Community Champion: Natelle Waugh
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — It’s time to recognize a Community Champion, an honor given to people making a positive impact in the community, in partnership with Leaders Credit Union.
If you go to a game involving Clarksburg School, there’s one fan you can always expect to see in the stands.
Natelle Waugh, lovingly known as nannie, is a big supporter of local athletics.
“I have 3 great-grandchildren up here, and one’s in the 3rd grade, and then one in the 5th, and one in the 7th. And the two older ones are on the soccer team, and they’re on the middle school basketball team, so I follow all of them. But high school baseball, softball, whatever,” said Waugh.
She was honored during last year’s athletic banquet, even receiving her own cheerleading uniform.
“I told him the only thing wrong with that was when I was a cheerleader in school, the skirts were longer,” said Waugh.
But when it comes to getting the spotlight, Nannie is someone who would rather be on the sideline cheering others on and giving support where it’s needed.
“It’s quite an honor and it makes me feel good,” said Waugh. “And then I think, well, there’s others that might deserve it as much or more than I do.”
And it’s because of her giving heart that every school day you will find her in the classroom.
“I come in about 7:20 in the mornings and sharpen pencils for the day and sweep the floor where they’ve left it the day before and just things like that and just where the teacher needs me,” said Waugh.
But she’s not an employee. In fact, the 86-year-old grandmother is retired.
“I have been volunteering about a year. I was an employee in the cafeteria for 25 [years] before that,” said Waugh.
Before that, she was postmaster for 33 years. Now, Nannie spends her days with kindergarteners.
“I didn’t like staying at home and I just wanted to be with the kids. And I graduated up here in 1957, so I’ve been I’ve been with this community and this school a long time,” said Waugh.
She shares her favorite part of volunteering.
“Making myself get up and get out and just be with the kids when they come in the morning and they say, ‘Nannie’ and come running to hug you,” said Waugh.
If you know someone doing good in their community, you can nominate them for the Community Champion award by clicking here.
For more local news, click here.
