Meers honored at Highland Park
Jeremy Nash news-herald.net
As the covering
was removed for what will be a sign placed above the Highland Park
Elementary School library/media center entrance, David Meers’ goal was
further realized.
The longtime
HPES principal and current Loudon County commissioner stood in awe as
loved ones surrounded him and welcomed the new addition to a school
Meers served for 27 years.
Meers worked 42
years for Loudon County Schools before retiring in 2009.
“Just
words cannot express my sincere appreciation to this community and the
county for the support that they’ve given us over the years,” Meers
said. “... It means so much I can’t say. Words can’t explain my
appreciation. It’s just an honor.
Meers recalled iconic professional
baseball player Lou Gehrig’s speech, considering himself the
“luckiest man” to be surrounded by loved ones and serving the county
school district for so long. To have his name on the HPES library
and media center was an “honor,” he said.
His hopes while principal were to
have an after-school program and a “rooted” library for children. He
recalls the school having to move the library around four times due
to a growing student population.
Kathy Winsor, HPES principal,
believes Meers “started the fire” to get the efforts in motion.
“I think we just wanted to be sure
and honor Mr. Meers for his years of service,” Winsor said. “He’s
been a member of the Loudon County Schools since 1977. He’s been
with the system a long time, and even after he’s left the school
system he’s still been with county commission and he’s been involved
in making decisions for the schools. We just wanted to make sure
that he felt appreciated for the job that he’s done.”
Loudon County Director of Schools
Michael Garren months ago asked what Winsor thought about a
dedication in Meers’ honor. “He’s always been a big proponent of
reading and reading instruction and making sure kids have what they
need,” Winsor said.
Garren thanked Meers for his
service to county schools.
“I’ve been over at Greenback and
over here at Highland Park, I hear one thing from teachers when
I told them about what we’re doing today, the words ‘long
overdue.’ I can’t disagree with that,” Garren said. “I think
this is a remarkable thing. When I look back over the last nine
years that I’ve been in the district, we don’t have one
principal or one assistant principal who’s had the same position
after nine years ago and he managed to do that for over 20
years.”
“That speaks volumes for
when you can hold that position for over 20 years and
make achievements like you did here at Highland Park,”
he added.State
Rep. Kent Calfee, R-Kingston, was present to give a
proclamation to the school.
“Just a very driven
person, goal-oriented, good public servant and just a
very good community man with a deep heart,” David
Clinton, former HPES principal, said about Meers.
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