• Article Photo. Elementary teacher associate Judy Wood spent 31 years at V-S; still knows 2010 grads by name.
    Elementary teacher associate Judy Wood spent 31 years at V-S; still knows 2010 grads by name.
  • Article Photo. Kindergarten teacher Jane Schminke is honored at graduation; she taught for 33 years.
    Kindergarten teacher Jane Schminke is honored at graduation; she taught for 33 years.
  • Article Photo. School Board Pres. Pat Lyons congtratulated VSMS Principal Mike Timmermans and other retirees.
    School Board Pres. Pat Lyons congtratulated VSMS Principal Mike Timmermans and other retirees.
  • Article Photo. Supt. Hainstock honors retiring long-time VSMS band director Judy Trygstad during graduation.
    Supt. Hainstock honors retiring long-time VSMS band director Judy Trygstad during graduation.

Walking across the stage at the end of a four-year career at Vinton-Shellsburg High School inspires many emotions.

But this year, several people who walked up those steps and shook hands with Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock did so at the end of careers that lasted much longer.

Mostly because of the budget crisis-inspired budget cuts, there was a large increase in the number of teachers who took early retirement this year.

A total of 17 teachers and staff members retired at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Each of them received a clock from the superintendent and a large ovation from the audience.

The retirees who were honored on Sunday included:

Terese Husnik, 21 years as special education associate at Tilford Elementary.

Andrea Petersen, 23 years as a library associate.

Sherry Trafford, 24 years as a high school special education teacher.

Rosalee Sturtz, 25 years as a teacher associate at the elementary level.

Mary Geater, 25 years in the Middle School principal's office.

Valerie Hanneman, 26 years as a middle school language arts teacher.

Kristie Davis, 26 years as a teacher, most recently as a fourth grade teacher at Tilford.

Ray Bookmeier, 27 years as a custodian at several district buildings.

Mike Timmermans, 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator, most recently as principal of VS Middle School.

Judy Trygstad, 31 years as a Middle School instrumental music instructor.

Judy Wood, 31 years as an elementary teacher associate.

Deanne Henkle, 31 years in the school administration office.

Jane Schminke, 33 years as teacher, most recently teaching Kindergarten at Tilford.

Pauline Elwick, 33 years as the elementary librarian.

Colleen Dwars, 35 years as a kindergarten teacher at Shellsburg.

Duane Fisher, 37 years as high school FFA advisor and ag teacher.

Ken Huelman, 40 years as middle school physical education teacher and coach and driver's education teacher.

Hainstock briefly summarized each person's career as she introduced them and presented them a clock as a token of appreciation from the district.