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Continued from 1st Page ... Dr. Kay Teer Crawford began a revolution that has led to a span of over 15,000 teams nation wide. She herself has personally taught over 55,000 students whose lives have been improved by knowing this exceptional and noble lady. One of her students, Aletrice Grindstaff Martin, remembers her beloved teacher, "[She] was a tremendous influence in my life. She took me under her wing the first year and provided me [with] so much that translated into boosting my self-concept in so many ways. I was new to the area and didn't have a lot of friends at first…that changed because of her." Another former student, Rosemary Pendery, said, "We girls identified with Mrs. Crawford. She did not seem that much older than we were, yet she expressed a rare blend of authority and caring that a beloved older sister might. A genuine friendliness embraced us all in true affection… We knew she was cheering each of us onward and upward to rise in our potential." Aside form teaching drill team, she counseled many kids in careers, private life, and school life. "They'll remember the counseling more than the subject matter," she says, "Few are willing to take the risk of counseling kids for various reasons. When they ask me for help, I don't like to see them disappointed." Crawford's relationship with "her kids" flowed naturally from her. Mary Lou Milner Hay, a former student, always took Kay's advice to heart. "I learned many many things from those three years under [Dr. Crawford's] guidance," Hay said, "But mostly and always, as she said, be yourself, and always, 'be a lady'. I went to her with 'boyfriend problems' a lot. She always helped dry my tears and make every problem seem little." Crawford is described by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, President of Attitude Concepts, Inc., as one with an "ability to take time for each and every person she meets, to make all people feel worthwhile as a valued contributor to our society. She is a teacher's teacher and an exemplary role model for all who seek to 'make a difference.'" Even at a young age, Kay Crawford loved planning big events. Her friend from high school, Gertrue Routledge, recalls, "[She] was always so good at planning wonderful things." Crawford's credentials continued to mount, and she decided to begin the ultimate competition and performance spectacular for Pep Arts participants. Origination in 1968 with only 268 participants, the pageant has had to limit it's entries to a capacity of 6,000 for most of it's history.
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