RUHS’s “beautiful teacher,” Florence Yarney, passed away on June 4, 2022. Ms. Yarney came to Riverside in 1979 and quickly became one of Riversides’s most beloved teachers. She taught English, primarily American Literature, and was an integral part of the Open Education Program. For over 20 years, she influenced countless students with her theatrical, energetic, positive, and engaging teaching style. Her students adored her and she believed in each one of them. She was referred to as “the beautiful teacher” because she truly was.

When her passing was posted on Riverside’s alumni page, the tributes to her poured in from former students and colleagues. Over and over again, the comments highlighted how special she was - singing her assignments to students, quoting Robert Frost, acting out scenes from The Crucible, encouraging them to believe in themselves, and guiding them toward their futures.

The RUHS Foundation is establishing a scholarship in her honor and is inviting all who knew or knew of her to donate to it. The scholarship will be designated for a Tiger senior who enjoys literature, theatre, and/or writing and exemplifies Ms. Yarney’s care and concern for others.

You can donate through this Go Fund Me campaign. You can also send checks made out to the RUHS Foundation/Yarney Scholarship to the RUHS Foundation, 1615 E. Locust St., Milwaukee, WI 53211.

We can’t help but think that each time a donation is made, Ms. Yarney’s spirit is somewhere clapping with joy and approval.