Governor Receives Distinguished Alumni Award

Fayette County Public Schools has presented Gov. Andy Beshear with the district’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award, which is named in his honor. Henry Clay High School, his alma mater, hosted the brief ceremony. “I had a lot of great years here,” Beshear said. “The teachers at Henry Clay invested in me, and I’m really grateful for what they continue to do.”

Speaking to about 80 students gathered near the gym, Beshear spoke of the importance of funding and support for education across Kentucky. He called high school an “initial training ground” that gives students a strong foundation for their future, and he praised educators in FCPS for their passion and hard work. In addition, the governor encouraged the teens to one day look back and think kindly of everyone who invested in them, and he later paused for a photo with three staffers who taught there when he was in school: Scott Brown, Sharron Wesley-Porter, and Charles Atinay. Beshear also stopped by three classrooms including Brown’s Advanced Government class, where he took time to sign several pocket copies of the U.S. Constitution for students.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins and Tyler Murphy, chair of the Fayette County Board of Education, commended Beshear for his unwavering support and said he was an ideal example of a distinguished graduate of FCPS. Beshear “believes in the value of public education and believes in the power and potential of it,” Murphy added.