Western teams with State Farm Insurance

By DAN BELL

SPECIAL TO VIEW

On the first day of National Education Week, a local high school and the nation's largest insurance carrier teamed up to promote a laundry list of enterprises designed to benefit the student body.

The Western High School library was the site of a Nov. 13 reception held to announce a business partnership involving State Farm Insurance Company and the school.

Jeff Harrington, State Farm Insurance representative, said the company and Western High School's collaboration would include a scholarship fund for graduating seniors, career training classes and participation in the school's Renaissance program. The reception also honored teachers and student council members.

"The students and facuty of Western couldn't be more pleased that State Farm has entered into this exclusive partnership effort," said Jacob Hicks, Western's student body president.

"State Farm will have a major impact on our campus. They will be a mentor and provider with their time and knowledge by assisting pupils with tutoring for the proficiency and Terra Nova examinations."

Linda Hart, a field executive with State Farm, said the company chose Western following a screening process in the community and a conversation with a coordinator in the school district.

"After careful evaluation, I discovered that many businesses will adopt schools, but most of the adoptees are elementary schools," Hart said. "State Farm eventually chose Western High School because the school historically has a high dropout rate and a high rate of teacher turnover. Plus, the school showed us a will to turn negatives into positives, to get back on the right foot."

Hart said State Farm will sponsor specific programs including a Western High School Web site, a speakers' forum, a clothes closet, the sale of Entertainment Books, and the Renaissance Celebration, to be held in December.

"The Renaissance Celebration is designed to recognize those students with a 3.0 grade-point average or above and those who have missed three days of school or less throughout the school year," Hart said.

"The clothes closet will involve gathering gently used, professional type attire for our students to use when they go on job interviews. Entertainment Books would be on sale at every State Farm office for $30 with half of the money going to Western High School. The Web site is in the developmental stages and will showcase scores and statistics from the Warriors' games, a calendar of school events and to show the positive side of Western High School."

Harrington stressed that education is a priority at State Farm and that the company is proud to play a role in helping the children of today develop into tomorrow's adults. Among State Farm's many educational support efforts are free education programs to schools selecting 10 teachers yearly for their Good Neighbor Award and supporting teachers through the National Board Certification.

"It is exciting to bring business partners together for the purpose of educating our students and preparing them for life after high school," Principal Pamela Hawkins said. "We believe this program will be in effect for many years to come and that we have a solid foundation from the local community who will continue working with Western High School. Our staff and students are excited about the upcoming activities that will evolve through this partnership."