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ROCHESTER - In a testimony to their longtime dedication to Rochester Schools, the city's Middle School gymnasium has been renamed in honor of two longtime District leaders.
Barbara Bridges began her physical education teaching career in Rochester elementary schools in 1986, beginning at the Middle School in 1992 and retiring in 2012. Bob Broadbent taught physical education at the Middle School from 1986 until his retirement in 2007. Broadbent passed away in February 2022.
During a ceremony last week led by former Athletic Director and RMS physical education teachers Dave Colson, Superintendent Kyle Repucci said Bridges and Broadbent had made a tangible difference in the lives of countless students, some of whom now work in the District.
Citing former District leaders, Repucci said Broadbent and Bridges helped students find achievement through noncompetitive activities, and assisted them in their physical, social, and emotional development.
"To Barbara Bridges and the Robert Broadbent family, thank you for the very high bar that you have set here in Rochester and thank you for enriching the lives of those you encountered in this amazing space that you helped create," Repucci said.
School Board Vice Chair Sarah Harrington shared a quote from poet Maya Angelou: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
"They both brought joy, positivity, and passion to their physical education classes, intramural sports, adventure leaders program, and the Olympics," Harrington said. "These programs that were started by them, are still going strong today. They positively influenced thousands of students, athletes, mentored other physical education teachers, and worked with many colleagues who became friends."
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