Photo: Joy Holman (second from left) is surrounded by friends after announcing her retirement
By Valerie Sliker
The Wagener Monthly
The Busbee Corbett Elementary Middle School Staff Luncheon was held Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 1:30 in the Wagener school cafeteria. The PTO sponsored lunch was primarily focused on the four retiring teachers who have accumulated a combined total of 114 years of educational services, but many other awards were given out as well and Melissa Burke was announced as Busbee Corbett’s Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Debbie Black, Assistant Principal is retiring after 29 years of service in the field of education. A Clemson graduate, Black went on to Winthrop for her Master of Education and to the University of South Carolina for her Doctor of Education. Black was unable to attend the luncheon.
Physical Education teacher Joy Holman is retiring after 33 total years of service, 30 of which have been at Busbee Elementary. Holman came to Busbee Elementary in 1985 to teach for one year and then move on to the high school where she planned to coach as well. “I’d never taught elementary,” Holman said, “I was so afraid.” Holman fell in love with the small children and never made it to the high school. “Every day at lunch Mr. (Richard) Sumpter would tell me what to do and answer my questions. Every day I couldn’t wait for lunch! The first three years were tough. My gym was outside. Then I took over the cafeteria. Eventually, I got a room.”
Holman graduated from Benedict College where she played guard on the basketball team all four years. She then played in the first women’s professional basketball league (WBL) for the Ohio Rockettes in the late 70’s. After the WBL shut down, Holman taught P.E. in Columbia for three years before accepting the position in Wagener schools. During these 33 years, Holman has continued working with city girls in Columbia with the Double Dutch Force while commuting to Wagener to teach. “I travel far because I have something to offer these kids and they appreciate it. I’m really going to miss these kids.”
The Double Dutch Force, under Holman’s leadership, includes girls from Columbia, Lexington and Wagener. Holman’s Double Dutch Force has taken the World Championship for twenty-nine years in a row and will be traveling to NY next week to compete for the 30th title. They’ve traveled the world and have been to Paris three times, have been featured on the Oprah show and ESPN, featured on Gullah Gullah Island and a documentary called Double Time. Holman’s friend and helper with the Double Dutch Force, Mike Peterson, surprised her by attending the luncheon. Holman received a standing ovation as she approached the podium to say goodbye.
Mary Saladyga, Library Media Specialist for Busbee Elementary School is retiring after twenty-six years of service, the past eleven of which were at Busbee. Saladyga graduated from LeMoyne College and received her Master’s in Library Science from the State University of NY at Buffalo. Saladyga moved from NY to SC in 2002 and spent a few years helping teachers integrate technology and curriculum before settling into the job at Busbee Elementary. “I have the best job in the world,” Saladyga said with a smile. “I get paid to read to children, to encourage people to read more and I get to spend other people’s money on books.”
After thirty years of service, most recently as an eighth grade History teacher, Sandra Watts is retiring from Corbett Middle School. Watts graduated from Francis Marion, taught in Virginia, then North Carolina and finally, South Carolina. She has spent about 25 years teaching in Wagener in various positions, including a little coaching. Watts is looking forward to traveling, fishing, reading and spending time with her mom.
Busbee Corbett Principal, Dr. Laura Bacon thanked the retiring teachers and distributed a variety of other awards, firmly announcing that she is not accepting any more resignation letters. Two surprise guests made it to the school luncheon: Richard Sumpter and Gerrie Metz. Sumpter taught at Corbett before integration and then taught many years at both schools. Gerrie Metz taught at Busbee for many years beside Ms. Holman and surprised her with a visit on this special day.
Dr. Bacon announced that Stephanie Adams and Wade Friday were awarded Staff Members of the Year. She then thanked the PTO for the luncheon and announced that they have raised more than five thousand dollars this year. The luncheon closed by awarding more door prizes and lots of hugs and tears among old friends.
Big thanks to the Busbee Corbett Elementary Middle School PTO for the amazing lunch. Lynn Collum, President; Heather Whittle, Vice President; Nikki Black, Treasurer; Lisa Wallace, Secretary; Tameka Ables, Events Coordinator; Krissy Parton, Volunteers Coordinator.