The Times-Independent

Citizens lobby for naming middle school after Margaret Hopkin

Board votes unanimously to do so


There is not much certainty about who first had the idea to name the new middle school after Margaret Hopkin, though it seems that multiple people converged on the idea independently.

Below: The new middle school in Grand County is now officially named after former teacher, principal, superintendent, mentor and Moab resident Margaret Hopkin, seen above with mentee Athan Hickman. Following her death in December, dozens of residents called for the middle school to bear her name. Photo above courtesy of GCSD, photo below by Carter Pape

The principal and assistant principal of Helen M. Knight Elementary School, Jill Tatton and Libby Bailey, proposed during a board meeting Nov. 18, when Hopkin was still alive, that the library be named in her honor.

After Hopkin died of ovarian cancer on Dec. 20, Joan Gough, a former colleague and longtime friend of Hopkin, emailed members of the Grand County Board of Education to propose that they name the middle school after Hopkin. Gough said she had been unaware of Tatton’s and Bailey’s proposal when she sent the email.

Soon, the district began receiving calls from former employees of Hopkin’s, former parents and students whose lives she touched as an educator, and members of the broader community.

The Grand County Commission unanimously voted in support of a resolution calling for the middle school to bear Hopkin’s name. Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus endorsed the idea to the board, saying it was a great way “to honor a great woman who shaped so many lives” in Moab.

The board said the outpouring of support members received from the community for naming the middle school after Hopkin, which it later voted unanimously to do, yielded more comments from the public than it had received on any other single issue, at least in the collective memory of current members.

Taryn Kay, who is the district’s superintendent and Hopkin’s spouse, said that the outpouring reflected both the impact that Hopkin had in Moab and the yearning the community expressed for a positive development amid a long, dreary period for the city, country and world.

The Times-Independent collected statements to the Grand County Board of Education regarding the naming of the new middle school and excerpted some of the public comments for this story. Board members claimed that no comment they received expressed opposition to naming the middle school after Margaret, and indeed, none of the records the T-I reviewed expressed a negative sentiment toward the idea.

Here is how Moab responded to plans to name the middle school Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School in comments to members of the Grand County Board of Education:

LJ Blackburn, former special education teacher and parent of three local children, Jan. 16:

“I had many opportunities to work with Margaret and see the amazing work she did as a talented educator. I think it would be an excellent choice not only to honor her memory but also to inspire the students to be what she knew they could be and to reach for the stars.”

Sheila Strahan, teacher at HMK Elementary, Jan. 18:

“I work at Helen M. Knight Elementary School, and every once in a while, a student asks who Helen M. Knight was, at which point, I or another teacher gets to talk about her leadership and pioneering student. … Margaret was all about that: She embodied many of the very character traits that we strive to teach our students today in to make them better citizens and leaders.”

Cameo Torres, special education at HMK Elementary and former student of Hopkin, Jan. 17:

“I could elaborate on some unfavorable encounters a young middle school girl may have with her principal during this awkward time in life, but let’s just say she was not only fair; she also maintained an optimistic attitude about situations … Perhaps it is because she was such a prominent figure in my life for so many of my formative years that I feel so strongly about this proposal. However, I also feel that Margaret was a rare and beautiful soul that maintained a positive vibe that radiated through her wonderful smile and warm acceptance of all who were fortunate enough to encounter her presence.”

Colleen Tibbetts, Jan. 14:

“You’ve been aware of people in our community, young and old, who are hoping that the new middle school will be named in Margaret’s honor? I understand Ms. Tatton and Ms. Bailey have spoken to the board regarding this. What do you need from citizens to ensure this happens? Please call me at your earliest convenience.”

Cricket Green and Kent Green, parents of former student of Hopkin, Jan. 12:

“Ms. Hopkin was the best! The best mentor, the best teacher, the best principal and the best superintendent ever! Her positive influence changed so many of the lives she touched. She was an absolutely positive role model.”

Edye Baker, former teacher at HMK Elementary under Hopkin, Jan. 18:

“I remember being chosen for a citizenship award while at Helen M. Knight. It was during the time that she was principal, and I just remember being so surprised that anyone noticed me at all, let alone that my citizenship stood out enough to her to get rewarded. That experience definitely helped shape me into the person I am today.”

Erin Olshewski, former student of Hopkin, Jan. 18:

“I know firsthand what an incredible educator and advocate for community, learning, and compassion she was. She was truly a beacon of light in our little community , and I think her legacy should be carried on with the Margaret Hopkin Middle School, so that all students — even those who didn’t have the immense pleasure of knowing her — will know her name.”

Ashly Hunter, former student and colleague of Hopkin, Jan. 14:

“If I had to choose only one cause to support, it would be this one: naming the new middle school in honor of Hop. Margaret Hopkin is the example we (those of us who had the honor of interacting with her) strive to follow. She is genuine, kind, and loving. She made sure each person she spoke with felt they were the most important person — deserving of your attention and love.”

HMK Elementary 6th grade teachers Rebecca Scheu, Kristi Nichols, Carrie McKay, Cheryl Jenkinson, and Buffy Camps, Jan. 20:

“Margaret positively touched so many lives through her varied and multiple roles: teacher, administrator, superintendent, Taiko instructor, mentor, and genuinely good human. She truly loved working with people and with kids in particular. Margaret Hopkin’s legacy will live on. Margaret’s contributions were significant and sustained over time to both our school district and our community.”

Jayne Dillon May, Jan. 20:

“Her story continues as a timeless example of deep goodness and a purposeful life well-lived.”