Remarks for Service Pin/Retirement

Ceremony
Good afternoon! It is a pleasure to be here today to
recognize so many district employees who have dedicated
their careers to serving the Shawnee Mission School
District.
We are fortunate to have a successful combination of
devoted professionals, outstanding students, unwavering
community support, and the caring leadership of a
dedicated board of education. We are also fortunate in
Shawnee Mission to have the support of organizations like
the PTA and the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation.
I want to express our appreciation to Andy Morrison,
president of the executive board of the foundation, and to
executive director Rebecca Morrison for the financial
support that the foundation has provided for todays event.

With an enrollment of more than 28,000 students, the

efforts of countless teachers, administrators, and support
staff is essential to maintaining a district that is often
recognized for outstanding programs and services. It is an
honor to acknowledge your years of service to the district
and to thank you for the wonderful work you have done to
support students, encourage parent involvement, and
develop important networks within your school
neighborhoods and communities.
We recognize 124 staff members who have given 20 and 25
years of service to the Shawnee Mission School District.
Teachers like Gretta Earnest at Dorothy Moody, Pat
Anderson at Hocker Grove, and Mindy Baker at Mission
Valley, are to be commended for challenging students to be
successful in all their endeavors. Gay Ramsey, a teacher at
Trailridge, is an example of how teachers often reach
beyond the classroom to instill in students a sense of
community. As a co-sponsor of the Kids in Action at
Trailridge community service organization, a colleague
recognized her by saying, Gays altruistic nature is second
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to none. She is a friend to all and a master teacher to

generations.
District administrators, like Dr. Gene Johnson, associate
superintendent; Bruce Kracl, manager of operations and
maintenance; and building administrators Dennis Way, at
East Antioch; Tom Moss, at Shawnee Mission Northwest,
and Cheri Hannon, at Shawnee Mission South, provide
leadership that impacts hundreds of students on a daily
basis. Support staff like Donna Nichols, at McEachen; Jon
Lloyd, in information services; Margie Prall, at Indian
Creek; Anita Osborne, at Crestview, and Sayphone
Noravong (Say-Fawn Nora-Vong), at Shawanoe, work
tirelessly, often in unseen capacities.
Thirty-one staff members will receive a pin recognizing
their 30 years of service. This group includes veteran
educators like Principal Marilyn Webb, at Carpenter;
Associate Principal Bill Stiegemeier, at Shawnee Mission
South; Donna Constanza, at Hocker Grove; and Georgeann
Doleshall, at Comanche. These professionals deserve
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recognition for sharing their love of learning, their caring

service, and their experiences with numerous students
throughout the years.
Twenty of our colleagues today are being recognized
having each contributed 35 years of service to Shawnee
Mission. Recognees in this category include Associate
Superintendent Bill Frick; Raena (Ray-na) Borth, at
Trailwood; Mike Benson, at McAuliffe; Meta Smith at
Mission Valley; and Nancy Silverforb, at Shawnee Mission
North. The dedication you have shown to our district
throughout your careers is truly amazing.
Ten individuals are being recognized today for forty years
of service in the Shawnee Mission School District. Betty
Johnson, at Hocker Grove; Bob Schmidt, at Bonjour; and
Nick Paris, at Shawnee Mission East, have influenced the
lives of countless students over the years.
As the school year draws to a close, so do the careers of
more than 70 employees. Social studies resource specialist
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Hal Jehle will be remembered for his work with teachers

and students across the district. His secretary Jayne
Rudish, who is also retiring this year, said Hals love for
teaching social studies was demonstrated to his students
early in his career. When teaching about oil issues, ecology,
and environmental awareness during the oil crisis of the
1970s, Hal challenged his students to ride their bikes to
school and the challenge was returned to him. For five
years, he rode his 3-speed until his students replaced it with
a 5-speed as a reward for earning his doctorate. Hal began
riding his bike again this year after the death of the family
car and as gas prices rose again. Bringing his career full
circle, Hal will finish his 35 years in education in much the
same way he began!
Staff, parents, and students from around the district will
miss the many contributions principals Anita Foertsch at
Santa Fe Trail, Gary Proctor at Rising Star, and Ron Bates
at Horizons have made both in the classroom and in their
current leadership roles. Teachers like Marcia Kostus at
Rosehill, Mort Hartung at Shawanoe, Nancy Robinson at
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Indian Woods, Frank Robertson at SM North, and Carl

Owczarzak (Oh-zar-zack) at SM West will be remembered
for their outstanding efforts to encourage students to be
successful in school and beyond.
Support personnel like LaVera Howard, sub-services
coordinator, have exemplified the word dedication. In fact,
the local police have been known to visit the McEachen
Administrative Center in the early morning hours when
LaVera is the only person in the building. Just ask Marlin
McCutcheon, another honored retiree, who has had to
vouch for her on many occasions. Although Jane Tolman
and Jane White, at Indian Creek, and Kathy Gandy, at
McEachen, may be retiring, the impressions they have
made within the district will remain.
Time does not permit me to acknowledge each employee
by name, but many of the same qualities used to describe
these representatives are shared by all district employees
recognized today. I commend each of you for your
achievements and thank you for your years of service to the
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Shawnee Mission School District. Your dedication to

creating academic environments where students and
colleagues excel is a model for all employees.
The printed program and decorations chosen for todays
event communicate a heartfelt message to you on this day
of celebration. You are the roots of our success. The
decorations lining the windows illustrate that in education
the fruits of our labor may be found in the achievements of
our students.
To commemorate todays event, each of you will receive a
blue spruce seedling as a symbol of your service. Over the
years, you have truly been the root system supporting the
education of thousands of Shawnee Mission students.
As you watch your tree take root, I hope that each of you
will take a moment to reflect on your career and relish with
fond memories your personal successes. Those of you who
are retiring, may you find satisfaction in your new

endeavors, but always cherish your role in the Shawnee

Mission family. (slight pause)
As we turn our attention to next year, I look forward to
continuing the mission of providing students with
outstanding educational programs and services.
I wish all of you the very best!