Left: Cathy Buchanan & Right: Evelyn Hickerson accept a grant from Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation (MTEMC)
To inspire and impact the lives of both children and adults is a quality that most people only hope to attain. This month, Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Hero award goes to one woman who has successfully attained this level of influence. For her compassion toward educating and inspiring individuals of all ages and backgrounds, Evelyn Hickerson is named the Hometown Hero this August.
Evelyn Hickerson has been teaching for over 30 years, currently teaching at Johnson Elementary School in Franklin. In the summer of 2010 she started Gentry’s Educational Foundation in honor of her parents, James and Josephine Gentry. Using the money left to her upon their passing, she and her husband Robert started the foundation to give children in Franklin the opportunity to enrich their lives through education, support, and mentoring.
Gentry’s Summer Camp is offered at no cost to elementary age students from diverse backgrounds. It includes reading, math, technology, fitness, science, creative arts, and character education classes taught by teachers from Johnson Elementary. The one-month camp has had an extremely high success rate. Since their start in the summer of 2010, they have already doubled in size.
“This is all of Evelyn’s heart,” says close friend, coworker, and partner in expanding Gentry’s Foundation programs, Cathy Buchanan. “Her drive, her will, and her never giving up…she really is an angel here on Earth.”
In May, Cathy Buchanan heard about Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes campaign. She spread the word to her coworkers at Johnson Elementary School, inspiring nearly 30 nominations for Mrs. Evelyn Hickerson – the most nominations for one individual thus far in the Hometown Heroes campaign. Together the teachers shared compelling stories as to why Mrs. Hickerson should be a DWA Hometown Hero.
“Her generous spirit is providing for children that might not have other places to be for summer, children who need remediation to have success in school, and those who need the support of caring adults as mentors.” -Jan Cochran, former principal of JES
“She has a way of making everyone she comes into contact with, coworkers and students feel special and loved.” -Erin Lefkovitz.
“Evelyn is a tireless champion for children.” - Venetia Henry
“Helping children is her love, and she is ours!” - Colleen Hooper
“She has encouraged and helped many younger teachers in reaching their goals as educators. She inspires many and makes sure that all children have the opportunity to learn.” -Dinah Wade.
“Everyone that Mrs. Hickerson touches is a better person after knowing this incredible women! She goes out of her way for children every day and gives hope to so many people.” – Bethany Wiseman
“Her love for children to do their best and us to give them our best makes her my hometown hero.” -Deborah Willett.
An assembly will be held in Mrs. Hickerson’s honor in October and will include performances by her students and a check presentation for Gentry’s Educational Foundation from DWA. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.gentryseducationalfoundation.com.
Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes is a monthly event honoring Middle Tennessee residents who have made a positive impact on their community. Nominate your hero at www.darrellwaltrip.com. If you have been inspired by this story to get involved in your community, please visit www.givingmatters.com.
