Main Sections

VUHS Seniors Honor Retiring Teacher Ralph Paquette

photo by Cookie Steponaitis Ending a fifteen year stint teaching Business and Financial Survival, Ralph Paquette will leave on June 12th with the Class of 2009.

Tuesday June 9, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

    You know someone has truly impacted your life when their room is a destination; their name is a simple “Mr. P” and their advice on financial planning and life skills have become legendary. As the VUHS class of 2009 crosses the stage for the last time on June 12th, they will be watched and followed by long time teacher Ralph Paquette, who is stepping down.

    The Senior Class dedicated their 2009 Blue and White Yearbook to “Mr. P” and in a formal presentation before the whole school on Memorial Day, cited the sage advice, unfailing support and devotion to their class on and off the playing field as having been an anchor in their growth as students and individuals. Senior Jessy Sturtevant read the dedication, “We do hereby decree that the career, caring and advice of Mr. Ralph Paquette has made all the difference in our lives. On many occasions he traveled great distances to attend sporting events in support of our endeavors on the field. On many occasions, the wit, wisdom and common sense of Mr. P brought us to our senses and made us examine real world issues. On a daily basis Mr. P taught us subjects critical to our lives such as tortes, tickets, credit cards, leases, insurance claims, jury duty, buying a car and much more. So with all due legal ease, dignified whoopla and just plain love, the Class of 2009 dedicates and presents its Yearbook to Mr. Ralph Paquette.”

    Ralph Paquette joined the staff at VUHS in the fall of 1994, bringing to the classroom a broad base of experiences that included military service and decades of work in the business world. He took over the VUHS Business program and pioneered a class called Financial Survival, which provided juniors and seniors with clear understandings of the complex issues facing them as young adults concerning their own finances, insurances, leases and planning for the future. Another facet of his life became an annual part of the US History classes as he would come and present to students his experiences while serving in the Vietnam War. He also coached Varsity Girls Basketball and has earned the nickname of “most supportive fan”, for his driving for hours just to watch a match or a game. Students even joked he was more dependable than the pony express, for no snow storm seemed to daunt his enthusiasm or slow him down. When asked to comment on his years at VUHS, Mr. P remarked, “Entering education at the ripe old age of 46 was a whole new lease on life. Being around teenagers keeps you young and involved. I can honestly say of all the "professions" I've had, flying was the most exciting, but teaching was by far the most rewarding. I thank VUHS and the community for all the support they have given me during my 15 years and wish them nothing but the very best as they continue to educate some of the finest kids you'll find anywhere.”

   Student comments about Mr. Paquette range from; “he is our rock”, to “I can’t imagine VUHS without him”. Junior Tara Healy also honored him at the Memorial Day assembly and reminded all present of his ability to find answers to what ever questions were asked of him and to be the first to admit when he himself did not know. He opened eyes, raised awareness and brought each student real world expectations and old world caring and charm. His career and tenure bring into focus again for all to see the power and impact one individual can have on youth and that each of us has gifts to share. While he will not be far away next year , as he resides in Chittenden County, the VUHS community shares mixed emotions of happiness and sadness at his retirement, summed up perhaps best by the embroidered message on the Commodore Sweatshirt presented to him at the Memorial Day assembly, which read, Ralph Paquette- Leader of the Pack.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives