Georgetown County educator and civic leader David Drayton was awarded the Order of the Palmetto on Sunday, Nov. 3 at an ecumenical service at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Georgetown commemorating the visit of the Freedom Schooner Amistad.

The Order of the Palmetto is the State of South Carolina's highest civilian honor. Created by Gov. John West in 1971, the award is designed to honor lifetime achievement and service to the state and nation.

Drayton, retired principal of Howard High School, is chairman of Georgetown's Committee for African-American Historical Observances. With Georgetown attorney George Geer, Drayton is co-chair of the host committee for the Freedom Schooner Amistad's visit to Georgetown. The ship, which will be docked at Georgetown Landing Marina through Nov. 16, is the focus of a community-wide series of events including student educational forums, public discussions and other events relating to the history of the Amistad incident.

Drayton is also chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Georgetown City Housing Authority and a member of the Georgetown County AIDS Task Force. He was principal of Howard High School in Georgetown for 21 years.