Kathy Montgomery and Millie Becker field questions about the past from third grade students at Hawthorne Elementary.
Kate Mantenieks’ third grade students at Hawthorne Elementary School decided to keep the study of local history close to home. They are researching the history of their school. Little has been written about the history of Hawthorne so the class has been interviewing former students and teachers, with help from Westerville historian Beth Weinhardt and Dr. Dorothy Leal. Brian Readnour (a former student from 1977-1979), Kathy Montgomery (a teacher from 1989-2006), Clark Bailey, (custodian from 1967-1983), and Millie Becker (teacher from 1957-1959/1963-1964), all graciously agreed to be interviewed.
Becker was one of the first teachers when the school opened in 1957. She told stories about the construction workers working in the classroom for the first few weeks of school, the students using the parking lot as a playground, and the completion of the cafeteria after Christmas break. Students are writing sections of the book in pairs based on the interviews and other materials.