W.S. Harlan officials also recognized the school’s longest serving teacher, Joann Welch Geohagan, and named the auditorium in her honor. Mrs. Geohagan was given the honor of unveiling the new marker.

Mrs. Geohagan taught school in Covington County for 49 years, 48 of which were at W.S. Harlan, current principal Joy Colvin said.

“She actually began teaching here her senior year of high school as a substitute for a teacher who had to take a medical leave. She went on to graduate from Troy University and Auburn University and dedicated her life to her students, especially fostering in them a love for singing and Alabama History,” she said.

“Mrs. Geohagan is, to date, the longest serving teacher W.S. Harlan School has had,” Colvin said. “And it is because of her lifelong commitment to our students that we are, today, announcing the dedication of the school’s auditorium as the Joann Welch Geohagan Auditorium.”

A plaque was placed at the entrance to the auditorium and a copy was presented to Mrs. Geohagan.