By Nicole Raney

Monday, December 20 a banquet was held honoring Dr. Alva Sibbitt for his years of service to Paoli schools. At the banquet many staff members from both the high school and Throop elementary gathered to share thoughts and memories of their time working with Sibbitt.

Sibbitt received many gifts at his reception.

Athletic Director Darrell Newkirk gave Sibbitt a life-time athletic pass to all future Paoli events.

“It isn’t much, but I hope it’s something you will use,” Newkirk said.

Rachel Wyatt of the Paoli high school Sunshine Fund presented him with a royal blue sport coat to honor his new job. Wyatt remarked that it was the “hardest gift I’ve ever had to buy in my life.”

Dr. Vic Combs and school board member Joe Kimmell awarded Sibbitt with an engraved plaque.

“I’m sorry to see Dr. Sibbitt move one, thanks to Doc for giving my the opportunity to come here and bringing my family here,” Combs said.

Kimmell remarked that Sibbitt was a patriarch, and encouraged others to speak about Sibbitt. Many teachers and staff members stood and spoke about Sibbitt’s influence on their lives.

Sibbitt himself was very emotional during the presentation.

“All these presents are wonderful, thank you. But all of you people being here is wonderful,” Sibbitt remarked.

His lasting message to those gathered brought tears to his eyes as he spoke.

“You have to take care of the at-risk kids. Some of those kids come here with two strikes against them. Please take care of them,” he said.

He remarked that being the superintendent was never a job.

“This has never been a job. A job is something you do for money. This has been a lifetime love affair,” he said.

To close the reception, Sibbitt and his wife Judy were asked to dance the Tennessee Waltz played by Mr. Larry Hollan. After they danced he thanked his wife for taking a “C student and turning him into an A student.” He left to a standing ovation and many thanks from the staff in attendance.

Photo by Cassidy Daugherty