By: Lexi Lapp

Together physical education teacher Lucy Herring and science teacher Bev Sullivan have given 41 years of their lives for Eaton students. Herring, who has worked at EHS for 16 years and 29 ½ years total, says her feelings about leaving are mixed. She said, “I want to start something new. I’m excited to start my next venture, but sad I’ll be missing my students and peers.” Herring, who began teaching right of college, has carefully stored up her years in PERA (Public Education Retirement Account) and is right in line with the 30-year average time it takes for a teacher to retire with their pension. Herring says she plans on traveling, working part time, and doing what she enjoys.  “I’m going to miss the students. Teaching keeps me young,” Herring said. “I love teaching freshman, and Fitness Challenge is very rewarding: seeing young woman reach goals and change their bodies.” To the new teachers coming in she gave this advice: “Be flexible, enjoy what you are doing, and get to know the students.” Replacing Herrings will be Kelsey Hemenover who has a degree in sports and exercise with a science emphasis. Herring has had hundreds of students throughout her years here at EHS, but one Deborah Puente (14) said, “I’m going to miss her laugh and her sense of humor. She has made me realize that no matter where you’re at, you can get there, just keep going. It breaks my heart, because she’s put in a lot of work and she makes it so much fun. She’s very nice and has an amazing personality. She infects us in a very good way and I hope people would see what she did and how she inspired us.” Puente isn’t the only one who thinks highly of her teacher. Sophomore, Kimberly Powell (16) said, “I am going to miss her teaching and her kindness that she has toward all of her students. She helps me out in any way she can, and has taught me about reaching my goals and showed me how to study and prepare myself for things in high school.” Another student, Casse Strole (16) said, “Herring is so much fun; she is always so easy to talk to, and always has a smile on her face. She taught me to keep going and don’t give up on what you want. It sucks and it’s so sad. I wish she wasn’t leaving. She made P.E. so much fun even when I hated it.”

Sullivan has taught at EHS for 12 years, after teaching middle school for 12 years, and one year of substitute teaching for a total of 25 years. She said she’s retiring because of the arthritis in her feet, and “to babysit my grandson, I’m also going to do the things on my bucket list. My feelings are bittersweet; I love my job and the kids, but my feet hurt,” she joked. For the new teachers, she said, “I would say enjoy it, have fun with it, and hold the students accountable.” Replacing Sullivan is Isaac Lemon from Delta who will also be taking on the position of new head football coach. Sullivan’s retirement gives her the opportunity to get off her feet and do other things in life. She’s had countless students over the years. Sullivan’s aid, Hailee Hernandez (15) said, “She’s so friendly and you always get a ‘hello.’ She’s always so happy too. She has made me more responsible and taught me patience. I am really sad that she’s retiring.” Both Herring and Sullivan have been here at EHS for years and are leaving with something to say. For Herring, reaching the 30-year milestone is a momentous occasion for her, and she said,  “Eaton School District is a wonderful place to teach, and I want to thank my colleagues for such an amazing time here.” Sullivan wanted to say “Make your story one you’ll be proud of.”