rights Week observance.The Sellars' son, Eric, was 30 when he got into a car with someone who'd had too much too drink on Good Friday in 2001. The driver, David Atkins, crashed the car and Eric Sellars was left in a coma.  He died two days later, on Easter morning.  Atkins pleaded guilty to charges related to the accident and was sentenced to four years in jail and five years probation.A year after their son died, the Sellars applied for a MADD charter. They now have "a good many" members in Spartanburg and Cherokee counties, Anne Sellars said. The Sellars, both 57, speak to school and youth groups to warn them about the dangers of drinking and driving. While their audience usually consists of high school age youth, last month they spoke at Chesnee Middle School."These were sixth-graders, and we were amazed at what they knew about alcohol," Mrs. Sellars said. "I hope we can do more for the younger kids. That's where it needs to start."The Sellars are also there to offer support to families who have suffered a loss at the hands of a drunken driver. Sometimes that means going to court with them and holding their hand. Sometimes it means just picking up the telephone and listening."It's kind of like a two-edged sword," Mrs. Sellars said. "I want to do it because I know where these families are and what they are going through. But it hurts because I have to live it over and over again."Barry Barnette, principal deputy solicitor in the 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office, said the Sellars are an invaluable resource."I remember the first time they came to my office and I was trying to explain what they were going to see," Barnette said. "It was foreign to them. Now they can explain it because they lived it."Barnette said it's not difficult to get the Sellars to help. All anyone has to do is ask.  "Anytime anybody calls, these people are there for them," Barnette said. "They aren't forceful at all; if anyone wants to talk, they'll meet with them."Becky Wooten found that out firsthand after her boyfriend's son was killed by a drunken driver."They were there when I talked to the judge," Wooten said. "Her hand was on my back letting me know that everything would be OK. We were complete strangers, but there was such a strong connection."Murray Glenn, a victim advocate with the solicitor's office, said the Sellars are deserving of the honor they will receive Wednesday."They are two of the most driven and genuine people I've ever met," Glenn said. "They found a way to take a negative situation and turn it into something to help others."

Retirement Not in the Picture for Area Broadcaster and PTC Student
Posted July 14, 2005, By Beth Hitesman on www.ptc.edu

When is the best time to retire? When is it time to sit back and take it easy? If you asked Margaret Brackett of Newberry, her answer would be "never." The long-time community leader is a firm believer that life was meant to be lived.

At an age when many people are enjoying the quiet life of retirement, Brackett is not content sitting back and relaxing in a rocking chair. "I believe we were put here to live life to the fullest and to serve others," she asserted. 

Brackett practices what she preaches and follows a schedule that would exhaust most 20-year-olds. Every week, she writes, produces and hosts her own radio talk show called "On the Move with Margaret."

"I try to have guests and topics that have a direct impact on my listeners' lives," she said. Topics have included everything from community projects to health benefits to educating listeners about the many individuals awaiting a miracle of life through organ and tissue donation. 
Margaret Brackett, MADD Newberry County

The busy broadcaster is also a frequent contributor to her community's newspaper. When not hard at work with her journalism endeavors, Brackett touches many more lives by volunteering with numerous senior, youth, community, religious and non-profit organizations.

Recently, Governor Mark Sanford recognized her contributions by awarding her the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor for extraordinary lifetime achievement and service to the state and nation. She also received the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs' 2005 Consumer Spirit award for her numerous community contributions and the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands' 2005 SPIRIT Award for her work as a victim advocate and promoting awareness about sexual assault issues.

Brackett proudly serves on the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging, the Governor's Youth Council and serves as a Silver- Haired Legislator. She also volunteers with the Newberry Opera House, is on the Board of Directors for Communities and Schools, serves on Piedmont Technical College's Board of Visitors and has served as the local coordinator for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Even though Brackett is a tireless worker for her community's development, she doesn't neglect her own personal growth. Every year for the past eight years, Brackett has enrolled in classes at Piedmont Technical College. "I think education is the key to staying mentally young, healthy and alert. I would challenge all seniors to enroll at Piedmont Tech. Taking classes stimulates you, pushes you to do your best and makes you a more interesting person," she explained.

Recently, Brackett was inducted to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for her academic achievements at Piedmont Tech, where she holds a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She said that between taking classes and serving on the Board of Visitors, she calls Piedmont Tech her second home. "They are so nice and good to me," she concluded. "Every time I'm at the college, I feel I'm among good friends."

"On the Move with Margaret" can be heard every Monday morning on WKDK 1240 AM in Newberry.
Photo Caption: Margaret Brackett's name is a familiar one in Newberry County, not only because of her print and broadcast presence, but also because of the many hours she spends volunteering for worthy organizations in her community. Despite her demanding schedule, she's found time to enroll at Piedmont Technical College and maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.