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Market Street computer lab renamed for former teacher
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Neighbors | Submitted.Debra Hinkle (left) dances with students at Market Street Elementary's Father Daughter Dance in 2009. The school computer lab is being renamed as Hinkle's Unforgettable Glittering Smile (HUGS) lab.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.First-graders Teddy Anzevino (left) and Armaunie Blalock utilize the computers inside Market Street's computer lab. The lab will be renamed in honor of the late Debbie Hinkle this year.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Third-grader Madison Murray searches for a book to read in the soon to be Hinkle's Unforgettable Glittering Smile (HUGS) lab. Murray says she misses Debbie Hinkle's hugs the most.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Market Street Elementary plans to honor an invaluable teacher and friend who unexpectedly passed away two months ago.
Principal Jim Stitt says Debra Hinkle was a great asset to the Boardman school system and was very active with the students. She passed away Feb. 21.
The school computer lab, in honor of Hinkle, will be renamed the HUGS Lab, short for Hinkle’s Unforgettable Glittering Smile.
Stitt is unsure as to when the lab will be officially renamed, but it will be sometime this year.
Hinkle has always been a part of the Boardman family as a teacher, volunteer, PTA member and friend. All of her children attend Boardman local schools.
She began her Market Street career more than 15 years ago. Following an accident, she was forced to resign from her teaching position, but came back as a volunteer.
“When it was all done, she then came here and volunteered, every day, she just helped out,” Stitt said.
The school’s technology teacher retired in 2005 and Hinkle was officially hired by Stitt as Market Street’s new technology teacher.
“She was outstanding with computers, outstanding with technology and outstanding with the students,” Stitt said.
Market Street secretary Pam Mancini held Hinkle close to her heart. She says students miss her smile and generosity, but she too misses the presence of her lighthearted spirit.
“She was truly a wonderful person, there are not enough words that could describe her,” an emotional Mancini said.
In hearing the news of Hinkle’s passing, students made sympathy cards for Hinkle’s family and personally delivered them the following Tuesday. The school also offered counseling for students the day the they broke the news to the kids.
Third-grader Madison Murray loved the hugs she received from Hinkle. She says they are what she misses most. Murray saw that Hinkle treated students special and because of that, she was her favorite teacher.
“She would always talk to and introduce new students,” she said. “She loved everybody and never doubted anybody.”