Colquitt County Educator Hall of Fame inducts its inaugural class

Apr. 25—MOULTRIE — Five retired educators were inducted into the first class of the Colquitt County School District's Educator Hall of Fame at Monday's board of education meeting.

They were Patricia M. Merritt, the late LaRue Norris, the late Jestina Lewis, the late Julian Dorminey and Billy Mock.

Superintendent Ben Wiggins said, "A couple of years ago, we had the brainstorm or idea that we wanted to start a Colquitt County Educators Hall of Fame. We've got an Athletic Hall of Fame. ... We thought, why don't we do something to show the value of our past educators that paved the way for so many of us."

He said that he contacted the Colquitt County Retired Educators Association about doing it and they came up with the criteria and the selection process.

"And I think they've done an outstanding job with this first, inaugural class of five former educators coming into the Hall of Fame," Wiggins said.

At the induction ceremony, the recipients or their family members were given plaques that were made by students of the CCHS Agricultural Department. Also, this year's inductees will have their names added to a memorial art piece, which will be displayed at Withers Auditorium after it's completed by the artist. Each year, new inductees' names will be added.

A few words were spoken about each of the Educator Hall of Fame inductees, giving a background of their legacy as an educator and in the community.

Dorminey, who was an educator from 1949 to 1979, served in Cool Springs, Berlin and Ellenton schools, also serving as principal at Ellenton, Berlin and Cox elementary schools. He served the Colquitt County School District as the federal funds coordinator. After he retired, he and his wife, Juanita, became Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and they received one of the very first Annual National Community Service Awards from AARP.

Lewis, who was an educator from 1943 to 1980, taught at Moultrie High School for Negro Youth, William Bryant High School and Moultrie Junior High School. She taught arts and crafts and home economics, serving as an advisor for FHA. She was chosen as the Teacher of the Year in 1967 at William Bryant High School and was the Moultrie-Colquitt County Woman of the Year in 1987. She was elected to the board of education, serving from 1986 to 1994. She was also the founder of the Women's Federated Club of Moultrie and organized the first MLK Birthday Celebration in 1986, which is now in its 38th year.

Merritt, who was an educator from 1962 to 2003, graduated high school at the age of 15 and started teaching at the age of 19. She taught at William Bryant High School, J.W. Holley Elementary School, Charlie A. Gray Elementary School, Charlie A. Gray Middle School and Moultrie Technical School. She has taught music, science and adult GED classes. In 1970, she was selected as the first elementary guidance counselor in the Colquitt County School System. She has also served on the board for the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, the Colquitt County Art Council, Hope House and the Colquitt County Boys and Girls Club.

Mock, who was an educator from 1962 to 1994, started his career in Doerun, where he taught biology and coached physical education. He was a principal at Sunset Elementary School, the director of transportation and facilities, assistant superintendent and, eventually, superintendent of the Colquitt County School System. During his tenure, he helped build the former high school, in 1978, when Doerun, Norman Park and Moultrie High Schools were consolidated. He also coached at the Colquitt County Recreation Department and was instrumental in building the diving well. He also served as the interim Colquitt County administrator.

Norris, who was an educator from 1961 to 1991, started teaching at Moultrie High School. She was a business education teacher at both Moultrie High School and Colquitt County High School, serving as the chair of the Business Department. She was also the work studies coordinator for the Business Department and coordinated the high school graduation activities. She served on the vocational education committee throughout the state, evaluating the effectiveness of other schools' business departments. She was a member of the DAR and the Moultrie Federated Guild and volunteered with the Red Cross.

Click Peters, a member of the CCREA Educator Hall of Fame committee, thanked the board of education, Superintendent Wiggins and Chief Officer of District and Employee Relations Angela Hobby, on behalf of the CCREA, for their support and willingness to partner with them to create and continue to maintain the Colquitt County School District's Educator Hall of Fame.

"It is our hope that displaying these names in such a prominent space will inspire the young to join the profession and the community to recognize the untiring contributions of these individuals to the education and nurturing of the students whose lives that have been shared by the parents of this great community," he said.

CCREA President Julia Dorminey closed the ceremony saying that there were many, many more than five retired educators to be honored and they have only begun the process of identifying them.

"I want to thank the family members, as well, for coming tonight to honor these recipients," she said.