MPS honors retirees at school board ceremony

By Dennis Sharkey, Editor
Posted 5/20/23

The end of the school year for some is a time of excitement or just a relief the long campaign is over but it can also be a bittersweet time by saying goodbye to the folks who put many years of …

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MPS honors retirees at school board ceremony

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The end of the school year for some is a time of excitement or just a relief the long campaign is over but it can also be a bittersweet time by saying goodbye to the folks who put many years of service into the community.

The Mexico Public Schools (MPS) board of education met on Tuesday, May 16, with a packed house to honor those who are retiring in just a few weeks. Retirees were presented with golden apples and lifetime passes to MPS events. There were some emotions and plenty of laughs as each retiree was individually honored.

David Okenfuss, Hart Career Center (HCC) marketing and personal finance teacher, COE internship coordinator, DECA advisor, and Mexico Middle School (MMS) head football coach, 30 years of service at MPS, was presented by his former student and current board member Matt Pilger. Pilger opened Okenfuss’ presentation by saying, “Mr. Okenfuss was my teacher in my first year and he impacted my life greatly.” Okenfuss is looking forward to becoming a grandfather this summer and plans on traveling.

Maria Loyd, McMillan Early Learning Center (MELC) PE Teacher, with 29 years of service at MPS, plans on doing many things in retirement including spending time with family, playing pickleball and tennis, gardening, and staying active in her church. In addition to being a PE teacher, Loyd has also taught math and coached girls’ tennis. Rachel Howell, the Kindergarten teacher at MELC, said about Loyd in prewritten statements, “The kids just love going to her because they know what to expect and how to work hard in PE. She will be missed next year and we hope she comes by to visit when she is not too busy.”

Valerie White, a special education teacher at Eugene Field Elementary (EFE), with 29 years of service at MPS, has spent more than 46 years in the district either as a student or teacher. White has no idea what’s next but hopes to hone her photography skills and spend so time at the beach. Desiree Pezley, principal at EFE said about White in a prewritten biography, “White has been one of the most selfless people I know since the moment I met her as a new teacher. She truly lives by a ‘What is mine is yours,’ attitude.”

Becky Peterson, a paraprofessional at EFE, with 24 years of service at MPS, plans on tackling many do-it-yourself projects around her house and spending time with her family. Peterson spent the first 20 years with the district at MELC before moving to EFE the past four years. Kate Blessing, director of special education said about Peterson in a prewritten biography, “Becky has infinite patience and her students love to be with her as she supports them in any classroom. Becky is warm, attentive, and selfless.”

Ron Crowe, an HHC automotive technology teacher, with 23 years of service at MPS, will concentrate on his company, Allison-Crowe Overhead Doors but is also hoping to find time to fish and travel. Chris Denham, director of HHC said about Crowe in a prewritten biography that under Crowe’s leadership the program has grown through industry changes with new equipment and technology. Crowe also led the program through a year-long ASE certification process and has obtained the status of a NATEF Maintenance and Light Repair certification. Students can leave the program with two OSHA certifications and up to three ASE certifications. Denham remarked, “Crowe has patiently guided many students to successful careers in the automotive industry.”

Gail Lankford, a counselor at Mexico High School (MHS), with 18 years of service at MPS, plans to relax, garden, sew and spend more time with her grandchildren in retirement. Fellow counselor at MHS Lindsey Yancey said in a prewritten biography about Lankford, “We lovingly refer to Gail as “The Boss” in our office. She is a wealth of knowledge and is a patient voice of wisdom and kindness.”

Kris Turlington, a counselor at HHC, with 18 years of service at MPS, has more than 33 years of experience in the education field and hasn’t decided what’s next yet. Chris Denham, director of HHC said about Turlington in a prewritten biography, “HCC is thankful for the time she has spent with them, even though it has been too short.” Turlington could not be present for the ceremony.

Ann Runge, a sixth-grade science teacher at MMS, with 18 years of service at MPS, plans on spending time with her family. Runge was not in attendance for the ceremony and was presented by Pilger who disclosed that Runge could not be at the board meeting because she was watching her son, Andrew Runge, and the rest of the Mexico Bulldogs’ baseball team beat Hallsville in district play. Pilger reported during the presentation that Andrew had hit a home run in the game. In addition, Runge has worked as a computer teacher, title one teacher along with teaching the fourth and fifth grades.

Lynda Thurman, a nurse at EFE, with 14 years of service at MPS, is retiring so she could follow her senior granddaughter to watch her play sports. She also looks forward to crafting. Emily Buck, head nurse for MPS said in a prewritten biography, “She made good connections with students and staff, and the care and dedication that she gave to the district was amazing.”

Curt Jackson, director of transportation, has 13 years of service at MPS as director and 30 years overall, and plans on teaching CDL classes for bus drivers and riding his bike. Anne Billington, principal at MELC said in a prewritten biography, “Curt is one of my favorite people in the Mexico School District. Curt was one of the first people I met in the district and he has always been like a “work dad” for me.” Board Vice President Keith Louder presented Jackson and got a laugh out of the crowd when he told the crowd Jackson is also known as “Fast Freddie.” Louder got an even bigger response when he ended Jackson’s presentation by telling the crowd Jackson was the only person to ever throw his son out of a baseball game.

Christine Harper, director of communications for MPS, with 11 years of service, plans to continue working in education as an instructional coach at Northeast High School in the Kansas City School District. Harper has worn many hats in her 11 years including starting as a substitute teacher before becoming an English teacher. Later Harper became principal at EFE before her current role. District Superintendent Melissa Chastain said in a prewritten biography, “In all of the positions she has held, Christine has spent her years in education advocating for all kids all the time. She is passionate about our students and is a cheerleader for the district.”

Tim Schoonover, MMS assistant principal, with eight years of service at MPS, is excited about not having a morning commute in retirement. Before stepping up to assistant principal Schoonover taught math. Schoonover thought it was funny when two different people pointed out how much they liked getting eggs from his chickens. Schoonover said he only brought eggs one time to which some in the crowd corrected him and pointed out it was more than one time.

Angie Secrease, paraprofessional at Hawthorne Elementary School (HES), with eight years of service at MPS, plans on spending time with her family in retirement. Katie Lehnen, principal at HES said about Secrease in a prewritten biography, “(Angie) is reliable, dependable and has a caring heart. She will be missed next year.”

Donna Haerer, a custodian at HPS, has seven years of service, and plans on staying active after retirement. Fellow custodian George Davidson had many prewritten remarks about Haerer including, “She always wants to make the teachers’ jobs easier. She will be very hard to replace and we are going to miss her. Board member Jessica Ekern presented Haerer and joked at the end about Haerer’s inability to do windows. Haerer confirmed the rumor which drew a laugh from the crowd.


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