The Junction City Middle School Auditorium was full of laughter, applause and even a few tears during last nights Geary USD 475 Retirement Recognition Ceremony.

Seven of the 17 retiring employee’s within the district were recognized during last nights ceremony including long time teacher Margaret Kilpatrick who has spent the last 50 years of her career with Geary USD 475.

Kilpatrick explained what she will miss the most about teaching by sharing a story about what happened  when she got to school Tuesday morning, after being absent Monday.

She explained she had a student come up to her and say,”Mrs. Kilpatrick I really missed you yesterday.”

“Those will be the things that I will miss,” she said.

Other retiring educators include Carol Arjona, Director of Secondary Education; Donald Haffner, District Hearing Officer; Louise Jahnke, English IV Teacher and Dept. Chair at JCHS; Jorja Poppe, Library Clerk at Eisenhower Elementary; Connie Ronnebaum, Physical Education at Custer Hill Elementary; Patti Smith, First Grade Teacher at Jefferson Elementary; Rebecca Cook, Physical Education at Fort Riley Elementary; Sandra Daams, Athletic/Counseling Secretary at JCMS; Jane Handlos, Head School Nurse; Joe Handlos, Principal at Fort Riley Elementary; Cynthia Quinlan, Science Teacher at LDC; Shari Reno, KDG Teacher at Franklin Elementary; Catherine Shaw, School Nurse at Custer Hill/Jefferson; Jerry Shubert, Tech Ed Teacher at JCHS; Sandra Wallace, ELL Teacher at Morris Hill Elementary; Charles Williamson, Third Grade Teacher at Ware Elementary.

Each Retiree received a retirement bell and plaque from Geary USD 475. The district will be losing a combined 442 years of teaching among the 17 retirees.