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Our School was
named after an educator that made a difference in Nevada. Heckethorn
Elementary School opened in the Fall of 2001 for the 2001-2002 school
year. We are proud to teach and serve in such a facility. We are
grateful that our school history is forever linked to its namesake,
Mr. Howard ("Hecky") E. Heckethorn. For many years, on any given day,
Mr. Heckethorn could be found volunteering and visiting with students
at our school. Mr. Heckethorn passed away on March 31, 2007, at the
age of 85. Therefore, it is fitting to share the history of our school
by sharing the biography of our school's namesake.
Howard E.
Heckethorn was born in 1922 in St. George, Utah. He moved to Las
Vegas, Nevada. in 1930. He started school at the Old Westside School
and graduated from Las Vegas Fifth Street Grammar School. The students
in the grammar school had a little different experience than most
children. In May of 1934, when Howard was in fifth grade, the entire
school burned down. During the time the school was being rebuilt, he
and his classmates attended school in tents for two years. He entered
the eighth grade in a new building, and his class was the first to
graduate from the new school in 1937. He graduated from Las Vegas High
School in 1941. He entered the University of Nevada Reno in 1941, then
later enlisted in the Army during World War II and served for three
years. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Las Vegas and
worked with the Nellis Fire Department until he re-entered the
University of Nevada Reno and graduated in 1951. He received his
Masters of Education from UNR in 1964. While attending public schools
here in Las Vegas, he was quite a student leader. He was Sophomore
Class President and Student Body President of Las Vegas High School.
At UNR he was also Sophomore Class President.
Howard made both high school and College
Who's Who. In 1941, he won five state Golden Gloves
championships in the light weight boxing division. In college he
advanced twice to the finals in the Golden Gloves Tournament in 1942
and 1943. He lettered two years in boxing and was named the best
University Boxer. He was President of the Young Democrats and a member
of Sigma Nu Fraternity at the University of Nevada, Reno.
In 1951 he started
teaching for the Clark County School District, at Nellis Air Force
Base School for one year. The next year, he taught at North 9th Street
School. For 25 years, he taught fifth grade at Red Rock Elementary
School. He retired after 27 years of service teaching children in the
classroom. During those many years, he influenced hundreds of students
and their children. He participated in community activities such as
coaching little league games and tutored neighborhood children in
their elementary school subjects. Other affiliations, clubs, and
organizations included, but are not limited to a life member of the
Elks Lodge #1468, PTA, honorary member of the Las Vegas Track Club and
Western High School's Cross Country and Track teams.
Mr. Heckethorn came
from a pioneer family. He is a third-generation resident of Las Vegas.
He has four children; and they were all born at Southern Nevada
Memorial Hospital, now known as University Medical Center. Three of
his children live and work in Las Vegas, and one lives in Sparks,
Nevada. Eight of his grandchildren were born and reside in Las Vegas,
which makes them fifth-generation Las Vegans. Two grandchildren were
born in Reno, Nevada and reside there today. Howard has been married
to Sarah Haley, the love of his life, for 46 years. She is from
Houston, Texas. She has been the loving supporter of him and the
entire Heckethorn Family.
Howard Heckethorn
is highly respected by thousands of Southern Nevadans who grew up with
him or were touched by his service as an outstanding educator. All
that know him recognize his dedication to education.
As
we work together, in our learning community, we are grateful for the
friendship and support of Mr. Heckethorn and his delightful family. We
know that it takes dedication and time to build friendships and a
community bond. We want to continue to build toward a bright future.
We want to thank Mr. Heckethorn and his family for all they have done
to contribute to our positive school climate. Mr. Heckethorn continues
"Blazing A Trail Towards Excellence." Thank you, Mr. Heckethorn, for
your good example of what a trailblazer should be! |
