Mission Accomplished

Instead, it’s about spirit and passion. It’s about heart and soul and commitment to the growth and well-being of others. It’s about doing good and doing well. It’s about making those around you better today than they could ever have envisioned yesterday. And it’s about humbly and gracefully stepping from the stage, grateful for the experience and content that the job is complete and the mission accomplished.

Thursday afternoon, Collegiate celebrated the retirements of eight colleagues whose combined service to the school totals 200 years.

Here’s the rundown.

• Charlie Blair (41 years) served as head boys varsity soccer coach for 38 years and head of the Middle School for 29. His 439-152-79 record on the pitch includes 11 Prep League and three VISAA championships. His school division includes a host of admirers who share his “what’s best for kids?” philosophy.

• Maria Benson (36) taught Middle School French, advised 8th graders, traveled the world, exemplified the concept of master teacher, and courageously raised three sons to be independent and self-sufficient.

• Val Siff (33), Upper School French teacher and world language department chair extraordinaire, set a sky-high standard for energy, intensity, dedication, and teaching excellence.

• Allison Williams (31) dedicated her career to exemplary service as head librarian in Collegiate’s Lower School. Each day, she shared her unmitigated joy and excitement for books and reading with countless students and colleagues, and, as technology evolved, spearheaded the library’s transition into a 21st Century learning center.

• Susan Fourness-Ewell (29) conveyed her love for science to hundreds of Upper School students through such demanding courses as AP Chemistry. She challenged them, nurtured them, mentored them, and prepared them well for life after Collegiate.

• George Wickham (19) left a successful law practice to answer the call to teach and coach. Well-read, erudite, and diligent, he shared his myriad interests – among them robotics, debate, woodworking, and mountain biking – with his students and colleagues, who found him to be the quintessential Renaissance man.

• Mary Terry (6) has worked behind the scenes in several venues as a valued member of the housekeeping team. Each day at lunch time, you can find her in McFall Hall, recognizable by her bright smile, kind word, and willing-to-pitch-in attitude.

• Steve Hickman (5) worked in several management and leadership positions in the securities industry for the first part of his career, moved to education 23 years ago, and arrived at Collegiate in 2014 as head of school. He saw his calling as paying forward the gifts bestowed upon him by his mentors, and, like his fellow retirees, leaves Collegiate better for his presence.

The celebration took place Thursday, but it’s back to work for three more weeks. There’re classes to teach, exams to give, papers to grade, reports to write, meetings to attend, graduates to fete.

Soon enough, though, that moment will arrive, and eight colleagues – friends, mentors, and confidants – will take their leave. There’ll be little fanfare this time. They’ll collect their personal effects, shed a tear, perhaps, and likely think, Wow! How those years blew by!  Where did the time go? But what a ride! What an incredible ride!

When we return to school, we’ll notice their absence. We’ll also feel their presence. So we’ll be all right.

People create culture, you see, and the culture here lives on. It always will.
  --  Weldon Bradshaw