Retired West Genny teachers catch up

On June 19 nearly 70 retired West Genesee High School teachers and support staff met for their biennial reunion at Marcellus Park.

It is estimated the group represents well over 1,500 years of teaching experience.

The educators meet once every two years to catch up with each other and reminisce about their years at West Genesee.

The oldest member of this year’s group was Manny Martinez, age 97, and the newest attendee was Pam Agricola who retired this year.

Their careers span 60 years at West Genesee, some of them beginning their jobs in the early 1960s and even the 1950s.

They’ve seen the overcrowded high school of the early 1970s, ninth graders moving out and several years later moving back in, budget cuts and contract disputes, the coming and going of several administrators and school superintendents, championship sports teams and stellar fine arts programs, excellent academic results, and school renovations.

They represent every academic field and include several coaches.