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Both James and Deborah Southard served the Princeton community and school district for years, as Mr. Southard was a school board member, influencing critical district decisions. In addition, he served in Lions Club and was instrumental in bringing the Onion Festival to Princeton. Mrs. Southard taught for 37 years, 35 of which were in Princeton ISD beginning in 1978.

According to Richard Boring, who was Southard Middle School's first principal, Mrs. Southard’s dedication to PISD continued.

“On the second day of school here at Southard Middle School, she and her family handed out words of encouragement to each student as they arrived in the building for the first week,” Mr. Boring said. “Her legacy of loving the students never ends.”

Former student Michael Armstrong said students had Mrs. Southard as a teacher during a critical time in their lives.

“In 1978, Deborah Southard started her first year teaching in Princeton,” he said. “Jimmy Carter was president and disco was popular. There were two restaurants in town, not including North End, which were Rader’s and Dairy Queen. Deborah witnessed kids come through in different shapes and sizes and colors and guided them all through one of the toughest times in life, when little kids start to change and start looking less like little kids and more like little adults." 

Former educator Betty Benjamin wrote one of the letters to nominate the Southards as a school namesake, and she spoke of Mrs. Southard’s strength as a mentor to fellow teachers.

“I was so happy my 11 years teaching in Princeton, because Deborah was so supportive and helpful,” said Ms. Benjamin, who taught at Clark Middle School from 1986-1997 before leaving to work at the Region 10 Education Center. “She mentored every teacher who became part of the Clark family. There was magic in the halls of CMS, and through it all, Deborah Southard set the tone for the teachers - love the kids and you’ll love your job.”