Hudson community honors 2 teachers with Arbor Day tree dedication

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - A tree was dedicated to two science teachers who made an impact on the lives of many Hudson students, and what better day to do so than Arbor Day.

Joan Ragland, a former seventh grade science teacher, said the tree planting is just one of the projects she and former eighth grade science teacher Janette Burgin did together with their students.

“When the forestry service and Angelina Beautiful Clean were planting the trees and making them available, well give us some trees. We’ll plant trees and give some to the kids and encourage them to take them and plant them,” Ragland said.

The tree was plated in the 1980s, and those students the teachers mentioned, many remember it to this day.

“I remember the day was particularly hot, we got some shovels from somewhere and she tasked all the kids with digging a hole and planting a tree. Looking back at it now and how big the tree is, its pretty neat,” said Josh, a former student.

The ceremony was a way to recognize the efforts of those teachers, along with the importance of taking care of nature.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you, both as the executive director of Angelina Beautiful Clean and personally as a former student,”said Kelly Shrout, who works with Angelina Beautiful Clean.

Ragland, who is now a technology teacher, and Burgin, who is retired, look back on their years together and expressed gratitude for the dedication.

“Having people come back that realized there is something left of what we done still here. We were doing it because that is what the kids needed and we dd whatever we could to make the children love and enjoy coming to the science classroom. So, this is just icing on the cake for us,” Ragland said.

“It makes me feel so good to know that I made a difference and touched so many peoples’ lives in my lifetime. And I mean I’m on the downhill road now and it really makes a difference to me to know I touched so many people,” Burgin said.

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