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Ursula Stephens was one of the best ever public school administrators. She was/is smart, caring, and understood students. When the school district decided to name a school for her, I was very pleased (even though I don't believe in naming schools after the living!). I wrote a letter to the editor of the Katy Sun to try to encourage people to come to the Dedication Ceremony at the school as there had not been much press coverage. As a former school board member, I was invited as always [well, maybe not any more!]. Here is my letter that I sent on October 11, 2007 which the Katy Sun refused to print:

Dear Editor:

On Sunday, October 21 at 2:30 PM, the new Stephens Elementary School community will be honoring the person for whom the school is named.

Many years ago Ursula Stephens was the new Assistant Principal at Nottingham Elementary when my youngest son was in the fifth grade. She was always so cheerful and kind to all the students, and they adored her.

Toward the end of the school year, the practice was to allow the fifth grade students to assume the roles of the adults at the school. For one reason or another, my 10 year old got to be the one to pick first as to the person he wanted to "be."

The night before this event, I noticed that he was somewhat distracted, so I asked him if something were the matter.

He said, "Mom, everyone thinks I should pick the Principal tomorrow, and I like her a lot, but I REALLY want to be the Assistant Principal because she's the one who 'gets' to do all the work!"

I had to smile and responded by telling him to "be" whomever he wanted and not to worry about what anyone else thought about his choice.

He 'was' Mrs. Stephens the next day.

Mrs. Stephens continued over the years to "be the one who did all the work"--establishing as a Principal the bi-lingual program at Sundown, opening McRoberts Elementary School and concluding her teaching career in Katy ISD as a high school foreign language teacher.

If there is anyone who should have a school named in her honor, it is Ursula Stephens. I hope the community at large turns out next Sunday to honor this very fine teacher and administrator who has given so much of herself to the students in Katy ISD.

Mary McGarr
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At the Dedication, because there wasn't much coverage in the media, there were lots of administrators and family friends, but there were no former students there except for my son, who I had asked to go. He gladly came with me, and when it was over, we hung back to let all her family and friends congratulate her. When she saw my son, she got out of the receiving line and made a beeline for him. Obviously they had enjoyed a mutual admiration thing! My son's face lit up like a light bulb! Mrs. Stephens will always be one of his favorites.

As a postscript I would say that thirty years from now, there will still be students who think it's a good thing to have a school named for Mrs. Stephens.