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Tributes to Mentors

My Mentor, H. B. Mitchell
By David Boren

Mentors change lives. Their encouragement strengthens us. Because they believe in us, they lead us to believe in ourselves. I have been truly fortunate in my life to have had several very influential mentors.

One who stands out is the late H. B. Mitchell of Seminole, Oklahoma. Mr. Mitchell was my High School Principal and later superintendent of Schools at Seminole. He was offered several positions at universities around the country but he dedicated all of his professional life to the students who grew up in our small community.

While he was an excellent administrator, he was even more important to his students as our debate and speech coach. His teams from this small community of 8,000 won more national debate championships than any other school in the history of the National Forensic League. The National High School debate championship trophy permanently bears his name – “The H. B. Mitchell Trophy”.

I came into his class as a shy 15 year old completely terrified of public speaking. He worked with me with great patience and limitless encouragement. Within a year I was in the group of debaters who piled into his car to be taken to debate tournaments all over the United States. A whole new world with new possibilities was opened up to me. In tournaments from Chicago to New Orleans and on the East and West coasts, we often defeated the best teams in the country from far larger and better funded schools than ours. I can still hear him say “Be proud to be from Seminole and remember that we Oklahomans can do anything when we decide to take on the challenge”.

My career in politics and in education would probably never have happened without the mentoring I received from H. B. Mitchell.

On the first day that I entered the U. S. Senate as a member of that historic body, I remembered where it all started for a shy boy from Seminole who was afraid to speak in public. That day, I could literally hear the voice of Mr. Mitchell, saying “David, always be proud to be from Seminole and remember we Oklahomans can do almost anything when we decide to try”.

Tribute to John Hassell of Austin, Texas
Posted by Cheryl Cheadle, Glenpool

John Hassell was once upon a time the director of the Water Quality Division of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and he was my supervisor. I worked with volunteers and various other members of the public to understand how to protect streams and rivers. John cared deeply about protecting resources, and he very eloquently and concisely could phrase this need for protection. John inspired me to not only help people understand the nuts and bolts of reducing water pollution, but also to help people develop a love and caring for streams and rivers. John knew – and communicated – that what was at the heart of taking care for the earth is loving the earth. Thank you, John.

Tribute to the late Helen Muller, Goodwell
Posted by Pauline Hodges, Beaver, 1993 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence Winner in Secondary Teaching

My mentor who influenced my life and career was Miss Helen Muller, dean of Students and professor of history at Oklahoma Panhandle A & M College. I was a young Dust Bowl survivor with no money for higher education and, as a woman I could not get a scholarship at other universities, (because they did not want " to waste them on women") even though I graduated from high school with a 3.9 GPA.
Miss Muller took me under her wing, found me a job AND a scholarship at PAMC, advised me about careers, some of which were just becoming available to women. After my graduation as the valedictorian of my class with a B. A. degree and double major in English and speech, Miss Muller followed me for the rest of her life. She encouraged me in a teaching career, through two more degrees, a professorship, a high level administration position in the largest school district in Colorado, and finally cheered for me when I received the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Award for Secondary Teaching!

No matter what I achieved, I knew I would receive a letter or phone call, or both, from her cheering me on and telling me to do more! I know she served as a mentor to hundreds of other students in that little college where a building is named for her and everybody knows her name! – Pauline Hodges, Ph. D. (Retired professor from Colorado State University AND from that same little college, now known as Oklahoma Panhandle State University)

Tribute to Debra Fields, Ardmore
Posted by Myiesha Antwine, Ardmore

I have been blessed to have a wonderful mentor by the name of Debra Fields. She is the true definition of an educator. Her love for teaching is absolutely contagious. Throughout the years, she has graciously shared her knowledge of teaching, parent-teacher relationships, and student expectation tips with me. Unbeknownst to her, she has been my mentor for the last 7 years. I would like to say ‘Thank you Mrs. Fields’. I strive to be the teacher that she is.

Tribute Posted by OFE President Susie Thurmond, Cheyenne, Okla.

One of my favorite quotes has always been "Everyone you know becomes a part of you" I have been blessed with many great mentors over the years and wish I could personally thank each and every one of them. They helped shape the person I am, leading me by example to believe that almost anything is possible through hard work, integrity and honesty. I guess the best way to honor them is by "paying it forward" and helping other kids the way they helped me.