Brookland-Cayce High School EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME
MS. CYNTHIA "CINDY" KESSLER Inducted 2010
Cynthia "Cindy" Kessler was born November 27, 1947, in Greeneville, Tennessee, alongside her twin sister Cay. At the tender age of five weeks old, both Cindy and Cay were adopted by Martin and Cynthia Kessler—affectionately known as "Peg and Doc"—who had previously adopted Cindy's older brother Martin. Cindy began her formal schooling at Kegley Grade School and eventually attended Spanishburg High School, where she graduated in 1964. While a student, Cindy was extremely active in various activities including the school newspaper, FHA, GAA, choir, and student government. In fact, Cindy was President of her senior class. She continued her schooling at Bluefield State College—graduating in 1969—and then earned a Master's Degree in Education at West Virginia University and an additional Master's Degree in Advanced Education at the University of South Carolina. Cindy began and ended her teaching/coaching career at Brookland-Cayce High School. In the process, she taught a variety of classes including P.E., English, Gymnastics, and Athletic Weight Lifting. Apart from the classroom, Cindy was instrumental in starting the Faculty Council which is still a vitally important means of establishing good comunication between faculty and the administration. She also coached cheerleading, gymnastics, bowling, track, volleyball, and softball. In a time when girls' athletics flew largely under the radar, Cindy was a tireless champion fighting for greater equality and more focus on the benefits of female athletic competition. Cindy was also an outstanding coach, whose teams won numerous state championships, and she herself earned just as many "coach of the year" titles. Cindy has been equally involved in her community. For years, she has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, its choir, and an active participant in FCA; she's also a member of the West Columbia Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Westover Acres Community Crime Watch (block captain). Even after retirement, she continues serving the academic sector as a Trustee for Lexington School District Two and as a substitute teacher in Lexington One. Cindy is also a proud godmother to two lovely girls. Cindy credits her success as a teacher, coach, and person to God, who gave her a strong work ethic and a desire to succeed. As an educator, helping a student give his or her all to attain a given goal was always Cindy's primary focus. And she relished the moments when their dedication and hard work finally paid off. Ultimately, Cindy Kessler defines the well-rounded educator who has positively affected students in both the academic and athletic settings. The fact she is being honored as a Hall of Fame inductee is proof enough. It's also proof of a life well-lived in the service of others.

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