England Embodies True Laker Spirit
National Teacher Appreciation Day falls during the first week of May. During this week, teachers are celebrated for the impressions they make on the lives of their students. One such educator, Mr. Larry England, falls into that category. England, a beloved and illustrious man, taught many years at Calloway County High School and left lasting impressions on his students. Ask anyone, and they will describe Mr. England as a devoted, passionate, and driven teacher.
Mr. England is known for many attributes; however, he is most notable for his commitment and dedication to the Calloway County High School speech team. During his time as the CCHS speech team advisor, England led the team to 23 regional titles. He also led over 321 individual tournament wins, collecting 14 state championships for Varsity and Junior Varsity. England had over 83 individuals who won state championships, and he worked with over 58 national qualifiers, seven national finalists, and two national winners. Quite an impressive resume.
Mr. England is a Laker for Life. He was a student in the first freshman class of Calloway County High School after the consolidation of the six local schools. After graduating from the class of 1964, Mr. England attended Murray State University where he initially intended to become a basketball coach and majored in physical education. England, however, changed his major to communications and radio TV. Changing his major at Murray State, according to him, was one of the greatest decisions he could have ever made.
After graduating from college in 1969, Mr. England was given the opportunity to return to CCHS and become the speech team coach. One of the first changes Mr. England made was changing the name from “Speech Club” to “Speech Team.” Mr. England had to later fight with the school board to get the same treatment as other school teams. This included having to fight for money, hotel rooms, and transportation for the speech team’s away events. The school board claimed the school stopped supporting the speech team after regionals, but Mr. England explained if they wanted a “championship program” as they expected from him, then he was going to need support. Mr. England was willing to fight for this team. This same fighting spirit lives on with Mr. England today. When people doubted the speech team, Mr. England put faith in them. When someone asked if Mr. England believes his speech and debate team could win a state championship, he replied “I don't only believe, I know we will.” Mr. England knew his team and what they were capable of achieving.
Mr. England has many accolades to his name. He has been given the award of “Kentucky High School Speech League Coach of the Year”, “Communication Teacher of the Year”, and has been inducted into the “Kentucky High School Speech League Hall of Fame.” Mr. England claims none of this would have happened if it were not for great students.
Something England stands by that is inspiring to him is the quote “There are no shortcuts to become a winner.”
Mr. England is an illustrious man of confidence and fidelity. Such attributes helped him to create a championship program. He has prominent coaching skills and teaching skills that are very admirable. Calloway County is proud to have good representation and someone who believed and continues to believe in them. Mr. England can still be seen assisting students and being a commendable man in the community.
He embodies the Laker spirit in every way.
