Ethel Rideout, the wife of Henderson County Schools former superintendent Dr. Bill Rideout, made a visit to the district’s convocation Wednesday morning and spoke about some of the details of the merging of the local school systems that occurred 50 years ago.
She said after the merger was approved, school officials had two months to get the schools ready for the school year.
“Almost an impossible job,” said Mrs. Rideout, now 91.
But it was accomplished with an all-hands-on-deck mentality that had employees and school board personnel working long hours, she said.
She also added that the 1976 Henderson County High School football team, coached by Mojo Hollowell, helped the community unite after the merger. Her daughter Vickie read a brief summary of the season in which the Colonels won all their games except the state championship, losing to Louisville Trinity 28-24. HCHS finished 14-1.
Mrs. Rideout and her husband grew up in the school system in Henderson County and work took them all over. She spoke about the jobs she and her husband took as they worked through careers. Those varied opportunities led them to Oklahoma; Kansas; Illinois; Lawrenceburg, Ky.; Union County and back to Henderson County in 1976, where Dr. Rideout served as superintendent until 1986.
The convocation, held at the Preston Arts Center, was also a time to prepare for the school year ahead. Superintendent Dr. Bob Lawson spoke about the district’s core values as the school system pursues excellence.
“We have no interest in being average,” Lawson said.
The school system also recognized winners of the Make a Difference Awards. Megan Mortis, HCS’ director of public information, said 145 nominations were received from staff, students and parents. Mortis read nominators’ reasons that they picked the educator, and each laid out why he or she made a difference in a student’s life.
Recipients include:
- Taylor Sinnett, A.B. Chandler Elementary School
- Kayla France, Bend Gate Elementary School
- Macey Wright, Cairo Elementary School
- Keri Golday, East Heights Elementary School
- Kristalynn Wilson, Jefferson Elementary School
- Christa Glenn, Niagara Elementary School
- Jessica Clements, South Heights Elementary School
- Tritney Hallmark, Spottsville Elementary School
- Kristin Waller, Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center
- Grant Snowden, North Middle School
- Anne Nash, South Middle School
- Robyn Galloway, Henderson County High School
- Carrie Rust, Central Academy
- Heather Grounds, Transportation Department
- Vicki Brown, Child Nutrition
The district’s 2026 Inspiring Greatness Awards were also recognized. They include
- Joey Goebel, HCHS
- Jesse Welte, Bend Gate
- Bethany Lander, Jefferson
