Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

39 www.BestOfMP.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com in the military or going straight to work after graduation. Her greatest fear was that a student would fall through the cracks, drop out of school or not have a plan for after high school. She wanted to prepare them for life.” With these priorities driving her, Beckham spearheaded a variety of academic opportunities — including what is now the East Cooper Center for Advanced Studies, which provides technical skills and training beyond high school level to any East Cooper high school student. She had been helping conceptualize a new high school since 2012 – not as a rival but as a complement to Wando – and was named Executive Principal of East Cooper Schools just months before her 2015 death. Beckham was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend, and an inspiration to tens of thousands over her years in education. Today, faculty and staff at Beckham High School honor their namesake in many ways. The high school’s first Lucy’s Leadership Award was presented to math teacher Kristin Manna – recognized not only with a certificate, but with the loan of Beckham’s podium, worn down over many years and complete with an indentation where she rested her foot while teaching. It will be passed on to each new recipient. “Kristin exemplifies Lucy’s ‘students-first’ attitude and leadership amongst her peers by working tirelessly to help them learn, implement CANVAS and tackle teaching virtually and in-person at the same time,” Dassing explained. “She is solution-oriented and willing to creatively problem-solve issues and never gives up, just like Lucy.” Science teacher Callie Dollahon spent the summer of 2020 rooting dozens of cuttings from a plant that sat in Beckham’s office for years and gifted every teacher and staff member with one, tied with a note featuring Beckham’s favorite motto: “Do what is best for kids,” along with inspiration: “This small plant, cut from Lucy’s very own, symbolizes the legacy that LBHS is built around. Her vision for schools challenges educators to grow kids. As the plant grows, remember that you are part of that legacy, and grow with them!” Beckham’s legacy will continue to live on for generations, at both Wando High School and Lucy Garrett Beckham High School, and it will be carried with students wherever they continue to grow. “Lucy Beckham loved her students, her schools and her community. She lived every day to the fullest and, in many ways, was always building Beckham,” concluded Dassing. education Lamorinda Tutoring 925.708.4213 LamorindaTutoring.com INQUIRE ABOUT A FREE ONLINE DEMO!