The Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center was the site for the 2016 Years of Service Luncheon.

LaDonna Junghans, School Board President opened the luncheon with warm remarks. 

“In this room is a lot of knowledge and expertise and wisdom. We have so much appreciation for each one of you and we do hope that the young people that have just arrived take time to listen to you and learn from you because you are a great resource,” said Junghans referring to the 100 plus new – many young – teachers in the District.

The 35 year honorees:

• Vicki Hall – Westwood Elem
• Lynn Inkman – Grandview Elem
• Melanie Laster – Jefferson Elem
• Shari Ryker – Westwood Elem
• Doris Scripter – Franklin Elem
• Diana Spriggs – Fort Riley Middle School
• Barbara Stewart – Mary E. Devin Center
• James Russell (did not attend)

As noted by her presenter, Diana Spriggs’ best memory teaching over the years:  “A former elementary student saw her in McDonald’s and said, ‘you haven’t aged,’ and ‘the good teachers always stay looking young’.”

Beth Hudson, Associate Superintendent, on Melanie Laster’s best quality:  “What I respect most about Melanie is that she is a USD 475 person to the core, and she’s always going to do what’s best for the district no matter what and she finds the best about any situation and makes adjustments.”

The 30 year honorees:

• Brenda Breese – Spring Valley Elem
• Stacey Cooke – JCHS
• Randy Wewer – JCHS
• Dana Williamson – Ware Elem

Deb Gustafson, Principal Ware Elementary, on her longtime friend and colleague Dana Williamson:  “You c an not, absolutely can not have a bad day when you’re around Dana Williamson; no matter what is happening at school, no matter what is happening in her personal life she will find a way to put a positive spin on it, and that characteristic is very, very unique…and that’s absolutely and truly what I appreciate the most about her.”

Stacey Cooke, Junction City High School, reflecting on 30 years in USD 475:  “In 2004 our son passed away and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I knew it wasn’t going to be teaching anymore. That May, one of my former students came to see me and she said ‘Mr. Cooke, you probably don’t remember me, but one day you told me something – that I would someday find what it was I was going to do with my life and I would do it and I’d be very good at it’ – she’d joined the Air Force and she was in Bosnia extracting burn victims from the war. I drove home that evening, and everything had changed – I said ‘Cooke, you made a difference with that one’ – and I’m still here.”

The 25 year honorees:

• Denise Boller – Eisenhower Elem
• Linda Bongers – Professional Learning Center
• Margaret Chambers – Spring Valley Elem
• Daneen Deam – Franklin Elem
• Kathryn Goetsch – Lincoln Elem
• Eileen Hackley – Westwood Elem
• Sherry Martin – JCHS
• Michelle McDaniel – JCMS
• Marilyn Newlon – Early Childhood Center
• Sarah Reynolds – JCHS
• Loyce (Cathy) Striggow – Washington Elem
• Michele Wetklow – Westwood Elem
• Kathy Williams – Mary E. Devin Center

Barbara Stewart, Mary E. Devin Center, was announced as retiring in December, and also Margaret Chambers, Spring Valley Elementary, as retiring after this school year.

Dr. Corbin Witt, Superintendent of Schools for USD 475 said it bets:  “Thank you for your perseverance, thank you for giving your lives to education.”