Only in Wimberley does a town this small count among its citizens not one, but two torchbearers for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Janette Barlow, a lifelong educator, athlete and coach, was one of the 77 central Texans honored to carry the torch. Earlier this month, the Wimberley View ran an article about Bob Slider’s own experience in Amarillo.
Barlow, who deeply adheres to living a life of service, is modest about the honor. To this day, she doesn’t know exactly who nominated her for the privilege but one of her colleagues at the Collin County Independent School District remembered a remark she made and submitted her name.
Ten years passed and Barlow moved to Wimberley, retiring after a 42-year career, half of which was spent as an Oak Hill principal. She was not really prepared for the letter that arrived in her mailbox telling her that she had been nominated.
