‘It takes a governor.’ Lexington high school bestows its first distinguished alumni award

Gov. Andy Beshear traveled to his old high school Friday to receive the first Fayette County Public Schools “Distinguished Alumni Award,” which will now be known as the “Andy Beshear Distinguished Alumni Award.”

Beshear received the accolade at his alma mater, Henry Clay High School.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said, “FCPS alumni have excelled in virtually every field in the industry worldwide and this new award aims to recognize those who have achieved greatness thanks to, in large part, the foundation built right here in our schools.”

Liggins announced that FCPS also has implemented two new staff recognition programs: Teacher of the Year and the Global Awards Initiative.

“These allow us to celebrate the outstanding teachers and staff and all of the accomplishments that you make in an effort to support our students throughout the year,” Liggins said during an awards ceremony Friday.

Before receiving his award, Beshear visited two civics classrooms where he interacted with faculty and talked to students about new policies he’s enacted recently and his biggest challenges as governor.

He noted that on Thursday he made two important announcements about “representation and inclusion:” recognizing Juneteenth and signing the C.R.O.W.N. Act.

Beshear also told the students about the multitude of economic improvements and increased job opportunities he’s ensured for Kentucky.

“You all (students) are probably going to have more opportunity in front of you than anyone growing up in Kentucky ever has, so no pressure,” Beshear said.

Tyler Murphy, chair of the FCPS School Board, presented Beshear with his award. He noted the multiple qualities of Beshear, which aid in ensuring an environment where students feel welcome.

“It takes a governor. It takes a governor who believes in the value of public education and understands the promise and potential of it,” Murphy said.

“It takes a governor who is a proud graduate of our public schools, and who sends his own kids to public schools. It takes a governor who understands that public schools are the bedrock of every community in this commonwealth.”

Murphy said it takes a governor who uses his platform to fight alongside educators as they “protect and strengthen public education.”

Beshear left the students with a brief speech aimed at recognizing the loss of two Henry Clay High School students in recent weeks — Emeka Emmanuel Mwakadi, 17, who died May 10 after collapsing at a Henry Clay High School, and Deon Davis, 16, who drowned May 17 in a Lexington lake.

“Your job is to be there for each other after what you’ve been through, just think about what that could mean on that toughest of days,” Beshear said. “The memory of Emmanuel and Deon will ripple through you and this community and this world.”