16 May 2000
The late musician Stevie Ray Vaughn probably never could have guessed that a performance hall at a school in his neighborhood would bear his name. The same is probably true for Geraldine Newhouse, a former teacher and PTA president, or for Charlie Mae Brown Smith, a librarian and active member of her community.
The Dallas Board of Education recently approved the names of an auditorium and two media centers at three Dallas Independent School District schools.
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The auditorium at Greiner Middle School has been named the Stevie Ray Vaughn Performance Hall in honor of the Oak Cliff native whose musical legacy continues to be an influence to young musicians. Vaughn became a Grammy award-winner musician before his death in 1990 in a helicopter crash. His mother, Martha, still lives in Oak Cliff and is actively involved in supporting the Stevie Ray Vaughn Music Scholarship Fund. The onetime college scholarship is awarded annually to eighth graders at Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy. A total of 78 scholarships have been presented to Greiner students. A dedication ceremony has been scheduled for May 20.
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The media center at Birdie Alexander Elementary School is now the Geraldine Newhouse Media Center in honor of the teacher, parent and former PTA president. Newhouse has been a mentor to students throughout the DISD while working as physical education coach and sponsor of drill teams and cheerleaders. After her retirement, she continued to assist by substituting at the school. A year ago, Newhouse suffered a spinal cord injury, but she still manages to come to the school in a motorized wheelchair to provide parties for her grandchild's class, attend PTA meetings and parent conference nights.
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The Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center community recently requested that the school's media center be named in honor of a former teacher. The Charlie Mae Brown Smith Media Center honors a woman who accepted the responsibilities as an extended mother and mentor to many of her students. A Dallas public school librarian for 30 years, Brown Smith has served on library boards, at museums, and at professional associations in Dallas for many years.
According to board policy, when renaming school facilities or portions thereof, the name of an individual who has made significant contributions to society and whose name would lend prestige to an institution of learning should be used. This includes individuals who have attained prominence locally and nationally or in the fields of education, science, art, statesmanship, political science or military achievement.