Miller receives major education award

COLUMBIA - The Honorable Vida Miller, a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, on Oct. 27 received the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) Champions for Public Education award for her support of public schools and students not only in Georgetown and surrounding counties, but statewide.

Rep. Miller was presented with the award Tuesday, Oct. 27, by SCSBA Advocacy Coordinator Duane Cooper at the J.B. Beck Administrative and Educational Center. (In photo at right, S.C. School Boards Association Advocacy Coordinator Duane Cooper, left, presents Rep. Vida Miller the Champions for Public Education award. At right is Dr. Crystal Ball O'Connor of the Greenville County School Board.)

Rep. Miller was nominated by the Georgetown County board for the award, which is presented quarterly to community residents, organizations or local businesses/industries whose support of and contributions to public education have significantly benefited the entire school district or public schools statewide. Nominations are open to the state's school boards and judged against the award's criteria to determine eligibility.

Also at the award presentation was Dr. Crystal Ball O'Connor of the Greenville County School Board. "Rep. Miller is one of the greatest leaders in education improvement in this state," said O'Connor. "She inspired me to run for the School Board in Greenville County when she told me that 'Educating students is critical to their success, as well as to the economic development and success of our state.' Ten years later, when parents and educators anywhere in the state have a concern about education, we count on her leadership to help find meaningful solutions. Rep. Miller understands the need to advance student achievement, and she keeps the needs of all our children close to her heart."