Marisa Hathcock-Spalding

Daughter of Roy & Norma Hathcock of West Plains, Marisa was always a very active child and enjoyed tumbling, dance, Brownie Scouts, piano and, later, cheerleading. The Square Dance Club in junior high school then took precedence over extra-curricular activities. In both her junior high and senior high years, Marisa was always active in Student Council activities. Marisa was the kind of person who was always concerned with “being there” for a friend who might need someone to listen or to need a bit of sound advice and guidance.

In college, Marisa started working toward a Business Management degree, but decided to follow her parents in the education field. She wanted to become a counselor for grades kindergarten-12, and this was exactly what she did.
In her own words, taken from a letter to her parents, dated August 30, 1988: “I decided to teach because there are so many children out there who don’t have anything, and if they could be influenced by just one person who really cares and wants them to be successful, then maybe they will turn out to be better people.” Through this scholarship fund her parents feel Marisa’s legacy of always being there to help someone in need will continue to grow.