TAMPA, Fla. — Ann Turner Cook, a USF grad, is being recognized for her time as an educator. At Hillsborough High School, Chris Griffin was one of her favorites.
What You Need To Know
- Ann Turner Cook, whose cherubic baby face was known the world over as the original Gerber baby, died Saturday, June 4. She was 95
- Outside of being the face of Gerber, Cook was a former English teacher at Hillsborough High School
- Hillsborough High alumni relfect on Cook's impact she had as an educator
"What she taught me and what she taught my classmates was the love of learning," he said.
It was during his time at Hillsborough High that Cook's secret identity was revealed. They learned that their English teacher was the Gerber baby. They even put it in the yearbook.
Wendy Leigh was a young teacher when Cook was Head of the school's English department. The former Hillsborough High teacher says she learned a lot from the Gerber baby.
"Who else can say that they worked for the Gerber baby or the Gerber Baby was my boss?" Leigh said.
Although her claim to national fame centers around baby food, those who knew her says Cook's legacy will be the impact she had as an educator — touching so many young lives.
"She's got what I call that impish grin which is reflected in the baby picture," said Griffin. "But that was her personality. She was sweet and funny and lighthearted."
All reflected in that smile.