Ingram chosen as The School Foundation’s distinguished graduate

Posted: Sunday, August 9, 2015 4:36 pm
BY SHAMIRA MCCRAY Morning News This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FLORENCE, S.C. – Ben Ingram, the 2014 "Jeopardy!" Tournament of Champions winner, will be the 2015 distinguished graduate at The School Foundation's 14th annual celebration gala.

The gala highlights the life and career of a successful Florence School District 1 graduate.  "Each year we have a committee, and people around the community submit names to us all year long," said Debbie Hyler, the foundation's executive director. "This year it was timely being that Ben Ingram had just won the 2014 'Jeopardy!' Tournament of Champions."

Ingram graduated from Wilson High School and received higher education from Wofford College and the University of South Carolina. He now lives in Lake Wylie and works in Charlotte as an IT consultant.  In 2013, Ingram won $117,534 on "Jeopardy!," a longtime television game show. He competed against other top "Jeopardy!" winners in the Tournament of Champions in 2014. He won and walked away with $250,000.

Hyler said Ingram sets a great example.  "He has put to good use his math degrees, and he is working in the banking industry in Charlotte," Hyler said. "He was a great example of a young professional his entire school career. I think it's good for us to have a young distinguished graduate, a great representative for the entire Florence community."

To highlight Ingram's interest in trivia, the three District 1 high schools' academic challenge teams will participate in a trivia game during the gala.

The district's teachers of the year for each school, and the district's teacher of the year, also will be honored at the gala, which will be held at 5:30p.m. on Oct. 13.

The gala will be held at the Florence-Darlington Technical College's Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Center. Tickets start at $75 for district educators and $100 for individuals. Reserved tables of eight are $1,000 for bronze sponsorship, $2,500 for silver sponsorship, $5,000 for gold sponsorship and $10,000 for platinum sponsorship. A VIP reception will be held for contributors of $2,500 or more.  Tickets can be purchased by calling Hyler at 843-662-9996 or sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tickets also can be purchased at www.theschoolfoundation.org.

WANT TO GO?
>> WHAT: The School Foundation's 14th annual celebration gala.

>> WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13

>> WHERE: Florence-Darlington Technical College's Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology Center.

>> TICKETS: $75 for district educators, $100 for individuals. Reserved tables of eight are $1,000 for bronze sponsorship, $2,500 for silver sponsorship, $5,000 for gold sponsorship and $10,000 for platinum sponsorship. A VIP reception will be held for contributors of $2,500 or more.

>> TO PURCHASE: calling 843-662-9996 or sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tickets also can be purchased at www.theschoolfoundation.org.

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