Easter egg hunt honors longtime educator Tom Judd

The Tom Judd Memorial Eggstra Special Easter Egg Hunt will be held at noon at Emerson Elementary School in Seymour to honor the late educator’s decades of work with students, including those with disabilities.

The Tom Judd Memorial Eggstra Special Easter Egg Hunt continues as an annual event at Emerson Elementary School, bringing children and families together on the playground. The event is scheduled for noon at Emerson Elementary in Seymour at 500 Emerson Drive. Tom Judd spent 44 years in education across Jackson, Jennings and Orange counties and later served as a foster grandparent at Emerson. He died on March 10, 2021, and the hunt now carries his name and legacy. Key details: - Event name and time: Tom Judd Memorial Eggstra Special Easter Egg Hunt, scheduled at noon at Emerson Elementary School, 500 Emerson Drive in Seymour. - Origins: The hunt began at White's Chapel United Methodist Church in 2017, moved to Emerson Elementary in its third year, and was later named in Judd's memory after his passing in 2021. - Judd's background: He spent 44 years in education, working as a math teacher, assistant principal, principal at multiple schools, assistant to a superintendent and as a superintendent; he later became a pastor and a foster grandparent at Emerson. - Inclusion focus and partners: The event grew from an idea to accommodate students with special needs and has involved Jackson County Special Olympics as a partner. The hunt was expanded to include children beyond elementary age. - Community involvement and growth: What started with a few children and cold weather has grown to include donated toys and stuffed animals, family members in costume, and participation by people who remember Judd from his years as a principal. Summary: The event honors Tom Judd's long commitment to students, especially those with different abilities, and serves as a community gathering at Emerson Elementary. The hunt is scheduled for noon at the Seymour school and continues with contributions and partners who have maintained the annual tradition.