Gertrude Haury

is honored with a Brick from Wilmet Squire Leak.

Gertrude Haury built the self-esteem of her students long before the concept was popular. She took the time and effort to encourage a student even if he/she was not the wealthiest, the most attractive, or the brightest.

Miss Haury changed my direction as a student. She nurtured in me a valuable asset--the love of reading. Her outstanding talent was the discussion of books. She did not just assign a book report every six weeks. She discussed and recommended books. Instead of the required book, I read three or four books in a six week session, and constantly read, not only in school but during the summer.

Very soon Miss Haury became my favorite teacher. Now we refer to such a person as a role model or a mentor.

My respect and admiration for her abilities were shared by students and faculty. In 1944, the yearbook staff dedicated the yearbook to her. I missed the ceremony because I was out on another school activity. However, I had to write the story for the school paper. The journalism teacher helped by telling me that no other teacher had helped as many students, and no teacher had received as many letters of appreciation.

After I graduated from Hutchinson High School, Miss Haury left to become the librarian of Hutchinson Junior College. Our relationship continued. She studied summers at the University of Illinois to earn her MSLS. I visited her before leaving for college. She showed me the HJC library and told me about her classes. When she suggested that I might consider a library career, I commented, "Who wants to spend her life in a library?"

Eight years later, I decided teaching was not my career, and I also earned my MSLS degree from the University of Illinois. During my career, I discovered that the library is a wonderful place to spend one's life. Now as a retired librarian, I found it was the right place.

Throughout my life I have known many women, but Miss Haury stands at the top of the list.

July 22, 1998