Patricia L. Anderson

is honored with a Brick from Wade, Stan & Lynn Anderson

Patricia Anderson has described herself as a lady who would "throw herself in front of three trains" if the cause were worth the personal sacrifice. Both personally and professionally, time and time again, our mother passionately and selflessly gives her all to those issues and people that she cares about most. For this reason, she deserves to be honored in the Plaza of Heroines.

Each child should be so fortunate to have a mother like her. As young children our mom taught us to be respectful and regard others with immense consideration. She taught us to be self-sacrificing, honest, truthful, straightforward, and hardworking and to celebrate diversity. As a high school English teacher for most of our youth years, Mom was not only able to teach us these values in word, but also via her deeds. She modeled herself as a creative thinker, a lady always on the verge of laughter while all the while being a disciplined worker. She brought innovation to each lesson she presented and she even survived teaching her own two sons in English. She also opened our home to international exchange students through the American Field Service program.

Mom's love for her own kids and for youth statewide has led her to seek improvement in the public educational system. Working as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Geary County Public Schools USD 475, Junction City, KS, she is regarded as an exemplary advocate for children and a valuable resource in the state's development of curriculum.

She taught us at a very young age that the world was full of limitless opportunities. She followed that up with lessons in enthusiasm, motivation, acceptance and leadership. Today, we celebrate her life and all that she has done for education, for youth across the state, and most importantly and selfishly for us - her two sons and her daughter. We love you.

Submitted by Lynn, Stan and Wade