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Mesquite Rotary Club Honors Dr. Ralph and Anne Poteet
Dr. Ralph and Anne Poteet, third and fourth from the left on row one, surrounded by family, Rotarians, & friends at the ceremonies.
By James Griffin
The Mesquite Rotary Club conducted ceremonies at their meeting on June 19th to honor former Mesquite I.S.D. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ralph Poteet, and his wife Anne Poteet, for their lifetimes of community service and leadership. Trees will be dedicated to them in the Rotary Grove of Honor at Kidsquest Park. The club established this award in order to provide a vehicle for honoring Mesquite citizens who have demonstrated a commitment to serving our community, an overall public spirit, and whose efforts have materially benefited our city and/or its people. The honorees are eligible for the dedication of a tree in his or her name whether he or she is a Rotarian or not. A brass marker goes on display at the site for all to see and remember. Past honorees at the Rotary Grove of Honor include the late Dr. Jack Nelson, the late Briggs Todd, the late Len Gibbens, Evelyn Williams, James Folks, Gary Bingham, Oran Bain, John Heiman, the late John Bass, and the late Nancy Upton.
Dr. Ralph and Anne Poteet came to Mesquite in 1955, when he was recruited to become Mesquite High School�s head football coach. After achieving success with the team, he was appointed the Mesquite I.S.D business manager in 1960. With the retirement of T.H. McDonald in 1964, he was named M.I.S.D. Superintendent of Schools. In that position, his vision and planning helped make the local schools successful and innovative during a period of constant growth. He teamed with Mesquite City Manager George Schraeder to begin an active school-community partnership program in creating parks in conjunction with each school. The school-city partnership has continued to this day in many ways, and has saved area taxpayers much over the years. During Dr. Poteet�s tenure, the district constructed 30 new buildings, curriculum was revamped and updated, teacher salaries and working conditions were improved, and the district�s television and radio programs were established. His wife Anne supported his remarkable leadership and contributions to the community at home, and in her work in the district, throughout his career. Following his retirement in 1986, the district honored him by naming the new Poteet High School for him. This record makes the Poteets� Rotary Club Grove of Honor recognition highly appropriate.
Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders, was established in 1905. The clubs in the organization provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace. More than 1.2 million service-minded leaders belong to more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs in 167 countries. Each Rotary Club meets weekly so that members may advance the club's service goals and enjoy each other's fellowship. The Mesquite Rotary Club was established in 1959, and meets at noon each Tuesday at the Dallas Athletic Club.
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