About Diane Ames Scholarship
On Sunday, June 2, 2024, the world lost an incredible educator, mentor, and community leader. Ms. Diane Eloise Ames. Born on December 4, 1954, in Exmore, Virginia, Diane’s unwavering dedication and passion for empowering young minds and enriching the community she deeply loved will always be remembered.
Early Life and Education
Career Achivements
Community Involvement
Diane was a proud graduate of Northampton High School (Class of 1973). She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education from Radford College and a Master’s Degree in Education from Old Dominion University. Diane’s infectious enthusiasm for learning and teaching was evident throughout her life.
For 37 years, Diane taught Business Education in Accomack County Public Schools, leaving a lasting impact at Central High School and later Nandua High School, where she was one of the founding business teachers. Her influence reached far beyond the academic setting, enriching lives through her involvement with the Girl Scouts and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Diane’s unwavering support and dedication made teaching a rewarding career choice for her, and she found joy in making a difference in the lives of her students.
Beyond the classroom, Diane was a tireless advocate for youth development. As a Girl Scout troop leader, she coordinated a vibrant program that offered enriching experiences through educational trips, outdoor adventures, and community engagement. After her retirement, she continued to serve the community as the church secretary at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Jenkins Bridge. Diane’s ability to inspire both young and adult students made her a pillar of the educational community.
Legacy
Diane taught at Eastern Shore Community College from February 2007 through June of 2009 as a Continuing Education and Workforce Development Instructor, teaching evening computer classes such as Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint. From August 2013 through August of 2016, she taught as an adjunct instructor for Computer Applications and Concepts, Keyboarding, Office Administration, Machine Transcription, Editing and Proofreading, and Microsoft Office. This was all in addition to her ongoing role as a Business Education Instructor for Accomack County Public Schools from 1979 through 2015, where she also served as a Computer Lab Instructor for the Summer Migratory Program.
Diane also utilized Eastern Shore Community College on multiple occasions through the years to supplement her computer credentials in specialty areas such as income tax preparation and medical software training. She had also attended J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond for computer training in the mid to late nineties. Diane was Microsoft certified in all technical fields.
Affectionately known as “Aunt Di” by her family, Diane had a gift for nurturing others through her wisdom, sense of humor, and unforgettable presence. Her legacy is one of unwavering dedication, infectious enthusiasm, and profound impact on countless lives. Diane’s spirit will continue to inspire and uplift those who had the privilege to know her.
To honor her extraordinary legacy, the Diane E. Ames Scholarship Fund has been established by her family. This scholarship will be awarded annually to graduating seniors from Nandua High School who aspire to pursue careers in business or education, the very fields Diane championed throughout her life.
Through this fund, Diane’s legacy lives on. Empowering the next generation to follow in her footsteps and embrace the same passion for learning, leadership, and service that she so generously modeled
