Teacher Rose Ann Holomon was honored at a reception in the Benton High library this past week.  Mrs. Holomon is retiring after 30.5 years of teaching.  She began her career teaching Art at Bossier High School; she was the Graphic Arts Specialist for the Bossier Parish School Board for one year; after staying home for four years to raise her young sons, she returned to teaching at Haughton, Bossier Parish Community College, and then Plain DealingHigh School.  At Plain Dealing, Mrs. Holomon coached girl’s basketball, and led the team to the State Championship finals.  She was voted District Coach of the Year by her fellow coaches.  Mrs. Holomon then began teaching at Benton High, and has taught Art here for 15.5 years.

Mrs. Holomon’s philosophy of art is that not all of us are artists, but all of us can learn about art, how to appreciate art, and how to create art.   If you visit the school, you can see Mrs. Holomon’s handiwork everywhere—she has created the mural in the lobby and “Tigers” and other works of art from the hallways to the cafeteria to the gymnasiums to the football field!  Now that she is retiring, Mrs. Holomon plans to rest and relax some—she will visit her son Jesse, an electrical nuclear engineer who lives in Honolulu and her son Philip, who resides in Leesville, Louisiana and who recently completed a tour in Iraq with the U. S. Army.  Mrs. Holomon also has much more work she wants to do.  She has purchased a building and kiln and plans to help local people in the community learn about art; she plans to teach them for free.  She will also continue to raise horses.  Mrs. Holomon is Clerk of Sessions for her church, Rocky Mt. Presbyterian, and she also plans to expand her work there.

Mrs. Holomon loves Benton High School, and says that “the Benton administration, faculty and students are the most supportive and kindest people I have ever met.”  Mrs. Holomon will be missed.