CHS Distinguished Alumni
June Leavitt Patrick
Class of 1944
June Leavitt Patrick graduated with the CHS class of 1944. She received a Bachelors in Education
from Benedictine Heights College of Guthrie.
June's forty-nine year teaching career began at
Rose Hill rural school in Logan County. Due to World War II, there was a shortage of teachers.
High school senior girls could apply for a War Emergency Certificate to teach, which was renewable
yearly with the completion of eight hours of college credit. What started to be a job of convenience
for June, became the career of her choice as she discovered her love for teaching and children.
June Patrick taught rural schools for six years, taught in Marshall and came to Crescent in 1950
where she taught until her colorful and exciting retirement in 1977, at which time the House of
Representatives of the State of Okalhoma issued her a citation for service and invited her to address
the House. According to teacher's retirement records, June holds the record for the most years
of service to education.
June Patrick has been active in many professional organizations. She
served on the State Future Teachers of America Advisory Board, was an OEA Delegate and a member of
the OEA Instructional and Professional Development Committee.
Among honors June has received are
Logan County Teacher of the Year, Outstanding State FTA Advisor twice, nomination for Excellence
in Education, nomination for Who's Who Among American Educators, Crescent Teacher of the Year, two
terms on Governor Nigh's Council for Youth and a citation from the Oklahoma Educational Association for
forty-nine years of service to the OEA and to education. Since retirement, June has been honored by
Phillips University as a guest lecturer in the School of Education.
June Patrick has been recognized
for writing the award-winning grants for the first Crescent Elementary Library in 1982 and the Excellence
in Education Plan for Crescent Schools in kindergarten through grade twelve in 1986. In 1978 she
spearheaded a drive to establish a National FTA. In the 60's she co-authored a state "Reading
Curriculum" and a book of "Reading Ideas".
In addition to being a classroom teacher, June has
served as 4-H Club sponsor, PTA president, FTA advisor, director of summer school programs and
instructor in Adult Basic Education Classes. She has two children, seven grandchildren and one
great-granchild.
She continues to be very active in the First Christian Church, the Crescent
School Educational Foundation, Retired Teachers and other organizations for better education and
good citizenship. Enough cannot be said for the vast and varied contributions she has made to her
church, community and education.
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