Susan Newton is to be honored as an inductee into the 2021 Garrett County Women’s Hall of Fame as an outstanding role model for young women in Garrett County.
In her youth, Newton inherited a love and compassion for animals. Further, she was a member of the local Future Farmers of America and 4-H organizations, along with a participant and volunteer for the Garrett County Agricultural Fair. Newton was named Farm Queen in 1978.
Susan Newton attended Garrett College, excelling on the volleyball team, and subsequently, she attended Alderson Broaddus University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Newton began a career as an educator in 1985 and later returned to Garrett County and taught in the Garrett County Public School System for over 20 years. Although her education degree was focused on fitness, she spent many years tasked with heading the Special Education department at Southern Garrett High School where she benefited students by providing them life skills needed to succeed in adult life.
Newton was best known as a volleyball coach at Southern Garrett High School, and in support of her nomination, her son Travis Newton said “she molded young women by pushing them both on and off the court with the leading ideals of hard work and integrity.”
Newton is the founder of the Cody Ferguson Memorial Scholarship in memory of her late son, which aided a number of students to fund their college expenses. She has been a regular volunteer at many local events such as the GC Agricultural Fair’s livestock auction, Festival of Trees, Deep Creek Dunk, and most recently, creating a community walking group “Great Strides” with lifelong friend, Gale Bosley, to help create healthy habits and a safe way to interact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Garrett County Commission for Women Hall of Fame Ceremony will be held Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Garrett County Commissioner’s Office. Due to limited space, this year’s event will be live-steamed from the GCCW Facebook Page.