Beaufort County school board chairman Fred Washington, Jr. and Port Royal Elementary School's School Improvement Council were honored this week by the S.C. School Improvement Council.

Washington received the SIC Advocate of the Year Award. Washington's work to improve communication between school improvement councils and the school board was noted.

The Port Royal SIC received an honorable mention recognition for the Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence. The school's SIC has established scholarships for after-school programs at the YMCA and sponsored a school clean-up day, among other activities.