Alycia Long ALLEN, an adored and devoted daughter, sister, niece, aunt, second Mom, Godmother, best friend, visionary educator, administrator, community leader, accomplished award winning creative artist and intensely dedicated UNC Tar Heel fan. Alycia passed away suddenly from complications of diabetes at the age of 56 on December 18, 2007. She was born November 2, 1951 in Bessemer, Alabama, the eldest child of Roy Long, Sr. and Ineva Hughes. She grew up in Seattle, WA where she moved with her parents in 1953. Grade school for Alycia was Sacred Heart Villa (now Villa Academy) followed by Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart High School graduating in 1969. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA from 1969-72 transferring to University of Georgia where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1975.  

From 1975-1998 she became a prolific educator in the Carrboro City Schools system in Chapel Hill, NC.  Alycia taugh dance, ceramics, art, and coached cheerleading at Culbreth Junior High and later at Chapel Hill High. Her classes were so popular that they were filled to overflowing. She created a welcoming atmosphere that was filled with excitement, creativity and acceptance. Her cheerleading practices were demanding, and the results from those demanding practices were a string of state championships. Alycia also choreographed and co-produced thirty-eight musical productions while at the high school.  In only her third year at CHHS, the senior class voted her the most outstanding teacher in the school. She was honored as the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Teacher of the Year in 1996-97 and was inducted into the Chapel Hill High Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. 

She was highly respected and her constant passion was her students. Alycia was born to be an educator, it was her calling and she honored it everyday of her life. She mentored young minds to develop their artistic potential in art history, visual arts, drama, dance, pottery and photography. After Dean Smith, people would exclaim that Alycia was the second most popular person in Chapel Hill.  When she returned to Seattle to live, Alycia left behind thousands of former students whose lives had been changed by their association with her.

In 1999, Alycia was joyous at the opportunities presented in this next chapter in her life. Recruited back to Seattle to manage and develop Paul Allen's Experience Arts Camp (EAC) programs at the Experience Music Project (EMP), she embraced the role of Director of Education and Director of EAC. She delighted in programs that enabled 7-18 year old students' artistic exploration and self-discovery. In 2001, she returned to her alma mater, Forest Ridge as Director of this all-girls High School. There she brought dignity and expectations of excellence to everyone she touched. In addition, she guided the positive developments and functions of all of her students to find their voice as young women, or as she referred to them, her "kids".

Fiercely loyal and devoted, Alycia gave of herself 24/7. She gave freely and passionately, loved deeply, and gently marked all she touched. Alycia never expected anything in return, but relished a simple thank you. She was humble, kind, had a great sense of humor and deep-rooted values of fairness and integrity. Her biggest dream was to teach at the Oprah Winfrey Academy in Africa this summer where her incredible mark would have made a difference had she gone. She was asked to spend two years at Oprah’s school but her commitment to Forest Ridge prevented her from going to South Africa at that time, but was definitely in her future plans.

Her family, which was the pride of her life, is grateful for having had this beautiful woman in our lives. We miss her dearly; as will the global community. Alycia is survived by her mother, Ineva Hughes, father and stepmother, Roy Long, Sr. and Joyce Long, three brothers, Rod Long, Chris Long and his partner Antoinette DeSantos, and Roy Long, Jr. and his wife Rosie;  two sisters, Susan Long-Walsh and her husband John, and Metre Long Wishom and her husband Clyde;  two step-sisters, Janis Murray and Sheila Murray; Alabama, sisters, Carol Oliver and Janice Orange, three nieces and nine nephews. All are from Seattle except the Wishoms, who are from San Diego. In addition she is survived by her goddaughters, Rachel Blue Biesemeyer of Denver, CO, Kaitlin "Bear" Carr of Tallahassee, FL her East Coast surrogate mom, Lillian Lee of Chapel Hill, NC, and thousands of former students and countless friends all over the country.

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