Joyce Abbott – namesake of ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” speaks at UMES Veteran’s Day dinner
Princess Anne, Md. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner honoring veterans Thursday – and brought a keynote speaker with a famous name and equally impressive resume.
UMES alum Joyce Abbott is not only an army veteran, author and renowned educator — but also the namesake of popular ABC comedy show “Abbott Elementary.”
David Balcom, vice president of university relations at UMES, said it was wonderful to have Abbott back at the school.
“Most people know of her through the ‘Abbott Elementary School’ television program, but they don’t know necessarily that she is an alum of UMES or that she was a service person,” Balcom said. “She served in the Army, and she’s an inspiration as a teacher as well. So, it’s wonderful to have her here.”
Abbott said returning to her alma mater and delivering the keynote address was a meaningful experience.
“It’s always good to come back home, because this is where my education started. This is my roots, and I have so many memories, and it was the foundation for so many things that happen in my life,” Abbott said.
The dinner serves as a way to honor veterans – and invest in their future. Money raised from the event supports the UMES Silver Star Scholarship Fund. The fund helps servicemembers and some family members achieve their academic goals – especially those seeking higher education while in the military.
That money can give a veteran the opportunity to pursue higher education after leaving the service.
Bill Chambers, president of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, said the fund was specifically designed for veterans and that some of the veterans receiving those scholarships were in the audience – and were recognized during the event.
“We want to be sure that not only are we thanking our veterans, but we want to let them know how welcome they are to the Lower Shore of Maryland, they’re critical,” Chambers said.
Abbott’s keynote address also acknowledged the importance of giving veterans the chance to get an education.
“That matters because a scholarship represents something much bigger than a dollar. Now, a scholarship says to a student, we see you, we recognize your determination. We believe in your potential, and we believe your future is worth investing in,” Abbott said.
Chambers says it’s an honor to be involved in the event to recognize veterans, like his father and uncle. That was a sentiment echoed by Abbott in her address.
Abbott highlighted the sacrifices made by service members and their families.
“To every veteran in this room. Thank you. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your willingness to serve and to the families who stood beside you, supported you, prayed for you, and waited for you. Thank you as well because that is not easy. Your sacrifice matters. Your service matters, and your stories matter,” Abbott said.
Abbott also touched on her experiences as a teacher, her career after a decade in the military. That’s where she taught a then sixth grader Quinta Brunson, the eventual creator of “Abbott Elementary.”
Abbott said we never know what people might become and it’s important to see possibility and embrace potential. She added that with all her students she ensured they were seen, supported, challenged, and encouraged.
“I did not teach Quinta Brunson because I thought she would become famous. I taught her because she was my student and that is what she deserved,” Abbott said. “The same commitment was owed to every other child who sat in those seats, because we do not know who our children are going to become. We just don’t know. We don’t know which student will become a doctor, engineer, a military leader, own a business, or which one might grow up and name a television show after us. But that is exactly why the work matters.”
Abbott added that while a lot might change for veterans after leaving service, everyone still has room to grow.
“Our service does not have to end when our military career in the uniform may come off, our assignments may change, our responsibilities may look different, but the lessons we learn and the leadership we develop can continue to make a difference,” she said.
“Your next chapter does not have to look like your last chapter…you are allowed to grow. You are allowed to discover any purpose. You are allowed to pursue a dream you may have put on hold, and you are allowed to begin again,” Abbott continued.
And Abbott left the audience with a parting message, about setting the bar higher in various parts of their lives.
“When you leave here tonight, I want you to remember something: Set the bar higher in your education, set the bar higher in your leadership, set the bar higher in your service, set the bar higher in how you treat other people. And most importantly, set the bar higher in what you believe is possible for your own life,” Abbott said. “Because your service matters, the sacrifice matters, your education matters, and your legacy matters. The uniform may change, the assignment may change, but the mission to make a difference continues.”
