Sharon Hoffman Memorial Scholarship
A great teacher creates ripples across generations of students the way a stone creates ripples across the water. The devotion of today becomes the success of tomorrow. Sharon Hoffman created multitudes of ripples, and even waves, among her students for 34 years. It all started with a scholarship.
As Sharon was graduating high school in 1974, she was presented with a choice. The local phone company was hiring secretaries at $8.00 an hour, a fortune for someone who grew up poor at that time. Chadron State College had offered her a $250 scholarship to join their music program. Much to the horror of her mother, who could not imagine anyone turning down $8.00 an hour, Sharon chose the scholarship.
You can read below the honors and influence Sharon gained over the years as a result of her outstanding teaching. As her legacy, we want to continue to create ripples. This scholarship will be available to deserving students wishing to become music educators, who may need a little help or a little push to reach their full potential. Students like Sharon.
We invite you to join us in making waves for future teachers and students, and in honoring the life and legacy of Sharon Hoffman.
Life and Career
Sharon Hoffman (Arthur) was born in Gordon, NE on September 3, 1956 to William and Dorothy Arthur. She grew up in Rushville, NE and attended Chadron State College, where she was later inducted into the Music Education Hall of Fame. Sharon and her husband Ron were married at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff, NE in 1984, and raised three children in Bayard, NE, where she was beloved as the music teacher for 34 years.
Sharon spent her career caring for her students and directing award winning choirs and show choirs. She was known nationwide as an expert in music education in small schools, and in the late 80’s her Master’s thesis helped to shape the face of maternity leave in Nebraska schools. She served as the Mentorship Chair on the Executive Board of the Nebraska Music Educators Association, which honored her as the Outstanding Music Educator in 2006, and was the Nebraska Schools Activity Association District 6 Representative for over 30 years. In 2007 the Nebraska Federation of High Schools recognized her as the Outstanding Music Educator of the year.
First and foremost, Sharon loved her family more than anything. She asked nothing for herself and did anything and everything for the people she loved. Her devotion to her husband was second to none. Her children never knew anything but her complete pride and support. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and although their time with her was short, it is beyond precious.
