Ram Nation of Gainesville Eastside High School shows love to former principal

Mae V. Islar smiled, waved and blew kisses to former colleagues and students during a ceremony that led to the unveiling of a street named in her honor.

Hosted by the Eastside High School class of 1983 on Saturday, the ceremony was held at the school to honor Islar as the first woman principal at Eastside High School for her dedication, leadership and wisdom she provided to students and the community throughout her years as an educator.

Islar's 35-year career as an educator, besides serving as principal at Eastside from 1977-83, includes a stint teaching 10th-grade English at former all-Black Lincoln High School from 1964-69. She retired in 1992 as principal of Buchholz High School and held other positions throughout her career.

The street that was dedicated in her honor is Southeast 11th Place as it intersects with Southeast 43rd Street on the school's campus.

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"You have truly lived up to our motto, 'We are second to none,'" Islar said after listening to the congratulatory speeches and watching a performance by the EHS Richard E. Parker Alumni Band. "I am overwhelmed with joy and I am so proud of you all. You need to have love in your heart when you are doing the work. When you do, it doesn't feel like work."

Born in Tampa in 1935, Islar was the valedictorian of her class at Middleton Senior High and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee on a Lewis State scholarship for teachers that covered her books and tuition for four years.

Islar went on to teach at Euclid High School in Deland, Mebane High School in Alachua and Lincoln.

Furthering her education, she attended Florida State University in Tallahassee on a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) scholarship for a master’s degree in English and attended the University of Florida on a fellowship for an Education Specialist degree in administrative leadership.

It took the cooperation of teachers and administrators at the school that made her years as a principal at EHS successful, Islar said.

"So many of you touched me in my life and I am a representation of you," Islar said. “I know you all give credit to people like me and Mr. Richard Parker, but you must give credit to yourself. One thing we did at Eastside High School was teamwork. We did it together."

Islar encouraged the audience to never ignore the spark in their lives to make a change.

"That spark is there to be better than you were," Islar said. "He [God] didn't bring us here to forget us. Nothing can go wrong when you have faith in him and yourself. You never forget the people who are important to you. We may forget names but the memories are just as strong and potent as ever. Everybody makes a difference in somebody's life. Let's go out there and make a difference today."

The ceremony included speeches by Leroy Williams, principal of EHS, and Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Shane Andrew, who served as EHS principal from 2016-2021 and is a graduate of Buchholz High School’s Class of 1984, Islar's first graduating class as principal of Buchholz.

"Thank you for all of your compassion," Andrew said. "You never forget when someone gives you that second chance and opportunity. It's attributed to you why we are all here. Thank you for your dedicated service."

JoAnn Jenkins, a former colleague of Islar’s, said Islar expected the best from those around her.

"Our honoree [Islar] had high expectations and wanted teachers to be proficient and knowledgeable in their subject area in order to prepare students for success in their chosen profession," Jenkins said.

The audience viewed a video presentation by MyQueal Lewis, an 2017 EHS graduate, that displayed pictures of Islar during her years as principal at EHS.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, a 1985 EHS graduate, presented a proclamation to Islar.

Ward briefly talked about the impact Islar made on his life in his freshman year and proclaimed July 20, 2024, Mae V. Islar Day in the city of Gainesville.

Cathy Norman, a 1983 EHS graduate and a coordinator of the alumni band, awarded medals to Mildred Parker, Richard Parker's widow, and Islar for the legacies they left behind at EHS.

"It is so wonderful to be here," Mildred Parker said. "Thank you for all you've done to honor my husband since he passed away. We can't thank you enough. As we continue to remember Richard [Parker] and Mrs. Mae Islar for what they have done, remember to uplift each other and support each other, and stop tearing each other down."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: G'ville's EHS Alumni band performs at event honoring former principal