The athletic complex at Whale Branch Early College High School has been named in honor of Earl Campbell, the longtime Beaufort County Board of Education member who was a leading force behind establishing the two-year-old high school in a rural community.
“Thank you, sir, for making dreams come true,” said Superintendent Valerie Truesdale on Tuesday, May 15, after Board Vice Chair Laura Bush formally announced the body’s unanimous vote, taken during a May 14 board meeting when Campbell was out of the room.  Campbell was visibly shaken when Bush made the surprise announcement.
“I thank God that I lived long enough to see (Whale Branch Early College High School’s success),” Campbell said. “I accept this honor, not for me personally, but on behalf of our young people and our community.”
Coincidentally, the board’s decision was announced on a night when the school’s recent academic and athletic accomplishments were celebrated by the board. Its members recognized Whale Branch High’s first two seniors who graduated with both high school diplomas and associate’s degrees from the Technical College of the Lowcountry.  Additional students were recognized for completing college courses through Whale Branch’s partnership with TCL.
Board members also congratulated Whale Branch High’s boys track and field team, which last weekend won the South Carolina State Championship in the A division.