Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor / News Virginian
Published: June 24, 2007

Keep Miss Kate

According to what has been reported in the newspapers, it appears that the Waynesboro School Board has been discussing two questions: Who is Kate Collins and should the middle school bearing her name be renamed.

The Waynesboro Public Library has information that will identify Miss Kate as a highly respected educator who made many contributions to our school system. By a letter to the editor, Dr. Ken Stanley, a Waynesboro historian, has given a general overview of her life.

In the days to come, there certainly will be others who remember Miss Kate who will provide information on more of her accomplishments and contributions. This information might be used for a "Getting to Know Miss Kate Day" at the opening of the "new" KCMS.

The new school year will begin in August. Dr. Robin Crowder, superintendent of Waynesboro City Schools, has said that the board is not planning on renaming the school at this time but that this issue will be discussed at the July 9 school board meeting.

Therefore, those who are concerned about respecting the memory of Miss Kate by retaining the name of the middle school are encouraged to make their wishes known to the school board and to attend the meeting on July 9.

Margaret Troxell
Waynesboro

School board needs to be educated

Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name-" Well, a great deal when you say "Kate Collins." For those of us who were blessed to have been in that era, we gained more than book knowledge.
We learned about respect, dignity, honor, values, honesty and how to succeed using these gifts. I always thought naming a building after a person was an honor arising from what sort of impact that person made on people's lives.

What I didn't realize was that after a certain length of time or a renovation (whichever came first), you could simply erase all that and start over. I pray that is not what honor means to the School Board.

With all the expense of this renovation, keeping the name doesn't cost a dime, and it will always be "Kate Collins" to a great many people regardless of what name you choose.

Doris McLear
Waynesboro

Miss Kate was a community leader

I am sorry that none of you had an opportunity to know Miss Kate Collins. She was a lady who always had a smile for everyone, old and young. I often remember how she would talk and laugh with us kids. There was never an unkind word or frown on her face. Miss Collins was principal of Wayne Hills Elementary School when I was in the seventh grade.

I felt lucky to know her, as most of my family knew her from their younger days at the First Baptist Church. She was known to adults as Miss Kate. Miss Collins was a true teacher (which was before SOL), teaching reading, writing and arithmetic to all ages from her first position in a one-room schoolhouse.

This lady devoted 50 years to education. Miss Collins served Waynesboro from 1919 to her retirement in 1963. She was active in the community, serving on the city library board, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Waynesboro Welfare Alliance, and many more.

The school board in 1963 honored her by naming The Kate Collins Junior High School after her, so what gives the members of the present school board the right to rename the school-
Now that this great lady is dead are we going to take away this honor- I encourage each of you to go to Waynesboro's Public Library and read all this great lady's accomplishments. I am so thankful I knew her.

Jun Key Utt
Waynesboro