2007 School Reunion Will Be Dedicated To Mrs. Grace Beach

The annual gathering of all students who attended Blowing Rock School prior to consolidation of the High School has always been a very special time for hundreds who graduated from Blowing Rock High School.
However this year will be even more special and meaningful, tinged with sadness, but being dedicated to the memory of a teacher who left a legacy of love for “her children”, perhaps unchallenged in the history of education in Blowing Rock.
The announcement that the 2007 school reunion will be dedicated to the memory of Grace beach was made jointed this week by the four coordinators of the event since its inception, Barbara Lentz Wright, June Herring Turner, Janice Coffey Herblin and Caroline Greene Robbins.
Mrs. Beach died Thursday, April 26, at the age of 91.
“This very, very special teacher was loved by every student, parent and co-workers and remained a close dear friend to students until her death last week,” said Barbara Lentz Wright. “I was not among the fortunate one who had her as a teacher, but my children were and I know first hand what a positive impact she had on their lives, not just when they were her students but for the rest of her life.” The Reunion Committee met shortly after her death and declared the August 25th reunion in her memory, the first time ever that the event has been held in honor of an individual.
“We certainly do not want this event to be a sad affair, however more of a celebration of her wonderful life and to acknowledge the love, energy and knowledge she shared with ‘her students’ during her 24-year career.
“There are far more warm, wonderful and happy experiences to remember about Grace Simpson Beach and we’ll focus on that during our day-long reunion at the Davant Field, on Saturday August 25th”
“I believe that for many the opportunity to see and visit for a few moments with Mrs. Beach was a highlight for every person attending the reunion down through the years,” said Jerry Burns, a student in her 4th grade class of 1950. “Even during the last few years, when her health was so fragile, she insisted in coming to the reunion. Her gentle smile and encouraging words will be missed at this year’s gathering, however I believe what the four coordinators are doing for the 2007 gathering is a fitting tribute to this very, very special lady who continues to be the inspiration for ‘her students’ and set the standard of what a ‘teacher’ should be in the lives of the young lives in their care. She was a teacher. The best! But more than that, she was a very dear friends to every student she ever taught.”