Grace Brusky, a Lancaster senior at Cyber Academy of South Carolina, became the youngest winner in the 28-year history of the South Carolina InnoVision Awards on Nov. 5. Pathly, the artificial intelligence platform she co-founded with her father, won the Community Enrichment Award at the Thornblade Club in Greer.
Pathly learns each student’s interests and strengths and builds a running roadmap across colleges, careers, courses and scholarships, according to the InnoVision Awards. The platform is free for students. Schools and districts get tools meant to deliver personalized guidance to large numbers of students at once. Brusky co-founded the company with her father, Alan Brusky. ChemAu presented the award.
A full schedule outside class
Brusky attends Cyber Academy of South Carolina as a virtual student, and the academy said online learning has let her pursue opportunities well beyond a traditional school schedule. She has a 4.6 GPA, takes dual-enrollment courses through Winthrop University and has launched multiple companies, according to the academy. She is already working toward a career in environmental science.
Before the InnoVision win, she showed Pathly at the South Carolina EdTech Conference and became the youngest presenter in that conference’s history. PalmettoPride picked her from nearly 200 applicants for a second term as a Senior Statewide Ambassador. That role has brought her recognition from both the South Carolina Senate and the House of Representatives.
2026 InnoVision Award winners
- Community Enrichment Award, presented by ChemAu: Pathly, Lancaster
- Emerging Technology Award, presented by the South Carolina Research Authority: Pressiant Health, Charleston
- Small Business Award, presented by the McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise at the University of South Carolina: Class Window, Charleston
- Sustainability Award, presented by VELUX America: GreenerFleets, Greenville
- Technology Development Award, presented by Kim, Lahey & Killough Law Firm: Bellwether Biotech, Charleston
- Technology Integration Award, presented by Carolina Tech Founders: KYOCERA AVX Components Corporation, Fountain Inn
- Ibrahim Janajreh Michelin Young Innovator Award, presented by the MICHELIN Innovation Lab: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville
- Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award, presented by Contec: Mike Baur, founder of ScanSource Inc., Greenville
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
