Please join us on May 2, 2025, as we honor our 2025 Community Champion: Bonny Blair

A Life of Heart and Impact: Honoring Bonny Blair

At this year's Celebration of Champions, we are proud to honor a woman whose life and work exemplify resilience, generosity, and deep-rooted community spirit. Bonny Blair of Auburn, NY is more than a beloved teacher and community leader-she is a living example of what it means to turn challenges into purpose and love into legacy.

Bonny's journey has not been without its share of adversity, but what defines her story is not the obstacles she's faced-it's the grace, strength, and unwavering hope with which she has met them. For 35 years, Bonny served as a dedicated teacher, shaping young minds not just with curriculum, but with compassion and care.

Her influence didn't end at the classroom door; she continued to guide and inspire as a mentor to new teachers, helping to cultivate a new generation of educators with the same commitment to excellence and heart.

Bonny spent countless hours planning engaging and enriching experiences that brought learning to life through various avenues, such as great literature, cooking, music, creativity, and dramatics. A significant undertaking-and one of her annual traditions-was performing a science-themed musical with her first-grade class. All of these activities have often caused her to joke that her true calling was as a professional event planner, due to the extensive expense, planning, and preparation required to effectively utilize the class's daily time while ensuring that chaos remained at bay.

While still teaching, Bonny actively participated in various community service endeavors. She served on the Westminster Nursery School Board for several years and as a member of the Cayuga-Onondaga Teacher Center Board for an extended period.

Her impact in Auburn stretches far beyond education. Bonny has been an active and influential voice in the community, serving on numerous boards of directors and lending her time, energy, and wisdom to causes close to her heart. Whether fundraising for local organizations or championing programs that support children and educational access, Bonny has always been a force for good-steadfast and selfless.

Bonny once shared:

"It has always been my belief that anyone actively involved in community service likely first experienced a

life-changing moment that drew them in, like a magnetic force, compelling them to make a difference. This pivotal moment occurred to me during my year in third grade, and set me on a path of service that has enriched my life far beyond what I have given in return."

This sense of purpose shines through in every chapter of her life.

Perhaps nothing captures Bonny's influence better than the words of a former student-now a member of our board of directors:

"Bonny (Mrs. Blair) was my third-grade teacher. I remember she invited our entire class to her home over the course of several months. We were paired with another student and rode home with her after school. I recall seeing a big, complicated-looking radio in the car-it turned out to be an 8-track tape player, the first I had ever seen!

Our class was her first year teaching at Emily Howland. At the time, I never could have imagined the lasting impact Mrs. Blair would have on my life. Years later, when I met my wife-who was also a teacher and co-worker of Mrs. Blair's-I believe some kind words (and maybe a little exaggeration!) from Mrs. Blair helped me win her heart.

Eventually, all three of our children had the privilege of being her students. Our daughter Brianna was very shy as a young child. Mrs. Blair saw her potential and gave her a lead role in a class play, helping her come out of her shell. We were amazed watching Brianna speak confidently in front of an audience. It brought my wife to tears-and it's something I'll always be grateful for and cherish.

Today, our children are grown and leading successful lives. Whenever we see Mrs. Blair, she always asks about them and expresses how proud she is-not just of them, but of our whole family. She makes us feel proud."

Bonny and her husband, Tom Blair, raised two children, Korynne and Ryan, who brought joy, love, and constant activity to their household. During the summers, they kept the family entertained with various activities, and the family even became members of the Owasco Yacht Club. Bonny served on the club's board for three years and held the position of Waterfront Director.

Although she nearly pursued a career in music performance instead of teaching, music has remained an integral part of Bonny's life. She plays several instruments, with her voice being her primary instrument. She was a dedicated member and frequent soloist of St. Mary's Choir for most of her adult life. Bonny also performed in community choirs and musicals, including the "Palpitations" show, which raised funds for the former Auburn Memorial Hospital. Additionally, she performed as a soloist at numerous weddings and funerals until an autoimmune condition affected her voice, limiting her involvement in these cherished activities.

Retirement has given Bonny the chance to dedicate countless hours to giving back to the Auburn community over the past 16 years. Most of her involvement has leveraged her creative talents, organizational skills, and her passion for making a positive impact on women and children.

In addition to her volunteer work, Bonny and Tom have occasionally opened their home to two young adults who were facing extraordinary circumstances. Having grown up in the foster care system and experiencing the challenges of emancipation at 18, these individuals were welcomed into the Blairs' home. Bonny describes this as something she simply felt compelled to do-an honor to offer a caring, comfortable, and compassionate environment, along with the benefit of mature guidance to help them lead fulfilling and successful lives.

To her students, she has been a guide and a gentle hand. To her friends, a source of strength and kindness. And to her family-her beloved husband Tom, Korynne, Ryan, and her cherished grandchildren-she is the heart of everything.

Bonny Blair's legacy is etched into the lives she's touched, the community she's helped shape, and the love she's shared so freely. It is with deep admiration and heartfelt gratitude that we celebrate her today-not just for all she's done, but for who she is.

A true champion, in every sense of the word.