Shearer Elementary Dedicates Library and Tree in Honor of Longtime Employees
Published on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 3:00 p.m
1 from 2
Longtime employee Paula Branham Thomas was honored with a tree planting ceremony. (photo submitted)
Shearer Elementary School Principal Diana Jackson recognizes Anne Hall (background) and Joyce Morton (foreground) as representing Evelyn Samuels at the dedication ceremony of the Samuels Hall Library. (Photo by Matt Cizek)
Over the years, teachers at Shearer Elementary School have come and gone.
The names of three of them now remain at the school on East Broadway Street in Winchester.
The Samuels Hall Library was dedicated on Wednesday May 24 in honor of the late Evelyn Samuels and retired Anne Hall, while a tree planting ceremony paid tribute to Paula Branham Thomas, a staff member of over 30 years.
The ceremony began at 10:00 am with tributes to Samuels and Hall.
“We feel very privileged to bring our past together with our future and to celebrate two wonderful pillars not only in our school family but also in our community,” said Lindsey Campbell, Deputy Principal of Shearer Elementary School.
The dedication ceremony was attended by individuals such as former Clark County Magistrate Executive Henry Branham, current Magistrate Executive Les Yates, Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Dustin Howard, and Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed.
Evelyn Samuels served as a librarian to the children of Clark County for over 40 years, beginning at the Oliver School.
In 1972, Hickman Street School – where Samuels was then working – merged with Shearer Elementary School. She then worked there with students for 35 years.
Samuels’ influence on library science was felt outside the public school system when she founded the library of the First Baptist Church in Winchester.
Although she passed away in 2011, Joyce Morton represented Samuels.
Morton, who founded the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee, grew up with Samuels as one of her teachers.
Her influence continued even after that.
“One thing she reminded us of [of] Almost every day she said, “You may go to school for twelve or sixteen years plus, but learning is an experience of life,” Morton said. “We, her church family, the congregation and the students valued and valued her [her] for giving her students the tools to grow.”
Hall, who began her library career as a student assistant at Berea College Library and later was a junior librarian at Clark County Public Library, spent 21 years at Shearer Elementary School beginning in 2002.
“We have a woman who gave her best to our community and to our students every day,” Howard said. “Whether she’s feeling her best or her worst, [or] In between, no one would know because there is always a smile and joy in her face and in her actions.”
Although Hall is retiring from her full-time job, where she enjoys spending time with family, which includes her husband of 50 years, she plans to continue sharing her creativity as a professional storyteller.
Hall spoke to the students in the school’s gymnasium.
“You’ve been my world for so long and I love you with all my heart and I hope you never forget how fun it is to read and how amazing it is for you,” she said. “You… help me in the library all the time. We can’t get half of our work done without you helping me.”
Later that day, after the library dedication, a surprise awaited longtime Shearer Elementary School staff member Paula Branham Thomas.
At 2:00 p.m., a tree was dedicated in her honor on the school grounds.
Thomas has been employed since 1992 and has worked as a teaching assistant, computer lab assistant, attendance officer and secretary/accountant.
A native of Winchester, Branham was one of Shearer’s first students and attended the school from 1972 to 1974 after the merger with Hickman.
www.winchestersun.com
https://www.winchestersun.com/2023/06/02/shearer-elementary-dedicates-library-tree-in-honor-of-long-time-employees/
