South Orange MS Welcomes Hazel Clarke to Hall of Fame

Today, South Orange Middle School welcomes Hazel Clark as the newest member of the school Hall of Fame.

Clark, a South Orange native, who graduated from Columbia High School in 1995, has performed in 800 meter races all over the world, including three Olympic games. Throughout her career, she has earned six national titles and five NCAA titles. For the past 10 years, Clark, who now lives in Knoxville, TN, has been a professional runner sponsored by Nike and appearing in advertisements.

Clarke spoke last week at Maplewood Middle School.

Growing up in South Orange, Clark said, "I never thought I'd see myself on a billboard in Times Square."

Clark told the students that she was not a part of the in-crowd as a middle schooler. She said she had skinny legs and "not the best hairstyle." She herself had experienced bullying, but, she said, she never let it bother her. She felt that her mother had helped her build strong self-esteem. Clark also said she had surrounded herself "with people who made me feel good about myself."

Clark noted that bullying — whether from the bully or for the one who is bullied — is often "a reflection of how you feel inside." She urged students to "talk to someone — a parent, an administrator." She asked students to speak up on behalf of other students whom they see being bullied and also gave this advice: "Never let anyone take your dreams away from you."

When Clark mentions support from family, she's talking about a pretty amazing group of people. Clark's father, Joe Louis Clark, was the inspiration for the movie Lean on Me. Clark has also raced in Olympic trials with her sister Joetta Clark Diggs and his sister-in-law Jearl Miles-Clark. Hazel was even coached by her brother J.J. while at the University of Florida. A member of the Clark family has appeared in each of the last 7 Olympics.

Clark also credited the South Orange-Maplewood community for giving her strength, telling the students at Maplewood Middle to "cherish" the diversity they find here.

Patch hopes to update this story with photos from the event. If you have some, please post them or send to MarciaW@patch.com