A Fitting Tribute

On Saturday, September 29th, approximately 80 people gathered by the Belchertown High School tennis courts to pay tribute to teacher, coach, collegue, and friend, Marilyn Higgins. Marilyn served the Belchertown Public Schools between 1987 and 2012 as a physical education teacher, and tennis and girls' soccer coach. She passed away on January 31, 2012 after a valiant fight against plasma cell leukemia.

Matt Baker, fellow physical education teacher at Swift River Elementary School, requested that we name the tennis courts in Marilyn's memory. The School Committee voted unanimously to approve the request. As a result, the courts are now designated as the Coach Higgins Courts.

This sign stands as a reminder of Marilyn's work in our schools, featuring her trademark phrase, "Work hard, play harder, travel often, laugh daily, and always help others first." Marilyn's family was on hand and did the honors of unveiling the sign.

Marilyn's legacy lives on in the lives of all who knew her, including the thousands of students whose lives she touched over her 25-year career. We miss her presence, but now have a reminder of her work every time someone visits the tennis courts to play a match.

As always, if you have any questions about anything posted on this blog, feel free to call me at 413.323.0423.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools