Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406210087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She rode away in a black limousine after walking down a red carpet and being entertained by her fellow teachers at Fallon Park Elementary School.
Lois Trent, the school's assistant principal, even climbed onto the griddle-hot roof and played "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Taps" on the trumpet for Akers as she left.
The teachers gave a royal farewell to Akers, who is retiring after 35 years as a music teacher in the city. They gave her a bouquet of 35 green and white carnations and cheered as she came down the walk to the limousine.
A huge banner was draped over the front of the school thanking Akers for her years as a teacher.
During the limousine trip, Akers rode past several Roanoke schools where she taught during her long career. She has taught at Fallon Park for 20 years.
The afternoon ended with a party attended by friends and teachers who have worked with her.
The farewell caught Akers by surprise because it was planned in secrecy.
Cheryl Nicely, a Fallon Park teacher and close friend of Akers', helped organize the farewell and made arrangements for the limousine, which cost $65 an hour.
"She is such a classy person that we wanted her to leave in class," said Nicely. "We knew that she would enjoy something like this."
Akers said she began to be suspicious that something might be in the works when she didn't see Nicely for about an hour before the limousine and farewell surprise.
"Never, never did I expect anything like this, " she said.
Akers was a stabilizing force at Fallon Park because she taught there so long, Trent said. "She has been one of the keys to the success that we have had here at this school."
Trent said that the retiring music teacher has a close relationship with her students and helped motivate them. "She loves the kids and does such a good job with them."
Akers' husband, George, who participated in the farewell and helped keep it a secret, is retiring this year, too. He has worked for Roanoke County schools for 32 years, including the past five as principal at Burlington Elementary School.
by CNB