Woman of Distinction 2015
Paula Mabry
Paula Crockett Mabry is an obvious choice for the 2014-15 Woman of Distinction as she has distinguished herself in the Golden Triangle area for years from teaching theater to producing/directing plays and musicals at Starkville Community Theatre, Mississippi State University, and the Tennessee Williams' Festival.
Having graduated from Mississippi University for Women and adding graduate degrees from Mississippi State University, Paula has taught speech and theater beginning at Louisville before coming to Starkville City Schools. East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University have also utilized Paula’s talents.
Of course, with great talent come many awards. Paula is no exception.
Awards from Starkville School District: Outstanding Teacher of the Year: 1990, 1991, 1997, 1998; Educator of the Year, 1999; Third Congressional District Teacher of the Year 2000; Mississippi Teacher of the Year finalist, 2001. Starkville Chamber of Commerce Education Hall of Fame, 2002. Mississippi Alliance in Arts Education Award in Theatre Arts, 2002, Theatre Consultant for Starkville High School and directed SCT musical, 2011-2012: Mentor for Starkville High theatre teachers and Armstrong Middle School theatre teachers from 2004-2014
Awards from the Mississippi Theatre Association: “Outstanding Contributions to Theatre” Award 2011*, Community Theatre Chair 2015-16, Co-Chair 2013-14, Individual Events Chair 2004; One-act play judge 2008-2010; Secondary School Best Director-1992, 1998; Community Theatre Best Director 2004, 2010. Modern Woodsman "Starkville Hometown Hero" for volunteer service July, 2013.
*The 2011 Mississippi Theatre Association award for "Outstanding Contributions To Theatre" reads, "For her years of dedication and service to high school and community theatre." No one since has received that award. It was the first time it was given and so far, no one else has been nominated.
Her talent and leadership has benefitted the Starkville Community Theater, The Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, VIVA Drama, Alabama Conference of Theater, Summer Scholar’s on Stage Camp, Mississippi State University Women’s Club, Starkville Area Arts Council, Cotton District Arts Festival, all of which she has served in various offices in some capacity.
After 35 years of teaching Paula retired, but in an exhausting way! She continues to give of herself tirelessly as she works with Armstrong Middle School and Starkville High School theater programs and is a driving force behind the Starkville Community Theatre. She is teaching Voice and Articulation at MSU in the Communications department and chairs the “Local Stage” for the Cotton District Arts Festival in which she contacts teachers to line up students to showcase their talent.
Paula and husband, Donald, have four children, Heath D. Hudson, Heather Hudson, Mark Mabry, Scott Mabry.
Having graduated from Mississippi University for Women and adding graduate degrees from Mississippi State University, Paula has taught speech and theater beginning at Louisville before coming to Starkville City Schools. East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University have also utilized Paula’s talents.
Of course, with great talent come many awards. Paula is no exception.
Awards from Starkville School District: Outstanding Teacher of the Year: 1990, 1991, 1997, 1998; Educator of the Year, 1999; Third Congressional District Teacher of the Year 2000; Mississippi Teacher of the Year finalist, 2001. Starkville Chamber of Commerce Education Hall of Fame, 2002. Mississippi Alliance in Arts Education Award in Theatre Arts, 2002, Theatre Consultant for Starkville High School and directed SCT musical, 2011-2012: Mentor for Starkville High theatre teachers and Armstrong Middle School theatre teachers from 2004-2014
Awards from the Mississippi Theatre Association: “Outstanding Contributions to Theatre” Award 2011*, Community Theatre Chair 2015-16, Co-Chair 2013-14, Individual Events Chair 2004; One-act play judge 2008-2010; Secondary School Best Director-1992, 1998; Community Theatre Best Director 2004, 2010. Modern Woodsman "Starkville Hometown Hero" for volunteer service July, 2013.
*The 2011 Mississippi Theatre Association award for "Outstanding Contributions To Theatre" reads, "For her years of dedication and service to high school and community theatre." No one since has received that award. It was the first time it was given and so far, no one else has been nominated.
Her talent and leadership has benefitted the Starkville Community Theater, The Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, VIVA Drama, Alabama Conference of Theater, Summer Scholar’s on Stage Camp, Mississippi State University Women’s Club, Starkville Area Arts Council, Cotton District Arts Festival, all of which she has served in various offices in some capacity.
After 35 years of teaching Paula retired, but in an exhausting way! She continues to give of herself tirelessly as she works with Armstrong Middle School and Starkville High School theater programs and is a driving force behind the Starkville Community Theatre. She is teaching Voice and Articulation at MSU in the Communications department and chairs the “Local Stage” for the Cotton District Arts Festival in which she contacts teachers to line up students to showcase their talent.
Paula and husband, Donald, have four children, Heath D. Hudson, Heather Hudson, Mark Mabry, Scott Mabry.
Updated 1/21/2015