Helen Payne honored on 100th birthday

BELLEVUE — She was, and still is, loved by all of her family, friends and former students. Helen Payne turned 100 Friday and at least that many people turned our for her party at the Willows of Bellevue. The soft-spoken Payne took turns to talk to as many people as possible, including the former Rachel Riley, now Rachel Daniel, a 1970 graduate of Monroeville High School. "She had us for health class and she made us trace a drop of blood from your own body, ..." she said with a laugh. "You couldn't pass the class if you didn't do it and we all hated it." Daniel brought her yearbook and showed Payne her photo and photos of her classmates. There were plenty of stories. Here is what was written about Payne 10 years ago when she was inducted into the Monroeville High School Hall of Fame as a faculty member: Helen Payne — Faculty MemberHelen Louise Payne was born Aug. 26, 1922 in Webster Springs, W.Va., to parents Cora Arthur Payne and Orlando Rucker Payne. There were nine children in her family — five boys and four girls. She graduated from Webster Springs High School in 1941, serving as president of both her junior and senior class. Helen worked at various jobs after high school to earn the money to pursue her dream of attending college to become a teacher. Her community gave her a big send-off in 1947 when she left to attend college at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va. One of her college memories involves being on the Debate Team and, at one particular tournament, drawing Ohio State three times. Helen graduated in 1951 from West Virginia Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. One of her job experiences while in college was to serve as a counselor at a Methodist Youth Camp where she met and became close friends with fellow camper Pat Pickens. Pat also attended West Virginia Wesleyan and, having graduated in 1950, boarded with one of Helen's sisters and her husband in Cowan, W.Va., while she served as band instructor at a nearby school. From 1951-1953, Helen set her degree aside to work as the Clerk of the Draft Board in Webster County, W.Va., where she was involved with sending the boys off to military service. In 1953, both she and Pat, who were destined to be lifelong friends, chose to look for teaching positions in Ohio. To do so they joined a teachers' agency and were directed to Huron County in Ohio where they interviewed in both Norwalk and Monroeville districts. Helen recalls that, besides the usual interview questions, the questions asked of her at that time included inquiries as to her church affiliation, marital status, and tendencies to drink or smoke. She chose to teach at Monroeville High School and did so from 1953-1986 during which time she also attended classes in the summer at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va., where she received her Masters Degree. While employed at Monroeville, her duties included teaching, at various times, girls' physical education, drivers' education, social studies and health. She will be long remembered by those who were students prior to 1972 for her dedication to the high school girls' sports programs which, before the regulations in Title IX were put into effect, were at the mercy of whomever wished to take on the challenge of getting them organized, financed and staffed. Helen did that for the young ladies at Monroeville High School sharing her time, talent and treasure selflessly. The Girls' Recreation Association (GRA) events were well attended and enjoyed by a majority of the female population in the high school. Another strong memory for those who had her in Drivers' Education was the requirement to back down the hill at the reservoir. Other school activities in which she served as a leader included coaching, the popular May Day Festivities, initiating the county tourneys in Academic Challenge, and serving as Athletic Director during the glory years of the boys' basketball state champions.Outside of the school environment Helen was active in her church, serving for several years as a youth leader in U.C.C. in Monroeville. She also served on the Park Board where one of her duties included the development of Marsh Field where the high school football stadium is now located. She also chaired several of the charity drives in the community such as Cancer and Heart Funds. She is a founder and past-president of the Huron County Teachers Credit Union which in later years merged with Vacationland Credit Union. At her retirement celebration in 1986, Bret Colahan who was the president of the 1986 senior class, presented a picture of Helen to the school where it would hang in a place of honor to commemorate her 33 years of dedicated teaching at Monroeville High School. After retirement Helen spent 10 years in Buckhannon where she was very active in church activities and the local parish house that served as an outlet for those who needed assistance for food, clothing and shelter. She served as the president of the Wesleyan District Women's Organization and was active in the West Virginia Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She also monitored state school exams in Norwalk in the years right after retirement. She returned to Monroeville in 2007 where she continues to lead an active life. Since her return, she has served as president of the women's group at the United Church of Christ, as president of Huron County Retired Teachers in both 2010 and 2011 and is an active member of the Zeta Chapter of the local Delta Kappa Gamma Society. This summer she will celebrate her 90th birthday. Her love of Monroeville Schools and the Monroeville community has not diminished over the years. One of her greatest pleasures is to answer the door to a former student who just happens to be stopping by to say hello. And many of those students stopped by Friday to say hello and happy 100th birthday.