It was a bittersweet week at Plymouth High School as some would call a legend of the halls retired.
On Friday, spring break eve, Trudy Stearns, a janitor, never far from her decorative cart, finished up her last shift at Plymouth High School— surrounded by those who have come to know and love her throughout the decades.
Trudy spent 34 years of her life working for Plymouth schools. The first 22 years she was a bus driver, then one year at Riverside as the school’s custodian, and for the past 11 years, she has kept PHS in top shape as she pushed her unique and decorative cart from room to room smiling along the way, making most who passed by feel like a friend.
On Wednesday, the retirement festivities started with a Hawaiian themed Luau in the staff break room planned by members of the PHS staff. The menu consisted of pulled pork sandwiches, Hawaiian Taro root and sweet potato chips, Hawaiian meatballs, BBQ smoked sausages, guacamole and Hacienda chips, veggies, fruit salad, and fruit punch frozen drinks. Band Director Bryan Ames was even able to secure Kent Arnsbarger, a friend, who is a professional musician from LaPorte, to provide live entertainment in the teacher’s lounge in celebration of Trudy’s retirement.
Then on Friday morning, the celebration went full throttle with breakfast being served for staff at 7:30 a.m. in the teacher’s lounge, followed by Trudy’s favorite lunch being dished out, compliments of PHS principal Jim Condon and the PHS kitchen staff. At the lunch gathering for Trudy, she said, “These have been the best years ever. Thank you!” The PCSC and PHS administration would like to thank Trudy Stearns for the time and dedication she has given students, staff, and the corporation. When school resumes from spring break Trudy, her cart and her contagious smile undoubtedly will be missed at PHS – but she will forever remain in the hearts of many current and former staff members and students.
