FMS Honors Former Teacher

On a very windy Tuesday, Sept. 17, Falcon Middle School honored a former teacher, Judy Connally, by naming the FMS cross country trail after her to commemorate her passion for running. 

Connally was a science teacher at FMS from 1980 to 2005 and served as one of the cross country coaches for many years. Outside of school, she was an avid runner and active in the Colorado Springs running community. She also started the Tucker’s Trails program through the Catamount Institute to help students take part in outdoors education activities through field trips and camping in honor of her late son, Tucker. Numerous students and staff from Firebird Nation participated in this program annually.

When Connally passed away in 2017, she left a small financial donation to FMS. A committee was formed of staff members and community members who knew her so that this gift could create a lasting memory of all of the contributions Connally made to FMS. The committee determined that creating a cross country trail on the Firebird Nation Campus would be just the legacy that Connally would be very proud of. FMS and Falcon Zone administrators decided to name the cross country trail after her and to build a small gazebo strategically located at the starting and finishing lines of the trail. 

Connally's sisters, Janice and Cynthia, took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the trail. They were joined by some of Connally’s colleagues from FMS who were also members of the dedication committee. This included Scott Young, current science teacher, who was fortunate enough to know Connally and to take his students to Tucker’s Trails.

Also in attendance were former FMS staff members Bill Noxon, principal; Bob Eaton, math teacher and cross country coach; Karen Hobson, administrative assistant; and Darlene Hammann, registrar. 

During the ceremony, Brian Smith, Falcon Zone Superintendent, said, “I am honored to dedicate this plaza and the Judy Connally trail on the Firebird Nation Campus. When I began as principal here many years ago, it was an incredible honor to partner with Judy and continue the Tucker’s trails program. I was always impressed with Judy’s care and dedication towards the staff and students along with her passion for our science department and cross country team. To now have a plaza and trail that honors Judy herself will continue her legacy for the years and generations to come.”

Karen Hobson shared how appreciative our committee was to receive such a generous donation and that it was an honor to have her sisters in attendance today to celebrate this milestone. Connally’s sisters shared that they knew Judy was smiling down upon the group today and that she would be so honored to know that her own trail would now continue her impact on the FMS Firebirds.