08/18/2026
2026 MSU Young Author’s Camp Recipients Camdon Wheeler (fifth grade), Liam Wilson-(sixth grade),
Kane Houston- (fourth grade), and Aurora Fritz (sixth grade), are pictured with Dr. David Meinschein, Ed.D., MISD Superintendent, Murray Board of Education members, Dr. Richard Crouch, Chair, Shawn Smee, Vice-Chair, Robyn Pizzo, Gina Wi******er, Adam Seiber, Denise Whitaker, MES Principal, Shelley Stubblefield, MMS Principal at the August Murray Board of Education meeting .
Angel Renick, MISD Foundation For Excellence President, announced a $102, 428.99 gift from the estate of Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey during the August Murray Board of Education meeting. The gift was designated for the benefit of the Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey Scholarship created in December of 2007 which provides yearly funding for recipients to attend the annual Young Author’s Camp.
Established by alumni, friends, and family in 2007 with the Murray Independent Foundation For Excellence honoring Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey’s desire to continue and inspire the love of reading and writing to future MISD students. While at the camp, young authors practice a variety of writing styles (poetry, fictional stories, true stories, essays, skits, etc.) under the direction of experienced teachers from the region, who serve as writing coaches, consultants, and as traditional classroom instructors.
Humphrey passed away in 2024 at 101.
An educational pioneer who was instrumental in securing Murray’s first Bookmobile, Humphrey’s longtime educational presence was recognized with her namesake (Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey Library) being placed on the MMS library as a tribute to commemorate Humphrey’s 25-year dedication to the MISD students. A 1939 Murray High School graduate selected as “Best All Around Girl,” a member of the National Honor Society and editor of the school newspaper, Humphrey is the 1975 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. A former MHS English teacher Humphrey received her journalism degree from the University of Missouri in 1943 and later received her master’s from Murray State University in 1964.
For more information on the Clara Waldrop Griffin Humphrey scholarship, or to contribute, contact Angel Renick c/o MISD Foundation at P.O. Box 1417, Murray, Ky., 42071.
