JOSEPH COOK ELEMENTARY, NAMED AFTER MY GRANDPA
Meet my grandpa Joseph Cook of Syracuse, Utah. He was a life-long educator who loves kids. That’s me, sitting on his lap on his beloved farm. I was always at peace whenever I could sit on his lap, even in church!
He loved kids, particularly his grandkids, of which I am one. No one could ask for a finer grandpa!
Joseph loved education too. Because of that, he was a life-long teacher. His accomplishments in the field of education are legendary in his hometown.
An elementary school carries his name! He always enjoyed working with students while he was the principal of a local high school, because he inspires them!
A plaque displays these words below his picture:
“There is an old saying, ‘Keep ahead of youth or get run over.’ I believe it. George Bernard Shaw said, “Youth is a wonderful thing; it’s too bad young people have all of it.” Most of my cherished experiences have happened while working with youth. They are and should be the hope of civilization.”
Honoring his legacy pleases me. Honoring the legacy of his son (my father), Alan D. Cook, pleases me too. My dad taught religion and philosophy at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, for many years. While there, he made a major impact on his students. I know, because I was one of them!
I carry both of their names. Therefore, I am interested to do what I can to show the youth of our country, via their schools, that they are loved and admired. That is what my grandpa would do. My father would do the same.
I believe that many of my cherished experiences will happen in the future while working with youth through their schools. That’s something I can do now.
Check out the school by visiting their website here: https://www.davis.k12.ut.us/Domain/1742
For a history of Joseph Cook Elementary, visit here:
https://www.davis.k12.ut.us/domain/9224