Hugs and hurrahs!

Jet, July 12, 2004

* HUGS AND HURRAHS!: Longtime educator Elaine Farris (r) gets a hug from Kymberly Rice, principal of Shelby County West Middle School in Shelbyville, KY, after Farris was elected as the state's first Black superintendent of a public school system in Kentucky. Farris, 49, previously served as an elementary school principal in Clark County and was an administrator over 12 elementary schools in Fayette County.

She began her career as a physical education teacher in 1982. "I am overwhelmed and excited about this opportunity to serve in Shelby County public schools," Farris said after her selection by a 3-2 vote. "I feel like I've opened some doors for minority candidates."