Oliver Ames Social Studies Office Dedicated to Hazel Varella

From the Campaign for OAHS.

On Tuesday March 24, 2015 the office of the history department chair at OAHS was officially dedicated as the Hazel Luke Varella Social Studies Office. Surrounded by three generations of family, friends and colleagues from over four decades at Oliver Ames High School, Mrs. Varella was honored in a fashion truly fitting her tremendous service and commitment to her craft.

The OAHS Media Center/Library served as the gathering place for guests to enjoy words from Principal Wes Paul, former history department chair, Ed Hands, and, of course, the woman of the hour, Hazel Luke Varella.

Principal Wes Paul welcomed the group and was in awe of both Hazel Varella’s tenure at Oliver Ames as well as the incredible outpouring of support for this legendary educator. Principal Paul said, “Hazel represents the epitome of history teacher and leader, and our great school continues to be impacted by her vision for secondary education. Her legacy in the classroom and community is one that serves as a model for us all to follow.”

Ed Hands also provided a synopsis of Varella’s importance in preserving local history in the town of Easton as well as at OAHS. Hands credited her with the introduction of AP History at Oliver Ames and described the impressive imprint left by her hiring and training fifty years of staff in the history department at OA. Ed spoke of Hazel Varella’s role in the Historical Society in Easton, serving as the catalyst in securing the former Easton Railroad Station as home to the Easton Historical Society. “Hazel has had a tremendous influence on me as she has had on thousands of others. Her lifetime of community service has truly helped make Easton what it is today,” said Hands.

Before a quick visit to the installation of the plaque honoring her, Hazel Varella, herself, spoke to the large group of family and friends. Humbled by the honor, Varella’s words displayed her masterful storytelling skills and many fond memories of Oliver Ames High School, as well as her time as the gatekeeper of local history in Easton. Hazel Varella met her husband, Manuel David Varella at OAHS where he was a biology teacher. Mrs. Varella reminisced about teaching her own family for three generations at Oliver Ames and, more recently, in her grandchildren’s classrooms. In 1960, she became the very first “head” of the history department at OAHS, where she defined the role itself. She introduced AP History, worked to develop the Model UN and Hockomock Senate, and allowed the OA Community Service program to flourish. Her love of Easton’s own history shaped a local history class that will soon re-enter the course listings in the OA Social Studies Department.

Mrs. Varella emphasized the importance of history to society, saying “Humanities represent the soul of a civilization and must be part of a complete education”. With this sentiment, she embodied her legacy to the town of Easton.