The June meeting of The Champaign County Retired Teachers Association continued the celebration of the organization’s fifty year anniversary. The meeting was devoted to the recognition of recipients of the CCRTA Scholarships. Karen Headlee, President, opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Larry Lokai, twice past president of CCRTA, described the beginnings of the scholarship program, which he initiated. Three past scholarship winners were able to attend, and summarize their life since high school graduation. Jamie Horsley Daniels (2003) received degrees from Clark State and Wright State University and is pursuing a doctorate. She is teaching on line, Lynsey Cook (2007), a graduate of Heidelberg University, is director of bands in Mohawk Local Schools. Sarah Williams (2013) recently graduated from OSU Lima, and is certified to teach.
Letters from other former winners, who were unable to attend, were read to the retired teachers. Rachel Ebert (2015) is continuing her studies to be a school psychologist at Wright State University. Kile Eichenauer (2005) graduated from Wittenberg University and has been teaching at Elmwood High School since 2009. Kaitlyn Baker Wessels (2005) earned degrees at Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. She is a social worker at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and teaches at two local colleges. Jaimee Herron Miller (2004) received degrees from Muskingum University and Ashland University, and taught before opening a daycare center. Mark Huelsman (2003) received his degree from Wittenberg University. He teachers math and is a women’s basketball coach.
The 2017 scholarship recipient, Grace Fonseca, was introduced by Dolly Wisma, Scholarship Chairman. Grace is a graduate of Graham High School and plans to major in education at Kent State University. Thanks were given to Wisma for her years of service, and the new Scholarship Chairman, Fred Fullerton, was announced.
Another guest of the CCRTA was Liz Van Tine, who is the ORTA (Ohio Retired Teachers Association) District Three Director.
Reports were given by the officers and committee chairs.
The next meeting of the CCRTA will be held at the Church of the Nazarene at 11:00 on Tuesday, August 15. (note the change of date due to the Champaign County Fair) The members will provide anecdotes of their teaching careers and students. They may also offer suggestions for prospective teachers.
Members are reminded to bring photos of themselves from 1967, the year of the chapter’s founding.
