The Class of 2026 isn’t the only group at Manhattan High School preparing to say one last farewell; nine faculty and staff members are set to retire at the end of the school year after a combined 224 years devoted to MHS and its students.
Retirees include photography teacher Darren Allman (18), director of bands Dr. Joel Gittle (36), school resource officer Sonia Gregoire (7), financial secretary Cheryl Jaymes (40), German teacher Elke Lorenz (23), athletic director Michael Marsh (26), business teacher Paige McCarthy (27), welding teacher Doug Muller (26) and counselor Eric Ross (21).
The retirees reflected on the highlights of their time working at MHS and shared one last message to their students.
Q: What was your favorite memory or part about working at MHS?
Allman: “My hands down favorite part of working at MHS is when I had both of my own kids in my class for two years.”
Gittle: “I see the best students every morning in band.”
Gregoire: “Helping all the kids, or the kids seeing me for not being a cop. They see me, I might be wearing the uniform, but a lot of times they don’t even realize that I am one. They’ll say, ‘oh, I can talk to you, but I couldn’t talk to [so and so].’ So I think that’s been the greatest. Coaching softball was [also] awesome.”
Jaymes: “The people I work with. When [former MHS principal] Greg Hoyt was my boss, he was wonderful. I’ll never forget him. Mike Marsh, the athletic director, I told him, ‘when he goes out, I’m going out.’ We are going together. And the kids, I call them kids. They’re young adults. But I’ve enjoyed 40 years of teenagers.”
Lorenz: “I love working with the students. I always enjoyed teaching my own language and culture to the students and this last year has been fabulous. Wonderful kids, that’s my best memory.”
Marsh: “The people that I got to know, the staff members, the kids. I could point out one event after another. I think it’s seeing the successes, both on and off the field, of all the kids and the coaches that have been a part of my staff the last 22 years [during my time as head athletic director].”
McCarthy: “I think it’s really important to do the extra thing. So, I would have to say it’s probably coaching and winning the State titles a couple times, but also being BPA sponsor for four years. I think you just get to see the students in another light and another side of them and they get to see another side of us too.”
Ross: “Watching kids grow up from immature kids to functional adults.”
Q: What is your final message to your students?
Allman: “Always do a lot of research before you decide what career you want to go into.”
Gittle: “Keep playing. Doesn’t matter if you play professionally, major in music, just keep playing. Keep the music going.”
Gregoire: “Do your best. Treat everybody with the respect that you want to be given back. Always be fair. Don’t ever judge somebody by what you see outwardly and get to know their story.”
Jaymes: “Hang in there. Life will get better. You couldn’t be in a better place with better people.”
Lorenz: “Keep learning languages. You will learn so much about the world and other cultures. It opens minds in incredible ways.”
Marsh: “Reach high for your dreams. [Being MHS athletics director] was a dream job for me, and I was fortunate to be part of it for 22 years.”
McCarthy: “Don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn from your mistakes. Be good.”
Ross: “Time goes fast. Do the right things. Work hard.”
