(photo cutline) 2023 Murray Elementary School Clara Waldrop Humphrey Scholarship Recipients (front row) Layla Taylor, Alexia Yazzie, Layla Koebbe , and Aurora Fritz. (back row from left): Dani Watson, and Joen Lopez. (Emmy, the MES Golden Retriever who visits the campus periodically to reward the classrooms who achieve perfect attendance, paused for a congratulatory photo with students).
Murray Elementary School students, Aurora Fritz (second grade), and third grade students, Layla Koebbe, Joen Lopez, Layla Taylor, Dani Watson, and Alexia Yazzie, are the recipients of the The Clara Waldrop Humphrey Scholarship to attend the Young Author’s Camp at Murray State University June 5-9, 2023.
Established by alumni, friends and family in 2007 with the Murray Independent Foundation For Excellence honoring Humphrey’s desire to continue and inspire the love of reading and writing to future MISD students, The Clara Waldrop Humphrey Scholarship provides yearly funding for recipients to attend the annual Young Author’s Camp where they will attend creative writing classes. Young authors will practice a variety of writing styles (poetry, fictional stories, true stories, essays, skits, etc.) under the direction of experienced teachers from the region, who will serve as writing coaches, consultants, and as traditional classroom instructors.
An educational pioneer who was instrumental in securing Murray’s first Bookmobile, Humphrey’s longtime educational presence was recognized with her namesake (Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey Library) being placed on the MMS library as a tribute to commemorate Humphrey’s 25-year dedication to the MISD students. A 1939 Murray High School graduate selected as “Best All Around Girl,” a member of the National Honor Society and editor of the school newspaper, Humphrey is the 1975 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. A former MHS English teacher Humphrey received her journalism degree from the University of Missouri in 1943 and later received her master’s from Murray State University in 1964. She also pursued graduate work studies at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis. Humphrey’s career with the MISD began in 1956 after the late W.Z. Carter (former MISD superintendent) asked her to teach part-time remedial classes to elementary-age students in the MMS building.
A member of Kentucky Education Association, National Education Association, Kentucky Council Teachers of English and National Council Teachers of English, Humphrey is also past president of the English Section, First District Education Association. The former vice-chairman of the Kentucky Teachers of Journalism organization, Humphrey has served on the evaluation team of the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. On July 10, Humphrey will celebrate her 101 birthday.
For more information on the Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey scholarship, or to contribute, contact Angel Renick c/o MISD Foundation at P.O. Box 1417, Murray, Ky., 42071.