Delores Hearn holds a plaque given to her to commemorate her service to WCS. (Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

During last night’s Warsaw Community School Corporation regular board meeting, a fond farewell was given to long-time board member Delores Hearn. Hearn, who has served on the WCS school board for the past eight years, enjoyed her last board meeting before retirement from the school board last night.

Hearn has a long history with education. Graduating from Indiana University Fort Wayne with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education, she continued her education with a second master’s degree in school psychology from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne. In addition, Hearn furthered her education with both reading and learning disabilities certifications and specialized training in diagnosing attention deficit disorders.

Hearn’s role within the schools spanned both inside and outside of the classroom. She taught in the second grade and kindergarten and also served as a school psychologist for Warsaw. She was the first itinerate teacher for emotionally handicapped services in Warsaw.

Continuing her role on mentoring youth, Hearn opened The Children’s Clinic to provide child guidance for families with children experiencing behavior and learning difficulties. In addition, she served as a consultant to Head Start, day care centers and homes as well as conducting group and individual programs for children with behavior and learning difficulties. Hearn went on to begin a county-wide parent training program for parents and their children in 1996.

Though incredibly active in her career, Hearn did not shy away from playing an active role in her community as well. Hearn has served on the Bowen Center Advisory Council, Mental Health Association, New Frontiers-Riverwood Ranch, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Kosciusko County (as a founding member) and the Step Ahead Interagency Coordinating Council. She also started the Lakeland Day Care Center, served as a Syracuse board member for eight years and worked with Kosciusko Literacy Services for six years.

Loved in her community, Hearn was awarded the ‘Heart of Gold Award’ in 2006 by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for her dedication and volunteer service to others in Kosciusko County.

Delores is married to Steve Hearn, a local attorney, and has three children who all graduated from WCS — Edward, Richard and Beth.

Several board members had warm words for Hearn, expressing gratitude for both her service to WCS as well as the wealth of experience she has offered the board over the last eight years.

“This is her last official meeting with us. Delores has done quite a bit not only in Warsaw Community Schools but in the Warsaw Community,” stated WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, presenting Hearn with a plaque to honor her service to WCS. “Delores you have left your mark on WCS staff and students. Some of those marks will never know what an incredible impact you’ve had. We are going to miss you and your expertise. We wish you happiness in the world and your retirement from the WCS school board.”

“Thank you very much. I’m tired,” said Hearn with a laugh. “But I’ll always be around. The board is a special group of people who have the interest of the school and students primarily. I will miss you.”