Thank you to our inaugural supporters
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Lila is an outgoing, energetic young girl who is living life to the fullest each and every day. She loves music, art, being outdoors and making friends, and she just happens to have Down syndrome. Based on federal law, Lila has been attending school since her third birthday. She attended preschool at Harbison West Elementary School in Columbia, SC before heading to kindergarten at Chapin Elementary School in Chapin, SC. After school, she benefitted from hour-long early intervention sessions as well as speech, physical and occupational therapy sessions each week.
Driven by a desire to have Lila in an inclusive classroom, her parents moved her to a private Montessori school in the fall of 2018. The director and staff of Abner Montessori School in Chapin welcomed her into their school community, and she immediately made tremendous gains in her independence, life skills and cognitive development.
Outside of school, Lila still works hard during weekly speech and occupational therapy sessions, but she loves playing outside, reading, art and all things Disney.
Padgett Mozingo, APR of Chapin, SC has more than 20 years of experience as a mom and more than 30 years of public relations and communications experience. She was most recently director of communications for Family Connection of South Carolina, a statewide nonprofit that works to make connections, raise awareness and promote inclusion for those with disabilities and special healthcare needs.She is a communications consultant and the President of Limitless Purpose (link to website), the statewide nonprofit her family founded to support other children and families based on their journey with Lila.
Padgett serves as a board member for The ARC of South Carolina and is an appointed member of the Advisory Council for Educating Students with Disabilities at the South Carolina Department of Education. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism and mass communications, Padgett has volunteered for several community organizations, including United Way of the Midlands and Harbison West Elementary School to name a few. She and her family participate in several fundraising efforts for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital and Family Connection.
A past president of the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, she was recognized with the organization’s 1999 PR Practitioner of the Year and 1991 Rookie of the Year awards. She was also named to the top 20 under 40 Class of 2008 by The State newspaper.
A lifelong resident of South Carolina, Mark has more than 25 years experience in helping people with their real estate needs. He was a top producer with RE/MAX Professionals in the Pee Dee Region before joining Keller Williams Columbia in November of 2012. Whether you’re in the market to buy or sell, no one will work harder for you than Mark Mozingo.
Mark served on the board of The Association of Realtors of the Greater Pee Dee, as chair of the Rookie Realtor University, and on the board of the Darlington County Historical Commission. He also served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, both in the Pee Dee and Midlands areas.
An avid horseman and outdoorsman, he loves animals, especially his horses, dog and cat. When he’s not helping people make their next move, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two childrenon their farm in Chapin.
Garrett Lewis, Lila's "best big brother," is a student at Clemson Honors College studying engineering. A 2022 graduate of Spring Hill High School, he earned many honors and accolades during his years in School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties.
Prior to his first semester at Clemson, Garrett participated in the 2022 Eureka! Program, working with Dr. Sunyu Liu of Clemson's Department of Automotive Engineering to investigate the potential use of Laser-Directed Energy Deposition with High Entrophy Alloys.
Garrett helped lead the 2023 Eureka! Summer Program as a counselor while working under Professor Carbajales-Dale on conducting techno-economic assessments of solar PV and other hybrid systems for rural electrification.
In his spare time, Garrett tutors others on SAT prep and AP mathematics. He enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.
Disability Advocacy Day 2022
World Down Syndrome Day at the South Carolina State House
Thank you to our inaugural supporters