MOULTRIE — Retired educators, school board members and school employees gathered to mark the unveiling of the Retired Educators Wall of Fame. It was held at Withers Auditorium last Monday.

The Colquitt County Retired Educators Association inducted five retired educators into the first class of the Colquitt County Retired Educators Hall of Fame. There was a ceremony at a board of education’s meeting in April.

They were Patricia M. Merritt, the late LaRue Norris, the late Jestina Lewis, the late Julian Dorminey and Billy Mock.

CCREA added the inductees’ names to a memorial art piece, displayed on a wall in Withers Auditorium. The piece is a tree with branches that have leaves where, each year, the organization will add new inductees’ names.

During the unveiling ceremony, Superintendent Dan Chappuis said, “This is a great day and a great pleasure to honor all of our retired educators and, especially, on our Wall of Fame today.”

He said that the Colquitt County School System was thankful for the work that the retired educators had done. 

“And we hope that we can honor you in keeping pushing forward with education today,” he said.

Chappuis then introduced Colquitt County Retired Educator Association President Julia Dorminey.

“I would like to start by thanking three people and two groups,” Dorminey said.

First, she said, she wanted to thank former Superintendent Ben Wiggins. He went to the CCREA with the idea of recognizing retired educators in Colquitt County.

Second, she said, she wanted to thank Chappuis for agreeing to continue the tradition of CCREA identifying retired educators who have made significant contributions both while teaching and after their retirement.

“Third, I want to thank the Board of Education for hosting us and supporting our efforts to recognize these worthy individuals,” said Dorminey.

Then, she thanked the CCREA committee for selecting the first honorees. She pointed out, in the audience, committee members Yvonne Stancil, who was chair, as well as Janice Brinson, Melanie Carruthers, Debbie Peters, John Peters and Charline Roberson.

“Last but not least, I would like to thank Angela Hobby for all her efforts on behalf of CCREA and all that she has done that has culminated in this event. I’m sure she has spent hours preparing for this, making it all happen,” she said.

Fine educators, who retired after years of working with youth in Colquitt County, filled the organization, Dorminey said. She also said that there were a plethora of individuals who were deserving of recognition.

“It is our honor to recognize the inaugural group recognized at a board meeting last spring and whose names have been place on this ‘tree of life’ in their honor,” she said.

Then, she read the names of the honorees.

“CCREA is honored to recognize these individuals and look forward to filling the leaves of the ‘tree of life’ in years to come,” Dorminey said.

Next, they opened the doors in the auditorium’s lobby to reveal the Retired Educators Wall of Fame. There were gasps of surprise and appreciation. The group of retired educators in attendance, after seeing the art piece, all turned around and, in unison, applauded.