Linda Lee Lyon Podhajsky

Linda Lee Lyon Podhajsky..... forever a Cyclone..... forever our Heroine. Linda grew up on a dairy farm in Tama County, Iowa where even as a young girl she was a leader. She was very active in 4-H and was selected as alternate state dairy princess. While in high school Linda participated in student government, band, choir and cheerleading. Early in her life she displayed a ferocious appetite for learning. She constantly was seeking knowledge outside of the school environment as well as excelling in the classroom finishing high school as salutatorian of the Tama-Toledo High School graduating class of 1963.

Linda enrolled at Iowa State in the fall of 1963 where she continued her high activity level and scholastic excellence. She was involved with the university choirs curriculum clubs and honoraries and in the Greek system as an active member of Alpha Chi Omega. One of her highest honors as an undergraduate was being selected president of her sorority in 1966. While as an undergraduate Linda developed a close relationship with Mark Podhajsky who she married in April of 1967. She graduated in November of 1967 with a Bachelors of Science degree in history with a government minor.

Since her graduation from ISU Linda has not slowed down a step. She has been very active in many organizations and groups. Linda is an active lifetime member of the Iowa State Alumni Association and has been a Cyclone football season ticket holder for twenty five years. She has also enjoyed many years singing in a Sweet Adelines International chorus and in numerous registered barbershop quartets. As an active member of the church Linda has taught Sunday and Bible schools sang and directed different choirs played the organ and contributed as a member of numerous committees. She has spent several years on the Waverly Public Library Board of Trustees serving in numerous positions including president. Her past involvement’s include the AAUW Federated Women's Club and the Order of the Eastern Star. Participating in these organizations has always been second to her career as a school teacher and mother of two Matt and Tricia.

Linda has always been example of life-long learning to everyone. As a teacher of social studies and special education her students find her passion for learning addictive as well as challenging. She completed her Masters of Education degree while teaching full time and balancing all of her activities. Every year she takes more classes to continue her education.

When the Plaza of Heroines was first announced we knew Linda belonged there. She has been an excellent example to us our entire lives and whenever we needed guidance on how to live life or needed a friend she has been there. She encouraged us to be independent instilled in us a desire to learn and has always been an avid supporter of her families' activities even as we attended college. This was particularly challenging since Iowa State is two hours from Waverly however this is a small sacrifice for a person who bleeds cardinal and gold! One of her greatest thrills in life was having her son Matt graduate from Iowa State University and to this day her favorite song is "The Bells of Iowa State."

Linda has truly been a best friend to her entire family. We have always been able to confide in her good times and bad. She instilled a sense of pride in who we were and the desire to better ourselves. When we needed motivation to complete a project or meet a goal she has always been able to say the right thing to keep us going but sharing our feelings for each other seems to be the only obstacle we have yet to conquer.

Therefore Mark, Matt and Tricia would like to express our love and thanks to her with this honor. She will always be our heroine.

-submitted by Matthew M. Podhajsky

12/16/94