Helen Merz Kuhn, former English teacher at Anderson High School will celebrate her 108th birthday on October 25th. Helen retired from Anderson in 1973. She lives in her own home in Orlando, Florida, but had spent most of her life in Anderson Township. Many of her former students, who knew her as Miss Merz, continue to live in Anderson Township.

Helen was born in 1913 and entered first grade in Mt. Washington School 101 years ago in the fall of 1920. She lived in Mt. Washington during her growing up years. After graduating from Anderson High School she attended and graduated from Hanover College in 1936.

After Helen retired from teaching, she got married for the first time to Karl Kuhn, a long-time friend. Karl owned a small plane and eventually convinced Helen to get her pilot's license so that she, too, could pilot his plane. During the 1970's she wrote a column for the Florida Aviation Journal called, "Flying for the Faint-Hearted." In the column Helen reported on the adventures that she and Karl had flying throughout the United States. She also got her instrument Rating and flew until she was 93, logging over 2700 hours.