WMS Band Teacher Wins This Year’s Travel Award

Every year the Mary L. Johnson Travelship Award is given to a Wayland Public Schools teacher who has dedicated his/her life to helping Wayland youngsters find themselves.

This year Diane Muffitt, a middle school band teacher with the town for 31 years, received the award during a ceremony at the Town Building Tuesday afternoon.

The award is given in memory of Mary Johnson who graduated from Wayland High School, but died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988. Shortly after her death, the Johnson family established the Mary L. Johnson Travelship Award to honor annually a Wayland Public Schools teacher who "loves children, respects them and helps them grow beyond themselves."

Award winners receive $7,500 to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
 
Kevin Delaney won the award last year and took his wife and two children on a trip around Northern California.

“It was eight of the best days we’ve had as a family,” Delany said. “I tip my hat to Mr. Johnson.”

According to Robert Johnson, Mary Johnson’s father, no thanks from the recipients is due.

“Put yourself in our shoes,” Johnson said. “Our daughter was killed. We wanted to do something that would please her. She loved school. The whole family was pleased at their education here. It came natural.

“We had $100,000 in insurance from the death, so this was our way of saying thank you. You don’t need to say thank you to us,” Johnson added. “It’s your award, not ours.”

Prior to the award presentation, the Wayland High School Muses, a student-directed a cappella group, performed a number of songs including a cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” and The Corrs’ “Breathless,” the latter of which featured a solo by Wayland High School student Lauren Astley.

Lauren’s father Malcolm Astley, a member of the School Committee, attended the ceremony, as did many previous recipients.

“[This award] is the most unusual act of generosity I can think of,” said Superintendent Gary Burton. “I talk about it in my travels on behalf of the Wayland Public Schools [regularly].”

Burton informed Muffitt she had won the award on Friday moments before one of her Wayland Middle School bands took the stage to perform.

“I think all of us who have received [this award] are truly honored to be thought [of] … I’m actually quite speechless because it’s such an honor and recognition,” Muffitt said. “Like it says on the plaque: ‘For helping a generation of Wayland youngsters find their own true north,’ and there’s a compass on the plaque I think it’s wonderful.”

For her part, Muffitt and her wife, Linda Murdoch, plan to go bird watching in Alaska with the award money.