Under sometimes less than ideal circumstances she has preserved to develop her art program into a model for the area. Sharon has propelled technology into her program, long before the rest of the county, again setting an example. Three years ago, she single-handedly organized a school-wide Art Day, involving over 20 visual artists and performers, and every student and faculty member. Sharon was instrumental in the design of a totally new art room for her school. Two years ago, she was confronted with the task of carrying on her high quality art program in the midst of a total school renovation project. Where a lesser professional would have looked for easy lessons and shortcuts to teach the curriculum, Sharon did not. She spent endless late evenings and weekends at the school, packing, unpacking, moving, searching, and finally setting up her personally designed art room, while all the while providing the best art education experience for her students.

Sharon and her husband, Dr. Frank Hudak, retired professor of Edinboro University’s Education Department, and their three daughters, live in Edinboro and are involved in the community and their church. For a period of time they lived in Mexico during Frank’s sabbatical. HER Mexican cultural experience is evident not only in their home, but in Sharon’s multi-cultural art lessons as well.

Sharon has been quite active in PAEA. Although unofficially, she functioned as co-chair of the 1999 PAEA conference in Erie. She was also the region two representative for over a year.

Her enthusiasm, innovativeness, and genuine concern for the arts in education are exemplary. Under her direction, the art program at Elk Valley Elementary School has become one of the finest in Erie County.