More than a year after her death, a teacher from St. Mary Our Mother School in Horseheads is being remembered in a special way.
A scholarship has been set up in memory of Carol Hoppe, a longtime third-grade teacher at the school. Mrs. Hoppe died of cancer on April 9, 2003.
According to Marilyn Zinn, principal of St. Mary Our Mother, Mrs. Hoppe captivated students of the Chemung County school with her creative, artistic approach to teaching.
“She taught children with many hands-on experiences. She had a real pond with live turtles and fish in it,” Zinn remarked, adding that Mrs. Hoppe also began a garden outside of her classroom that is still maintained. Zinn further stated, “As an artist in her own right, Mrs. Hoppe looked upon a child’s mind as a canvas while she held the brush. Her paints included strong academic instruction, solid moral values and a Catholic Christian foundation. She reinforced and complemented what children first learned at home.”
Mrs. Hoppe died of lung cancer even though, Zinn noted, “Here was a woman who never smoked a day in her life.” Following her death, many people connected with the school wished to do a special remembrance of Mrs. Hoppe. “Of all I heard and read, it comes as no surprise that children, especially children of families financially struggling to attend St. Mary Our Mother School, were close to her heart,” Zinn remarked.
From there, a collection was taken up to create a scholarship. Approximately $4,000 was raised in memory of Mrs. Hoppe, who was a resident of Hector, Schuyler County, and parishioner at St. Mary of the Lake in Watkins Glen. “It was amazing how many parents gave money because maybe their child had her (as a teacher),” Zinn said.
Scholarships recipients are chosen based on financial need and to the degree they exemplify the traits of this beloved teacher. The inaugural recipient of the Carol Hoppe Scholarship is Aaron Kelly, a fourth-grade student at St. Mary Our Mother.
