Faculty and staff members from Stewart Heights Elementary School enjoyed their annual end-of-year luncheon on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Brandi’s Banquet Hall.
As guests arrived for the luncheon, they were surprised to see a lovely three tiered cake decorated with live flowers, ivy entwined with white light, a camera, a high heel shoe and a cowboy boot.
The cake had been made by Mrs. Jane Reaves, as a special surprise for Jayne Lee, principal. It depicted some of her favorite things.
After a delicious buffet luncheon, the cake was cut and served. Mrs. Lee then opened the program with a sincere thanks to everyone in attendance.
She thanked them for all they had done during the 2011-2012 school year. Then she extended well wishes to employees that would not be returning and to employees with perfect attendance.
Mrs. Lee recognized two employees that had not missed a day of school all year. Ms. Barbara Hayes and Ms. Dorothy Hamilton received this special recognition.
Each received a gift as a token of appreciation for their conscientiousness and service to their students.
Three employees that will not be returning to Stewart Heights for the 2012-2013 school year were also recognized. Each staff member received a gift in appreciation of their service and dedication to the district. Those recognized included: Melissa Inman, Robin Allen and Angie Rowell. Next Mrs. Robin Floyd was recognized for her support in the Title I program and for her service to both South and Stewart Heights. She received a token of appreciation as well.
At the conclusion of the program, faculty and staff members surprised Mrs. Lee with a special tribute in recognition of her years at Stewart Heights. She will be leaving the school to take a position at the district office for the 2012-2013 school year.
Mrs. Lee was truly humbled by the heartfelt tribute presented by the faculty and staff. To open the tribute, Mrs. Robin Floyd opened the program with kind remarks and a presentation. Mrs. Lee was presented with the school’s coveted crown to wear for the remainder of the program, as well as, a lovely Pandora bracelet. She was then asked to take a seat on stage for grade level/program presentations.
One representative from each grade/program presented Mrs. Lee with a lovely charm that held a special meaning to that group.
Each charm was added to the bracelet by Ginny Moody, secretary, after the teachers made their presentations.
Mrs. Phyllis Richardson, retired educator from Stewart Heights, then made a heartfelt speech reflecting their twenty-five years together at Stewart Heights.
She presented Mrs. Lee with a lovely oyster shell candle made from shells she collected over her first year in retirement. At the climax of the tribute, Mrs. Beth Pittman read a lovely poem she had written about Mrs. Lee and her twenty-six and a half year tenure at Stewart Heights.
It included sentiments and funny antidotes about events and times shared among friends and colleagues. Next she directed the audience’s attention to the large screen on which a slide presentation depicting Mrs. Lee at school events with students, teachers, assistants, secretaries, and parents was played.
The slide show was set to music by Mr. Brian Lodge, music teacher.
The song accompanying the power point was appropriately entitled “She’ll Leave You with a Smile” by George Strait, who is Mrs. Lee’s favorite country artist.
Needless to say the trip down memory lane was emotional and sentimental for everyone in attendance.
By the end of the show, there was not a dry eye in the house. What a lovely send off for someone that has loved the boys, girls, teachers, assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers, and parents at Stewart Heights for over twenty-six years.
