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Governor Beshear Presents the Purple Star School Award to Eight Christian County Schools

By Daniel MathewsNovember 21, 2022

The principals of the first 8 schools in Christian County to receive the Purple Star Award pose with special guests at Christian County Middle School, Hopkinsville, K.y, Nov 21, 2022. In order to be awarded the Purple Star Award schools must take steps such as designating a point of contact, establishing and maintaining a web page of resources for military families, enacting a student transition program and hosting military recognition events.
The principals of the first 8 schools in Christian County to receive the Purple Star Award pose with special guests at Christian County Middle School, Hopkinsville, K.y, Nov 21, 2022. In order to be awarded the Purple Star Award schools must take steps such as designating a point of contact, establishing and maintaining a web page of resources for military families, enacting a student transition program and hosting military recognition events.
(Photo Credit: Private First Class Brianna Frank) VIEW ORIGINAL

Governor Andy Beshear presented eight Christian County Public Schools with the prestigious Purple Star School Award Nov. 21, 2022; recognizing their efforts of continued support for military-connected students and their families.

"The Purple Star helps families verify that communities have the resources available to help military families and their children thrive," said Kristi Murtha, Director of Military affairs for the Chrisitan County Chamber of Commerce. "From a military spouse and mother's perspective, I could not be happier to see our schools and community embrace this program."

With its award, Christian County Schools become one of only ten districts in the state to receive the designation and eight of only twenty-six schools across the state.

Gov. Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear made a special trip to Christian County to commemorate the ceremony and present the eight public school principals with the award.

"This school system is committed to caring or and supporting our military-connected families and community. This is such an incredibly important but also morale responsibility," said Beshear. "We are talking about the heroes who sacrifice their time, their health, and sometimes even their lives so that we can continue to live in the freest and greatest county the planet earth has ever seen."

After reminding the audience that military families and children serve alongside their service members, First Lady Britainy Beshear spoke of Kentucky's commitment to service members in Fort Campbell and Fort Knox.

Having visited Fort Campbell and Fort Knox multiple times, First Lady Beshear stated, "I have never met a group of more eloquent, strong children than your military children. I think that's why the purple star program is so important...it means when military families come to this community, they know they are in a community that will wrap their arms around them."

Christian county is a community partner with Fort Campbell and works closely with the base to support the military and families.

Governor Andy Beshear speaks at the Purple Star Award ceremony at Christian County Middle School, Hopkinsville, K.y, Nov 21, 2022. In order to be awarded the Purple Star Award schools must take steps such as designating a point of contact, establishing and maintaining a web page of resources for military families, enacting a student transition program and hosting military recognition events.
Governor Andy Beshear speaks at the Purple Star Award ceremony at Christian County Middle School, Hopkinsville, K.y, Nov 21, 2022. In order to be awarded the Purple Star Award schools must take steps such as designating a point of contact, establishing and maintaining a web page of resources for military families, enacting a student transition program and hosting military recognition events.
(Photo Credit: Private First Class Brianna Frank) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Purple Star Award designation is a state-sponsored recognition for individual schools' dedication and support of military-connected youth. Schools awarded the Purple Star designation let military-connected students and families know that their school is committed to helping their child gain the educational and social-emotional skills necessary to be college-, workforce- and life-ready. The program started in Ohio in 2017 and is supported by the US Department of Defense, the Military Child Education Coalition, and the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission. Currently, 41 states across the United States implement the program in their schools and school districts.

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