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2014 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 271
Commending Mary Alice Bowman.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 7, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2014

 

WHEREAS, Mary Alice Bowman, a piano teacher from Boones Mill, retired in June 2013 after over 60 years of teaching; and

WHEREAS, enrolled in professional piano lessons by the time she was in fourth grade, Mary Bowman began sharing her passion for music with others at the young age of 12, when she taught her neighbor to play piano; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Bridgewater College and marrying her college sweetheart, Mary Bowman and her husband, Willard, moved to Boones Mill in 1955; she immediately began teaching music and band at Callaway Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, when Franklin County adopted a countywide music program, Mary Bowman was asked to expand her role and begin teaching at Ferrum and Boones Mill Elementary Schools in addition to her position at Callaway; she remained in the public school system until 1975; and

WHEREAS, after leaving Callaway Elementary, Mary Bowman opened her home to the children of Franklin County and began giving private piano lessons, with 30 to 40 students under her instruction at a time; and

WHEREAS, believing that her instruction could take aspiring musicians only so far, Mary Bowman instilled a sense of self-discipline and initiative in her students, inspiring them to practice and hone their skills; and

WHEREAS, a woman of faith, Mary Bowman is a member of the Bethlehem Church of the Brethren, where she plays the organ and is responsible for the children’s and adult choirs; the church has also been the venue for her students’ recitals over the years; and

WHEREAS, for over 60 years, Mary Bowman has shared her passion and talent for music, and she has acted as a positive force in the community by helping countless students discover the joy of music; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Mary Alice Bowman on the occasion of her retirement; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mary Alice Bowman as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for her years of dedicated service to the children of Franklin County.