The EHS Alumni Band from G’ville performs at an event honoring the former director

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Aviary Thomas
| For the sun

Mae V. Islar smiled, waved and blew kisses to her former colleagues and students during a ceremony that led to the unveiling of a street named in her honor.

The ceremony was held Saturday at the school, hosted by the Eastside High School class of 1983, to honor Islar as the first female principal of Eastside High School for her dedication, leadership and wisdom she has provided to the students and community during her years as an educator.

Islar worked as a teacher for 35 years, in addition to her position as principal of Eastside from 1977 to 1983. She also taught 10th grade English at the former all-black Lincoln High School from 1964 to 1969. She retired as principal of Buchholz High School in 1992 and held other positions during her career.

The street dedicated to her is Southeast 11th Place, as it intersects with Southeast 43rd Street on the school grounds.

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“You have truly lived up to our motto, ‘We are second to none,'” Islar said after listening to the congratulatory speeches and watching a performance by the EHS Richard E. Parker Alumni Band. “I am overwhelmed with joy and I am so proud of all of you. You have to have love in your heart when you do the work. When you do that, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Born in Tampa in 1935, Islar was the top of her class at Middleton Senior High. She attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee for four years on a Lewis State scholarship, which paid for her books and tuition.

Islar taught at Euclid High School in Deland, Mebane High School in Alachua and Lincoln.

To continue her education, she attended Florida State University in Tallahassee on a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) scholarship for a master’s degree in English and attended the University of Florida on a scholarship for a graduate degree as an educational specialist in administrative leadership.

According to Islar, it was the cooperation of teachers and school administrators that made her years as director at EHS a success.

“So many of you have touched my life and I am a representation of you,” Islar said. “I know you all give credit to people like me and Mr. Richard Parker, but you also have to give credit to yourselves. One thing we did at Eastside High School was teamwork. We did it together.”

Islar encouraged the audience to never ignore the spark in their lives to create change.

“That spark is there to be better than you were,” Islar said. “He (God) didn’t put us here to forget us. Nothing can go wrong if you have faith in Him and yourself. You never forget the people that are important to you. We may forget names, but the memories are just as strong and powerful as ever. Everyone makes a difference in someone’s life. Let’s go out there today and make a difference.”

The ceremony featured speeches from EHS Principal Leroy Williams and Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Shane Andrew, who served as EHS principal from 2016 to 2021 and graduated from Buchholz High School in 1984, Islar’s first graduating class as Buchholz principal.

“Thank you for all your compassion,” Andrew said. “You never forget when someone gives you that second chance and opportunity. It’s because of you that we’re all here. Thank you for your dedicated service.”

JoAnn Jenkins, a former colleague of Islar, said Islar expected the best from those around her.

“Our guest of honor (Islar) had high expectations and wanted teachers to be competent and knowledgeable in their field so they could prepare students for success in their chosen professions,” Jenkins said.

The audience watched a video presentation by MyQueal Lewis, a 2017 EHS graduate, featuring photos of Islar from her time as principal at EHS.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, a 1985 graduate of EHS, presented Islar with a proclamation.

Ward spoke briefly about the impact Islar had on his life in his first year and declared July 20, 2024, as Mae V. Islar Day in the city of Gainesville.

Cathy Norman, a 1983 EHS graduate and alumni band coordinator, presented medals to Mildred Parker, Richard Parker’s widow, and Islar for the legacy they left at EHS.

“It’s so wonderful to be here,” Mildred Parker said. “Thank you for all you’ve done to honor my husband since he passed. We can’t thank you enough. As we continue to remember Richard (Parker) and Mrs. Mae Islar for what they did, remember to lift each other up and support each other, and stop tearing each other down.”

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