Aurora’s longest-serving teacher had a street by Holy Angels School named in her honor Friday, Sept. 13.
“Laura Waegner Way” was designated in an outdoor ceremony led by Aurora mayor Richard Irvin. Waegner, 79, retired in May after teaching 54 years at Holy Angels and an initial year at St. Rita School, both in Aurora. Hundreds attended the ceremony.
Irvin presented Waegner with an award plaque of excellence. On May 17, when she retired at the end of last school year, he proclaimed Laura Waegner Day in Aurora.
The 700 block of Kensington Place, north of Holy Angels, was renamed in Waegner’s honor.
Known as an “institution” at the school, Waegner has taught the grandchildren of students she had back when she first started more than half a century ago.
Before the sign unveiling, Waegner told a Beacon-News reporter, “I chose (to teach) history because of the line that says, ‘If you don’t know your history, you’re bound to repeat it.’ I stayed in this because I loved being with the kids,” she said.
“I taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade and sixth-graders are still so young. They enjoy anything. Seventh- and eighth-graders are moving on and are getting ready for high school and it’s interesting to see them step up and accept responsibility for their learning and ask questions.”
—Al Benson