Retired Educators Are Honored
The pews of the St. John C.M.E. Church on Blue Ruin were filled on Saturday with former students, parents and children of former students and family members of seven former teachers who were recognized for their years of service to the Monticello/Jasper County community.
Mrs. Geneva Davis, Mr. Howard A. Smith, Mrs.Opal Simmons, Mrs. Juanita Thompson, Mr. Andrew Thompson, Mrs. Frances Smith and Mrs. Reva Standifer were the recipients of praise and honor for their hand in shaping and molding several generations of students.
The educators taught the students who attended the Jasper County Training School from the late 1950s to the late 1980s. Mrs. Davis and Mr. Thompson were unable to attend this legacy celebration but the attending honorees expressed how grateful and pleased they were to hear the many stories of how they influenced the former students who were part of the program as well as being in attendance.
The stories were joyful, heartwarming, endearing and full of memories that had everyone both laughing and crying as program participants recalled their days at the school and the influence the educators had in shaping their lives.
During the tenure of these beloved educators, an untold number of rewards were bestowed on the school in several disciplines. The school had winning sports teams—both in basketball and football and received top honors consistently in spelling bees, oratory speeches as well as in science, art, English and mathematics.
The concept for the “Legacy” program was the brainchild of Sandra Carter (class of 1968 – who assisted her in coordinating the program). Sandra felt strongly that these remaining educators, who had so much positive influence in the shaping of the lives of so many, should be honored and recognized or as Sandra said, “Let’s give them their flowers while they yet live.”
In addition to all of the oral tributes, each honoree received a copy of a Proclamation of Service from the Jasper County Board of Commissioners, a Goodie bag filled with mementos, a beautiful corsage and lunch.
A special thanks to the business community who supported the project: Hamilton State Bank, Monticello Drugs, and Monticello Foodmart. Thanks also to the many supporters and contributors for helping to make the program possible.
