Joseph Kershaw Academy - Epaulet Yearbook (Camden, SC)

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History of Our School THE JOSEPH KERSHAW ACADEMY The Joseph Kershaw Academy opened its doors for the Fall Term of 1965 with eight grades, eight teachers, and 125 students. This school was bom of a need, and the recognition of that need; from precedents galore; and from the inspiration, interest and hard work on the part of parents, committees and a host of interested people. The town of Camden was founded and settled and developed in much the same way over two hundred years ago. The town was planned and laid out by men with a purpose beyond their own immediate needs. The wide streets and the parks just didn’t happen—they were planned. Early in 1965 several committees, one following the other, planned for the development of a private school. It was recognized that for two hundred years our schools, whatever the form, were developed and controlled by those most interested in the education and welfare of tire children of the community namely the local citizens who were represented by the local school boards. These local boards determined the school policies, including the curriculum, which were coordinated with the requirements of higher education and of course the local social, economic, patriotic, and religious principles. Parallel to those schools operated and supported by taxes, Camden was fortunate in having Private Schools available also for those desiring particular instruction, and the success of the private schools are a matter of record of satisfactory results. When a transfer of local and state authority over the schools to the more distant Washington became apparent in 1965, it was determined by a canvass of a representative cross section of the community, that a private school was not only desirable but actually a serious need. Also it was realized that with today’s economic competition and scientific life, a more thorough and complete education would be required, and of course the basis for this lay with the primary schools. In addition and quite as important was the belief of the founders of Joseph Kershaw Academy, that our children should have the complete opportunity of learning and practicing loyalty and patriotism, to our country, and to the religious principles held by the individual. So, with this philosophy as a background, the organizing committee (selected and established in a public meeting in the spring of 1965) with full authority to determine the feasibility and the desirability of such a school, started their work. With no money and no building or property, with no formal commitment for students or teachers, the committee nevertheless perserved and after a long and careful study of the question, recommended that a school be organized to meet the demands of a large segment of the community. A charter was applied for. At a formal meeting called for the purpose, the charter was adopted and accepted with enthusiasm, and a Board of Trustees was elected, (the same members of the Study Committee were elected Board Members). The board was instructed to proceed with the development of a private school. The school was named the Joseph Kershaw Academy in honor of both men by that name who contributed so much to the development and welfare of Camden-Joseph Kershaw who settled Camden in the 1750’s and his grandson General Joseph B. Kershaw of the Confederate Army of the 1860’s. The Board of Trustees decided to build a new school building on the property so generously given by Mr. Mrs. Raymond C. Firestone. The building was started during the summer of 1967 and completed in time for the Academy to open its 1967 Fall Term with ten grades, ten teachers, and 145 students. The remarkable progress made at Joseph Kershaw Academy from the Fall Term of 1965 until now is evident by the beautiful new building, the increased enrollment and the finest qualified teachers available. This progress could not have been made without the backing of a large number of friends, the hard-working Board, the able leadership of the Headmaster, the office personnel, and the active P.T.O. The Academy has operated for four years and is looking forward with confidence to serving the community in the educational field in the years to come. ►IZ] rs --------------[JOSEPH KERSHAW ACADEMY 1------------------------------------------ 4

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES. SEATED: Mr. Donald A. Campbell. Jr., Vice chairman: Mr. Dale K. Thiel. Chairman; and Mr. Robert M. Marsh, treasurer. STANDING: Mr. Edward M. Royall, Assistant treasurer: Mrs. George F. West, Jr.: Mr. Laurence H. Conger, Mrs. Francis N. McCorkle, Jr.; Secretary: Mr. McKee G. Boykin. Not pictured, Mrs. Dan J. Lovett. To the above group we render our sincere thanks for their continued devotion and efforts to promote and enrich every phase of our school activity at Joseph Kershaw Academy. We are very grateful for the sacrifices made in the past, which have enabled us to attain many of our goals, and to reach and establish the high ideals in which we all believe. It is heartwarming to know that we can depend upon your continued sacrifice and “helping hand,” so that the Joseph Kershaw Academy will continue to progress and to fulfill the fine purposes envisioned by those who first were responsible for its establishment. 6