'Pot Roasts' make tribute to Hillis memorable
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Among his final duties as Superintendent of the Wharton ISD, Don Hillis offers his appreciation for 40 years of service in the district to Thelma Cody during this year's WISD appreciation banquet.

While it will probably not be the final tribute he will receive before his retirement becomes official, the one presented Wharton ISD Superintendent Don Hillis by "The Pot Roasts" could be the most memorable.

The retiring superintendent being serenaded by district members with the countrified "Ode to Don Hillis" during the Wharton ISD 14th Annual Employee Appreciation, Retirement and Awards Banquet May 15 was received with a standing ovation from a capacity crowd at the Wharton Civic Center.

The tune was penned by Sivells Elementary Principal Marilyn Clark and Marjorie Sklar, director of Personnel and Community Services. The song followed a power point presentation of Hillis' life, including his time as superintendent.

In December, Hillis announced he would be retiring in June. He has been with the WISD since 1977 and has been superintendent since 1997.

Among the individual speakers recognizing Hillis was Ethel Garrett, who opened her remarks with words from her grandmother.

"She said that people don't have to be kind to you, but if they are you should say 'thank you' or 'much obliged.'" she said.

"You always showed strength of character and your words have matched your character. Your manner has always been straight forward and you walked your talk and earned our loyalty. You led us but remained one of us. Much obliged."

Hillis wasn't the only person recognized or the only school superintendent attending the meeting. Among those in the audience was incoming Superintendent James Bartosh. He offered his thanks to the district and community for the warm welcome he has received in planning to move to the city and also complimented the district's employees for their efforts on behalf of education.

"What you do is such a wonderful thing," he said. "You've dedicated your life to Education. In the words of a king - B.B. King - 'The beautiful thing about learning is you can't take it away.' You give the community the eternal gift of learning."

In addition to not being the only superintendent present, Hillis also wasn't the only retiree honored during the evening. This year's list of retirees included Janie Bucek, elementary teacher; Floyd Ciruti, teacher and head baseball coach; Stella Durley, head nurse; Loraine Dusek, library assistant; Delia Guerra, elementary teacher; Don Jennings, high school principal; Laura Martin, elementary teacher; David Munsch, maintenance supervisor; Sharie Stelzel, elementary teacher; and Bruce Turner, art teacher.

Also recognized during the night were this year's service awards recipients. The awards are presented for each five years of service. The longest term of service recognized during the night was 40 years by Thelma Cody.

Additional service awards were:

35 years - Ethel Davis, Ethel Garrett, Minerva Munoz, Barbara Watson and Alice Jordan.

30 years - Kay Bollom, Janie Bucek, Helen Crockett and Evelyn Ullmann.

25 years - Pat Blair and Shirley Karasek.

20 years - Donna Albert, Olga Arredondo, Roben Eller, Carole Grogan, Lynda Kieler, Laura Martin, Betty Smith, Linda Sopchak, Yolanda Watkins and Sharon Wilkinson.

15 years - Dora Aykes, Soledad Castro, Jessie DeLeza, Harolyn Freeman, Lisa Freese, Terry Freese, Victor Mata, Elaine Sharp and Myra Kay Svrcek.

10 years - Rhonda Bremser, Stella Durley,

EC man Nancy Gutierrez, Carol Hobbins, Kimberly Ledwig, Jodi Mathis, Elizabeth Nickolyn, Regina Phynon, Marquita Rogers, Tammy Stanford, Wilma Wilson and Gina Yackel.

Five years - Crystal Burditt, Margarito Cervantes III, Diana Eileen Cruz, Jaime Cruz, Lauren Hlavinka, Mary Janak, Stephen Laitkep, Steven Magehee, Cherry Manning, Carlos Munoz, Bertha Quijas, Tomas Rodriguez, Melissa Stolle and Kenneth Svatek.

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