“Portrait of Susan Henley Powers smiling and looking to the side, wearing a light green blouse and a gray jacket with a brooch. The image is framed with a cream-colored border that reads ‘Susan Henley Powers — Educator Hall of Fame 2025 Inductee.’ Gold star accents decorate the background.”

Susan Henley Powers | Educator Hall of Fame

Tony McClain

October 23, 2025

A lifelong Bobcat and pillar of Hope Public Schools, Susan Henley Powers devoted 40 years to shaping generations of students through teaching, coaching, and service. A 1975 graduate of Hope High School, she was an all-around athlete who excelled in basketball, volleyball, and track before continuing her athletic and academic journey at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA).

At UCA, Powers helped re-establish the women’s basketball program, personally petitioning the university president in 1976 to restart the team. She went on to play for four years while earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, later serving as a graduate assistant in tennis. That early initiative—creating opportunity where none existed—set the tone for a lifetime of leadership.

In 1981, legendary coach Melba Hall called Powers home to Hope, offering her a chance to coach seventh- through ninth-grade basketball. She accepted, launching a four-decade career that would impact every corner of the district. Powers spent 20 years at Yerger Middle School before transitioning to Hope High School, where she continued teaching physical education, supporting students with disabilities, and serving as Activities Director for her final eight years. Her love of athletics was matched only by her love for people—always encouraging students to “treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Throughout her career, Powers emphasized kindness, respect, and perseverance. She measured success not by wins or losses, but by how students carried themselves on and off the court. Her coaching philosophy—“how you play the game is what matters most”—continues to echo through the halls of Hope High School.

Even in retirement, she remains a fixture in Bobcat Nation—volunteering at concession stands, attending games, and cheering on new generations of athletes. Married for more than four decades, she and her husband retired together in 2021 and continue to serve their community with the same heart that defined her classroom.

Susan Henley Powers embodies the spirit of Hope Public Schools—dedicated, compassionate, and steadfast. Her legacy lives on in every student who learned to compete with courage, lead with grace, and love their school the way she always has.