On a sunny afternoon under a bright blue sky, staff and students at Hazelwood Central High School honored the memory of former teacher Lorine Epps by planting tulip bulbs around a stone marquee in front of the school.
Epps taught science in the Alternative Support Center. In her career with HSD, she taught science at Kirby Junior High School, now known as Hazelwood East Middle, and at Hazelwood East High School. She passed away in April 2011 after enduring cancer.
The Tribute of Tulips was organized by Pam Singleton, building secretary, in partnership with school staff and administrators.
“I selected tulips because they’ll keep her memory alive for years to come,” said Singleton.
“Ms. Epps represented the total woman, stretching far, and not just within the educational field. The bulbs are planted deep in early fall and will bloom in the early spring. The tulips will delight many staff members, students and visitors at HCHS,” she said.
Nancy Snow, a school social worker, worked closely with Epps.
“She was a teacher who had the heart of a social worker. She always worked to improve the life of others,” said Snow.
“What I will miss the most about her is her excitement, energy and her plans of what we needed to do to help a student. Her motto was ‘Whatever it takes, we will make it happen.’
“She gave hope to the students who were ready to give up. She opened her heart, her classroom and her wallet to help anyone. There is no one like Ms. Epps. She made all of us better people by her example,” Snow continued.
Singleton said that “Ms. Epps’ life was truly about providing for her students by whatever means necessary. Their needs usually went past daily classroom assignments and her job didn’t stop at the end of a school day. Counseling, feeding, clothing, and just being there was indeed a thirst that she welcomed.”
“She influenced me to always go that extra mile to help a student and to reach out to the many lonely, hungry and discouraged kids I see every day,” Snow said.
“I am glad we will have the tulips next spring as a living memorial to a great person,” said Snow.