Marie Edwards

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH:

I've lived in Middletown for 46 and a half years, minus six years in Cincinnati and Kentucky while I was in college. I now live in the Renaissance area of Middletown — but I'm still here.

In the photo, it’s my daughter Audrina, my son Kee Isreal Edwards, and my grandson Vince Vincent Glen Calhoun III. They’re at Mill Ridge Elementary School, standing in front of a memory tree that was planted in honor of my mother-in-law, who was a school teacher.

This photo represents Middie Pride because it’s taken at the memory tree, and that tree is really significant — it’s rooted. My family has been rooted in this community for as long as I can remember. My husband’s mother was my first-grade teacher and truly one of the greatest teachers in this community. If you mention Miss Edwards or Miss Jones, everybody knows about her.

I married her son. Our oldest daughter works for the schools. Her son — my husband — works for the schools. I don’t work for the schools, but I contract with them to run programs. My children are in the schools. You know what I mean? It’s not to say, 'This is what we do,' but this is how we serve.