BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The distinguished honor of being chosen as the 2023 Christmas in the Mountains royalty has been bestowed on two former Martin County educators who influenced the lives of students for well over 30 years.
Linda Webb, an organizer of the annual festival, said that a panel of judges reviewed all nominations for Ms. Christmas in the Mountains and Mr. Christmas in the Mountains. After narrowing their field of choices, they unanimously agreed the 2023 winners would be Estella Horn and Darrell Clark.
“Both winners are retired from years of service with our county school system. We feel the difference they made in the lives of students of all ages clearly speaks to the caliber of people they are. We admire the heart they had for our youth as they molded young minds on a daily basis that would become the future leaders of Martin County and beyond.”
Estella Horn
Horn is a remarkable woman who has a lifetime of service in the education field to her credit.
Born in 1948 in Beauty, Horn is the third of seven children of Martha and Robert McCoy. She met and married her spouse, Robert Horn, while attending Prestonsburg Community College. Their love has stood the test of time and they have thus far been blessed with 53 years together. The couple are the proud parents of Marmanda Horn Lawson and John Robert Horn and their two bonus children, Alexander Webb Horn and Randy Lawson.
For 34 years, Horn tirelessly served the families and students of Martin County and retired only when her first grandchild was born 19 years ago. Since then, she has embraced her second career as a grandmother, providing care for all four of her grandchildren, Vincent, Estella, Julianna and Barron.
Horn’s journey toward a life of service as an educator began with a chance encounter with Willis Haws, a well-known educator who, at that time, served as the guidance counselor for Prestonsburg Community College. He approached the young woman and offered her the opportunity to begin taking classes. This special moment was life-changing for Horn and ignited inside her a deep desire to empower the people of her community through education.
Horn earned her bachelor’s degree in education and went on to teach elementary, middle and high school students while continuing her education as she worked toward her master’s degree. After accomplishing that goal, she returned to Warfield Elementary School, where she had once been a student, to serve as administrator for over 20 years. She continued to gain endorsements for supervisor of instruction, director of pupil personnel, and finally, superintendent. She was employed for nine years as the director of pupil personnel for all Martin County Schools before her retirement.
Horn is a member of the Rotary Club and the Retired Teachers Association. She continues to volunteer and be actively involved with many organizations and groups that serve the residents of the county.
Darrell Clark
Darrell Clark dedicated 32 years of service to the students of Martin County and is most remembered for his many years as the guidance counselor at Sheldon Clark High School. His knowledge and wisdom helped set many students on the path to success as they chose their career fields and applied to colleges.
“Darrell is a wonderful man who has touched many lives through his career with the school system. Students under his direction were blessed to have the guidance of such a kind, caring person who, to this day, remains dedicated to his fellow Martin Countians,” stated Webb. “We felt he was the perfect choice as our 2023 Mr. Christmas in the Mountains.”
Clark was born in 1951 to parents Albert and Opal Clark of Olive Hill and was the youngest of seven children. After graduating from Olive Hill High School, he attended Morehead State University, where he received his undergraduate degree in only three years and then began a graduate program in counseling. He obtained degrees in education, secondary education and higher education. He successfully completed and received his master’s degree in counseling/education.
While attending Morehead, he met his wife, Ruby Gail Marcum, of Pike County, who was also working toward her education degree. After they both graduated and married, they chose Martin County as their home; the rest, as they say, is history.
Clark and his wife have been married for 48 years and are the parents of two sons, Dr. James A. Clark of Austin, Texas, and Dr. Jonathan D. Clark of Lexington. They are also the grandparents of Iain and Quinn, the apple of Clark’s eye.
Clark is a member of the Lovely Freewill Baptist Church, where he serves as a trustee, Sunday School teacher, and president of their master’s men group.
Through the years, Clark has served as a member of the MSU Alumni Board, president of Big Sandy Retired Teachers, Warfield City Commissioner, Cub Scout leader, Appalachian Regional Hospital group board member, a 50-year member of the Warfield Masonic Lodge, and president of the Martin County Retired Teachers.
Clark says his life in eastern Kentucky has been very rewarding. His love for the county and those who reside here is evident in his continued involvement in events and activities.
The 2023 CITM royalty will officially be crowned Nov. 26 during A Merry Little Christmas Party that starts at 6 p.m. at the Collier Community Center.
Tickets for the event will go on sale Thursday, Nov. 2, and may be purchased at Shufflin’ Café or through PayPal (CITMfunds@gmail.com). Tickets are $20 single or $30 per couple. The ticket price includes dinner, fellowship and an evening of music and dancing.
“We encourage everyone that can to make plans to be with us for A Merry Little Christmas Party as we honor these two worthy candidates,” said Webb. “It’s an honor to bestow this award on two individuals who played such an important part in the education of Martin County students for many years.”