"A MEMORY LIVES ON" By John F. Garrity*
Written & published in the Atlantic City Press 1976
In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Arthur F. Foreman Memorial Award.
     
     It was obvious from the position on the stage looking down at Christine Foreman that she was having difficulty keeping back tears. Being of strong character and even stronger faith, she sat erect and in full control of her emotions. Her eyes were focused on a slide on the screen in the multi purpose room of the South Main Steet School in Pleasantville, New Jersey. There were three people in the picture, one of them was her husband, who had died shortly after the camera captured the smiling, athletic teacher, who obviously enjoyed his work.

      The occaision was the presentation for the tenth time of the Arthur F. Foreman Memorial Award to a student at South Main Street School who had three qualities that were so demonstrated by Art Foreman. They were effort, consideration of others, and sportsmanship.

      Sitting next to Mrs. Foreman was her nine-year old son, who was only eight weeks old when his father died of a mysterious disease at the too young age of twenty five.

      For the past several years "Little Art" has presented the award to the winner, who is chosen by the teachers and the principal.

      Alfred Thomas, this year's winner, and his parents were extremely proud of the honor of being chosen for the award. Mrs. Thomas took time off from her job to see her son accept his plaque. His name is also inscribed on a large plaque kept in the main showcase.

      Park Avenue School, where Art taught, has been torn down and has been replaced by the South Main Street School, which opened in September 1970.

      Many of us still remember how Art could hit a softball across Park Avenue and into the graveyard across the street. He had plenty of practice because he seldom took a lunch hour. He loved to play with the children at lunch time and recess.

      He was a dedicated teacher and person. There was a personal interest in every child. A little extra effort was put into every task large or small.

     Kindness consideration were a part of Foreman's every action. Nothing was too much trouble if it would benefit another person, whether it was a pupil. teacher, principal. parent, cook, custodian or anyone.

      As a practicing Roman Catholic, he attended Mass almost daily and took time to teach religion to public school pupils at Saint Peter's Church in Pleasantville, N.J.. He gave up his afternoons after school and evenings to do this.

It is fitting that the memorial for Foreman will live on forever, because it gives the children at South Main Street School a model to follow that will help them be good citizens and worthwhile human beings.

* John F. Garrity was principal of South Main Street School in 1976.