More than five years ago, Blythe Zemel, a native Houstonian and dedicated art teacher, crossed paths with student Payton Neuman in a community art class in Bandera.
Neuman is nearing high school graduation and Zemel went on to successfully found and lead “ Girl with Grit,” a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and women with tools and in the skilled trades.
This week she made a deeply personal gesture by returning a cherished Girl with Grit mascot — the program’s 1934 Chevy truck — to Neuman, in honor of his late grandfather, Mel Lee Ellenwood.
After purchasing the truck from Neuman’s grandfather years ago to teach children practical, hands-on skills, the truck became a launching point for Blythe’s idea for the nonprofit “Girl with Grit.” “We went out to a field with over 20 girls and worked alongside Mel to get the flooded engine out,” Zemel said. “It helped to raise awareness and funds to support the organization’s mission of closing the gender gap in the skilled trades and teaching tools as a practical life skill.”
The truck embodied the values that Ellenwood instilled through his mentorship — craftsmanship, knowledge-sharing and hands-on learning.
Zemel knew returning the truck to Neuman would be a meaningful way to honor Ellenwood’s legacy with his grandson.
“It will give him a project to look forward to. Mel taught me that the fun of a project is dreaming about it,” Zemel said. “I want Payton to be able to dream about his grandpa’s truck.”
Ellenwood was known for his generosity, cowboy attire and love of working with his hands.
“I always heard stories about Payton and Mel doing projects together, whether it was building a deck, running a chuckwagon catering service, or simply showing him how to salvage something and make it new,” Zemel said.
Neuman, who spent countless hours working alongside his grandfather, recalls those moments fondly and the lessons they imparted.
When Ellenwood died in October 2024, the loss was felt deeply by his family and friends. Zemel saw an opportunity to honor the man who had given so much to others.
Sunday, the 1934 Chevy was returned to Payton in an emotional ceremony. As part of the tribute to Ellenwood’s memory, Zemel and the team at “Girl with Grit” transformed the truck into a holiday photo booth at the Agricultural Museum and Arts Center in Boerne.
The event was a beautiful reminder that the bonds between mentor and student often transcend the classroom, extending into the broader community and beyond, she said.
For Neuman, receiving the truck was an incredibly meaningful moment.
“It’s hard to put into words what this means,” Neuman said. “He loved teaching me and showing others the value of working with their hands.”
Zemel said the gesture highlights what many educators already know: the impact on students doesn’t end with the classroom.
Zemel said her commitment to Neuman and his family is a testament to the lasting relationships educators and mentors build with their students — relationships that can have a profound impact long after their time together.
The 1934 Chevy is not running but proudly sits at the Agricultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, Boerne, transformed into a holiday photo booth for visitors to enjoy through December.
Comment
Comments