Vidalia City Schools Thanks Retirees
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The Vidalia City Schools System thanked several retiring staff members for their dedication to the school system and education, as the retirees were recognized during the Vidalia City Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 13.
“Tonight, we pause to honor lives of service – not just the years counted on a calendar, but lives changed by presence and dedication,” Superintendent Sandy Reid emphasized. “Some people work a job and others leave a legacy – that’s what teachers do best.”
Reid continued, as she spoke to the retiring staff members. “To the retirees that we recognize tonight, your impact is immeasurable and felt in every student you’ve encouraged, every colleague you’ve uplifted, and every quiet moment that you’ve made meaningful,” she remarked. She shared a poem with both retirees and meeting attendees to commemorate the occasion:
“A Life of Service”
You didn’t just work, You gave them your heart.
You shaped every day With a purposeful start.
From morning’s first bell To the end of each year, You offered your wisdom, Your laughter, your care.
In bustling hallways, Or quiet rooms, You brought every corner to life, Brought children full bloom.
With patience, you listened.
With wisdom, you led.
And left droplets of wisdom In all that you said.
You soothed worried hearts And awakened bright minds. You taught us that learning Is love of all kinds.
The first steps of triumphs, You stayed by their side.
The constant presence of A mentor, a guide.
So, here’s to your journey – Well earned and complete— With memories to hold And new joys to meet.
We thank you with gratitude And honesty deep, For the seeds you have sewn And the dreams you helped keep.
The halls may be quiet Without your known stride But echoes of you still walk By our side.
In notes left behind, In routines we keep, Your fingerprints linger, Your roots- they run deep.
May your days now be gentle, Your mornings be slow With time to reflect On the lives you helped grow. Though your chapter here closes, Your story goes on, In every child’s future Your spirit lives strong.
After sharing the poem, Reid invited each school’s principal to speak on their school’s retirees.
J.D. Dickerson Primary School Principal Charlene Norfleet spoke of her admiration for retiring J.D. Dickerson Primary School Health and P.E. Teacher Sissy Anderson and Teacher Ann Harper, as Norfleet shared several kind sentiments from the pair’s coworkers. Anderson has worked within the Vidalia City School System for 30 years, while Harper has worked within the System for 22 years, having worked 3.5 years with Toombs County Schools before becoming a Vidalia Indian.
Norfleet and Sally D. Meadows Elementary School Principal Brandon Boston recognized J.D. Dickerson Primary School and Sally D. Meadows Elementary School Art Teacher Nancy Keener for her service to both the schools. Keener has devoted 29 years of her life to education and has taught at Vidalia City Schools for the last 6 years.
Boston also honored retiring Sally D. Meadows Elementary School Health and P.E. Teacher Mia Farrow for her 30 years of service to the district.
J.R. Trippe Middle School Principal Eric Mc-Donald spoke to both retirees and attendees, as he shared his gratitude for J.R. Trippe Middle School Media Specialist Eddis Kirkland, Special Education Teacher Leslie Seabury, and Science Teacher Rhonda Williamson. Kirkland has worked as the school’s media specialist for 23 years, and previously worked for 7 years at Tattnall County Schools. Seabury has dedicated 13 years of her life to teaching students at Vidalia City Schools, having taught before for 1 year in Worth County Schools and for another year in North Carolina. Williamson served the Vidalia City School District for all 30 years of her career. Vidalia High School Interim Principal Steve Freenor thanked four retiring staff members from his school during the recognition. Vidalia High School Science Teacher William Harn was celebrated for his 22 years of service to the school system. Vidalia High School School Secretary Patricia Howard was honored, as Howard has worked for 10 years within the District. Vidalia High School Student Information Specialist Kathy Riekhof was recognized for working within the district for the past 8 years, as she previously worked for 4 years in Douglas County Schools and for 3 years at a school in Arkansas. Vidalia High School Band Director Elizabeth Taylor was thanked for dedicating 5 years of her life to the District, and for investing a total of 38 years – 1 year in Laurens County Schools, 7 years in Bacon County Schools, 16 years in Wayne County Schools, 5 years at Shorter University, and 4 years at the University of Southern Mississippi – in students and music education.
After the recognition, retiring staff members’ family and friends gathered to celebrate the individuals.
