OMC lost its greatest leader during the past year. Polly Johnson Hanst passed away at the age of 100. Polly was one of the founding directors of OMC and attended fifty-six OMC’s since 1944. Polly spoke every year at OMC about family, relationships, dating, and growing up to be a gentlemen or lady. She was beloved by all that had the opportunity to know her. I was lucky enough to get the chance to meet Polly, since she was a friend of my family. I wish I would have had the chance to sit down and have a talk with her since she seemed like she had so many great words of advice. Since she was so close to my family, she knew all about me since the day I was born. The last time my Dad visited her was at Christmas. So even though I didn?t get the chance to become as close to her as others, I still feel she loved and cared about me.

Last night at OMC we had a celebration of Polly?s life, where old friends and relatives told some stories about Polly and the way they remembered her. I think every person in the room was wishing that they would have had the chance to get to know her, sit down and talk with her, or listen to one of her speeches. Her character and wit seemed to connect with everyone, no matter what age or gender. She had a way of inspiring people that still lasts to this day. The chorus also sang some of Polly’s favorite 4-H songs, including “Dreaming”, the state 4-H girls’ song and “Plowing”, the state 4-H boys’ song. As it was said last night by her daughter Jane, “Her spirit will be here with us at Jackson?s Mill forever.”