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Recognition highlight’s AARP’s 50th Anniversary
Jackson - Columbia High School will receive AARP Mississippi’s Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award in recognition of the school’s student performance incentive program at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at the school, 1009 Broad Street, Columbia, MS. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, AARP is providing $10,000 awards to one innovative high school in each state, as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.
AARP’s 50th Anniversary, “Generations Connecting for Change,” is a year-long, national celebration that highlights the association’s foundation of leadership and service to others by uniting generations and building a better future. AARP was founded 50 years ago by Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired teacher and principal from California.
“Dr. Andrus was a champion for all generations who believed, as we do today, that the generations are connected by a strong commitment to values, community and service,” said Sherri Davis-Garner, AARP Mississippi’s Senior State Director. “This award not only pays tribute to Dr. Andrus, it also acknowledges our continued commitment to recognize and encourage educational achievements in Mississippi and throughout the country.”
After a statewide selection process, Columbia High School was selected for an innovative program that rewards students’ passing grades, good behavior and school attendance.
Three years ago, school principal Sheila Burbridge developed a program aimed at helping students excel academically and improve their attendance. Working with partners in the community, she purchased tickets to a New Orleans Saints football game to give to those students who earned passing grades, and demonstrated good behavior and exemplary attendance. The money raised also helped pay for a charter bus to drive the two-hour distance to New Orleans. Students returned motivated to excel. Now the school, through its community partners, purchases season tickets so more students can be awarded for good grades, behavior and attendance. Burbridge credits the program with raising the school’s state academic rating from level three to four (five is highest).
Learn more about Columbia High School at www.chs.columbiaschools.org.
Nationwide, AARP has donated more than $1 million to support educational programs that have demonstrated a commitment to connect generations and foster greater civic engagement among students and their communities. Schools in Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami and Philadelphia received $100,000 awards.
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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have
independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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