The Historical Society of Avon ParkAVON PARK, FL · EST. 1886
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Clara Tolliver Boone

Clara Tolliver Boone (born 1932) is a pillar of the Avon Park educational community who taught multiple generations of students, beginning during the era of segregation and continuing for decades after integration.

Early Life and Education

Boone graduated from Middleton High School in Tampa. She pursued higher education at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, where she played basketball alongside the legendary athlete Althea Gibson. She later transferred to Bethune Cookman College in Daytona, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education.[newssun-boone-honored]

Teaching Career

In 1956, Boone began her career teaching at Hopewell Elementary School, the public school for Black children in Avon Park.[newssun-boone-honored] Following school desegregation in 1968, she transitioned to teaching at Avon Park Middle School, where she remained a fixture until her retirement. Her longevity and impact were such that virtually every student who passed through the middle school prior to 2015 was familiar with her, and she taught many large local families in their entirety.[newssun-boone-honored]

Community Impact and Honors

Boone is celebrated not only as a teacher but as a “second mother” to many in Avon Park. She has been recognized with numerous civic awards for her dedication, including:

  • NAACP Outstanding Dedication for Men of Vision Award (1997)
  • FCAA Outstanding Program Volunteer award (2007)
  • NAACP Pillar Award (2007)
  • Certificate of Appreciation from the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (2012)
  • United Once Again Teacher Appreciation award (2013)
  • NAACP Dream Award (2015) and Silver Life Membership (2017)
  • Hidden Figures of Highlands Academic Leadership Award (2017)[newssun-boone-honored]

In January 2025, the Avon Park City Council formally honored Boone for her lifetime of teaching and community service.[newssun-boone-honored]

Oral History Preservation

Recognizing the closing window to record firsthand accounts of segregated schooling, local historical organizations coordinated an oral history event. On February 14, 2026, the Avon Park Historical Society, Heartland Cultural Alliance, and the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce hosted “For the Love of Education.” The living history discussion featured Clara Boone (then ninety-three) alongside fellow veteran teacher Ernestine Johnson, sharing their experiences of teaching at Hopewell School during segregation.[newssun-hopewell-legacy] This event fulfilled a crucial community need to record oral histories from the Hopewell School generation while participants were still able to share their stories.

References

Where this comes from

Evidence
corroborated — More than one independent source agrees.
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unverified — Drafted from sources but not yet checked by a volunteer.
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society

Sources

  1. Phil Attinger, Highlands News-Sun, A pillar of Avon Park: Boone honored for lifetime of teaching (2025) · secondary
  2. Special to the Highlands News-Sun, Teachers and students from Hopewell Academy to discuss school’s legacy (2026) · secondary

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