BHS Foundation Election Draws Support Nationwide

CHARLESTON, SC – May 26, 2011 – Some 800 alumni-membersnationwide of the non-profit foundation backing one of South Carolina’soldest public high schools are involved in the Burke High SchoolFoundation’s annual election of officers and board members set for 5:30p.m., Thursday, May 26 at the school, 244 President Street. A slate of23 candidates living as far away as Antelope, California has beenassembled by the Nominations Committee chaired locally by Mike Whack, a1971 graduate.

Burke opened November 4, 1910 as the Charleston Colored IndustrialSchool, the first public high school for black students in Charleston.Today, it is the sole remaining public high school on Charleston’speninsular.

According to Foundation President and CEO of Karaton Services, LLC,Barbara Dilligard, the elections are spurring memberships and awarenessof the foundation’s role. “Before our events marking Burke’s 100th yearanniversary culminated last June, we had raised approximately $100,000,awarded $30,000 in scholarships and installed an historical marker andstatute of the bulldog mascot at the school,” Dilligard said. Thefoundation, established in 2008, will award another $30,000 inscholarships this year.

Since last month’s election announcement more than 100 foundationmemberships have come in and several alumni groups have made blockpayments of the $10 per/person dues enrolling their membership in thefoundation. “The classes of 1956, 57 58, 63, 65, 67 and 73 have allpledged their continued foundation support in this way and theWashington, DC alumni group has been among our most active foundationsupporters” said Thomasina Smith Cook, ‘Burke by the Decades’ projectco-chair and nominations committee member.

Election ballots from foundation members unable to attend the Thursday,May 26 meeting must be received by Tuesday, May 24 at the foundation’sP.O. Box 20926 Charleston, SC 29413.  For more information contact: [email protected] or call Whack at 843-225-1567 or Cook at 843-722-8796.