When you were 7 years old, did you think that almost 30 years later you'd still be in touch with your first grade teacher?
I didn't either. Not because I didn't love Mrs. Zimmerman (she remained my favorite teacher through my 17 years of schooling... shhhh don't tell the others :), but in first grade I was more concerned about our classroom goldfish and hamsters, learning how to write and talking with new friends.
Mrs. Zimmerman (I still have a hard time calling her Gloria) and her husband Paul sponsor our South African Scholarship after visiting the country on a mission trip.
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| Kim and Julie Hoerth with Mrs. Zimmerman (Julie also had her in first grade) |
This year, they wanted to sponsor a scholarship closer to home. Paul met with Green Bay West High, his alma mater to established a scholarship in honor of his father, Ray, who was also a teacher there.
Paul's father, Ray, taught at West High School from 1935 - 1971.
During that time he taught Social Problems and Industrial Arts and was a Jayvee Football Coach and an Assistant Track Coach. Mr. Zimmerman was dedicated to ensuring the academic success of each of his students. To that end he set high standards for both his students and himself.
Paul and Gloria graduated from West in 1953 and 1954 and are pleased that they can "pay it forward" to the school that played a positive role in their lives and influenced them to become teachers.
Graduating Green Bay West seniors attending technical college or university in any field are eligible.
