Dedications At The Reed School––

Revered Teachers Return To School In Spirit

By Larissa Lytwyn

Close to 100 family members, friends, students, and school administrators gathered at the Reed Intermediate School June 17 to pay posthumous tribute to Head O’ Meadow School’s late fifth grade teacher Patricia Marshall and sixth grade instructor Anthony Larson, by naming the school’s media center and gymnasium in their honor. The two teachers would have begun teaching at Reed Intermediate School in January.

“Mr Larson would always arrive at school an hour before class and stay after to help students who needed it,” recalled William Girard, a seventh teacher at Newtown Middle School. Older students, he continued, who did not even have Mr Larson as a teacher also approached him for help.

“His pride for his family just bubbled forth,” Mr Girard remembered. Mr Larson also loved golf, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Following his speech, Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff and members of Mr Larson’s family stepped forward to unveil the plaque dedicated in his honor. Reed Intermediate School’s gym facility is now officially called Larson Gymnasium.

After honoring Mr Larson, supporters, including Ms Marshall’s two daughters and grandchildren, proceeded to the media center to mark its official renaming as Marshall Media Center.

After opening remarks by Board of Education Chairman Elaine McClure, who knew Ms Marshall, Head O’ Meadow Principal William Bircher dedicated a speech to Ms Marshall’s grandchildren.

“In a way, she is with us still,” he said. “She was the one who taught your banker how to add and subtract. She taught our lawyers to be fair, our politicians to speak the truth.” He said he was pleased that the media center, a haven for so many students seeking quiet time, meeting friends or learning, was being dedicated to her.

He then aimed his concluding remarks directly to Ms Marshall’s grandchildren. “Your grandma made a difference,” he said.

After Mr Bircher’s speech, Ms Marshall’s family and Dr Pitkoff joined together to present the plaque formally renaming the media center in Ms Marshall’s honor.

When Ms Marshall’s daughter, Kelly, first learned about the dedication, she said she was delighted. “My mom would have just loved it!” she said, her eyes moist with tears. Jini Woodies, a third grade teacher at Head O’ Meadow school, remembered Ms Marshall as a very good, close friend. “She served the community in many ways,” she said. “She will always be with us.”