A native of Ganges, Ohio, Jeanette Bly Allard ’50 dedicated 32 years – 18 of them at SHS – to teaching high school students business English and law as well as typing and accounting.
Mrs. Allard went to first and second grade in Shiloh before transferring to Shelby Schools. While at SHS she was a majorette and played tenor saxophone in the Whippet Band. She sang in the choir all four years and took roles in class plays during her junior and senior years. She then went to Baldwin-Wallace College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business education in 1954. While at B-W she was a majorette all four years and played baritone saxophone in the symphony band. She was a staff member ofB-W’s student newspaper, The Exponet, and was a member of Delta Zeta sorority.
She began her career at Highland High School in Medina County where she taught from 1955-58. Mrs. Allard then moved to Shelby and began teaching at SHS in 1960. Her involvement extended outside the classroom as she served as advisor to Tri-Hi-Y and to the typists for Whippet Tales, the school newspaper. After retiring from SHS Mrs. Allard went to Pioneer Career and Technical Center where she taught for 10 years and served as curriculum consultant for 17 years. She also continued serving as a substitute teacher at both SHS and Pioneer. In all, some 2,500 students benefited from Mrs. Allard’s teaching and guidance. An alum observes, “She still sees many of her students and is interested in their lives, families and careers. She inspired many to achieve a higher level than the students themeselves thought was possible.”
Mrs. Allard has remained involved in community-related initiatives. She co-authored a book on the history of one-room schoolhouses in Richland County and participated in the preservation of Morton School, now a museum. She is a member of the First Methodist Church where she has sang in the choir. She served for several years on the board of trustees for the Shelby Senior Center where she remains a member. She also was a board member of the Community Concert series. Her other interests include travel, bridge and golf.
Mrs. Allard’s son Mark ’76 lives with his family in Powell, Ohio. Her daughter Vicki Kimmel ’90 and her family live near Marion, Ohio.
Mrs. Allard’s Hall of Distinction nominator: Jim Hennesy ’61. Her induction ceremony presenter: Janet Waggoner Keller ’64