Seniors select 13th annual Marian P. Kelly Award finalists

The Class of 2018 is coming to the end of its high school experience, reminiscing about the past four years at Grady. The Southerner asked seniors to reflect on their high school experiences and award their most influential teacher with the 13th annual Marian P. Kelly award.

The Marian P. Kelly award is in honor of retired Grady Language Arts teacher Marian P. Kelly. Kelly, who retired 14 years ago, impacted many students and teachers through her support of the school during her years of teaching and as head of the English department.

Seniors received their surveys for the award in their English classes, where they nominated their favorite teacher and an abbreviated explanation of how the teacher influenced their time at Grady.

Recent winners include Andrew Copeland (2017), Gary Hardy (2016), Tarra Avery (2015) and Malik Bostic (2014). Due to recent wins within the past four years, Copeland and Hardy were not eligible during the voting process for this year’s ballot. Though many teachers were represented in the survey, four members of Grady’s teaching staff stood out.

The top four nominees are: Roderick Lee Pope, Sara Looman, Lawrence McCurdy and Nalin Needham.

Pope has been at Grady for 12 years and teaches AP U.S. History and Musical Theatre classes. He directs the annual winter musical with students from his class and sponsors the boys volleyball team. Pope is well known for his passion for teaching, as well as his students’ academic success.

“He genuinely cares about all of his students and has always made me feel like I’m valued just as a person,” senior Elizabeth Lansing said.

Before Looman was at Grady, she taught at Inman Middle School. After deciding it was time for a change, she began teaching at Grady four years ago and currently teaches AP World History and AP European History classes. She sponsors the Ignite club and coaches the Grady Quiz Bowl team in which players score points by answering questions on a wide range of academic topics.

“My favorite teacher has been Ms. Looman because she is incredibly knowledgeable about the things she teaches,” senior Graham Williams said. “She treats everyone with the same warmth and kindness she would give to her own child.”

McCurdy has been at Grady for 22 years, and he teaches AP Literature/Composition and British Literature as well as serves as the faculty representative for PTSA. From 1999 to 2008, he was a mock trial coach.

“Mr. McCurdy is my favorite teacher because of his ability to work with students while adhering to teaching standards,” senior Kimora Stephens-Davis said. “His methods of teaching have helped me greatly.”

Needham has been at Grady for six years and has taught 9th and 10th grade Honors Literature/Composition, AP Literature/Composition and Journalism 2/3/4. He is also a co-sponsor of the Grady Book Club and the advisor for The Unmasking, Grady’s literary magazine.

“I chose Mr. Needham because of his engaging teaching style, humor and ability to get everyone involved in the class conversations,” senior Hannah Mendoza said.

The winner of the Marian P. Kelly Award will be and honored at the senior class’ “Visions” ceremony in May announced in the May issue of the Southerner.