Mamaroneck district honors roughly 20 retirees; student orchestra opens ceremony

The Mamaroneck Union Free School District on June 4 held a retirement recognition ceremony that honored roughly 20 staff members across its elementary, middle and high schools.

Claire (the event host) introduced a performance by the Hammocks Chamber Orchestra with an opening piece, 'Adoration' by Florence Price, which the presenter linked to the ensemble’s recent second‑place finish at the Music in the Parks festival. "Please enjoy Adoration," the musician said as the group began its performance.

School leaders then called retirees to the stage and delivered individual tributes. Melissa Cruz Gomez, principal of Central School, praised Michelle Butchart for a 32‑year teaching career, including 27 years in Mamaroneck, and highlighted the ways Butchart created community and nurtured students. Other tributes recognized teachers and staff including Mary Ann Walken (26 years at Central School), Alex Glass (nearly 30 years at Chatsworth), Denise Gleason (reading specialist), Linda Delasho (41 years in education, 23 in Murray), and Tim (NHS band teacher) for 42 years in education and 29 years at the high school.

Speakers emphasized longtime classroom practices, program leadership, mentorship and community service. Several presenters highlighted nonprofit and global projects led by retirees — for example, a student‑founded initiative that raised funds to build an educational center in Senegal was credited to a retiring teacher who organized exchange trips and fundraising over many years.

At the close of the recognition program, organizers invited retirees and colleagues to take photographs; administrators thanked attendees and noted logistics for pictures and a reception in the lobby.

Provenance: The recognition program spans the opening performance through the closing remarks before the board business session.