MEXICO — Twenty-three retirees were recognized at the Regional School Unit 10 retirement and recognition dinner Monday night at Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

Mountain Valley High School Assistant Principal and coach Alan Cayer was recognized by Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert.

“Al was one person I admire for 39 years working with kids,” Gilbert said. “He’s really amazing. He enjoys working with kids everyday.”

Eileen Pew, a literacy coach in the district, was recognized for 28 years of teaching by Meroby Elementary School Principal Kim Fuller and Rumford Elementary School Principal Jill Bartash.

“Her legacy is an incredible gift to our community,” Bartash said.

Alan Boudreau, a custodian and bus driver with the district for 32 years, was recognized by Transportation Director Scott Holmes.

Holmes said Boudreau began working at Mexico High School in 1985, then becoming head custodian at Virginia Elementary School, now Pennacook Learning Center, in 2000.

Cindy Bernard was recognized by Nutrition Director Jeanne LaPointe for her 28 years of service.

Bernard started working for the district at Rumford Elementary School and moved up to the high school, LaPointe said.

“She gets to be with her twin grandbabies, a boy and a girl, and they are waiting,” she said.

Others recognized were: Suzanne Tifft of Hartford Elementary School; Marsha Burns and Peggy LaPointe of the high school; Suzanne Duka and Connie McKenna of Mountain Valley Middle School; Catherine Stickney of Rumford Elementary School; Rebecca Perez, Sally Puiia and Elizabeth Smith of Meroby Elementary School; and Paula Puiia, Charlie Sastamoine, Richard Briggs, and Thomas Sinclair of the transportation department.

School board retirees recognized were: Denise Cross of Roxbury and Jeff Sterling, Heather Gallant and Greg Buccina, all of Rumford.

School board student representative retirees were Seneca Jacobs of Buckfield Junior-Senior High School and Lauren Sterling of Mountain Valley High School.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

Mountain Valley High School Principal Matt Gilbert, left, gives Mountain Valley High School Assistant Principal Alan Cayer a plaque Monday evening in recognition of his 39 years with the school system. The retirement ceremony was held at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)

Rumford Elementary School Principal Jill Bartash, left, hugs Regional School Unit 10 literacy coach Eileen Pew at a retirement dinner Monday night at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)