On any given day, you could find her strolling around a two or three block area from her 'pride and joy,' the Guyton Elementary School. Be it east, west, north, or south, she made it a regular practice to protect that geographical 'home turf.' To her, it was necessary to stay in touch with the physical structure, anything new or old that met the eye, and most important, the people who resided over here, up there, or down yonder. That is how I met her. I had on numerous occasions seen her walking slowly past my home as I glanced out the window, but on this day I was cutting my lawn under the warmth of a delightful sunshiny early afternoon.
"A pleasant good afternoon, and I finally get to welcome you to our neighborhood," were her words, with a smile on her face that was laced with all the friendliness associated with a warm welcome. "And good afternoon to you. I've seen you on a number of occasions on your frequent journeys up and down Avondale, but from inside the house," was my response. And that exchange of greetings marked the beginning of a close relationship between Ann Powell and me.
Ann Powell did wonderful things, not only for the outstanding program at Guyton School, but also for the community and its residents. Residing on Philip Street, just a few houses away from the school, she demonstrated time and time again that she was most seriously involved by her outpouring of time and effort. A significant part of that display of community action was the 'Millionaire's Party' fund raisers that produced the necessary means to keep the elaborate program at Guyton School alive and well, and contributed to Guyton being named one of the top ten elementary schools in the United States. To witness one of these affairs revealed just how remarkable it was to get such huge community support that met the eye to come together in a demonstration of oneness. I was always deeply moved by that expression of unity.
Guyton School had one major problem, however, that was in need of urgent attention. Its principal was seeking early retirement. In order to achieve that end, he had joined with the Region Eight School Board in an effort to close Guyton School or at least to reduce it to a K-5 school. This concern was what Ann Powell discussed with me, as she asked if I would come into the school and support the community effort to fight the Board and principal's action. Thus began my involvement at Guyton. I attended meetings, met persons on both sides of the issue, and began my vocal presence of concerns. It was out of these series of participation that the Community Information and Advisory (CIA) Council was born.
Guyton School was one of the feeder schools into Jackson Junior High, a school which had the most problems of any school in Detroit. After the CIA Coucil was successful in stopping the closing of Guyton, Ann Powell became concerned with its graduates being sent to the troubled Jackson Junior High. She had a conference with the school's principal and convinced him to contact LeRoi Haskins to come into the school in an effort to bring it under control.
This highlights the Ann Powell crusade. If another school is ever named in the Detroit Public School system, due consideration should be given to naming it after Ann Powell, whose deliberate and patient service permitted the DPS system to be honored by way of the outstanding Guyton Elementary School.
