TRIBUTE: A parent pays homage to retiring MGRHS administrators

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 09:50:02 -0400
From: Deb Burns <Deb.Burns@storey.com>
Subject: moving on

I just want to express my thanks to three people who are leaving Mt.
Greylock today. I wish them all the best, but I feel deep sadness at
their departure, since they have been at the core of the school for so
long.

Joan Manners began as the secretary to the superintendent when I was a
sophomore at Mt. Greylock (never mind what year). She has been at the
center of the school for decades, kind, caring, yet professional and
thorough. She is an artist on the pipe organ and a choir director, and
her life will continue to be full and rich, but we'll miss her.

Most people don't even comprehend how lucky we've been to have Marti
Mellor. With her deep understanding of every aspect of how the school
works, in every capacity, she is the one person who can answer almost any
question. She has been a wizard at finding money for programs and making
it possible for the school to continue offering an excellent education
despite this agonizing budget crisis.

During the past (however many) years, Mark Piechota has been a true
inspiration for so many of us. We have admired his educational vision,
his compassion for teenagers, his big-picture comprehension, and his sense
of justice. During the past five or so years of budget crisis, we were
amazed and humbled by his grace under pressure, his courage,
steadfastness, and resourcefulness. Mark and Pat are moving to the
Philadelphia area where Mark will become headmaster at a very lucky
private school.

Most of all, these three individuals have loved our kids and thought of
them first. They have nurtured and supported them and followed their
activities. Mt. Greylock has been so fortunate to have these three
administrators and we will miss them terribly.

I wish them the best of luck and much happiness in future endeavors. --
Deb Burns