Students, staff, and community members gathered Saturday for a combined celebration: to rename the former Thornton Elementary for Dallas educator Otto M. Fridia, and to dedicate the school’s library to literacy advocate Emma Rodgers. Both Mr. Fridia – who passed away in 2000 – and Mrs. Rodgers were pillars of the community, devoted their lives to education, and the event was an opportunity to honor their legacy and commitment to the school and community.
Dallas ISD Executive Director Lisa Curry celebrated Mr. Fridia’s career, from his beginning as a teacher at Booker T. Washington after serving in the military during World War II, to becoming the first African American acting as general superintendent for Dallas ISD, in 1987.
Mr. Fridia’s daughter and granddaughter took the podium to emphasize the importance that he placed on education. “He used to remind us to take pride in always striving for excellence,” they remembered.
Deputy Chief Leslie Williams made an unscripted appearance and shared that he is best friends with Mr. Fridia’s son. Saying that Mr. Fridia inspired respect from everyone who met him, Williams recalled the advice he gave him as he began his own path as a school principal.
“He said, ‘don’t take the keys until you’ve seen the audit because once you take over, you’ll be responsible for everything,’” Williams remembered jokingly.
Afterward, it was Mrs. Rodgers’s turn to be celebrated. Both Principal Christofor Stephens and District 6 Trustee Joyce Foreman celebrated her involvement in the community as an activist and volunteer for student tutoring and at the library that now bears her name.
“I am honored to be linked to the Fridia family now through this school,” Rodgers said.
