SMITHFIELD-- The Johnston County Schools recently honored three living legends spotlighting retired Johnston County Schools teachers whose magnanimous careers of 30-plus years were heralded by their influential teaching styles and dedication to the children they served. Putting a new twist on the organizational practice of holding a convocation ceremony to start a new year, the Johnston County Board of Education and district Superintendent Dr. Anthony Parker hosted three back-to-back sessions in the Johnston Community College auditorium to accommodate its 3,500 employees. The objective was to provide an upbeat and inspirational program that would energize personnel for the coming year. Fred Bartholomew, Board Chairman, warmly welcomed the audiences. Dr. Parker provided a brief report on the district's past, present, and future, giving the district's employees the credit for its progress. The "Living Legend" honorees were Melba Watson Woodruff, a former music teacher; Ramona Hobgood Cash, who taught home economics; and Georgianna Cole McLean, who retired as a choral director. Mrs. Woodruff favored the first program's audience with a medley of songs that she played on a Baby Grand piano. Mrs. Cash read an original poem during the second session. Mrs. McLean wrapped up the day by directing a special arrangement of "Climb Every Mountain" while the audience sang along. "These great women were legends in their own time and they continue to inspire. I hope that bringing them forward for recognition among their successors gave our teachers another reason to continue in this noble profession and aspire to be living legends themselves," said Dr. Parker. Fred Bartholomew, Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Education, echoed the sentiment. "If there was ever any doubt that teaching is a true profession, these true living legends cast it away. They personify the word profession. The trails they blazed have certainly paved the way for all teachers. Their work is not only worthy of duplication, but certainly this special recognition by their own is long overdue," he said. The shows opened with Little Miss Emma Ruth Davis, an upcoming kindergarten student dressed as a fairy, who wooed the audience with her efforts to make magic as the tune "When You Wish Upon a Star" played overhead. Donned in a tutu and carrying a star-shaped wand, she tapped open decorative boxes placed on the edge of the stage until she came upon the box that held her prize: a fluffy, stuffed dog. She was followed by 2004 Clayton High School graduate Casey Coates who performed a spine-tingling rendition of Christina Aguilera's "I Turn to You." Casey escorted the legends for each of the three shows before a backdrop of a star-lit moon tunnel constructed by the district's Facility Services staff. Just as significant as the Legends feature was the recognition of each of the district's 34 school sites during the official Roll Call. The district's 2004 Teacher of the Year (and legend-in-training) Jo Anne Honeycutt read a short list of each school's accomplishments while "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" and "We Are Family" played in the background. Staffs cheered for their schools and students when they heard their school's information. "If this is any indication, it's going to be a good year," said Dr. Parker.
