Retiring principal honored for decades of service to Old Saybrook youth

Members of the Old Saybrook Youth and Family Commission opened their meeting with a public recognition of a longtime educator who is retiring after decades of service.

Commission members praised the retiree for extensive contributions to local youth programming and schools, citing 23 years as middle-school principal and a total of about 45 years in education. The honoree described career highlights, including the middle school’s National Blue Ribbon recognition in 1998, and recounted coming to Old Saybrook and early community involvement.

The tribute noted the retiree’s work with community youth programs and holiday and after-school activities that commission members said helped sustain a “robust, vital town.” A commissioner told the meeting, “Volunteers run the town,” and thanked the retiree for years of volunteerism and civic leadership. The commission presented a small gift and arranged a photograph to mark the occasion.

In remarks to the commission, the honoree traced a long career in education, recalling roles at multiple Connecticut schools and universities, summer programs, and family details. The speaker also recounted earlier local controversies involving a group identified in the remarks as PROBE, which the speaker characterized as having opposed certain education leaders in earlier years.

Student members of the commission joined the recognition. Cassie Garcia, introduced by staff as the senior student representative, was acknowledged during the meeting for her bilingual assistance and commission work.

No formal action was required or taken on the recognition; the tribute was offered as part of the meeting’s opening remarks.