ROTTERDAM ‘Voice of Schalmont’ retiring after 37 years Beloved English teacher never took a sick day BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.
For Rick Pepe, working nearly four decades at a job without taking a single sick day isn’t that big of a deal. The Schalmont High School English teacher credits his impressive string of illness-free days at the district to the good genes and good work habits he inherited from his parents. Besides, it’s a bit diffi cult for him to call in sick to work when he doesn’t consider his job work in the first place. “Ever since kindergarten, I’ve never gotten up to go to work,” he said. “I’ve always gotten up to go to school.” Pepe’s streak will end at the district this month, but not because he plans on skipping a day at work. After 37 years with the district, the beloved educator who some call the “voice of Schalmont”’ will retire at the end of June. “I’m still finding every day as interesting and rewarding as it was in the beginning,” he said. The district honored Pepe this week by conferring Schalmont’s first-ever honorary degree to him. In doing so, they commended him for his wide breadth of service to Schalmont, including 20 years as a Student Council adviser and the adviser to the class of 1976. In sports, Pepe coached the varsity girls’ basketball team for 15 years and the varsity girls’ softball team for 36 years. His coaching accolades include a girls’ basketball sectional championship, two Colonial Council softball championships and six Colonial Council girls’ basketball championships. The seemingly ubiquitous Pepe also served as the de facto Schalmont DJ during dozens school dances and the announcer for the district’s varsity football games. He’s typically the master-of-ceremonies for school pep rallies and operates the clock at high school basketball games. .............>>>>..................>>>>.............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01000
For those students that made the commitment and listened to his teachings, followed his leadership left his care ready to communicate and work with anyone in the world regardless of language and nationality.
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