Robert Potter's Inspirational Legacy
to Live On
The legacy of fallen Huntington High School art teacher Robert Potter will be perpetuated through a number of initiatives that are already unfolding.
James Graber, a high school social studies teacher, outlined the initiatives during last week's memorial celebration in the high school auditorium. The gathering attracted a crowd of several hundred students, faculty and community members
"It is amazing to see the positives that are associated with the most tragic of events," Mr. Graber said. "I think it helps us make sense from the senseless."
Last week's touching tribute featured numerous student testimonials of the impact Mr. Potter had on their lives. The teacher was known for his "Potterisms," which amounted to nuggets of philosophy and inspiration that brought students to a different level of thinking.
"Mr. Potter's death has brought this community together to both honor and celebrate his life, and ultimately, to inspire us to live up to the expectations of our fallen friend and mentor," Mr. Graber said.
A number of initiatives have been launched to help perpetuate Mr. Potter's inspirational philosophy and way of life:
• Mr. Potter's former employer, Peter Max, has donated a large scale printer to the Art Department to further the practice of the craft that gave order to his life.
• The Art Honor Society has organized the sale of t-shirts to fund scholarships for Mr. Potter's daughter, Isabel, and a Huntington graduate.
• Huntington High School students are organizing a permanent, artistic memorial to celebrate Mr. Potter's life.
• The Associated Teachers of Huntington, the professional organization of the district's teachers, has created and funded a $1000 scholarship for the next 10 years. "This will be awarded annually to the student that best embodies the spirit and philosophy of a dear colleague." Mr. Graber said.
"These contributions are not bitter reminders of a painful tragedy, but rather glowing tributes to a man that has inspired all of us," Mr. Graber said.
Following the formal memorial celebration, a reception was held in the school cafeteria. The high school faculty donated refreshments - coffee, tea and juice. Mr. Graber invited to join together and "speak, laugh and cry with one another as we remember a man that personifies what we'd all like to aspire to."