National newsletter: C. J. Huff offered Joplin's children a promise of hope

It is not flying in Joplin, but the legend of C. J. Huff appears to be gaining traction elsewhere.

As noted in earlier Turner Report posts, Huff is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech during the noon hour today at the Independent Insurance Agents of Dallas Conference at the Irving Convention Center.

A couple of hours after that, Huff and the other two speakers at the conference will have drinks with sponsors who paid between $2,500 and $7,500 for the privilege, an experience enhanced by the breathtaking view on the veranda.

Later this month, Huff is scheduled to speak in Saskatchewan, his second recent visit to Canada.

The Joplin R-8 superintendent's story is also featured in the October Communication Matters for Leading Superintendents newsletter published by the National School Public Relations Association.

The Huff article is described in this fashion:

When C.J. Huff took over the superintendency in Joplin, a city of 50,000 in southwestern Missouri, he faced a complacent community that showed passing interest in the affairs of the school system.

Then, on Sunday, May 22, 2011, a catastrophic Enhanced Fujita 5 (EF-5) tornado struck in the late afternoon. With winds in excess of 200 miles per hour, the three-quarter-mile wide tornado cut a six-mile path of destruction through central Joplin. The tornado caused 161 fatalities and approximately 1,371 injuries. Thousands of structures were destroyed or damaged, including nine schools.

Since that day, Huff has emerged as a heroic leader who helped his district and community recover, and who helped offer Joplin's children a promise of hope. Huff was named one of People magazine's 2011 heroes for his role in bringing the community out of despair, and providing the focus necessary to unite and mobilize recovery efforts.