Overcome with emotion, Theresa Beauchamp, accepted the Athena Award Tuesday evening at the annual Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce banquet.
“I just lost it and I cried,” Beauchamp said.
Although Beauchamp is modest, the award is well deserved.
The Athena Award is presented annually by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities. The award is established through local host organizations in partnership with Athena International’s national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors.
Since the program’s inception in 1982 more than 5000 awards have been presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and most recently the United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the Athena Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
The criteria for Athena Award Recipients are individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. They also provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.
Beauchamp was born and raised in Orange, and although she moved away for a few years, home is where the heart is and she returned about 9 years ago.
She is in her sixth year on the Orange City Council and has served as Mayor pro-tem. During council meetings, she passionately stands up for what she believes is best for the citizens.
Beauchamp is truly a southern woman with all her charms and warm smile, but she is also very educated. She began her teaching career with coaching tennis at the Bridge City High School. She had a degree in Health, Physical Education, Speech and Drama. However, she went back to school to get another degree in composite science physics chemistry biology. She also went back later for further education in administration.
Beauchamp said biology was her favorite. As an educator she was happy to see the children love it as much as she did.
“The kids would get so excited about all of it,” she said. “There is such a vast amount of information.”
She is still working with children at Anderson Elementary School as an educator and assistant principal.
Beauchamp is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma which is honorary educator sorority and she is a graduate of the Leadership of Southeast Texas. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Beaumont.
Last year she was named as a Pioneering Woman which she said was the one and only person from Orange to be honored in this way.
Beauchamp is active in church, First Methodist Church, and as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, Beauchamp is a highly visible member of the community and a worthy recipient of such a distinguished award.
However, she said, her mother, Marcel Adams, has always been active in the community as well. Adams received the Athena Award 13 years ago.
“It’s really big shoes to fill,” Beauchamp said.
Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.
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Theresa Beauchamp is shown here accepting the Athena Award at last week’s annual Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce banquet. Tommy Mann, Jr.
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