Celestine Hayes tells her tiger story through song. An alumna of Mizzou, Hayes earned her bachelor of science in education with an emphasis in Spanish, French and Music, and Master of Art in Spanish literature with a minor in French in the 1960s. She later became a teacher and taught every level—from Kindergarten through college.
Hayes credits her lifelong success to her professors and administrators at Mizzou.
“As a graduate assistant in Spanish I developed my teaching skills and foreign language ability,” Hayes said. “I also was able to spend two summers in Mexico to perfect my Spanish. All of this prepared me to teach in the Kansas City school district, at Cleveland State University, and in the Columbia Missouri Public School District. My Curators scholarship, applied music scholarships and other scholarships allowed me, a student whose parents had no resources to earn two degrees.”
Hayes was tapped to Mortar Board, was chosen as a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a music honors society, and was later elected president of Phi Sigma Iota, a Spanish honors society, which required her to conduct meetings in Spanish.
Hayes can also boast two VIPs at her 1965 wedding, University of Missouri President Elmer and Mrs. Ruth Ellis!
