Retired teachers celebrate 50 years
For the Gazette
STEVENS POINT – Under the theme “50 Years of Memories and Shaping the Future,” 60 retired teachers and their guests gathered at SentryWorld on Nov. 11, as the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association (SPARTA) returned to the place where they first met in 1969.
Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza opened the celebration with an official proclamation declaring “Retired Educators’ Day.”
Other honored guests included Portage County Executive Chris Holman, Stevens Point Superintendent of Schools Craig Gerlach, and Wisconsin Retired Teachers’ Association Assistant to the Executive Director Annaliece Rynes.
SPASH Counterpointers and the Chamber Strings Ensemble provided musical entertainment.
Best known for its book sales, started in 1991 by longtime President Elbert Rackow, SPARTA “shapes the future” by donating profits from its biannual sales to local organizations. For the 2019-20 period, 32 nonprofits and charities have received $8,000 in grants.
Since 1996, $23,750 has been dedicated to scholarships. Recently SPARTA was able to fully endow two student scholarships through the Community Foundation.
In addition, SPARTA members volunteer for a variety of groups, especially those dealing with education and health.
Receiving special recognition at the celebration were veterans and SPARTA officers, past and current. Officers acknowledged were SPARTA President Santha Bickford; Treasurer Jan Langton; Co-secretaries, David Blado and Laura Isberner; and Data Manager Sherrilee Wallerman.
The event was organized by Barb Clementi, Sandy Schroeder, and Sherrilee Wallerman. Clementi also served as mistress of ceremonies.