The Roni Love Award

For the graduating senior who best embodies the legacy of Whitney teacher Roni Love. A veteran of the Peace Corps, Ms. Love taught Social Science and English, and also served as Whitney’s first College Counselor.

But what students remember most were her motherly life lessons and practical approach to conflict resolution. If her class became overly loud, instead of raising her voice she would model the appropriate behavior by speaking very quietly, so everyone would have to stop and listen carefully to hear what she was saying.

When students preparing for job interviews came to school in wrinkled clothes that still had the remnants of price tags on them, she would show them how to use scissors to cut through the threads fastening the tags rather than ripping them off by hand, and teach them to take clothes out the dryer as soon as they were done to prevent wrinkles without needing to iron.

And when seniors wanted to boycott the Elks Club awards because of reports of racism, and decline an invitation to a fraternity open house because of reports of sexism, she gently suggested that it might be more effective to establish relationships first, so they could advocate for change from the inside.

Ms. Love had a knack for reaching out to the students who felt most on the outskirts, and made a point to demonstrate how we are all interconnected. She was truly a mom to everyone at school, but as president of the union and a member of the team negotiating contracts with the district, she was a staunch advocate for the needs of students and teachers.

After serving more than 36 years, even in retirement she continues to mentor former students and fellow teachers, and is a truly beloved member of the Whitney Family and our community.