Probably no one person has spent more time over the years working to improve Norwich schools than Jacqueline Owens, president of the city's NAACP branch.

Of particular interest to her has been a major renovation of Kelly Middle School, which she promoted when the project was first conceived years ago and applauded last week when ground was finally broken.

Officials attending the ceremony cheered not just the overall project, but one important component, a new 800-seat auditorium. It will be called the Jacqueline Owens Auditorium, and we can't think of a more appropriate tribute.

"Jackie, there is no person more deserving than you," said School Building Committee Chairman Charles Jaskiewicz.

An honor to know her

Mayor Benjamin Lathrop agreed. After Mrs. Owens said it was "truly an honor" to have the auditorium named for her, he commented "It's an honor to know you."

In addition to the auditorium, the $40.2 million project calls for a two-story classroom addition with six science classrooms, an art room and media center; new athletic fields; new and expanded parking areas and a redesigned student drop-off/pick-up area.

Work is expected to begin this week, the classrooms scheduled for completion by January 2011 and the overall project due to be finished by February 2012.

Mrs. Owens, known affectionately as "Mother Owens," has for decades attended virtually every school board meeting and speaks passionately about the importance of education.

An auditorium is one of the most important rooms in a school. It is not just a place to watch plays or listen to concerts, but also where students and parents gather for award ceremonies, graduation exercises and other significant events.

We know "Mother Owens" looks forward to the day when all 800 seats in the Jacqueline Owens Auditorium are filled for the opening ceremony.

We join the community in thanking her for 40 years of dedicated advocacy on behalf of education.