Remembering Three Lights
By Raymond Tyler
Just before Black History Month started, The City of Atlantic City and myself personally were hit with 3 losses of legacy that will never be replaced but will never be forgotten.
Mrs. Annie Washington, English Teacher-January 8th 2019
For more than 25 years, Mrs. Washington taught English at Atlantic City High School.
I was never assigned to her class, but I fondly remember her warm smile and greetings every day when I passed her class room. One thing I loved about ACHS is that, I had relationships with teachers with whom I never took a class. Mrs. Washington like many teachers there took an interest in all of the students and took pride in using every opportunity to teach. While she was not directly responsible for teaching me parts of speech. We did chat about all kinds of topics as I dashed back and forth to classes. Honestly, I wish I had talked with her more.
Mrs. Barbara Hudgins-January 9th 2019
Mrs. Hudgins was a trailblazer for women and women of color in Atlantic City. In my lifetime Mrs. Hudgins was one of only two women to sit on the city counsel of Atlantic City. She was also known as a math teacher at Atlantic City High School. Mrs. Hudgins legacy extends to the political and the personal. She was always an inspiration to me and represents a generation of color whose optimism I admire. One of my career highlights was interviewing Mrs. Hudgins ten years ago after President Barack Obama was first inaugurated. Her legacy also includes helping hundreds of young people of all backgrounds and races excell in math and prep for college.
Mrs. Joanna Lasane January 16th, 2019
Mrs. Lasane’s legacy is world wide. She was a successful supermodel appearing in Vogue, Red Book, Life and Ebony. Mrs. Lasane has the distinction of being the first woman of color to appear in a national prime time Pepsi commercial and much of their advertising of the time. Personally I was thrilled anytime I had the blessing to speak with Mrs. Lasane. She was always encouraging me and reminding me that I was building my own legacy. I always reminded Mrs. Lasane that there would be so many fewer open doors without her hard work decades before I came along.
These 3 Ladies meant so much to me as a resident of AC and ACHS alum. They meant so much to me as I would often unpack lessons imparted to me from them as I work professionally. Even at times when I felt that I had suffered a setback…I could reflect on their smiles, encouragements and figurative kicks in the butt and move on. Atlantic City will never be the same without you. However, Atlantic City will forever feel your influence on all we do moving forward.
I send heartfelt condolences to my friends in the Washington, Hudgins and Lasane families.
