Keyes gets royal send-off to retirement

Susquehanna Elementary Principal Robert Keyes is shown with students during the surprise retirement party held in his honor on Tuesday, May 20.

Susquehanna Elementary Principal Robert Keyes is shown with students during the surprise retirement party held in his honor on Tuesday, May 20.

BY HELEN B. FOSTER
Correspondent

The job of keeping Principal Robert Keyes occupied while all the students from the Susquehanna Elementary, along with their teachers and guests, filled the gym fell to Superintendent Bronson Stone and Business Manager Gary Kiernan.

The look on the retiring principal’s face as he entered the gym with Stone and Kiernan said it all, “when did I lose control?”

He certainly wasn’t expecting to see his student body and faculty in the gym rather than the classrooms.

Stone opened the afternoon tribute by saying, “Mr. Keyes’ tenure as a school administrator has been nothing short of amazing. Details and documentation were what worked for him.”

The superintendent went on to say that if you asked why Keyes would want to remain at his job for 31 years, the answer would be his commitment to the ultimate success of his students. “The thousands of young people who passed through the building during Keyes’ years at SCES are proof of his outstanding career,” Stone said.

Following the presentation of a gift from the teachers association, Keyes took the microphone and praised all those he has worked with through the years. “I have worked with a lot of outstanding people and they made me look better than I am,” he said, and thanked the faculty for all they do for the students at Susquehanna.

A surprise visitor, a Minuteman ringing a very loud bell, presented “The Marvelous and Magnificent Mr. Robert Keyes” a retirement proclamation. It told of Bob’s scoring record in basketball, “which means he never saw a shot he didn’t take” and also his career as a coach and official.

It went on to tell of the stunts he plays (or attempts to play) on his office staff and the school nurse. He is the friendliest principal ever, the proclamation stated. According to those contributing to the proclamation, the retiring principal should work for the CIA as he has no trouble compiling notes.

“Mr. Keyes, you deserve our cheers for all your inspiration and leadership over the years, we will miss you, Bob. Good luck and happy retirement,” the proclamation read that was presented in loving tribute by the faculty, staff and students.

Earlier in the day a group of retirees had visited the school and paid tribute to the retiring principal who had been their boss, too.

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