Published: August 27, 2008 09:56 am         

Building named in honor of the ‘Ticket Lady’

Board also moves to name ag building in honor of G.B. Parks

By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

MILLSAP – To honor Mary Aaron – also known by many Millsap ISD sports enthusiasts as the “Ticket Lady” – school board members unanimously approved assigning her moniker to the new stadium ticket booth.

Aaron died July 11 and MISD board members and the community agreed this was a fitting acknowledgement.

In a statement at Monday’s board meeting, Superintendent Jerry Lee Hunkapiller explained that Aaron became involved with taking tickets when her grandchildren, nieces and nephews attended Millsap ISD. For this reason, she was also called “Granny” and “Aunt Mary” by many.

“Mary moved to Millsap in 1970, soon after the death of her husband, Billie, to raise her family and become an avid Millsap ISD supporter and employee,” said Hunkapiller.

“…Everyone who came in contact with Mary considered her and adopted her as their own … Mary touched so many lives and her memory lives on through all who knew her,” added Hunkapiller.

The ticket booth and Bulldog Stadium dedication will be Sept. 19 prior to the 7:30 p.m. junior varsity football game – the first on the new field. The Index will publish details as they are available.

Also on Monday, the school board approved a nomination petition to name the Agricultural Complex at Millsap High School after longtime agricultural teacher G.B. Parks.

“When G.B. became the agriculture teacher in 1971, there was no ag building and classes were taught in the high school building. He led the school to build a new ag building, a shop, a mechanics building and even built a greenhouse with the help of students. The program grew so that the school could hire two agricultural teachers,” stated the petition.

Board members and Hunkapiller also discussed the possibility of offering students professional certification for programs related to Career Technology (what “ag” is known as today).

This could include certificates in welding, electricity, carpentry and perhaps other subjects. It would give students “real certification” after they pass the required tests and give those who want a skill for work after high school.