SCSBA names Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency Champion for Public Education
October 4, 2016
The South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) will honor the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency with a Champions for Public Education Award on Tuesday, October 4, during the Kershaw County School District Board Meeting at 6 p.m.
Dr. Kathy Coleman, SCSBA President and Saluda County Schools Board Member, will present the association’s award along with Kershaw Board Chairman Ron Blackmon to Upchurch & Jowers President Victor Jowers and the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency staff.
The Kershaw County School District Board nominated the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency for the award, which is presented to community residents, organizations or local businesses/industries whose support of and contributions to public education have significantly benefited the school district or public schools statewide.
The Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency’s employees strongly support the efforts of the district. The agency supports district reading initiatives through volunteering, publicly supports the school board’s bond referendum and participates in the district’s annual Special Olympics activities.
“We are pleased to have such an outstanding partner as Upchurch & Jowers in our community,” said Kershaw County School District Superintendent Frank Morgan. “Their recognition of our students’ achievements is a strong signal to our young people of how important it is for them to do their best in every situation. This state honor is well deserved.”
Upchurch & Jowers has sponsored the district’s All-County Academic Team for the past 21 graduating classes of Kershaw County seniors. In addition to sponsoring this academic team, Upchurch & Jowers became aware that several high achieving students in the district could not afford to take the SAT or ACT, hurting their opportunity for college attendance. The agency quietly stepped up with funding so that these students could take the placement tests and apply to college.
“Upchurch and Jowers Insurance Agency is a small business in Kershaw County that makes a big impact. I think we can all agree that they are doing some wonderful things for the students of Kershaw County,” said SCSBA Executive Director Scott Price.
To receive the award, recipients must meet the following criteria:
- show leadership in support of ongoing or special programs authorized by the school board
- demonstrate, through actions, pride for the school district and effectively work for the betterment of the schools in the district as a whole, or for public schools statewide
- understand public education’s importance to a democratic society and actively inspire
support for quality public schools within the community or state
- make a difference for the entire school district or schools statewide
