In most cases, when someone is celebrating a 50^th anniversary it’s a big deal. Whether it’s a 50^th wedding anniversary or even someone’s 50^th birthday, chances are good there’s some type of hoopla surrounding the event.

 

You know one event you usually don’t see hyped up as a 50^th anniversary? Rarely do you see anyone making a fuss over someone’s 50^th year as a teacher or administrator in the school system.

 

There’s a good reason for that. Few, if any, individuals ever get to that point. You have to be either pretty darn unique or a little bit crazy to approach 40 years in the business – let alone a half a century.

 

That, of course, leads me to Alice Rowe. For anyone that has gone through the Bridgeport High School education system over the course of roughly the last five decades you know who she is. Chances are good that your children know who she is. And, yep, there’s even a chance your grandchildren do as well.

 

On Monday, when everyone was busy getting their kid ready for their first day of school as part of their 12-year journey through the educational system, Alice Rowe was greeting them at Bridgeport High School for her 48^th year there.

 

Here’s the thing. Monday was actually the start of her 50^th year in the classroom. That is correct. Alice Rowe turned the big 5-0 Monday with very little fanfare.

 

Of course, some of you may have noticed her Facebook post about her excitement to kick off year 48 at Bridgeport High School and perhaps are wondering what I’m talking about. What many don’t know is that prior to one of the longest educational runs in Harrison County history (if anyone is aware of one longer, please feel free to recognize them in the comment section below, such as RCB's Gloria Fisher at 51), Alice Rowe spent two years teaching high school in Pennsylvania.

 

That’s right. The woman whose DNA can almost certainly be found in the walls of the school on Johnson Avenue got her start at Baldwin Whitehall in Pittsburgh, which is a high school near Mt Lebanon.

 

From 1967 to 1969, Alice Rowe was a fresh out of West Virginia University graduate (AB in English and a minor in journalism at the time) teaching up north. She taught English there and found some work as a school correspondent for the local newspaper.

 

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be in Bridgeport at the time. Rather, as a Morgantown High graduate BHS wasn’t on her radar. So after getting that diploma she joined a girlfriend who, like her, wanted to go off on her own and both ended up getting teaching jobs in the same district.

 

Eventually, something headed her back south. And the rest is history.

 

“I got married to a man I met in college and he was from Clarksburg. He came back to Clarksburg so I had to find a job,” said Rowe, who is still married to Dave Rowe. “My first year at Bridgeport High School was during the 1969-70 school year.”

 

Alice Rowe succeeded Lucy Romano, another familiar local name. She took over the classroom that today houses Paul Ayers for those intimately familiar with the school’s current teaching layout.

 

“I taught journalism and English and I took over yearbook and newspaper,” said Rowe. “I had no idea that it would be the start of a 48-year run.”

 

And what a run it’s been. There are few educators anywhere as synonymous with the school there at as Alice Rowe. I’d argue that she may only be able to be matched and not surpassed. Not only that, students that have her become part of a special group that are often referred to as “Rowe’s kids.”

 

They are the ones working on the yearbooks. They have put together past newspapers and an online Web site and today submit copy to Connect-Bridgeport to spread the word about the school. They are involved with the senior and all-school play and do Shop for Tots, which many graduates of BHS will tell you was their most gratifying event during their time at the school.

 

They are also the ones that walk out into the real world prepared for a career in journalism or something related to it if they so desire. The country is sprinkled with professionals who would not even think about tipping their cap to her for getting them pointed in the right direction.

 

Yet, you have to wonder if the flame is burning out. After all, it’s the start of year 50 in the classroom and year 48 at BHS where she’s often found doing work late into the evenings and even the weekends while at the same time finding enough time to earn her Master’s Degree (plus 40) in Public Relations from WVU.

 

“I’m still enthused. I was enthused Monday so I know I’m not done yet,” said Rowe. “ … I’ve been here almost as long as the school has been here. I graduated from Morgantown in 1963 and the school was built that same year.”

 

Rowe’s love of all things journalism also has her keenly involved with many of the athletic events. A sports junkie at heart, she came under the guidance of the late Mary Reppert. An educator whose fierce loyalty to the school was only matched by her loyalty to the football program.

 

“I learned an awful lot from her and had a good time together. What I learned most from her was to care for all of your students. She had a special place for those students that didn’t have a lot or may be struggling and she would instill confidence in them,” said Rowe of Reppert. “I try to do that the best that I can in small or big ways. The last thing I ever want as an educator is to see a student lost in the shuffle.”

 

Although not at as nearly many sporting events today, for decades Rowe could be found on the sidelines of most football games with her trusty camera in hand. She loved the action, which is something she picked up as a member of the Mohigans marching band.

 

“Football and the band went hand in hand and I’ve loved sports, particularly football, ever since,” said Rowe.

 

What she really loves is teaching. Her classes are often as unique as her own self heading up the classes. They mirror real-life newsrooms in many instances and students are held accountable for getting things done. Excuses aren’t allowed. Good times, however, are permitted and encouraged.

 

This year, she’s teaching beginning and advanced journalism. She’s also handling beginning and advanced photography. Those are her official job duties. As mentioned above, she handles a boatload more than just what she teaches. She said the duties are tolerable because, for the most part, she’s had support and appreciation from the administrators.

 

“My time has only been enriched by the principals I’ve worked under and I know I’ve been lucky that they’re all so supportive,” said Rowe. “I think back to Bill Moore, Lindy Bennett and today with Mark DeFazio and you couldn’t ask for better than that. They’re behind you, encourage you and are generally pleased about the accomplishment they see you and your students make. If you’re an educator, you know it’s important to have that.”

 

While Rowe has outlasted a whole lot of administrators, one thing she can’t get away from is running into those she’s had as student. She said it’s the best type of collateral damage and it reaffirms what she’s doing.

 

“I had a young student come to me last year that I didn’t have in my class and she told me that I had taught her grandparents. I realized that, yes, I’ve been here a while,” Rowe said with a laugh. “ … When you encounter your past students out they often don’t think I remember them and then I tell them what they were like and where they sat and they’re amazed. I love seeing the looks on their face when I tell them that.

 

“It’s also nice to see former students doing well,” she continued. “I’d like to think in some small way I’ve made a positive impact on those students.”

 

No worries Mrs. Rowe. Your impact is secured as you enter year number 50 in the education circle. And even if that makes you a little bit crazy, we all still love you just the same.

 

Happy Anniversary my friend.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Alice Rowe working with students (Photo by Stephanie Marnic) Katie Coburn and Noah Hall on content from a summer yearbook camp, while one of her prized pupils - Curtis Fleming who has his own television shown - is shown during a BHS Hall of Fame ceremony. In the third photo, Rowe is shown with the familiar camera, while she's with one of her thousands of students in the bottom photo.