Leader Staff
Contributed Photo Pupil services director Karen Smith, right, gets ready to hug pupil services secretary Kathryn Westfahl, who is retiring after 15 years of service in the Shawano School District.
Contributed Photo Retiring after 29 years in the school district, Mart Grams, left, a social studies teacher at Shawano Community High School, shares a light moment with School Superintendent Gary Cumberland.
The Shawano School District honored some of its longest-serving employees Friday and also bid farewell to retiring staff members who are stepping aside with a combined more than 150 years of experience.
More than 40 teachers and other district employees shared the spotlight during an end-of-school-year luncheon at Shawano Community High School.
Those being honored for longevity have served the school district for as long as four decades in some cases.
“They have done so much for our students here in Shawano,” School Superintendent Gary Cumberland said.
Those announcing their retirements are as follows, with years of service shown: Joe Black, Shawano Community Middle School custodian, 30 years; Mart Grams, Shawano Community High School social studies teacher, 29 years; Joan Flaherty, Olga Brener Intermediate School art teacher, 27 years; Teresa Nelson, Shawano Community High School library aide, 26 years; Pam Erickson, Shawano Community High School computer aide, 22 years; Bonnie Hilgenberg, Hillcrest Primary School kindergarten teacher, 20 years; and Kathryn Westfahl, pupil services secretary, 15 years.
Former School Board members Jay Jones and Bruce Milavitz both were recognized, too, after completing their terms on the board.
The following school district staff members were honored for reaching milestones of service:
10 years: Karen Brown-Schaible, Emily Schwartz, Dawn Lorge, Naomi Bergner, Daniel Mead, Jason Kuehl, Cindy Ferch and Patti Meyers.
15 years: Robert Croschere, Chad Janowski, Jaimie Okusko, Scott Zwirschitz, Kathy Westfahl, Aaron Sischo, Karen Smith, Jenny Mailhan, Debbie DeFere, Rob Wolff, Kim Brown, Jane Krueger, Noelle Lammers, Lori Schwecke.
20 years: Caryn Krueger, Kathy Mailahn, Cheryl Thorson, Rose Duszynski, Wendy Retzlaff, Bonnie Hilgenberg, Gail Sweeny, Jane Williams, Keith Milner, Barb Berndt.
25 years: Wendy Esch, Stacey Lacy, Kris Tetting, Lori Sherman.
30 years: Sally Slezewski.
40 years: Jean Mueller.
