When a student handed Lois Miller a poem, author unknown, about the United States presidents, the former social studies teacher thought it was a great learning tool — but its five verses ended with President Woodrow Wilson. So she updated it, and has continued to do so throughout her 37-year career in the Selinsgrove Area School District, and beyond.

“The kids seemed to enjoy it because you can sing it to ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy,’” Miller said, explaining that she required her students to recite or sing it to her, either in class or privately.

“I’ve had kids walking me along the hall and singing it to me,” she recalled with a wide smile.

She has added eight more verses to the poem, “Our Presidents,” and is already planning the 14th verse, trying to work in memorable facts about the first woman and first non-Caucasian running for office.

“When I added verses I tried to add some of the important things that happened in their administration,” she said.

Former students still seek out copies of the poem for their own children.

“Sometimes I meet them at a carnival, and I meet them on the street, and I get letters from them and phone calls, and they say, ‘Send me a copy,’” she said, quick to express her appreciation to the Selinsgrove Area Middle School administrators and secretarial staff for printing updated copies for her.

Her own favorite president? Abraham Lincoln.

“What I liked about him was his determination and his willingness to work and never say die, even though he had many failures in his background,” she said. “I think if he had survived … segregation and all that would have changed quickly. He would have healed rather than divided. His philosophy was, ‘As I would not be a slave, I would not be a master.’ I think that’s important.”

A natural teacher, Miller took an interest in her students beyond the classroom. She once drove a carload of high school kids, all of whom had recently turned 18, to vote. She wanted to impress upon them the importance of voting and hopes people respect that importance today.

“I just hope that people don’t turn off from the election and really think through the issues,” she said. “I think people sometimes think that ‘My vote doesn’t count’ but if they don’t vote for the one they want, it’s like voting for the one they don’t want.”