Perhaps the most iconic high school portrait photo in Maryville is that of educator Laura B. Hawkins. This photo still graces the Laura B. Hawkins Education wing of the Christian Church, and a scholarship is still awarded each year in her name.
Her portrait had a strange, ghostly hold on me, and I swear it moved around the Washington School, which is possible. When it was dedicated on the occasion of her 50 years in education in Maryville at a Laura Hawkins Day presentation in the Washington School, the 1949 Yearbook said it was on the top floor of the school, by her classroom. I could have sworn it was on the main floor close to the principal’s office (which was possible because it was a principal. For many years, I thought the portrait was of Journalism teacher Opal Eckert, and when I found it wasn’t Opal, I wondered why the school had such an “ancient” photo in the hall.
Here are a couple of stories about her background
Obituary Maryville Forum September 8, 1959 Miss Hawkins, Veteran Maryville Teacher, Dies After 11-Month Illness
Miss Laura B. Hawkins, 81, a veteran Maryville High School teacher, died shortly after noon today at St. Francis Hospital. She had remained in a semi-coma condition since she was found unconscious at her home on October 7. 1958. She apparently had suffered a stroke.
Miss Hawkins retired in May, 1952, after teaching 47 years at Maryville High School and six years at the old Maryville Seminary. She was vice principal of Maryville High School at the time of her retirement. She taught Latin. French, English, German, and Greek during her many years at Maryville High School. The longtime language teacher was loved by all students and honored at numerous homecomings and celebrations associated with school activities.
She was named the No. 1 Citizen of 1947 in Maryville, served as treasurer of the Northwest State College Alumni Association for 24 years, and often served as a speaker for many organizations. Miss Hawkins graduated from Drake University in the class of 1899. Along with her many duties at the school and her assistance with extracurricular activities, she was interested in and active in the community’s affairs.
She was a member of the Maryville Garden Club and the AAUW, and a leader in the Christian Church. She taught Sunday School classes for more than 50 years and was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Miss Hawkins was born Sept. 6. 1878, at 321 W. 7th St, and lived there until the time of her illness last year. She was the daughter of the late W. H. and Sophronia Hawkins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Miss Aida Hawkins. The body is at the Price Funeral Home pending arrangements.
Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery (Findagrave)
Below is the 1949 Yearbook page dedicated to her portrait.
Nodaway County Tribune Nov. 11, 1948 Fete Principal of High School Miss Laura Hawkins Completes 50th Year In Local Schools
Tuesday, November 9, was Laura B. Hawkins Day, not only at the Maryville High School, but in the hearts of many businessmen and women of the city, even unto the third generation, who have been under her influence in the church and school work.
Miss Hawkins, now vice principal of the Maryville High School, is rounding out 50 years of service of inestimable value to the youth of today and yesterday, and, with the exception of six years when she taught in the old seminary, her service has been in the public schools here.
Musical Program: Guest of Honor at the annual homecoming. held in the auditorium of the high school at 8 o’clock Tuesday night, Miss Hawkins was the central figure around whom the entire program was built.
She was seated on the stage throughout the program numbers, which typified her life and teaching through the years. James Cook, an old grad. was the master of ceremonies, Morlyn Barrett, president of the student body, gave the welcome address: the high school dance band furnished special music and played the high school song. led by William Person, also an alumnus.
‘The girls’ trio, composed of Carolyn Thornhill, Ruth Tebow, and Donna Haines, sang several selections, and Sue Condon. student. gave three characterizations of Shakespearean plays; Marva Reynolds, a student, played a piano selection; and five of the old grads presented a style show, each depicting styles from ten years. These young women included Mrs. Maryann Scott. Mrs. Carl Wiles, Jr., Mrs. Harland Farrar, Miss Joan Raines, and Miss Ann Curnutt.
Token of Appreciation The Boys’ quartet, made up of men who once were members of the quartet, including Harvey Bush, Homer Ogden, Bill Person, and Boyd Watson. sang selections, the last one a toast to Miss Hawkins. Lawrence Wray, an alumnus, paid tribute to Miss Hawkins and presented her with a purse valued at more than $500, a token of appreciation from old grads. the present student body and the teachers.
Gifts of more money, and telegrams came in all day yesterday from old students from a distance. Miss Hawkins in her own genial manner. responded to the tribute. using the theme of her brief talk, “Teachers Are People.”
F. L. Skaith. superintendent of public schools. unveiled a life-size portrait of Miss Hawkins and presented it to the school. It was accepted by Morlyn Barrett. The program closed with two songs by Robert Tebow, accompanied by Miss Diane Dressler.
Following the program. Miss Hawkins met the old grads in front of the stage and was escorted to the home economics department, where a reception was held. Mrs. M. J. Gile, director of the entire homecoming program, was assisted by the student council with Gene Long as chairman. Miss Hawkins was also the guest of honor at a noon luncheon held in the home economics rooms by the teachers.
AI colorized portrait.
- Laura Hawkins taught four languages — so when her portrait glared at you, you could be scolded in French, English, German, and Greek. Very efficient.
- Her portrait’s glare has been keeping students honest since 1948 — it’s the longest-running honor roll and detention board in Maryville.
- People say her portrait inspired and scared kids — that’s what happens when your smile gives a pop quiz.
- The scholarship in her name pays for college and provides a lifetime supply of nerves for anyone who ever tried to steal a look from the portrait.
- At Maryville High for 47 years, at the seminary for six — rumor is the portrait once raised a brow at a tardy clock and the clock apologized.
- If you couldn’t pronounce an Olympian’s name, Ms. Hawkins corrected you — and in four languages. Accent optional; respect mandatory.
- The Christian Church named an education wing after her because even the building agreed it needed stricter discipline.
- Her portrait’s expression taught better classroom management than any textbook — it’s just very good at “the look.”
- Students practiced translations just to avoid asking her a question — no one wanted to be corrected in Greek at 8 a.m.
- They say her portrait inspired courage — especially when you needed courage to hand in a late assignment.
- Her teaching legacy: if you misused a comma, she could shame you in two languages and inspire you in three.
- Maryville’s motto: “Learn like Laura — or at least learn to explain why you didn’t.”