Quarter Century Club

Our school district started a "club" to recognize those employees who have served for 25 years or more. There is one "meeting" a year. It is a really nice affair--superb dinner, testimonial speeches, a chance to reunite with colleagues from days past.

There is no hand shake or secret word. However, the new inductees are expected to make a speech. The current year's batch of retirees is also recognized.

I was hoping that as one of the retirees, I wouldn't have to make a speech. But, I was going to be prepared. The other day, the bomb scare day, when I wrote my retirement speech, I also wrote a quick speech for tonight, in case I was called on.

While I was not asked to say anything. (Whew!) I thought that my labors should not go to waste, so here it is:

Many years ago, I read the statistic that 50 percent of Americans hated to go to work each day. That day I told myself that the day I hated the thought of going to school in the morning, that would be the day I would go to the principal's office and resign.

Fortunately, that day never came. Looking back on my 33 years at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, I see 6097 days that I thoroughly enjoyed--and the eight that I have left to savor.

Looking back I have had a lot of fun working with my students, seen amazing technology changes (thought I still miss fluid duplicator copies), and have had the privilege to work with some tremendously professional teachers.

I need to thank Donna Mikovich and Bill Trescott for having confidence in me, High School District No. 86 for supporting me, my business department colleagues who have been more than coworkers (they have become my dear friends), and my students--for they are the reason I get up in the morning!