The year of 2012 will see the retirement of many of meaningful and talented AHS teachers, a principal, and a secretary. They will all be greatly missed and the AHS Spud Staff wants to shine a light on their careers.
English teacher Carrie Ransom has been with Alliance Public Schools for 38 years. Ms. Ransom said she had many wonderful memories and they all include working with her students. Her plans are: traveling, sleeping late, reading, and gardening. Ms. Ransom will most strongly miss being around her students and being involved in school activities.
Sandra Pilfold has been a Physical Education teacher for Alliance Public Schools for 44 years. Ms. Pilfold said she has too many memories to choose a favorite and says that when you teach you make new ones every year. Her plans are to truly retire; she is not looking for any kind of other job. Ms. Pilfold will miss student contact and interaction and she has one last, important message for students, “I hope children become better as they come through school; better people, and better citizens. I want them to learn self-respect and responsibility; all the basics.”
Patricia Jones has been with Alliance Public Schools for 35 years. The memories she is the most fond of include when she used to do Acadeca, “We went to Nationals a few times and going to that with my new baby was interesting.” She also enjoyed mock trial and different competitions in that. Mrs. Jones’s plans depend on how the election goes, but she thinks she will be teaching some college classes. Mrs. Jones will miss interacting with high school students.
Deb Almond has been working as a secretary for Alliance High for 24 years. Her fondest memories are too numerous to mention. She said, “The Performing Arts Center is the greatest thing to me. I am glad I was a part of it my last year.” Mrs. Almond’s plans include treaveling with my husband, spending time with my three boys and my five grandkids. Mrs. Almonds said she will miss, “Being part of all the activities the studens are in and all the friends I have made in the school system. I love all the high school kids so much. It is fun to be a part of what is going on here.”
Val Jansante has been a coach and a teacher for 31 years at Alliance High School. Coach J’s favorite memories are all the different colleagues he has had over the years and the students and coaching. He is planning to work for Team auto dealers in Scottsbluff begining in June. He wants to make money to pay off his house. Coach Jansante says he will miss the interaction with the students and staff.
Richard Zarkowski is also retiring this year. He has been with Alliance High School for 5 years. We greatly appreciate what all these faculty members have brought to Alliance Public Schools. We will deeply miss them all.