School board honors newest retirees
Retiring employees of the Columbia County Board of Education were honored for their years of hard work and dedication Tuesday at the school system's 2004-05 retirement reception.
Eunice Jernigan receives a corsage from Debbie Wallace of the Columbia County Board of Education at the retirement reception for school personnel. Jernigan, who was accompanied by her daughter Vicky Somers (left), has been a bus driver for 37 years. The retirement luncheon was held at West Lake Country Club.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The event, which was held at West Lake Country Club, featured a luncheon with retirees and soon-to-be retired teachers, bus drivers, and more.
Lakeside High School's show choir provided the entertainment with three musical selections.
"Those of you who retired in previous years laid the groundwork and set this fine tradition of excellence," said Tommy Price, the superintendent for the Columbia County Board of Education. "We are deeply indebted to you because of the blood, sweat and tears so many of you have given to this system."
During the ceremony, each retiree was recognized for his or her service, receiving a gift.
Wishing each retiree the best as they prepare to embark on a new journey, Price reminded them of a quote from Winston Churchill.
"You make a living by what you get, but you make a life of what you give," he said.
For 37 years, Eunice Jernigan has devoted her early mornings and afternoons to transporting pupils to and from school at Grovetown Elementary, Harlem Middle and Harlem High schools.
"I'm going to miss going out every morning, cranking the bus," Jernigan said, adding that when she first began driving school buses, they didn't have the amenities they have now. "They used to be gear shift, now they're automatic.
"They even have air conditioning," she said. "To think of all those years I sweated."