doubt, but kept imploringwith the school district,
calling every day.
“And guess what?” she smiled. “We got our football
team and it went undefeated in its first season.”
Another important achievement: for the first time
in five years, StrawberryMansionwas removed from
Philadelphia’s list of persistently dangerous schools.
The outpouring of love and hope was paying off in a
more stable environment for students, faculty and staff.
More students were thriving and going on to college.
And the publicity brought other support: amusic
teacher, for example,who teaches over the Internet
fromCalifornia, thanks to equipment and software
donated byCisco Systems.
How hasWayman endured?How has she thrived
when others in her neighborhood never even tried?
She credits hermother,Mona SmithCliatt, a native
Philadelphian,who had a high school diploma and
worked as a clerk scheduling surgery.
In 1979,whenWayman got toKU,which she
describes as a heaven she didn’t know existed such a
short distance fromPhiladelphia, failure was not an
option.Hermother was proudly declaring to all, “My
daughter’s going to college,”andWaymanwas not about
to let her down. She won’t let her students down, either.
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Wayman,who lives inPhiladelphia, has the support
of her family – husbandDANAWAYMAN ’83,whom
shemet at KU, and daughters,Paige, 18, and Sasha, 12.
“My husband verymuch understands that this is
my purpose,mymission in life,” she proclaimed. “I tell
my daughters about what goes on here, and bring them
to the school. I remind them that if it weren’t formy
college education,we would be living down there, too.”
But she knows that a new principal will soon be
needed.
“I can retire in three years,” she revealed. “Who can
I train and develop to take this place in three years?
That’smy biggest fear, because themoment I walk
out this door, it can fall right back intowhat it was.”
Will she stay until she retires?
“OnlyGod can answer that question,” she replied.
“I’m only here becauseGod toldme to come here. I
can hearGod’s voice very clearly, andwhen he says,
‘Linda it’s time to go,’ I’m leaving. Since I came to
StrawberryMansion, I’ve been on the ride of my life.
I couldn’t have planned it if I wanted to: invitations,
talking to children.As long as I can say something
that inspires people, I will continue to do that, and if
not, I’ll stay here with these kids.”
And provide them hope.
“If no one has told you they
love you today, you remember I do.”
—LINDA CLIATT-WAYMAN ’83 SAYS THIS TO EVERY ONE OF HER STUDENTS EACH DAY.
