Tribute — Bette Sample honored with annual day of recognition in Newcastle

The first day of spring will now be recognized as Bette Sample Day in Newcastle, following a proclamation read by Mayor Tyrel Owens during the City Council’s regular meeting on March 16.

The proclamation honors Sample as a longtime educator and “much-loved and cherished member” of the Newcastle community whose career impacted countless students and families.

According to the proclamation, Sample is known for maintaining lasting connections with her students, often continuing to show care and kindness long after they leave her classroom. Her efforts have included sending newspaper articles and personal notes to former students, reflecting her ongoing interest in their lives and accomplishments, Mayor Tyrel Owens said. 

The document also highlights Sample’s ability to remember people and moments, noting that she greets community members with “warmth, dignity and respect,” and describes her as one of the most empathetic individuals in the community.

Owens said in the proclamation that Sample’s kindness and compassion have helped make Newcastle “a warmer and more compassionate place,” adding that her care for others serves as a reminder that “even the coldest winter gives way to the warmth of spring.”

Through the proclamation, Owens officially declared
that the first day of spring each year will be recognized as Bette Sample Day in the city and encouraged residents to reflect the values she represents.

The proclamation calls on residents to honor Sample’s example by showing kindness, empathy and a commitment to community, encouraging acts of goodwill to be paid forward throughout Newcastle.

In a separate proclamation issued earlier this year, Owens also declared 2026 as the “Year of the Veteran,” recognizing the service, sacrifice and patriotism of military veterans and urging residents to remember that “freedom is not free” and to honor those who have served the nation.