East China School District Honors Retirees – The Voice

The East China School District honored its retirees from the past year on June 24. Pictured are Carol Miller, Maria Kammer, Dawn Cronce, Valerie Cabanilla, Annemarie McLeod and Kathy Steward. (Courtesy of East China Schools/Facebook)

At the East China School District Board of Education’s regular meeting on June 24, the district honored its retirees from the past year.

The presentation was conducted by Assistant Director of Human Resources Dawn Demick with assistance from Director of Human Resources Suzanne Cybulla.

“Tonight’s retirees represent all of our retirees from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024,” Demick said. “We are here to recognize the significant contributions each of them has made over the years. None of us expected their careers to culminate in the way they have over the past few years, but they all persevered and made it to the end, and we are very proud and very happy with the contributions they have made.”

“They all rose to the challenge and we are here tonight to honor them,” she continued. “Each of the retirees has done an amazing job and impacted students and the community in unique and special ways. They are all deeply missed and will continue to be. The 20 retirees being honored tonight represent an incredible 537 years of dedicated service to the district, which averages out to 27 great years.”

She then read out the list of retirees. When her name was called, those present stepped forward to receive Cybulla’s thanks and recognition.

The following retirees were honored:

• James Bishop, physical education and health teacher at St. Clair High School, retired after 30 years of service.

• Valerie Cabanilla, an elementary school teacher at Palms Elementary School, retired after 27 years of service.

• Dawn Cronce, executive assistant in the superintendent’s office, retired after 25 years of service.

• Charlene Decker, janitor at the Marine City campus, retired after 23 years of service.

• Tim Dennis, special education teacher at Marine City High School, retired after 24 years of service.

• Mark Eberhard, a science teacher at St. Clair High School, retired after 37 years of service.

• Kim Henry, a counselor at Marine City High School, retired after 26 years of service.

• Lisa Higgins, counselor at St. Clair High School, retired after 33 years of service.

• Cynthia Jarsma, an English teacher at St. Clair High School, retired after 25 years of service.

• Deborah Jones, administrative secretary for special education, retired after 35 years of service.

• Maria Kammer, ELA teacher and media specialist at St. Clair Middle School, retired after 27 years of service.

• Hanna Marginean, ELA teacher at St. Clair Middle School, retired after 23 years of service.

• Annemarie McLeod, Project Lead the Way teacher at Marine City Middle School, retired after 27 years of service.

• Denise Mead, administrative secretary at St. Clair High School, retired after 35 years of service.

• Pam Militello, fifth-grade teacher at Palms Elementary School, retired after 24 years of service.

• Carol Miller, custodian at Pine River Elementary School, retired after nine years of service.

• Julie Osterland, a transportation bus driver, retired after 29 years of service.

• Kathy Steward, business office specialist, retired after 23 years of service.

• Amy Walton, a math teacher at St. Clair Middle School, retired after 30 years of service.

• Karen Westrick, ELA teacher and media specialist at St. Clair High School, retired after 25 years of service.

“I want to thank all of you for making a difference every day,” Demick said.

She added that she had to acknowledge one more person.

“We would like to honor and recognize our beloved music and physical education teacher Michelle Drumb, who died in a tragic car accident earlier this year,” she said. “Michelle’s care and compassion for her students was evident in the stories she told and the songs she sang so beautifully. She was loved by all and will be sorely missed.”

Drumb taught at Belle River Elementary School and served the school district for 25 years.

“Thank you all and again our deepest gratitude to all of you,” said Demick.

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