The community paused for a moment Wednesday to pay tribute to the dedication and commitment of a self-professed “little old gray-haired lady” whose efforts resulted in the Fields of Dreams softball and baseball complex at Oak Glen High School. The dedication of the Suzan L. Smith Fields of Dreams is fitting for two reasons: it recognizes the long-term efforts of former teacher, principal and superintendent Sue Smith who didn’t veer from her purpose and secondly, it acknowledges the power of a dream and the resolve to make it come true..

An educator whose no-nonsense approach led her get the nickname of “Sarge”, Smith had a deep and abiding love for the school and its students. Oak Glen students often had to make do with athletic facilities in other locations until finances and pressure from the community came together, Fifty years after the school got its name, its colors and its sports team, it finally has athletic facilities second to none. Make no mistake that the athletic complex increases the sense of pride and ownership in the school to those who play sports and to those who remember the days when people didn’t know if we were our name was Oak Glenn or Oak Glen.

The community owes a tremendous thank you to Sue Smith, her idea turned into reality is a testimony to what a “little old gray-haired lady” can accomplish.