This school year marked the end of an era, 3 of our veteran teachers retired. The faculty & staff celebrated them on the last day of school with a luncheon at 91. However, those were not their only celebrations.
Our students also showed each of them how loved they are by marking their retirement. That’s what it’s like when you are part of the Central Catholic family, we come together to mark special occasions and remind one another how special each person is to our family!
Collectively, our 3 retirees served the Crusader family for more than 100 years. In addition to teaching, they developed relationships with students in various capacities, including as coaches, advisors for clubs & student organizations, musicians, chaperones, etc.
Mrs. Mary Ann (Fiely) Morrison arrived at CCHS in 1988 and has taught theology and social studies. Both of her children attended Central Catholic, Larry was in the Class of 1997 and Melissa in the Class of 2021. Mrs. Morrison’s AP class hosted a surprise retirement party for her before the senior class finished their exams.
Mr. Jim Sicker is a 1980 Crusader graduate, who returned to Central Catholic in 1989 to teach science courses, he has been a pillar of the Science Department ever since. His Honors Biology class brought in cupcakes on his last day of teaching and presented a card to him that every student from his honors biology class signed.
Mr. John Weeks joined the Central Catholic faculty in 1994, teaching theology & economics during his years here. His daughter Sarah is a 2008 Crusader graduate, and his son Tim is a 2011 Crusader graduate. Members of NHS decorated Mr. Week’s classroom for his retirement and nearly every member of the Class of 2027, the freshmen class he taught this year, signed a card for him.
At commencement, after each of them gave the commencement address, anyone who had Mrs. Morrison, Mr. Sicker, or Mr. Weeks as a teacher was asked to stand. Looking out at the audience, HUNDREDS of people stood and also gave a long, hearty applause for their former teachers. It was heartwarming to see the connection they created with so many Crusaders, past & present.
The feeling of family was evident. It was reflected in the students smiling at their teachers and the way each of them looked out with amazement at so many of the students they had taught. Each of our retirees shared, that there “just isn’t any other place like Central Catholic. It’s truly a family.”
We thank them for all they’ve done over the years! They will be missed but don’t forget…. #OnceACrusaderAlwaysACrusader!
*Special thanks to Crusader Digital News student & Marketing and Business Intern, Taylor McGee, for her help to compile alumni photos which can be found on our social pages, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @CCHSCantonOhio.