By Tim Mandell
Register News Writer
BEREA —
Jerry Farris Mundy grew up a stone’s throw from where bulldozers and tractors are beginning construction on a new project.
On Tuesday, she joined about 25 other family members as well as officials from Madison County Schools for a groundbreaking ceremony for Farristown Middle School, named in honor of the Farris family and the area of Berea known as Farristown.
“This is very special for me,” said Mundy, 77, who traveled from Cincinnati for the event.
“I work almost every day, but I took off today to come to this,” she said. “This is great.”
Elizabeth Farris Dunson, 80, said her grandfather Steve and great uncle Charley were the first people to settle in Farristown.
It is thought that Farristown was settled around 1855.
“I’m just thrilled that they’re going to use our name on a school,” said Dunson, who has lived in Farristown her entire life. “I just want to thank everyone for this.”
In May, school board member Glyn Green recommended the name Farristown Middle School.
The school board unanimously voted in favor of it.
Patsy Dunson, who grew up in Farristown and now lives in Cincinnati, was in attendance at the groundbreaking.
“I think it’s wonderful that a small Afro-American town is being recognized with a school,” she said. “We look at this as this is making history. It’s just a wonderful thing.”
Ferrell Farris attended Foley Middle School and Madison Central High School and now lives in Louisville.
“It’s an honor for the family name, that the name will never be forgotten,” he said.
Mundy was one of several family members who spoke at the groundbreaking.
“This is historic,” she told the crowd. “God has blessed us. This is truly a blessing. I am so grateful and thankful and I am happy to be here today.”
Alicia Hunter, who served this school year as the assistant principal at Madison Southern High School, will be the principal of Farristown Middle School.
“This is an exciting time for Berea, for the Farris’ and for the community,” she said.
Doors are expected to be open for the 2011-12 school year.
The school mascot will be the Flyers and the colors dark green and silver.
An elementary school eventually will be constructed next to the middle school.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
