Kelly Vernon, the CBI teacher at Italy High School, was recently honored by the Region 10 Education Center. Kelly was nominated by Italy ISD Special Programs Director Pam Luttrell and was one of 17 ladies being honored with a “Shero” award.

A Shero is: a young woman who has achieved success in her life despite obstacles such as physical handicap, economic disadvantage, language/cultural difference or learning disability. Sheroes come from all walks of life. Another definition for Shero is: a woman regarded as a hero. And if anyone is a hero it is Kelly Vernon.

Kelly started her education at the University of Texas. She was studying to be an actress. Kelly had received numerous acting honors such as 3A UIL one Act Best Actress (‘92-’93), 3A UIL One Act Best Actress and Samuel French Award (‘93-’94). She had her future all mapped out. She was going to go to New York and try to “make it big”. Then on January 18, 1999 Kelly was involved in a life changing car accident. Her dreams of going to New York and “making it big”, were over.

Instead of going to New York, Vernon was learning to walk, read, write, swallow and speak again. But did Kelly give up? No, she kept pushing on to be the best she could be. Sometimes when she would feel like giving up, Kelly said, “The two people I owe everything to are may parents, Nancy and Jerry Vernon. Their constant encouragement, strength, love, faith, beauty, all things wonderful make up my parents. God gave me two angels for parents.”

Instead of looking back to what might have been, Vernon kept looking forward to what could be. Kelly went on to graduate from UT, obtain her first teacher’s aid certificate, then her Special Education and English Second Language Learners teaching credentials. She decided to focus her career on helping people who have difficulties learning or who learn differently. After Kelly’s struggle to accomplish simple tasks, speaking with a slight stutter and sight problems after her accident she knew what was the right career choice for her – helping students who have similar learning difficulties such as her own.

“My favorite quote is by Winston Churchill, ‘Never, Never, Never, Never give up’,”Kelly said with a smile. She went on to say, “If it weren’t for God and the encouragement of my parents I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

We are glad you are here Kelly Vernon!