Lacy Holt, a custodian at the Knox Learning Center in Mount Vernon, has a unique connection to the building she helps maintain. She attended the school when it was known as West Elementary School and recalls her time there fondly. "I was here from kindergarten through fifth grade," Holt said.
The historic three-story brick structure, dating back to 1915, became the Knox Learning Center after Mount Vernon vacated it in 2009. It now serves as an alternative K-12 school operated by the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC). Holt remembers various aspects of her childhood school days vividly. "The commons where the stage is was our gym and cafeteria," she noted.
One particular memory stands out for Holt: "Well, there was the time our fifth-grade classroom ceiling fell," she recalled with a laugh. Fortunately, no students were present during that incident.
Holt graduated from Mount Vernon High School and pursued culinary arts at the Knox County Career Center. Her passion for baking continues today. "Cheesecakes are my specialty," she shared.
Living close to her workplace on Vine Street, Holt balances her duties between two locations each day. Her morning starts early at ESC’s preschool before moving to her role at the Learning Center from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Learning Center Director Joe Mazzari praised Holt's contributions beyond maintenance tasks. "Lacy does a wonderful job... She makes a connection with [the kids] and that’s important," he said.
Holt enjoys interacting with students and offers them support whenever needed. “Sometimes the kids just need someone to talk to,” she explained.
Despite some wear and tear on the old building, including creaky floors and wall cracks, Holt believes it's well-preserved due in part to improvements made by late contractor Terry Walter. Reflecting on her work environment, she remarked, “For being 110 years old, the building is in pretty good shape."
"Sometimes I stop and just look around and remember," Holt added nostalgically about her long-standing relationship with the place that feels like stepping back in time.
