BARBARA BLANCHARD: DREAMS DON'T JUST HAPPEN TO COME TRUE

At Tuesday's opening of Blanchard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, the school's namesake, Barbara Blanchard, made the following remarks. Blanchard is a former student, teacher and principal at Washington Elementary School, which is one of two schools that were closed with the opening of the new school.

I'm present! I have my colors and my scissors and my paste and my paper. I want the teachers to count me present for this historic occasion in Cape Girardeau on the 18th day of January, 2000. More than 30 years have passed since a new elementary school has opened its doors in our community, and the buildings we have closed each served our children over 80 years.

I was honored when Kathy Evans and Dr. (Barbara) Kohlfeld (principal of Blanchard Elementary School) invited me to be a part of these festivities and share some of my thoughts with you on this day. I told Dr. Kohlfeld I wasn't sure what I would say, but I would express the feelings in my heart.

Feelings include: thankfulness, humility, pride.

I was deeply touched when I entered this building and saw "Barbara Blanchard" on the walls of the gymnasium. Buildings are commonly named for persons who are no longer living or those who have donated large sums of money for a cause. I don't fit these categories.

After the name of the building was chosen, people would ask me how it felt to have a building named for me. I don't think I truly comprehended the impact. I do know there were many people whose names would deserve this spot as well as mine. When a local attorney called my husband's office and asked to speak to Mr. Barbara Blanchard, he thought about calling some of the board members to see if there was a possibility for this modification. He soon got over that.

I remember seeing a friend who asked me the question I had received over and over: "How does it feel to have a school named after you?" I answered that question with my true feelings: somewhat embarrassed and somewhat unworthy.

Her response caused some reflections on my part: (Mary Jo's reaction) Barbara, if you are suddenly faced with a catastrophic illness, instead of asking, "Why me?" ask, "Why not me?" Use the same reasoning here.

I began to question. Who is Barbara Blanchard? The bottom line is she's simply a conglomeration of all those who have touched her life and molded her into the person she is. The values, the work ethic, the moral values, the drive, the compassion -- there are people in this room today who, like the potter, helped to form these traits into my person.

I decided to share a part of Barbara Blanchard that was entrenched many years ago. My mother and I lived with my grandmother, and surviving was not always easy. Mother would always tell me that I would need to study hard and get a good education when I started school. Life would become easier. (I hoped so!) First grade, Washington School, Mary Wilson.

I'm holding in my hand a story. This little pincushion was an original with my mother. She would make these from a match box, and I would go door to door selling them, small ones for 15 cents, large for 35 cents. I distinctly remember peering into the doors of houses and hoping that one day I too could have such luxury. First grade: mother's words and Mary Wilson's encouragement. The key to open doors of opportunity would be education. The fire was lit. I was going to become a teacher. Mother is looking on us with pride today. The seed she planted grew and grew.

Through the years, my life was daily touched by very special people who would become a part of me: teachers, Sunday school teachers, friends, relatives, employers -- the list could go on and on. Many of those people are in the auditorium today. And Barbara Blanchard was driven to follow her dream, that of being a teacher.

And I loved to teach. It has been my life. And I took seriously the responsibility of educating boys and girls, weighing each decision carefully because I realized from my own experience how long-lasting our influence is. All children deserve the opportunity of the best education we can extend to them. Carl and I do not have any birth children, but, oh, the hundreds I claim for us! I am so proud to be a part of this school district, proud of the Board of Education, proud of Central Office, proud of this school, proud of the student body, proud of the parents, proud of the principal, Dr. Kohlfeld, and proud of the staff. Each plays an important role in the final product we produce: productive citizens displaying outstanding character in our society.

Last week I heard a speaker who called my attention to a cliche we often use: Have a good day. How many of us use the phrase almost every day? I venture to say most of us. His point was we don't have a good day, we make a good day. And that caused more thinking on my part.

We can't just have dreams. We have to make dreams happen! This project was no more than a dream several years ago. Today it is brick and mortar, and learning is going on as I speak, and children are beginning to shape their ideas, and values are being formed. There are people in this audience who shed blood, sweat and tears to see this dream materialize. It didn't just happen. It took time and planning and overcoming obstacles and money. But it is worth the effort that went into the dream, because we are preparing the young people who enter these doors for the future.

We are not finished. There are more dreams to be dreamed and more work to make them happen. Cape is holding the key to make another dream come true. We will shortly embark on plans to materialize a new high school. These boys and girls who entered the halls of this building today will have the opportunity to begin their high-school experiences in another new building. But we have to make the dream come true, just as those who cam before us made dreams come true for us.

Cape Girardeau can stand proud today! We are moving ahead! Go out and make a great day! Go out and make dreams happen!