Karis Mazyck (right), an assistant principal at Hand Middle School, with Molly Spearman, executive director of SCASA. Karis Mazyck, assistant principal at Richland One’s Hand Middle School, has been named South Carolina’s 2010 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year.

Hand Principal Marisa Vickers describes Mazyck as a dynamic assistant .

Mazyck was instrumental in implementing The Golden 12 initiative that helps students recognize key verbs on standardized tests, analyze the text, and select sound answers.

“Each and every day I try to make our teachers’ jobs easier,” Mazyck said.