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Teachers Launch the Prestigious Susan Simon Award
A new scholarship initiative, the Susan Simon Leadership Award Fund, is being launched to honor the legacy of a beloved educator who recently passed away. The fund will provide a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating student from Sedona Red Rock High School, aimed at supporting further education in either trade school or college.
Susan Simon, who taught in the Sedona-Oak Creek School District during the 1990s before moving to Desert Star Community School, left a significant impact on the local educational community. She passed away on April 28 at the age of 75. Her expansive career included 13 years as a grade-school teacher and an additional eight years as a principal in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Simon’s dedication to education continued in Sedona for 21 years, culminating in her role as the inaugural principal at Desert Star Community School, where she coached both teachers and public servants.
A group of Simon’s former colleagues and friends, including Carol Copp, Karyl Goldsmith, Kathie Moore, Elaine Vail, and Elaine Watkins, have taken the initiative to create this memorial fund during the summer. “We’re not focusing solely on the typical student body leader,” Watkins explained. “We want to support those students who demonstrate heroism in different ways, whether by assisting their families or fostering a sense of community.”
Copp emphasized Simon’s exceptional ability to inspire others, saying, “She had a unique knack for identifying potential in people. I felt destined to meet her when I moved to Sedona in 1994. She truly drew out the leadership skills in everyone around her.”
Russ Snider, a former principal, recalled his last memorable interaction with Simon during a bingo event he hosted with Rotary Interact students. “Susan planned engaging activities that the students genuinely enjoyed. She was a remarkable educator who made lasting contributions to the community,” he stated.
Even in her final months, Simon remained committed to enriching experiences for youth. Jennette Bill from the Rotary Club of Sedona Village shared how Simon was generating ideas for deeper engagement between high school students and local residents shortly before her passing. “She was passionate about creating meaningful conversations,” Bill remarked.
In a heartfelt message to her colleagues, Simon once wrote, “Thank you for allowing me to spread my wings and lead you through some of the best years of our careers. We’ve made a difference. Let’s continue to strive to be remarkable every day we spend with children!”
For further details regarding the Susan Simon Leadership Award Fund, interested individuals can visit bold.org/funds/susan-simon-leadership-award-fund.
