Sugarcreek Arts Council honors Mrs. J as part of the Celebrate the Arts night
An impromptu night of Christmas improv highlighted this year's Celebrate the Arts program. Led by arts council president Ryan Schultz, pictured second from left, volunteers enjoyed cutting loose on stage for a pair of skits that brought plenty of laughter.
As a teacher you know that when kids consistently address you by just the first initial of your last name, you have their love and admiration. For Katherine Jimison, long-time home economics teacher at Garaway High School, Mrs. J seemed to suit just fine.
Thus it was appropriate that she was posthumously addressed that way during her being honored as the Friend of the Arts during the Sugarcreek Arts Council Celebrate the Arts Banquet on Monday, Dec. 4 at Union Hill United Methodist Church in Sugarcreek.
Jimison began her teaching career in New Athens, where she spent two years before taking some time off to raise her two sons and two foster daughters. In 1982 she began working her way back into the education realm as a substitute teacher before finally settling in at Garaway High School.
The home economics lab quickly became her home away from home, and she put her own personal identity all over the classroom. In addition she quickly became a favorite of students, staff and community members alike.
Mrs. J often would turn insignificant moments like repairing torn pants or replacing a button into teachable moments, and she loved to interact with her students. In addition she also had her own store in which she designed kitchens and could often be found designing and sewing gowns for brides and bridesmaids.
“It was her time at Garaway that most qualified her for the Friend of the Arts,” presenter David Lorah said. “She was also instrumental in the creation and supervision of Arts Week, a one-week educational experience for every student enrolled at Garaway. During her time at Garaway she was able to bring as many as 72 world-class artisans to the school to share with the students.”
The interest from that project led to the formation of the Community Arts Council and the creation of the Mrs. J Scholarship, which is given out annually to Garaway students.
On Mrs. J’s behalf, her husband Don Jimison accepted the Friend of the Arts award. He said his wife was an amazing woman who wanted to make the lives of everyone around her better.
Don Jimison noted that since the passing of his wife 13 years ago, they have been able to give away many scholarships, providing the scholarship to any student who maintained a grade point average of at least 2.8 who was involved in any form of the arts.
Don Jimison said Mrs. J was a catalyst for her students, creating unique and fun forms of art, whether it was on a sweatshirt or tea towel. Students loved her, and while her classes and students changed and her projects were continually evolving, her husband said one thing never changed. “Something new would be created, but she was always the same,” he said.
While the Mrs. J Scholarship started out with $9,700, it has blossomed to more than $18,700. Jimison then made a surprise announcement concerning the scholarship funds. “We are turning that all over to the Community Arts Council since our family is no longer able to administer that,” he said.
Thus, as of the night of the banquet, the Sugarcreek Community Arts Council will take over the implementation of the Mrs. J Scholarship. Jimison said his wife would have enjoyed seeing the funds used to further the arts in the community.
In addition to the Friend of the Arts award, the evening took on some new appeal as the banquet ventured into new territory in several ways. First was the cookie-decorating contest, in which everyone in attendance was invited to decorate a cookie in any way they desired. The top-three cookie winners were then honored for their efforts.
In addition the evening ventured into a brave new world when arts council president Ryan Schultz invited members and guests to join in some light-hearted Christmas improv. As Schultz read the story, participants acted out a couple of strange and wonderful Christmas stories that brought plenty of laughs.
The commissioned art work award went to Garaway High School student Hannah Mullet while the council welcomed Scott Gerber, Jeannie Weisgarber and Jayne Maxwell Swartzwelder as its newest board members.
The evening also included an update on the Santa’s Pants Project, which for the past dozen years has helped collect food for area families in need. The book, “Santa’s Pants,” was written by Lorah, who goes to schools throughout the area sharing the story of the night Santa lost his pants. Upon producing an enormous pair of Santa’s pants, students are invited to stuff them with goods.
As always, the church members of Union Hill United Methodist Church were on hand to provide a wonderful home/church-cooked meal.