Some Memories

Here are some entries from the 450+ memories and tributes sent in for Mr. Hurt. Note that the “newest� memory is from a person that graduated 27 years ago.

James Yeatman Taylor - 1955 I was in class No. 2-1955. I had attended McIntire H.S., and I remember AHS seemed so very huge, and we were all confused for the first week or so. Mr. Hurt is one of my favorite people in all of the world-such an inspiration to me even today. Just wish I had done better in his algebra class. As I said before, he is a special person and has influenced so many lives. I have kept in touch with him throughout the years and value his wisdom and friendship to this day.

Joyce Lyle (Ehlers) - 1966 My dad was a pastor and was assigned a church in Dyke in 1955, so I was only at Albemarle High School for my senior year. When I became acquainted with Mr. Hurt, I was immediately impressed with his personality, and so was my dad. Even though I was new to the school, Mr. Hurt made me feel very welcome. He knew my name each time I saw him. The year I was at Albemarle High School was one of the best years of my life, and this was mostly due to Mr. Hurt treating me with much kindness. He was a big influence on my life through the years. We need more principals of his character and integrity. God bless you, Mr. Hurt!

Ruth Tirrell (Greene) - 1058 Although I was just one of Mr. Hurt's first students, I was never made to feel like just a number on a wall. I have seen him several times over the past 50 years, and he always greeted me warmly by calling me by my first name, and inquiring about my brother and sister or other family members. When he handed my daughter, Deborah, her diploma, he told her she reminded him of her mother on her graduation day. We are all truly blessed to know such a remarkable person, who has put his unique gift of memory into making us all feel so special.

Audrey Jeanne Smith (Bensy) - 1963 I remember being sent to Mr. Hurt's office because I was talking in Algebra 2. As I sat there with trembling lips, ready to cry, he kindly explained to me that while algebra was easy for me, it might not be for the friend I was talking to! (An early "it's not all about you" lesson!)

I, also, remember getting a call from a friend 20 years after I graduated that she had run into Mr. Hurt, and he asked how I was doing and was I still in Pittsburgh. I am still impressed by how he remembers everyone, not just their name but details of their lives!

Mr. Hurt, I hope you are aware of the positive impact you have had on so many young people, and how you helped AHS to be a friendly, tolerant environment.

Mary Childress (Graham) - 1965 I want to send to Mr. Hurt my best wishes. You are such a wonderful example to all of your students.

You have always demonstrated and enforced a strong moral code. Yet with that, you have shown 100%

devotion and caring of every student who has been fortunate enough to have had you as a leader. You have seen us at our worse at times but still believed in us and encouraged us to be the best we could be.

Thank you for being such a memorable and influential part of my life, as well as my sisters'.

Brenda Bevilacqua - 1965 When I did not like Mrs. Hurt's home economics class and Mr. Hurt would not change it, I was told by students that if I threatened to quit school, he would oblige. Instead, he handed me the telephone and told me to call my mom and tell her I had just quit school. Needless to say, I did not do that! As usual, he worked with me, and I did not quit school and graduated in 1965! Never a finer person was created - he, to this day, remembers me, my siblings, and my children! An amazing individual - never to be replaced!

Love him and his wife and family! Thanks Mr. Hurt for making me a better person!

David Clark Wyant - 1965 Mr. Hurt pulled me out of a class in my senior year and gave me his car keys. He told me to go home and get a coat and tie and return to his office. When I returned he had scheduled an appointment for me with the UVA Dean of Admission, a friend of Mr. Hurt. He let me use his car to visit the Dean that afternoon. I believe it is due to Mr. Hurt's caring and trust in me with his car that enabled me to attend UVA and eventually become a civil engineer. I've had a great career but will always remember and credit Mr. Hurt for his consideration and kindness on that Senior Day that made my professional career possible. I believe that this meeting with the Dean got me in UVA, so I owe Mr. Hurt everything for making my college wish possible and my professional career a reality.

Nancy Goldsmith (Brewer) - 1967 In school, no one touched my life as much as Mr. Hurt. I thought every man should be like him. It never failed, he always told me how much my singing meant to him and to this day asks if I am still singing. He always had a kind word and a smile as he does today. Those of us who have had the good fortune to know Mr. Hurt have truly been blessed.

Mr. Hurt, I hate to think it but I'm sure you remember picking me up in front of AHS while I was making an attempt at my first hitch hiking. My car wouldn't start and I needed to get to work at Leggets so...You were very kind, didn't lecture and made sure you impressed upon me that this wasn't the thing to do. I never attempted such again. Thank you for a memory and time that most never shared. Fondly—

Joseph Dowell Pace - 1968 Mr. Hurt, I'm proud to say you were one of the most influential people in my life. Other than my mother and father you are the best. With that said, though, do you remember all the MANY times you and I had our long talks in THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE? WAS I REALLY THAT Bad?

Phil James- 1970 “You kept us safe,” someone said during our recent 40th class reunion. In light of what this world has become, that statement is a powerful one. We knew no fears during our high school years because we instinctively knew that you were watching the front door and that our teachers, whom you had helped to choose, were watching our backs.

Unlike your earlier students at Greenwood High School, I did not learn from you in the context of the scholastic classroom. Instead, I have learned by watching you live out your life in our community. Your consistent example of faith and uprightness have helped mold the person I have become as best as I have allowed them. God continues to refine my life, and I thank Him for allowing your presence to be among my greatest influences. You remain a valued mentor and trusted personal friend. God bless you and your family.

Joanne Ridob (Mahanes) - 1973 Mr. Hurt had a warm, engaging smile on his face each day I saw him in the halls of AHS and personally acknowledged me by name.

Being Canadian, it wasn't easy to fit in at AHS. I often felt like I was an alien because I didn't know how to speak "southern", and many of my classmates assumed because I was from Canada, I spoke French, did not have running water, and laughed when I used words like "eh" and "about."

On those days when I just wanted to run away and hide, there was Mr. Hurt with a big smile on his face, greeting me and calling me by name. He made me feel like I mattered.

After receiving my BA from Hofstra, I was employed by the school and did not return to Charlottesville until 1987. Mr. Hurt saw me in the grocery store one day and to my astonishment, smiled and called me by name. It was truly one of those ah ha moments for me when I realized what an imprint he had left on my heart.

Johnny Lee Bates - 1974 While visiting Mom, I noticed the pictures she had on the top of her old hutch. They were the pictures that each child had taken at graduation as they received their diploma. There were seven of us who graduated from AHS. I gasped!! It was the first time that I took notice that BEN HURT was on the other end of each of those diploma exchanges!!! WHAT A MAN!!

Donna Ballard- 1974 One thing that I think back upon about Mr. Hurt is that he was always visible. He walked the halls, spoke to you, and was always concerned about you. I don't think I appreciated it that much then, but, thinking back on it, that was such a special trait in him. He didn't hide behind his desk, and he wanted us to know he was there for us. The fact is that to this day, after all this time, he remembers my name and my brother who graduated 4 years later.

Valerie Foster (ErkenBrack) - 1975 I wanted you to personally thank you for service to so many kids. Your attentiveness and personal caring did not go unnoticed…… Did you know that your wife provided me an incredible memory that I will

never forget.... She told me she taught my father in high school! I was told my father never went past the 8th grade. That was some amazing news. May you and your precious wife feel God's supernatural love today and forever.

Mary Pauline Cooper (Clements) - 1980 I remember as a student, that you took special interest in all of us. You always made me feel that I could accomplish anything. How you had that much faith is beyond me! I was determined not to push myself in school, yet, somehow your inspiration sent me on to Virginia Tech. I cannot thank you enough for that. I have my degree in accounting and currently work as the CFO for a retirement community. I know without your encouragement, my life would be very different. It takes a very special person to reach as many young people as you have reached. Thank you for caring and especially for reaching out to me during years that were not the easiest for me. You are wonderful, Mr. Hurt!

Kimberly Brown - 1981 The goal is not to have to see the principal because that meant you were usually in trouble. I had to see Mr. Hurt the 1st week of my 9th grade because some boy had grabbed my butt, and I hit him for it. The boy fell in the hall and my locker was right beside the office. Mr. Hurt came out and I thought I was going to be in big trouble. I remember him telling me that I could have hurt the person because of where I had hit him. I told him that I’m sure he would not have been hurt worse than I was if I had to go home and face my mom for not taking up for myself. He laughed and lay back in his chair and told me that he was sure I was right in that respect. I never had to go to the office again in my four years at Albemarle, but I’m sure if I had, he would have greeted me with the smile that he had on his face each and every time I would see him.

Lynnley Elizabeth Johnson - 1982 You touched so many lives. You were always there with a smile. I came to Albemarle and was amazed that the principal knew my name; as a matter of fact, you knew everyone’s name. This is a remarkable accomplishment in itself. I now have children attending high school, and the principal only seems to know the names of the "bad kids". You are so amazing! You knew everyone! Our paths crossed once or twice, and you still knew my name. You are an awesome leader, you had a gentle demeanor, you commanded respect without demanding it. Because you gave all of us respect, you made each student feel special, no matter what their upbringing. You taught all of us to be better people. Mostly, you are the definition of a great leader because you led by example. I have on many occasions called upon my memories of you and used your calm, cool, collectedness when dealing with difficult situations. I am proud to have been a student at AHS under the greatest principal of all time, Mr. Benjamin Hurt.

Glenn Alan Hunt - 1983 I have fond memories of Mr. Hurt. He was always a firm, but fair person. I remember a time when my girlfriend at the time and I were making out in a back stairwell at the school. It was usually not traveled and quiet. While sitting on the stairs and kissing one another, we heard the door open at the top of the stairs. I saw just the lower part of the individual had stepped through, and I knew right away it was Mr. Hurt by the way he was dressed. We bolted out of there and thought we were in the clear. The next day,

Mr. Hurt approached me in the hallway and just gave me a big grin and said, "You never know who's coming down the stairs." He advised me to keep up my grades and let me go to class. He always had a disposition that commanded respect and for everyone to assert themselves and never give up at anything they wanted to accomplish. Mr. Hurt was one of my strongest role models when I was there.

He accepted everyone as an individual, regardless of any judgment others may have had.

April Joanne Burns - 1984 I remember being the first person to hug Mr. Hurt at our graduation at U-hall. I say 'our' because he too graduated with us, as it was the year of his retirement. My name was called and I walked across the stage, when he reached to shake my hand, I threw my arms around his neck. AHS had a 'thing', a feeling of warmth and love that encouraged you to come in everyday. It encouraged you to jump out of bed and be at the bus stop before the bus. That 'thing' was Mr. Hurt. I couldn't simply shake his hand to thank him for that. I didn't see Mr. Hurt for at least 15 years after graduation. I ran into him at the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival, which I was attending with my son, who was now a student at the newly opened Agnor-Hurt Elementary School. My son was in awe at seeing the man, whose picture hung proudly in the lobby. He was even more impressed that he knew his mommy's name. I found out a few weeks later that he visits Agnor-Hurt school. I guess once in a lifetime is not the case, as my sons were blessed with the same "thing". When I next saw Mr. Hurt again at some community event, he very eloquently said hello to me, and to my sons William and Steven, whom he had since met,. . .by name.

The torch goes on.