Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 16, 2022 Honoring their legacy Saugus offi cial dedicates Lemoine-mitchell Auditorium as lasting tribute to two legendary Saugus High educators who left their mark in theater and music By Mark E. Vogler S chool Committee Member John Hatch called it “an honor to pay tribute” to two educators “who truly made a difference in peoples’ lives.” Nancy M. Lemoine was a popular Saugus High School drama teacher/stage director who taught in Saugus Public Schools from 1987 to 2013. Jerome J. Mitchell was the longtime director of music education and the Saugus High School band director who taught from 1949 to 1993. Both passed away in 2013. But the legacy of the respective programs they developed at Saugus High and the dreams they inspired in the hundreds of students they taught over several decades lives on. A handful of relatives, colleagues and former students assembled outside the ground floor entrance of the Lemoine-Mitchell Auditorium to dedicate it on Tuesday night (Dec. 13) before the Saugus High School Chorus and the Saugus High School Concert Band performed in the Winter Concert. Lemoine served as the drama director and choral director at Saugus High. From 1995 to 1997, she also served simultaneously as the drama coach and choral director at the Belmonte Middle School. “Nancy truly brought the golden age of performing arts to Saugus High,” recalled Bernie Sacco, a former colleague who regarded her as a mentor to him even though she was much younger and he began his teaching career when she was still in Saugus High School. “At the Middle School, I tried to plant the seed of theater in my students. When they went on to high school, Nancy cultivated the seed until it blossomed in her students,” Sacco said. “Nancy instilled in her students so many lifetime qualities, leaderships skills, respect for themselves and others, loyalty, handling disappointment, working with others – even if they particularly didn’t care for Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Paul at (617) 387-5457 for details. After unveiling of the new sign for the Lemoine-Mitchell Auditorium, Eleanor Collins (daughter of Jerome Mitchell) and Caroline Doucette (cousin and godmother of Nancy Lemoine) savor the tribute bestowed upon their late family members. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) them – searching for diff erent ways of looking at a problem and to persevere until a solution was found,” he said. “Nan was not only a great teacher, coach and director...she was a great mentor and counselor. Nan was always thinking about her kids.” “If she noticed someone having a personal problem, she was there for support – both in and out of the school,” he said. She was one of those special educators who recognized all types of diversity among her students, which created a wonderfully inclusive environment – sometimes ahead of its time. She initiated one of the first gay-straight alliance support groups in this area. It took a while for society to catch up HONORING | SEE PAGE 7 Plaque for Nancy M. Lemoine (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Eleanor Mitchell Collins and Michele Mitchell Corradino admire the plaque honoring their dad – the late Jerome J. Mitchell, who worked for 44 years as a music educator at Saugus High School before retiring in 1993. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) A trusted family name combined with exceptional craftsmanship & professionalism. Call for a consultation & quote. 64 Years! • Vinyl Siding • Carpentry Work • Decks • Roofing • Replacement Windows • Free Estimates • Fully Licensed • Fully Insured
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