( Charleston,SC ) -Sixth District Congressman James E. Clyburn will be at the Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament in Charleston on Wednesday, April 17 with 100 of his constituents from Clarendon School District 1 to accept a $10,000 check from tennis star Serena Williams. The presentation will take place following Ms. Williams match. She is scheduled to play the third match, which should take place early in the afternoon.
Ms. Williams invited 90 students and 10 chaperones from Clarendon School District 1 to watch the Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament on Wednesday after hearing about the school district's rich history and current financial troubles from Congressman Clyburn. In addition, she generously offered to donate $10,000 to the school district.
"Serena Williams' generous spirit and tremendous talent are an inspiration to this group of students who have very few opportunities but a resilient spirit of their own," Congressman Clyburn said. "I appreciate the enthusiasm with which Ms. Williams embraced Clarendon School District 1. It truly demonstrates her strength of character and commitment to fostering a better future for all young people."
$8,000 of her donation will purchase laptop computers at St. Paul Primary School, Scott's Branch Intermediate School, and Scott's Branch High School. The computers will be used for checkout by students and will include enrichment software for skill building in reading, math and SAT preparation. The remaining $2,000 dollars will fund the Serena Williams Scholarship that will be awarded to the senior who has both the highest class ranking and has lettered in two sports.
"This is not only a thrilling opportunity for the students of Clarendon School District 1, but also a wonderful occasion to promote how dreams can come true through determination and extraordinary effort," said Dr. E. Rabon Rodgers, the District's Interim Superintendent. "We appreciate so much Congressman Clyburn's assistance and his continued support of the public schools and our community."
The students attending the tennis tournament are from the eighth, ninth, eleventh and twelfth grades (tenth graders will be taking S.C. Exit Exams). They will leave Scott's Branch High School at 9:00 A.M. tomorrow and spend the entire day as Serena Williams' guest at the Family Circle Cup Tennis Tournament. They will have an opportunity to have a group photo taken with Ms. Williams following her afternoon match, and a check presentation will take place with the students and Congressman Clyburn on hand.
For more information, contact Hope Derrick in Congressman Clyburn's office at (803)799-1100. Media creditials can be obtained by contacting Robin Reynolds in the Family Circle Cup media office at (843)849-5007.