On the day following the news of her passing, these same students wore these t-shirts as they tirelessly worked through tears to craft purple ribbons in her honor and distribute them to the almost 500 students and faculty at Lawrence County Career and Technical Center. Beloved history teacher, Ms. Palumbo was a life-changer. From the moment she walked through the doors of the school as a student teacher, she spent her forty plus years in education inspiring students and faculty alike to reach higher than could ever be imagined. She was the epitome of professionalism and a woman who led by example.
Students who were blessed to call her "Teacher" would rarely say that the work in class was easy, but Ms. Palumbo never asked anyone to work harder than she did herself.
"She wouldn't take no for an answer," remembers Peer Leader Jem Montgomery, "and most couldn't fathom saying no because they knew that they would be blessed with whatever she was asking of them."
"She made her students feel that we were all a part of her," remarks Peer Leadership Destinee Coates, "and together we were all a part of something so much bigger."
This year, our LCCTC Yearbook will be dedicated to the life of this amazing woman.
She expected respect, and from so many, she received it -- she earned it.
Whenever tears fell, Ms. Palumbo would reference this quote by Dr. Seuss: "don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." In the wake of the recent events, it is appropriate to adapt this quote to perfectly fit the situation: "Don't cry because it's over; smile..." Ms. Palumbo -- because YOU happened -- to US!
