From left, Dr. Joseph Kirkland, Jenkins County High School principal, accepts trophy and $1,000 check from Melissa Williams, Jenkins County School Superintendent, and Carroll Gay, Jenkins County Board of Education chairman (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) Governor Sonny Perdue and State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox announced last week that Jenkins County High School (JCHS) is the regional Class 3A winner in the Governor's Cup program.

As a regional winner, JCHS received a regional champion trophy and a $1,000 grant. Regional winners are recognized for having the largest numerical improvement in SAT scores among schools in their Georgia High School Association (GHSA) region.

Gov. Perdue initiated the statewide competition in 2003 as part of an overall effort to raise Georgia's SAT scores. The "Governor's Cup" is awarded annually to the school in each class with the highest average SAT score improvement over the past three years. The award is based on high school athletic regions and classifications assigned by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).

"Our students have stepped up to the challenge and worked hard to raise SAT scores," said Gov. Perdue. "These schools now have bragging rights for the next year. This is a tough competition to win, and I am proud of the tremendous improvement these schools have achieved in SAT scores."

Dr. Joseph Kirkland, JCHS principal, commented, "It is an honor to be recognized by the Governor for improvements we have made in our SAT scores. Teachers are working very hard to implement higher-order thinking skills using a more rigorous and relevant curriculum. This award is evidence that Jenkins County High School is successfully preparing its students for both college and life."