What a distinguished honor you have awarded me. I am very proud to be named the 2020 Alma J. Washington Educator of the Year. Your beautiful trophy has a prominent place in my office, and I would like to show it to you sometime.
With this honor you have allowed me to honor two special men, Mr. Oscar Washington, Jr., and Mr. Ronald R. Smith. Mr. Washington's success as a businessman and as a contributor to his community is well known. Mr. Smith's is much less so, but they share several important qualities. I'd like to take a minute of your time to explain.
When I was selected to be the principal of Little Rock Central High School in June of 2002, I was delighted, scared, and felt in-over-my-head. When I showed up for my first day that summer, the only people there with me were the custodial staff led by Mr. Ronald Smith. He took pity on me and quickly became my BFF (text language for Best Friend Forever). He helped me set up my office and constantly gave me reassurance that together we were going to get through this.
At the end of the summer, I had scheduled a meeting with my returning teachers, all 180 of them. I arrived early to get prepared and, as usual, was greeted by Mr. Smith as I came through the front door. I had just started working when I received a call that Mr. Smith had collapsed outside the library entrance. The ambulance was there immediately to take the two of us to UAMS, but his massive heart attack had done too much damage, and he passed away a short time later.
I was driven back to school and had to open the faculty meeting with the tragic news. Mr. Smith was BFF to most of the staff, and everyone was devastated. Later that day people were dropping by my office to tell me what a wonderful person he was to them. He didn't have a lot of money, but what he had he shared with others. He did the grocery shopping for elderly people in his apartment complex. He treated others with goodness and compassion. He looked for ways to help. In response to this outpouring of sympathy and admiration, we created the Ronald R. Smith Memorial Fund.
I tell you this to let you know that the generous monetary award that you gave me has been placed in this fund. Our guidelines for the fund are aimed at allowing those LRCH students who lack financial resources to still participate fully in school activities. I feel in this way, Mr. Washington and Mr. Smith are continuing to help others as they did in life.
Nancy Rousseau
