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TO CONGRATULATE RALPH LAWSON OF UNION UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS THIRTY-NINE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS AN EDUCATOR, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great state's most important legacy, its children; and
Whereas, Union's Ralph Lawson, retiring after nearly forty fruitful years as a drama teacher, stands among their number as an outstanding public benefactor, one much admired in his role as both educator and community leader; and
Whereas, in 1983, he began his work as an educator with an assignment at Union County High School (UCHS) teaching drama. At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, Ralph, having served almost four decades at the same institution, will conclude a public school teaching career honored by students, colleagues, administrators, and parents alike; and
Whereas, long acknowledged as a master teacher, Ralph Lawson received public recognition of that mastery when he was named Teacher of the Year for the Union County Schools (2016-2017) and South Carolina Communicator of the Year by the South Carolina Speech and Communication Association (2010); and
Whereas, always seeking ways to serve, Ralph has not limited himself to fostering students in the classroom. In early community theatre shows, he directed at least twenty-five plays in Union through Boogaloo Folklife Productions; and
Whereas, on the UCHS stage, Ralph Lawson has directed at least seventy productions. In addition, he has brought numerous traveling shows and circus performances to the elementary schools; and
Whereas, while his work at the high school has been his primary focus over the course of his career, Ralph also has served as an adjunct professor of public speaking at the University of South Carolina Union, with dual enrollment classes at the high school (1987-2009); as district coordinator, Arts in Education for Union County School District (UCSD) (1986-1995); and as an English teacher for UCSD Adult Ed (1985-1991); and
Whereas, away from the classroom, Ralph serves his peers as a member of the Educational Theatre Association, South Carolina Speech and Theatre Association (former secretary, vice president, and president), South Carolina Theatre Association, and Palmetto Dramatics Association; and
Whereas, moreover, he has served his district and school in various other ways, among them as a writer for the state framework and standards for the arts (twice), as UCHS Fine Arts Department chair (2001-2022), and as coordinator of the school/community partnership with the Union Rotary Club. From 1991 to 2012, he was district liaison and founding board member of Boogaloo Folklife Productions, which was recognized as the Official Folklife Theatre of South Carolina by the South Carolina General Assembly; and
Whereas, having set the bar of achievement high in his profession, Ralph Lawson will be remembered with affection and gratitude for years to come by all who have had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Ralph Lawson of Union upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his thirty-nine years of dedicated service as an educator, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Ralph Lawson.
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