Administration mounted a sign reading “Hearn Way” in the cosmetology hallway in remembrance of cosmetology teacher Christine Hearn who passed away June 21.

“When the sign was presented during our staff meeting, I had a flood of emotions and a flash of seeing Mrs. Hearn’s smile,” culinary teacher Tracey Davis said. “It immediately brought tears to my eyes from missing her and for the gratitude I felt for such a heartfelt gift in memory of Mrs. Hearn.”

Hearn was an expert cosmetologist with a deep passion for her craft. Hearn moved to Texas from Illinois in 2017 and opened up Creative Roots Salon in Marble Falls, Texas a year later. In 2018, Hearn established the LHS cosmetology program where she shared her passion with her students. This is where 2022 graduate and new cosmetology teacher Megan Caddies first met Hearn.

“Mrs. Hearn was my teacher for three years as I worked my way through the cosmetology program,” Caddies said. “We grew our bond and became very close. Mrs. Hearn was truly my most favorite teacher I have ever had, maybe because she provided me with the skills to be successful in this daunting career, or maybe because she was a safe space for me to tell her all the problems a teenage girl has.”

After Hearn’s glioblastoma wild type grade 4 brain cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2023, she had to stop teaching to focus on her health. In her absence, Caddies stepped up and began teaching part time as the intro to cosmetology teacher.

“When I received the call asking if I would take her spot and become a part-time teacher at LHS I immediately thought ‘I want to be as great as her for her,’” Caddies said. “I started the program the very first year it was available at LHS. To see this program go from being in a science lab with mirrors on easels and washing hair in little science lab sinks to becoming Badger Cuts and Claws is so incredible. I think that if I learned anything from Mrs. Hearn, it is to always work hard for what you want. I will forever be grateful for her, I will forever miss her and I will forever be working hard to make the same impact as her.”

The idea and plan for the street-style sign originated from principal Paul Weinheimer and secretary to the principal Julie Ripple at the end of summer.

“We went back and forth, ‘Hearn Way’ or ‘Hearn Blvd.’ but I liked ‘Hearn Way’ because her way is awesome,” Weinheimer said. “She was very encouraging, lived with great joy and believed in others longer than they believed in themselves.”

Weinheimer said he hopes the sign reminds students and staff to be more like Hearn and serves as an acknowledgment of all Hearn did for the high school.

“The sign is a reminder to us that we know to live with joy, encourage others and believe in each other,” Weinheimer said. “It is also a tribute to her and we want the students of LHS to know about the person who really got our cosmetology department going in the right direction.”

Davis said the sign is important because it will keep the memory of Hearn alive within the school community.

“New students will not have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Hearn, but the sign might cause students to ask what it means or why it is there,” Davis said. “I’m sure any student that asks about Mrs.Hearn will hear that she was an amazing teacher that had a caring heart and bright smile. It will also be a reminder to faculty and staff about what a positive teacher she was. When having a tough day, I think about the visits we used to have, and it reminds me to be more like her.”

Hearn’s death left a large, devastating impact on the community, but what left a larger impact was her positive and passionate life.

“Unfortunately, over time, the sign will not mean much to most,” Davis said. “‘Hearn Way’ could simply look like a road sign to some, but it reminds me to act in the ‘Hearn Way:’ honest, fierce and loving. To the teachers and students who were blessed enough to know Mrs.Hearn, it will be a simple reminder of how much one person can impact so many lives.”

This story was originally published on Badger Tracks on October 15, 2024.