T he following are excerpts from a telephone interview, conducted on January 23, 2022, with the Honorable Ruth Ann Gaines, presently serving as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives within the Iowa State Legislature. Utilize the link below for additional bio information: http://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator/ legislatorAllYears?personID=9413 Her amazing career includes service as a community servant, educator, and legislator. Celeste: The Des Moines Public School Board reached a unanimous decision on January 18, 2022, to name the newly renovated East High School auditorium after you. What were some of the first thoughts that crossed your mind when you were made aware of that honor? Ruth Ann: Well, I watched the School Board as they voted seven times a yes…I was not surprised because many people worked on this over two years…but I never really thought that they would name a newly renovated auditorium after me. A pleasure, because it is a great thing. Humble, because not a lot of people…anywhere…get anything named after them, so that distinguished me. Also, I knew it was a blessing from above because I’ve always internally believed that my forty years at East High School was my destiny from God, and that I was doing what he wanted me to do. It was a wonderful forty years, and as it took up the majority of my life…I look back and am well satisfied. Again, I’m blessed because not many people can look back at their lives, and forty years of work and say…I’m well satisfied. Gary: Considering all of the national, state, and local awards that you have received, where does this honor rank? Ruth Ann: This question kind of challenges me, because each honor that I have received has been special for its own unique reason. I always thought that my picture and name being in the National “ Teachers Hall of Fame (2003 Inductee), located in Emporia, Kansas would be the most precious award I have ever received because I thought that it eternalized me, but this one (naming the East High auditorium) has to be number one! I’ll tell you why. People are more appreciated outside of their own place of work and residence than they are right there at home. So, to have people, right here at home, work so hard to get this done for me… it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me! Celeste: Taking into account all of the experiences you have encountered during your career as an educator and community servant, what advice do you have for students as it relates to setting goals? Ruth Ann: I think that each individual has a mission, and I think that each individual has a somewhat awareness of their mission even though we may not have tapped into it. As a young child, I saw myself speaking…acting…leading people…and being kind of a mentor for many, many people. I feel that every child needs to start out a life by setting a goal: 1) be the best person that they can be; and 2) choose a profession in which they cannot only exercise their own God-given talents, but help others. No matter where they land, even if it’s not exactly what they dreamed of as a child, they will be successful and fulfilled because they had those two goals…to be the best person they can be, and to be in a profession that is rewarding…not only to them, because they can exercise their God-given talents, but they can also help others. Gary: Do you have any final thoughts that you want to share with our readers? Ruth Ann: I just want to say that every life has a purpose, and if you can believe in yourself…believe that you will do what God created you to do…be humble, because all of us can learn…pick yourself up when you make mistakes, and always know that God has your back…you will be okay. Celeste and Gary: Thank you. ...every life has a purpose, and if you can believe in yourself believe that you will do what God created you to do... -Ruth Ann Gaines ” 27
28 Publizr Home