The
Hat Ladies Annual Luncheon
ONLY Recipient of South Carolina's 2008-2009 Distinguished Title I School for Overall Achievement
The story behind The Hat Ladies' relationship with Garrett Academy is a perfect example of the networking aspect of The Hat Ladies: Liz, the School to Work Counselor at a premier vocational school, Garrett Academy, noticed the very first Hat Ladies Luncheon and wanted to attend. Only one problem: it was on a Monday. A fellow teacher encouraged her attending by saying, "You never know what connections you'll make."
"Connect" she did. For it turned out Top Hat Archie had been a Guidance Counselor in the Niles Township High Schools in Illinois for 23 years and ran the Academic Awards Program. She quickly saw a way to blend her two passions, Education and hats. Thus a yearly Luncheon provided by The Culinary Department and a Monetary Award, provided by the Ladies were established. Funds for The Award come from "HaTpy Dollars" tossed in the hat at Luncheons, representing things The Ladies are "HaTpy" about!
It was one such contribution, a surprisingly large contribution, that brought Hat Lady Hazel France’s love of education into focus. Hazel soon became part of the Selection Committee. But her service was short lived, as she succumbed to pancreatic cancer in April 2009 at the age of 56. Her love of education and hats, however, will not die.
Hazel’s family is generously and graciously allowing her beautiful collection of hats to be sold, with all proceeds going to The Hat Ladies Scholarship. Three young ladies in the next three years will be the beneficiaries. The lessons that have been pulled out of a hat are many: Liz taught us to toss our hat in a ring; Hazel taught us never to hang up our hat; Archie taught us to think outside the (hat) box. And sometimes they should all be done at the drop of a hat.
The
Hat Ladies Annual Luncheon
Newspaper
Articles about our Relationship
The
Hat Ladies Monetary Awards Program
(Updated 5/19)
