NETC Massage Therapy Program and PWIC Partner to Transform Lives and Community Health 

In rural South Carolina, access to healthcare and wellness services can be limited. Palmetto Wellness and Injury Center (PWIC), with locations in Bennettsville and Cheraw, has long served as a vital part of the community, helping residents recover from injuries, manage chronic pain, and stay active in work and life. Now, through a unique partnership with Northeastern Technical College (NETC) Massage Therapy program, PWIC is making an even deeper impact, training the next generation of massage therapists while giving the community greater access to affordable, life-changing care. 

Dr. Ray Stroup, chiropractic physician and founder of PWIC, has been a fixture in Bennettsville since 2002 and expanded his practice to Cheraw in 2019. “We try hard to be a part of the community in a way that matters,” he says. “In rural areas, there are fewer healthcare providers. People get hurt on the job, they struggle with pain, and sometimes they might lose their income. Our goal is to help them feel better, stay at work, and maintain the life they love.” 

The partnership with NETC began in 2021, when PWIC launched a med spa in Bennettsville and faced a familiar challenge, finding licensed massage therapists in a small town. “If we could not find them, we decided to make them,” Stroup explains. By bringing NETC students into his clinics, he created a pipeline for skilled, compassionate therapists while addressing a critical community need. 

Learning in a Real-World Clinic 

For NETC students, the opportunity to train in an active healthcare setting is invaluable. Unlike programs that rely solely on school-based practice, students at PWIC work with real patients dealing with chronic pain, post-surgical recovery, and conditions like lymphedema and fibromyalgia. Under the guidance of NETC instructor Janet Copelle, students learn hands-on techniques and develop the professionalism that employers and patients expect. 

“The students are not just practicing on classmates, they are making a real difference,” Stroup says. “A patient recovering from cancer, for example, might need specialized massage for swelling in their arms. Students get to learn that skill, and the patient gets much-needed relief. That is something they will never experience in a classroom alone.” 

Affordable Education with Immediate Impact 

Beyond clinical experience, the partnership highlights the accessibility of NETC’s program. Students can complete their training in just two semesters and enter the workforce without the burden of high tuition or long-term student debt. “Some of our students are fresh out of high school, others are changing careers,” Stroup says. “They come in excited, knowing that within months, they will be licensed and ready to make a living while positively impacting lives in their community.” 

Healing the Community 

The partnership benefits the community on multiple levels. Many patients have never experienced massage therapy before, and student sessions are affordable, making wellness accessible to families who might otherwise go without care. “Massage therapy here is not just about feeling good for an hour,” Stroup explains. “It keeps people functional, helps them return to work, and supports the families who depend on them. That is real, life-changing impact.” 

Patients often return to the same student over a semester, watching their skills grow while receiving consistent, compassionate care. “They see the student develop confidence and mastery, and it builds trust and connection,” Stroup says. “That relationship between student and patient strengthens the whole experience.” 

A Career That Changes Lives 

For students, the program offers more than technical training. It instills confidence, professionalism, and an understanding of their role in improving community health. “You are not just learning to massage, you are learning to heal, to help people stay employed, and to improve quality of life,” Stroup says. “For many students, this is life-changing. For their patients, it can be life-saving in a very practical sense.” 

The NETC-PWIC partnership is also growing. Plans are underway to expand student opportunities to other communities, further increasing access to care and training. “We are just scratching the surface,” Stroup says. “The potential is enormous, more students, more patients, and more lives changed.” 

Encouragement for Future Therapists 

Stroup offers words of encouragement to anyone considering the NETC program. “Do not be afraid. Make the choice to step into something that will change your life and the lives of others. Within two semesters, you could be licensed, earning a living, and making a real difference. The work you do as a massage therapist can help people recover, stay employed, and enjoy life with less pain. That is a powerful, meaningful career.” 

Through this partnership, NETC students gain hands-on experience, patients receive compassionate care, and communities benefit from accessible wellness services. It is a model of education and healthcare working together to create a healthier, stronger future for South Carolina’s rural areas.

When Marcus Parker walked out of incarceration, he made a decision that would shape everything that came after: he refused to let one moment define the rest of his life.

"I wasn't gonna allow one poor choice, being at the wrong place, the wrong time, the wrong people, to define the rest of my life," Parker said.

Parker, a graduate of NETC’s Evans Correctional Institution program, was featured this week on Columbia’s News 19 WLTX during coverage of the Redemption After Incarceration Symposium and Job Fair, an event connecting returning citizens with employers, workshops, and resources for a fresh start.

Charged with felony offenses at just 18 years old in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, Parker’s road back wasn’t a straight one. But he stayed committed to changing his trajectory through education and personal growth.

While enrolled at NETC, Parker earned multiple credentials, including a Business Sciences Certificate in Summer 2022, an Associate in Applied Science in Business in Spring 2024, and an Associate in Applied Science in General Technology in Fall 2024.

Today, he works as an instructor with Goodwill Industries, helping others build job skills and successfully re-enter the workforce after incarceration, turning his own experience into a bridge for someone else.

His story speaks to a larger truth that organizers at the job fair were eager to highlight: the person who comes home is often not the same person who went in.

"Society sometimes looks at that person who went in as being the same person that comes out, if not worse," Parker noted. "But oftentimes, that's not really the narrative."

Advocates at the event emphasized that one of the most persistent barriers for returning citizens isn’t motivation. It’s translation. Skills and certifications earned during incarceration don’t always come with a clear roadmap for how they fit into the civilian job market.

South Carolina currently reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country, according to the State Department of Corrections. Events like this symposium and programs like the one Parker completed at NETC are part of why.

For Goodwill Industries, Parker’s journey represents exactly the kind of transformation they exist to support.

"We can give you the opportunity that you want, so that your family can look at their dad, look at their mom, and say, ‘Wow, I am so proud of them. Look what they’ve done,’" a Goodwill representative said at the event. "We get to be a part of seeing lives change daily."

NETC is proud to count Marcus Parker among its graduates and even prouder to see him paying it forward.

We are proud to recognize Rachel Chapman on her recent graduation from the Human Resources Professional Development (HRPD) Program, a rigorous, cohort-based curriculum designed to develop the next generation of HR leaders across state government. Rachel's completion of the program reflects her professional dedication and commitment to growth that strengthens NETC and the broader HR community.

The graduation event was a fitting celebration of months of hard work and collaborative learning. The ceremony included group presentations, valuable networking opportunities, and the formal presentation of certificates recognizing each graduate's achievement.

The HRPD Program is structured to be completed in its entirety, with content organized across three broad areas: The HR Big Picture, HR Functions, and HR Retention and Accountability. This sequenced approach reinforces the connections between HR components and maximizes knowledge retention. A hallmark of the program is its cohort model, which builds lasting relationships among HR professionals from agencies across state government, creating a network rooted in shared experience that extends well beyond the classroom.

The program's goals include serving as a succession pool development strategy for state government's HR community, broadening participants' HR knowledge base, developing leadership potential, and challenging participants to think strategically as true business partners in support of their agencies' missions.

Rachel's participation in the HRPD Program is a direct investment in NETC's future. The strategic thinking, expanded HR knowledge, and professional network she has developed through this program will strengthen NETC's ability to serve its mission at a high level. As she applies the skills and best practices gained through the program, NETC stands to benefit from a more well-rounded, connected, and forward-thinking HR professional who is equipped to support leadership, drive results, and contribute to a stronger HR function across state government.

Congratulations, Rachel, on this well-earned milestone.

Northeastern Technical College (NETC) Culinary Arts Instructor Sha’Kira Gattison recently took part in the annual Taste of Cheraw, a community event that highlights local cuisine, culinary talent, and regional food culture.

Gattison represented NETC’s Culinary Arts program during the event, helping to showcase the college’s commitment to hands-on training and community engagement. The program prepares students for careers in the culinary and hospitality industries through instruction in cooking techniques, kitchen operations, food safety, and professional food service standards.

The Taste of Cheraw provides an opportunity for culinary professionals and programs across the region to connect with the community while demonstrating skills and creativity in a public setting. NETC’s participation reflects its ongoing efforts to support workforce development and strengthen ties with local events and organizations.

Through involvement in events like Taste of Cheraw, NETC continues to highlight the importance of experiential learning and the role of culinary education in preparing students for real-world industry experiences.

The brackets have closed, the tacos have been eaten, and the basketball has officially changed hands. NETC's annual Passing of the Basketball Ceremony and Taco Tuesday celebration brought our campus community together for an afternoon of good food, great company, and well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations once again to our 2026 March Madness winners, Donald Fisher for the Women's Leaderboard and Denise McClintock for the Men's Leaderboard. The competition was fierce, the predictions were bold, and these two rose to the top. They have earned their bragging rights.

Beyond the bracket winners, the real highlight of the day was simply the room itself. Staff from across all departments came together, stepped away from their desks, and took a moment to just be with one another. That kind of connection doesn't happen on accident, and it showed in the energy throughout the event.

A sincere thank you to everyone who brought a dish to share and helped make the food spread something special. Events like this only work because people show up ready to contribute, and this group delivered in every sense of the word.

Until next year's tournament, the basketball rests in new hands. The only question now is: who's coming for the title in 2027?

BENNETTSVILLE, SC — Saturday, April 18 Sunny skies set the stage for a perfect day of golf at the 5th Annual Trailblazer Golf Tournament Fundraiser held at the Marlboro County Golf and Recreation Complex. Fourteen three-man teams competed in support of Trailblazer Athletics.

Tournament Results

A Flight

1st Place: 54 (-16) Stephen Rogers, CJ Hinson, Lee Carmichael

2nd Place: 56 (-14) Matt Huestess, Luke Sterling, Dylan Anderson



B Flight

1st Place: 64 (-6) Rocky O'Tuel, Corey Griggs, Fred Henning (won after scorecard playoff)

2nd Place: 66 (-4) Ernie Dinsmore, David Cicirello, Johnny Roscoe (won after scorecard playoff)

Skill Contests

Closest to the Pin #4: Ethan Rogerson

Closest to the Pin #7: Mark Williams

Closest to the Pin #10: Samuel Clark

Closest to the Pin #12: CJ Hinson

Closest to the Pin #17: Luke Sterling

Longest Drive #18: Fred Henning

Putting Contest Winner: CJ Hinson

Sponsors and Support

A sincere thank you goes out to all sponsors who made this event possible.

Gold Sponsors

NETC Foundation

Scotland Memorial Hospital

Bronze Sponsors

Duke Energy

Jim’s Wash and Dry

Good Good Golf

Beverage Cart Sponsor

Doug Jennings Law Office

Longest Drive Sponsor

Popz USA

Closest to the Pin Sponsor

MPD Electric Cooperative

Hole Sponsors

Sully Blair State Farm

Doug Jennings Law Office

Carolina Bank

The SKYE

Java Realty

Roger and Michelle Mack

PEPSI

Funds raised from the Annual Trailblazer Golf Tournament directly support NETC Athletic Programs, helping strengthen opportunities for student athletes.

The tentative date for next year’s tournament is Saturday, April 3, 2027. The event will return to a four person team format, and participants are encouraged to start organizing their teams and mark their calendars early.

Kaleigh Blackmon Named NETC Female Student Athlete of the Month

Lake View — Kaleigh Blackmon is a senior and softball player at Lake View High School. 

As a student athlete, and dual enrolled with NETC, Blackmon has completed 11 college level classes already and many of these courses will help reduce her college work load. She’s already completed American History, Macroeconomics, Probability and Statistics, English 101 and 102, plus Biological Science, to name a few.

Blackmon who has been a starter on her softball teams since the 7th grade readily admits softball is her favorite sport. She enjoys the challenges of playing in the infield at third base. She is also interested in continuing to pursue athletics at the next level.

In the classroom she carries a 4.2 GPA, and she says that after high school she plans to attend Horry Georgetown Technical College to earn an Associate’s Degree in Sonography. 



For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, Blackmon has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.”

This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation.

The NETC currently offers over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve.

Currently, Blackmon is enrolled in dual credit online courses offered by NETC. “Being an athlete has helped me improve my time management because I’ve learned to balance practices, games, schoolwork, and all my other responsibilities,” she said. “It’s taught me to stay organized, don’t procrastinate, and make the most of my time.”

When asked about what NETC did to help her, Blackmon said, “It helped prepare me for college by teaching me how to manage online classes along with my high school workload and athletics. It has improved my time management, organization, and ability to stay disciplined without someone constantly reminding me.” 

When asked about the online class experience, Blackmon said her online experience “It helped me become more independent and responsible with my schoolwork,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed taking online classes and that was a confidence booster for her time management and planning skills. I try my best to stay organized by getting my NETC work done at the first of the week. I often get my schoolwork done at school so after practice I have time to spend time with my family.”

Blackmon recalled her favorite thing about playing softball “is the camaraderie of the dugout; we chant and cheer to uplift our teammates, and it’s just having fun.”

Bryce King Named NETC Male Student Athlete of the Month

Lake View — Bryce King is a senior, three-sport athlete at Lake View, where his senior year has been one sports season after another. 

This fall, he played football at the wide receiver and safety positions, which is a sport he’s played every season since middle school. After football, he returned to basketball for his senior season as a guard. Then, with spring time, his favorite sport baseball has started.

King started playing t-ball early in life and he has played baseball, in some organized fashion, from summer travel ball to varsity athletics.

He readily admits baseball is his favorite sport and hopes his final season will get him noticed by more college scouts. In 18 games this season he’s is batting .530 with 29 hits and a home run. He plays short stop and pitches. He has pitched in 9 games with 53 strikeouts. He is interested in playing in college. King says he has visited USC-Salkehatchie. With his planned college major in nursing, he is also considering USC-Sumter and Florence Darlington Tech.

In the classroom, he carries a 4.3 GPA, and he plans to pursue degree in nursing with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse and possibly a career as a flight nurse in medical transportation.



For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, King has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.”

This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation.

The ”NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. King has completed his English 101 and 102 requirements for college plus Algebra 101 and Statistics via the online courses offered by NETC. 

When asked about managing his time to balance academics and sports, King said “Time management is about priorities, and you just have to give up some lesser priority stuff, to make sure you complete your priority items. As a student athlete, and Christian, I prioritize what is important and that means my academics come first, so I can use my athletic talent plus I prioritize making time for church activities.”

King had this comment about the NETC experience. “It showed me a college level work load and gave me valuable experience that will prepare me for success at the next level,” he said. “One thing about the online experience, with some courses we were required to talk in groups about the assignments which meant meeting and interacting with our classmates in the online setting which was nice.”

When asked about a favorite memory in any sport, King noted that happened in baseball during his junior year, “We had to beat Latta twice in the playoffs to win and earn a spot in the State Championship series,” he said. “We ended up doing just that and earned the lower state title.”

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